Literally. From the table, as I was setting up Sassanids for DBA, my elbow clocks the box of Hittites and the hit the floor- wheels and yokes all over the farkin' place. What a disaster, there were tears in my eyes. Lasting until I finally managed to win 2/3 against Mark's spiffy new Arab army.
So, what about you? See today's poll....
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Carthaginians trickle in
My first Carthaginians are just off the bench, I chose an arid theme for basing and with the Numidians I tried to get a sense of their swirling or circling battlefield movements by basing them facing different directions.
There are two elements of jumbos (Hat 1/72 Carthaginian war elephants)
And 4 elements of Numidian light horse (also Hat 1/72)
Next up: some Punic noble cavalry and command.
There are two elements of jumbos (Hat 1/72 Carthaginian war elephants)
And 4 elements of Numidian light horse (also Hat 1/72)
Next up: some Punic noble cavalry and command.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A bad day for France...
Today Kevin and I playtested the Chevauchee for my second playtest, it was Kevin's first taste of Impetus. I have the map game mechanics worked out after a few queries to the Impetus forum. Kevin drew the English so I played the French.
Kevin's army was gleefully romping across the French countryside,
while Kevin gleefully pillaged the oatmeal cookies.The French rolled an early epidemic while the English drew reinforcements, so time and attrition were working against the French steadily. Once the two French forces combined I decided to force march onto the English and engage, in hindsight this was a mistake. By force-marching I risked a 50% chance of fighting exhausted (all units at -1 VBU) versus his fresh force. As chance would have it we arrived exhausted, and this meant the battle was pretty one-sided. Note to self: only risk a battle at exhaustion if the opponent is also exhausted.
The Rost-boeufsKevin set up a force of mostly longbow behind stakes with a couple of mounted knights on 3 hills behind 3 ploughed fields.
The ill-fated French
Kevin's right flank advance, my considerably slower frontal assault in the background.
Kevin lining up his knights to charge my flank. 
The clash of kings.Basically, Kevin's longbow shot the lights out of my Genoese and the artillery at long range. They must have been using sniper scopes, that coupled with my explosive cohesion test-rolling. My foot troops eventually did reach his line but fought mostly to a draw, despite the advantage of higher VBU. I think we killed one bow unit.
French foot knights approach the English line
The view from the rear facing my left and the battle between the kings
Eventually my king fell and the English knights had nothing left to kill. The final tally 15:2, English victory.
I think the -1 VDU due to exhaustion was crushing, my force was too fragile and disintegrated under bowfire. So the blunder on the map was the French undoing. Furthermore, I could have perhaps made better use of the terrain- for example, perhaps I should have moved one of his hills to create some blind areas to shield my advance instead of removing the ploughed fields, or even moved the ploughed fields to protect my flank. The battle was lost before it started, perhaps the way it was at Crecy, Agincourt and Poitiers....
I think the -1 VDU due to exhaustion was crushing, my force was too fragile and disintegrated under bowfire. So the blunder on the map was the French undoing. Furthermore, I could have perhaps made better use of the terrain- for example, perhaps I should have moved one of his hills to create some blind areas to shield my advance instead of removing the ploughed fields, or even moved the ploughed fields to protect my flank. The battle was lost before it started, perhaps the way it was at Crecy, Agincourt and Poitiers....
Thursday, January 21, 2010
LOTR for Impetus and upcoming projects
Been quiet at the workbench for the last few days since I have been planning my next project. This will be the Second Punic War in Italy in 1/72 using Impetus. I have just primed the first batch of Carthaginians and ordered a few missing bits (particularly Spanish and Italian allies) to fill it out. Pics will come as this project develops, I am still considering doing Trebia.
Otherwise, I have been playing with an adaptation of Lord of the Rings for Impetus and I'll post my first draft of unit statistics here. The point costs come directly from the Impetus formulae posted on the forum and my interpretation of unit abilities and weaponry is coming from Peter Jackson & Games Workshop. A few of us at the club have sizable LOTR armies using the War of the Ring bases for that game. Since those rules are quite badly broken (nice ideas, insufficient playtesting) we would like to play with our stuff using another ruleset.
I my first incarnation I have tried to stick to core Impetus principles and introduce minimal new stuff (e.g. no magic).
At this moment I was considering the following:
Basing:
1 unit of 8 WOTR infantry = 1 Impetus base of FP or FL or T foot. The dimensions of a WOTR infantry base are 110mm x 60mm and typical infantry are 120mm x 60mm in Impetus.
We will need to make some kind of bases for scouts/skirmishers, I would think half the depth of a WOTR infantry base (110mm x 30mm) with 4 models.
2 units of 2 WOTR cavalry = 1 Impetus base of CP or CM or CL mounted. The dimensions of a WOTR mounted base are 90mm x 50mm and a cavalry base is 120mm x 80mm in Impetus. Kevin suggested we use 2 bases side by side giving a frontage of 100mm and depth of 90mm for a cavalry unit. I like it.
1 monster on a round base plays as is, it is treated as an elephant E that cannot join a group, but consider that it has 360 facing and allow it to move in a straight line in any direction for each impulse of movement.
Characters:
Treat as either minor (e.g. Legolas, a ringwraith, captains) or major (Aragorn, Saruman, the witchking). Minor characters are just like regular generals, major characters add 1 VBU to the host unit and are +3 generals.
Other Abilities:
Fear causing: causes disorder in enemy on contact, cannot be charged by disordered troops
Flying: Ignore ZOC, units & terrain when moving.
Here are the army lists, the selection of forces and unit types reflects what Kevin, Mark and I have painted. Comments welcome!
Otherwise, I have been playing with an adaptation of Lord of the Rings for Impetus and I'll post my first draft of unit statistics here. The point costs come directly from the Impetus formulae posted on the forum and my interpretation of unit abilities and weaponry is coming from Peter Jackson & Games Workshop. A few of us at the club have sizable LOTR armies using the War of the Ring bases for that game. Since those rules are quite badly broken (nice ideas, insufficient playtesting) we would like to play with our stuff using another ruleset.
I my first incarnation I have tried to stick to core Impetus principles and introduce minimal new stuff (e.g. no magic).
At this moment I was considering the following:
Basing:
1 unit of 8 WOTR infantry = 1 Impetus base of FP or FL or T foot. The dimensions of a WOTR infantry base are 110mm x 60mm and typical infantry are 120mm x 60mm in Impetus.
We will need to make some kind of bases for scouts/skirmishers, I would think half the depth of a WOTR infantry base (110mm x 30mm) with 4 models.
2 units of 2 WOTR cavalry = 1 Impetus base of CP or CM or CL mounted. The dimensions of a WOTR mounted base are 90mm x 50mm and a cavalry base is 120mm x 80mm in Impetus. Kevin suggested we use 2 bases side by side giving a frontage of 100mm and depth of 90mm for a cavalry unit. I like it.
1 monster on a round base plays as is, it is treated as an elephant E that cannot join a group, but consider that it has 360 facing and allow it to move in a straight line in any direction for each impulse of movement.
Characters:
Treat as either minor (e.g. Legolas, a ringwraith, captains) or major (Aragorn, Saruman, the witchking). Minor characters are just like regular generals, major characters add 1 VBU to the host unit and are +3 generals.
Other Abilities:
Fear causing: causes disorder in enemy on contact, cannot be charged by disordered troops
Flying: Ignore ZOC, units & terrain when moving.
Here are the army lists, the selection of forces and unit types reflects what Kevin, Mark and I have painted. Comments welcome!
| Unit | Type | M | VBU | I | D | VP | Points | Weapons | Notes |
| Rohan | |||||||||
| Royal Guard | CM | 10 | 6 | 4 | A | 3 | 36 | --- | |
| Riders | CM | 10 | 5 | 3 | B | 3 | 27 | Compositebow C | |
| Outriders | CL | 12 | 4 | 1 | B | 2 | 27 | Compositebow B | |
| Militia | FP | 5 | 4 | 2 | C | 2 | 10 | --- | |
| Archers | T | 6 | 3 | 0 | C | 1 | 11 | Compositebow A | |
| Minor hero | 1 | 5 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major hero | add 1 | 3 | 15 | +3 General | |||||
| Gondor | |||||||||
| Knights | CP | 8 | 6 | 4 | B | 3 | 29 | --- | impetuous |
| Warriors | FP | 5 | 5 | 2 | B | 3 | 19 | --- | |
| Rangers | FL | 8 | 4 | 1 | A | 3 | 28 | Compositebow A | |
| Scouts | S | 8 | 3 | 0 | A | 1 | 23 | Compositebow B | |
| Bolt thrower | Art | 5 | 1 | 0 | B | 1 | 20 | ART B | |
| Minor hero | 1 | 5 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major hero | add 1 | 3 | 15 | +3 General | |||||
| Dwarves | |||||||||
| Guard | FP | 5 | 6 | 2 | A | 3 | 30 | --- | |
| Warriors | FP | 5 | 5 | 2 | B | 3 | 19 | --- | |
| Archers | T | 6 | 3 | 0 | B | 2 | 16 | Shortbow A | |
| Rangers | FL | 8 | 4 | 1 | A | 3 | 24 | javelin | |
| Scouts | S | 8 | 3 | 0 | A | 1 | 19 | Shortbow B | |
| Bolt thrower | Art | 5 | 1 | 0 | B | 1 | 20 | ART B | |
| Minor hero | 1 | 10 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major hero | add 1 | 3 | 30 | +3 General | |||||
| Elves | |||||||||
| High elf warriors | FL | 8 | 5 | 2 | A | 3 | 26 | --- | |
| High elf archers | FL | 8 | 4 | 1 | A | 3 | 33 | Longbow A | |
| Scouts | S | 8 | 3 | 0 | A | 1 | 23 | Longbow B | |
| Minor hero | 1 | 10 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major hero | add 1 | 3 | 30 | +3 General | |||||
| Isengard | |||||||||
| Uruk-hai | FP | 5 | 5 | 3 | B | 3 | 20 | --- | |
| Uruk-hai pike | FP | 5 | 5 | 1 | B | 3 | 21 | pike | |
| Uruk-hai crossbow | T | 6 | 4 | 1 | B | 3 | 24 | Crossbow A | |
| Uruk-hai scouts | FL | 8 | 4 | 2 | B | 3 | 17 | --- | |
| Uruk-hai scouts | S | 8 | 3 | 0 | B | 1 | 18 | Compositebow B | |
| Orc warband | FP | 5 | 4 | 3 | C | 2 | 11 | --- | impetuous, large units |
| Orc archers | FP | 5 | 3 | 0 | C | 1 | 11 | Shortbow A | |
| Warg riders | CL | 12 | 4 | 1 | C | 2 | 18 | Shortbow B | |
| Orc scouts | S | 8 | 2 | 0 | C | 1 | 7 | Shortbow B | |
| Minor antihero | 1 | 10 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major antihero | add 1 | 3 | 30 | +3 General | |||||
| Moria | |||||||||
| Giant spiders | CL | 12 | 4 | 2 | C | 2 | 16 | --- | |
| Goblin warband | FL | 8 | 3 | 2 | C | 2 | 10 | --- | impetuous, large units |
| Goblin archers | T | 6 | 3 | 0 | C | 1 | 11 | Shortbow A | |
| Goblin scouts | S | 8 | 2 | 0 | C | 1 | 7 | Shortbow B | |
| Troll | E | 8 | 6 | 5 | B | 3 | 33 | javelin | Fear |
| Minor antihero | 1 | 10 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major antihero | add 1 | 3 | 30 | +3 General | |||||
| Angmar | |||||||||
| Army of the Dead | FL | 8 | 5 | 2 | A | 3 | 26 | --- | Fear, flight |
| Riders of the Dead | CL | 12 | 5 | 3 | A | 3 | 31 | --- | Fear, flight |
| Orc warband | FP | 5 | 4 | 3 | C | 2 | 11 | --- | impetuous, large units |
| Orc archers | FP | 5 | 3 | 0 | C | 1 | 11 | Shortbow A | |
| Orc scouts | S | 8 | 2 | 0 | C | 1 | 7 | Shortbow B | |
| Gulavhar | E | 12 | 7 | 5 | A | 3 | 46 | --- | Fear, flight |
| Buhrdur | E | 8 | 7 | 5 | A | 3 | 45 | javelin | Fear |
| Minor antihero | 1 | 10 | +2 General | ||||||
| Major antihero | add 1 | 3 | 30 | +3 General |
Monday, January 18, 2010
Here are a few pics of the Celts as promised. I must say that I really enjoyed this project and I am looking forward to getting these fellas on the table. WF are tops, you can quibble about details but they are bloody good value and there are infinite ways to put them together. Plus Tony is a top bloke, and the rate of improvement and expansion of WF products is pretty amazing.
The boys are back! (2.5 boxes WF German, 1 box WF Celts, transfers by VVV)
Giddayup! (1 box WF Celtic cavalry)
Fetch? (Warlord hounds and handler)
Oh deer! (Babastus the Druid)
Yee-haa! (2 boxes Celtic chariots)
I have similar numbers of Romans done, ready to go except for the movement trays now.
The boys are back! (2.5 boxes WF German, 1 box WF Celts, transfers by VVV)
Giddayup! (1 box WF Celtic cavalry)
Fetch? (Warlord hounds and handler)
Oh deer! (Babastus the Druid)
Yee-haa! (2 boxes Celtic chariots)
I have similar numbers of Romans done, ready to go except for the movement trays now.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Next Project:: Punic Wars for Impetus
Today I finished the last 10 Celts for my Caesar in Britain project. I have ordered some shield transfers from VVV and will post up pics later this week when they have been applied. I also still need to make movement trays to be officially complete, but that can wait. I have enough painted for 300 point Impetus armies for both Rome and Britain, including chariots, cavalry, artillery and a variety of auxilia. The could also make up smallish WAB armies of about 1500 points.
So what next? I have a half dozen bases of livestock (highland cattle, aka "heilan' coos") to do for the next WAB campaign game with Scott. These will be a hoot. But for my next step towards the paint out I think I will tackle the Punic Wars in 1/72 for Impetus. I have enough bits to do ~500pt Carthaginian and Roman armies. I have the battle of Trebia in mind (Romans crushed in a double envelopment, very much foreshadowing Cannae).
The Carthaginians will be:
40 pts:Hannibal (gifted commander in chief)
30 pts:Mago (expert 2IC)
20 pts: Good command structure
23 pts: Punic CM
38 pts: (2) Gaul CM
92 pts: (4) Numidian CL
44 pts: (2) FP Libyans
57 pts: (3) FL Scutari
60 pts: (4) FL Gauls
60 pts: (5) S Caetrati, Numidians, Balearics
34 pts: (2) Elephants
The Gauls are painted, the rest are not. But the number of figs isn't huge since there are quite a few stands of mounted and skirmishers.
The Roman Army will be
20 pts: Fair CiC
20 pts: Fair 2iC
20 pts: Good command structure
57 pts: (3) CM
392 pts: (4) legions each with (3) FP (Principes, Hastati and Triarus) and (1) S (Velites)
All of the Roman foot are already painted, I just need to do the mounted and command, plus everything will have to be rebased. They are currently on shitty 40mm homemade bases.
So, that should take 6 weeks or so? Hard to tell, 1/72 goes fast though.
So what next? I have a half dozen bases of livestock (highland cattle, aka "heilan' coos") to do for the next WAB campaign game with Scott. These will be a hoot. But for my next step towards the paint out I think I will tackle the Punic Wars in 1/72 for Impetus. I have enough bits to do ~500pt Carthaginian and Roman armies. I have the battle of Trebia in mind (Romans crushed in a double envelopment, very much foreshadowing Cannae).
The Carthaginians will be:
40 pts:Hannibal (gifted commander in chief)
30 pts:Mago (expert 2IC)
20 pts: Good command structure
23 pts: Punic CM
38 pts: (2) Gaul CM
92 pts: (4) Numidian CL
44 pts: (2) FP Libyans
57 pts: (3) FL Scutari
60 pts: (4) FL Gauls
60 pts: (5) S Caetrati, Numidians, Balearics
34 pts: (2) Elephants
The Gauls are painted, the rest are not. But the number of figs isn't huge since there are quite a few stands of mounted and skirmishers.
The Roman Army will be
20 pts: Fair CiC
20 pts: Fair 2iC
20 pts: Good command structure
57 pts: (3) CM
392 pts: (4) legions each with (3) FP (Principes, Hastati and Triarus) and (1) S (Velites)
All of the Roman foot are already painted, I just need to do the mounted and command, plus everything will have to be rebased. They are currently on shitty 40mm homemade bases.
So, that should take 6 weeks or so? Hard to tell, 1/72 goes fast though.
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