Damn I hate me. Get an idea into my head and it just wont leave, in fact it grows and wanders about the place making a nuisance of itself and generally getting in the way. In my last post I spoke (typed) of my thoughts regarding a new 28mm army for Hail Caesar. I also mentioned it in a post on the club forum, basically asking the members to stop me and my madness; they were less that helpful. Thanks to them the idea of a new 28mm army has now morphed, become corrupted if you will, to the idea of a 15mm army...and I usually really dislike 15mm. So, once the idea of the 15mm army had dug itself in deep enough it began to eat away at my sanity to the point where I am now trying to decide what army I want!
I am caught between several choices so I thought I would bring you lot in on the debate and see if some sense cannot be made of my confusion and indecision. What are your thoughts on the army types, pros and cons, effectiveness etc of each? I am also happy to fight non historical games too so i am not forced into a period to conform to thers armies.
Option 1. Carthaginian
I am not a fan of Carthaginians, never quite sure what to do with the damn things. This may be a hang over from DBA where there are a lot of different troop types in the army but not enough of any one to be of use; enough to get themselves into trouble but not enough to get out of it. Ordinarily I would never consider this option except....I am being offered and unpainted Essex Carthaginian army for a good price, far cheaper than I could build any other army for. It therefore remains a practical option.
Option 2. Indian
One of my favourite DBA armies was my Indian one...elephants, heavy chariots...very cool; it is what is attracting me to a larger Hail Caesar army. Ah, memories. I like the mix of troop types although it will by no means be a 'killer army'. It will be unusual, at least at our club, and interesting to use/fight against given the armies owned by other members. It will be a little expensive, what with the elephants and chariots, but it doesn't have to be bought in all at once of course. Manufacturers are Xyston, Black Hat, Magister Militum & Essex but the prices vary a lot between them. Xyston look great but the are the most expensive and I understand that they are quite a big 15mm figure.
Option 3. Sarmation/Alan
I like this option because it is something very new for me...I have been a dogmatic Heavy Infantry gamer for ages so the change to a more mobile force does appeal....and who can resist an army with your own name!!?? It is also another very different from anything the other club members have. The thought of a tank like force supported by some very nimble and annoying horse archers intrigues me. Magister Militun will probably have to be the manufacturer of choice here I think although I understand that they can be a little small. Not a lover of the more staid looking Essex figures for this army.
Option 4. Successor
I have always liked the pike armies. Never been a huge fan of roman armies but always had a soft spot for the Greek and Macedonian ones. It would be quite easy for me to choose to build a Successor or Alexandrian army. The trouble is that quite a few members have one, it wont be anything new or bring anything new to the party. Everyone makes the figures for these armies so it will be easy to build. I would be very happy to build and own one but, is this a time for something new?
Option 5. Something really off the wall, like Mycenaean?
Or do I go silly and try something completely different?
Ok, over to you lot. What do you think? Any thoughts you feel relevant are welcome. What works for you, what armies are interesting and effective, which manufacturers should I avoid, which armies have annoyingly complicated paint jobs?
I know someone who is selling a rather large Rep Roman and Carthaginian army quite cheap, he also willing to sell individual units too. Funnily enough he's also got a large Mycenaean and Trojan army too!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Ray,
DeleteOh that is not helping! I assume that they are painted too? can't aford painted...can't really afford unpainted either but what can you do?? Get thee behind me Satan!!
(What does he have btw?)
Not my area of expertise but I always like the Indian idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Francis,
DeleteI like your thinking. At least I can get the figures for such an army even if it would be a unit at a time. I keep being drawn to the Indians, and great minds do think alike of course!
Successor! You can morph it forwards and backwords into a number of other ancient armies so that's a big plus.
ReplyDeleteHi Monty,
DeleteYou have to love the Successor armies and I wouldn't mind having one...I do like a nice pike phalanx. My reservation here is that there are plenty of these at the club already...although, I suppose I could look at doing a specific successor rather than the generic ones. hmmmmm
Having thought about it over night. What about Parthian? All the advantages of Alans, not as much heavy knight/Cavalry as the later Sarmations but the figures are easier to find and it could be very colourful.
ReplyDeleteCarthaginians... Meh! Indian (dependant on period) also meh! Successor, unless Egyptian ...meh. Mycenaeans/Minoans, maybe or Assyrian or Hittite, even Sea people.
But knowing you it will most likely be none of the above.
Hi Clint,
DeleteParthians could work. It is all so confusing, but it is interesting that nobody has said to take the cheaper Carthaginian option. As you rightly say..meh... But I still cannot, in all fairness, rule them out because of finances. So I wonder why I am still debating?
Ok mate. Get the Carthiginians then....but you won't like them so you will loathe painting them. You'll finish them and want to get rid of them and start a new project. You'll play one game and sell them pretty soon afterwards. If that sounds fun and the cheap option then get the Carthaginians. Or option B, get the army you actually want! Enjoy painting it and then playing with it and sell it a few years later. And feel happy and content. Your choice!
DeleteI know, you are not telling me anything that I don't already know but I appreciate you saying it anyway. I think I am down to choosing between Indian, Sarmation/parthian or those successors. Well at least I am crossing options off :)
DeleteSo, Alan - I know you need more options to help that disturbed and frenzied min along so what about Persians? Colourful, pretty varied, some unit types can be used in other armies (Hoplite mercenaries etc), chariots (we all know you love a chariot!) and plenty of opponents in the club what with all us Macedonian/Successor/Hellenistic types about.
ReplyDeleteNever quite sure why people have such a downer on the Carthaginians - yes you do get into trouble, but that's where all the fun is surely? The ecstatic agony of choice that is a DBA Carthaginian army is a thing of beauty...
Hi Simon,
DeleteI always need help mate...a frenzied mind indeed! Persians are a little too colourful for me...and I know how stupid that sounds...even though I do indeed love a chariot :) I think I am now down to two choices, Indian or Sarmations. The Indian is more balanced and will suit fighting the Hellenistic types, even if it gets bashed about a bit. The Sarmation is a fun army, tons of really heavy horse to cut a dash with.
I agree that the Carthaginians do get a bad press and that they can look very sweet too; they just do not grab me. Now I am stuck with the decision of which manufacturer to use!
Well if it helps, mine are a mixture of Essex, Minifigs, Donnington and Museum minis - though mostly Essex. I've avoided Xyston for the same reason you mentioned, size though they do look very good.
ReplyDeleteEssex for me generally...
I do like the look of Xyston but cannot really consider them if others have normal sized figures. My next post will have to look at this I think.
Delete