As you will have spotted, if only from the projects I am working on at the moment (Dark Ages, Montrose, Marlburian, FIW, Indian Mutiny, WW2 etc.) I have a wide range of interests and there isn't necessarily a common theme to my interests. The inspiration for any project could come from a multitude of sources - a nice figure range, a book, a film, a visit or an interesting set of rules - the key is for it to pique my curiosity for the period. If it manages to do that then it will be likely to have the legs to turn into something real. Of course my basic rule for project still applies - for it to move from Stage 1 (the Idea) to Stage 2 (the Investment) I must have selected the figure range(s), terrain, rules and scenario(s) - if I don't the project is likely to stall and take up money and space I don't have without giving anything back!
So what has been attracting my attention of late? The answer, in short, is medievals. Ah ha I hear you cry that's not a single period! And you would be right. My interests span the full range from the boundary with the Dark Ages, through the Barons Wars, the Crusades and the Hundred Years War all the way to the Wars of the Roses. My problem is that I can't afford to do it all and haven't been able to focus on one area long enough to actually translate it into something worthwhile.
I had thought Deus Vult would have helped me focus on the Crusades and sort out the problem; however, whilst the rules are beautifully produced, for some reason they didn't galvanise me into action. Mind you, neither did Flower of Chivalry from the Canadian Wargamers Group (which I have had for some time and which I have heard good things about) but this time it was more to do with choosing the right scale and figures.
I am torn between 28mm, largely due to the ranges and the way they look, and 15mm which I think will look better on the table. With 28mm I have been drawn to the new figures from Claymore Castings (probably as they're sculpted by Paul Hicks) and the Agincourt and Wars of the Roses from the Perrys.
 |
| Perry - Dismounted Men at Arms |
 |
| Claymore - Scots Unit |
 |
| Peter Pig - Bloody Barons |
I can certainly see the appeal here, particularly given the lovely miniatures available; as for scale I can't see myself grappling with a smaller scale, but I like Andrew's suggestion above.
ReplyDeleteSmaller scales do have their advantages but painting them is a different proposition than 28s that's for sure! Especially in large numbers...
DeleteMy comment would be what do you have terrain for now that you can reuse for this project and focus on that scale. If money is no object, then this is not a problem. I am a cheap sort and I have scads of 15mm terrain & miniatures. I happen to have all of 5 figures in 28mm and no terrain. So I am more or less locked into 15mm solutions. If you have enough terrain that is usable in multiple solutions, then go for the prettiest figures. :)
ReplyDeleteGood point Chris, I do have terrain in both scales as I game both of them already but I have more relevant stuff in 28mm but obviously it somewhat less of an investment to bridge the gap for 15mm than for 28!
Delete+1 for WotR! I have mined the Perfect Captain before, but I'm not sure if I looked at those titles. My idea has always been to use Kingmaker by Avalon Hill to set up a campaign of Table top battles. 15mm might be a good solution, there are some pretty amazing sculpts out there now.
ReplyDeleteI'd recommend giving them a look Sean as, whilst I haven't actually played them, they look worth the read and Perfect Captain certainly know how to make the stuff look good!
DeleteKingmaker is certainly a good idea for campaigns - unfortunately I don't have a copy - hence looking at A Crown of Paper.
Glad I'm not the only one then! I must admit I love 28mm for the style and detail but getting a big battle to look right in it requires a big table and a bigger budget!
ReplyDeleteHave you taken a look at Chain of Command from the TooFatLardies yet?
ReplyDeleteIt is only a matter of time as it is squad based skirmish with a command and fear structure in place
Perfect for your "I Ain't Been Shot Yet Mum" wargaming troops
Individual bases
40 figures and a couple of tanks (at most)
I pre-ordered Chain of Command - largely to use with my 28mm WW2 (of which I have rather too many - although not quite enough as it turns out!) - and have managed one game so far - I'll be posting about that in a few days.
DeleteI can offer little advice on choosing projects, as you know I juggle several at the same time as it is. I have a lot of respect, as well as a degree of envy, for those who can concentrate on one thing for any length of time.
ReplyDeleteA Crown of Paper does look good... as does their broader Renaissance system too. So much for so little outlay.
There is really no reason why you can't game in two scales. Admittedly there is an additional cost in terms of buildings and terrain, but a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't suit everyone either.
Using 28mm for small battles and 15mm (or 12mm) for larger ones, can be combined into a single project however and obviously eases the 'which scale' argument.
I do sometimes wonder if we have too much choice as regards figures nowadays...
Lots of choice is certainly a double edged sword - that's for sure!
DeleteI really like 28mm figures but I've never been happy that you can get a big battle look without a very large table - hence my interest in 15s. Of course that's purely a person aesthetic perspective.
In any event I'm just trying to curb my butterfly tendencies - not that well actually as it happens!