Today's post sees a third Battle marching out from the painting desk. Now, this ward was finished a couple of week's ago but time passes quickly and other topics came to the fore first. Add in a WotR game on Saturday during Virtual Huzzah and presenting this mass of troops now seemed fitting.
Out from the workbench is my third Battle for this new project. Like the previous two units, the Battle is composed of three lines having a total of 52 figures. The three lines contain one line of archers, one of billmen, and one of Men-At-Arms. They are flagged as the Earl of March/Edward IV. All figures are Perry Miniatures.
Painting production is seeing a drop in throughput of late, primarily due to gaming and other activities. A fourth Battle has been given a coat of primer and is awaiting its turn at the painting desk. These may not see activity soon, though. Several units are in the production line ahead of this project including 10mm ACW and the first unit of Sumerian spearman. Sumerian spearmen? Yes, I am beginning another new project. Sumerian armies will not be marching across the workbench quickly, though. Gaming, thinking about gaming, and writing about gaming all produce black holes into which my time is disappearing.
What about the Virtual Huzzah WotR' game? Well, I participated in a multi-player remote game on Saturday hosted by the authors of the recently released Test of Resolve. The game was an enjoyable six-player battle recreating the Battle of Towton. I commanded Somerset on the Lancastrian right and witnessed all three Lancastrian retinues break on the same turn. What a disaster! Once I download my screenshots from the game, I will likely publish a brief recap of the action and a quick overview of my initial thoughts on the rules.
Very nice work once more Jon - the heraldry on the standards for this period are fantastically attractive dont you think? Look forward to reading about your online gaming experience!
Markus, you can thank the author of the rules in playtest for the battle organization. The organization into three or four lines within a battle to produce a tactically interesting game is genius.
Another cracking unit as always Jonathan! The WotR really seems to be very popular after the free rules were 'published' not that long ago. 'Test of Resolve' sound interesting and look forward to reading your thoughts.
You are spot on with regard to Callan's free rules triggering a seeming firestorm of interest in the period. While I have not seen the rules, the interest they generated pulled me into the period. Not that I REALLY needed ANOTHER period, mind you.
I would enjoy giving 'Test of Resolve' another game or two before providing my impressions. Having only one data point with which to form an impression, however, may have to do for now.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that man with a poleaxe in the middle of the first picture...I think you've painted his bevor and gorget as his chin. If not, it's a fairly odd armour configuration for a man other wise completely covered.
No need to be hesitant on bringing bad news, Graham! It is not bad news at all. I appreciate your soft critique. My eyes are not as good as they once were and things can get missed. Being unfamiliar with bits of armor can be a hindrance at times too.
I re-examined the figure and the bits to which you refer look like that of a square-jawed warrior at first glance. It does seem careless to leave the chin exposed like that. I repainted as armor as suggested.
Thanks for your comment and helpful observation! You may have saved me from further embarrassment later.
Square jawed? I guess so. I thought it looked like he had a bad case of mumps.Not that I should criticise. I paint over a lot of detail and paint in what I want to be there on a lot of my figures. Zoom gaming is great for me as people can't pick up my toys and look at them closely.
Your WoTR stuff looks great. 52 miniatures is a lot but the battle looks strong and menacing for it. And it’s such a pretty genre. 😀 6 players seems like a lot for an online game. Much to handle. And I imagine that the bigger the table the harder it is to see everything remotely. Did iit go well?
Six players were not too many and the game played along at a comfortable pace. It was tough seeing all of the battlefield from one camera but the GMs had two cameras in play which helped a lot. After many remote games, one becomes accustomed to not seeing everything in precise detail. This has the benefit of adding in a bit of fog of war.
Competent and well-practiced GMs help make the play smooth and effortless on the part of the participants.
Did it go well? Ignoring suffering through a disastrous defeat, yes, it went very well!
Jonathan, the project marches on at great pace (you leave me standing!). Lovely array. Look forward to any write up you may find time to do on the Towton game.
Thank you, Ross! It may not be too long before I could give the rules a test with my own armies if I wished. Still have a lot of work ahead of me, though, and gaming is interfering with painting as you suggest.
Great looking battle Jonathan and your work is directing me to the distraction of continuing with my own WotR projects in both 15 and 28mm. Maybe next month :)
Great to see this project moving on and looking forward to see the Sumerians in the future.
Your Battle looks outstanding, Jon. With so much armor, the Banners are really needed to make the units pop in WotR, and yours do just that.
It was fun playing in a Zoom game with you once again, even if we got to share the defeat. Had your men had a bit more luck in polishing off Mark's battle first instead, and I not had mercy on Bob by switching out the dreaded Jalapeno die when it got "hot", things could have easily gone the other way!
Besides, the Yorkists are supposed to win at Towton, taking advantage of the wind and potential reinforcements, although they have certainly lost more than once in playtesting!
Thanks, Peter! It was great fun sharing a game with you again. We had some bad luck with the cards which more than once pre-emptied our turns. Mark and I were both at zero morale so whomever tested first wold likely break. Unfortunately, it was me. Still, it was a very close contest. Interesting system that I would enjoy trying again.
Thank you! No trouble painting plastic but I still prefer metal, for now. I miss the heft of a stand of 28mm figures and keep knocking these stands of plastics about by accident.
More lovely toys Jonathan. The Perry’s War of the Roses plastics are certainly very versatile and a good way of building up large forces... But I have to admit... I prefer metal... mainly because I don’t like sticking kits together...😲
Thank you, Aly! I am a metal head too. These are my first historical plastics since I was a kid. Nice figures and I enjoy putting them together but no substitute for the heft of metal.
Beautiful and again making me regret selling my own WotR forces.
ReplyDeleteThank you, George!
DeleteSorry for the unpleasant reminder...
Cracking work Jonathan, you’re cranking out these Perry WoTR figures at an impressive rate! Look forward to the Sumerians.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Mike! After this unit, I am afraid my production has been slowing significantly. I blame too much gaming!
DeleteI am very interested in your thoughts on Test of Resolve
ReplyDeleteMe too! It is a difficult task formulating an informed opinion after only one game. I do have some initial thoughts, though.
DeleteYou and Tim performed marvelously in your GMing of the event. Well done to you both!
Wooooa! Great work Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteVery generous, Michal!
DeleteThey look great Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you, Christopher!
DeleteVery nice work once more Jon - the heraldry on the standards for this period are fantastically attractive dont you think? Look forward to reading about your online gaming experience!
ReplyDeleteThe banners are an eye-catching delight! The colors are spectacular. Glad you like the finished product.
DeleteGlorious!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteOne of the things I enjoy about WotR gaming are the mixed battles, and you've captured this wonderfully. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteMarkus, you can thank the author of the rules in playtest for the battle organization. The organization into three or four lines within a battle to produce a tactically interesting game is genius.
DeleteGlad you like them!
Another cracking unit as always Jonathan! The WotR really seems to be very popular after the free rules were 'published' not that long ago. 'Test of Resolve' sound interesting and look forward to reading your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Steve!
DeleteYou are spot on with regard to Callan's free rules triggering a seeming firestorm of interest in the period. While I have not seen the rules, the interest they generated pulled me into the period. Not that I REALLY needed ANOTHER period, mind you.
I would enjoy giving 'Test of Resolve' another game or two before providing my impressions. Having only one data point with which to form an impression, however, may have to do for now.
lovely unit, can’t believe you are getting through them so quickly Jon fantastic productivity 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you, Matt! These 52 figures take longer than I would like...
DeleteI hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that man with a poleaxe in the middle of the first picture...I think you've painted his bevor and gorget as his chin. If not, it's a fairly odd armour configuration for a man other wise completely covered.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I'm with everyone else. They look fab.
No need to be hesitant on bringing bad news, Graham! It is not bad news at all. I appreciate your soft critique. My eyes are not as good as they once were and things can get missed. Being unfamiliar with bits of armor can be a hindrance at times too.
DeleteI re-examined the figure and the bits to which you refer look like that of a square-jawed warrior at first glance. It does seem careless to leave the chin exposed like that. I repainted as armor as suggested.
Thanks for your comment and helpful observation! You may have saved me from further embarrassment later.
Square jawed? I guess so. I thought it looked like he had a bad case of mumps.Not that I should criticise. I paint over a lot of detail and paint in what I want to be there on a lot of my figures. Zoom gaming is great for me as people can't pick up my toys and look at them closely.
DeleteMumps? Perhaps just a little long in the face...
DeleteYour WoTR stuff looks great. 52 miniatures is a lot but the battle looks strong and menacing for it. And it’s such a pretty genre. 😀
ReplyDelete6 players seems like a lot for an online game. Much to handle. And I imagine that the bigger the table the harder it is to see everything remotely. Did iit go well?
Thank you, Stew!
DeleteSix players were not too many and the game played along at a comfortable pace. It was tough seeing all of the battlefield from one camera but the GMs had two cameras in play which helped a lot. After many remote games, one becomes accustomed to not seeing everything in precise detail. This has the benefit of adding in a bit of fog of war.
Competent and well-practiced GMs help make the play smooth and effortless on the part of the participants.
Did it go well? Ignoring suffering through a disastrous defeat, yes, it went very well!
Jonathan, the project marches on at great pace (you leave me standing!). Lovely array. Look forward to any write up you may find time to do on the Towton game.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Norm! Pleased that you enjoy the look of the 52-figure battle. I like the impression of the mass of figures too.
DeleteI have yet to look at the screenshots snapped during the game. If they turned out satisfactorily, I will provide a brief recap.
Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGreat retinue Jonathan, they really look the part with the azure and murray flags waving above them. This is shaping up to be a lovely army.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Oli! The armies are coming together.
DeleteAnother superb looking unit
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil!
DeleteGreat looking WotR retinue, Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Dean!
DeleteOh yes, very fine Sir.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil!
DeleteLovely work, and the banners set them off beautifully. There seems to be a definite surge in WotR at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence! A definite surge in WotR interest, for sure.
DeleteBeautifully done! I'm glad that you got to test them out if if it was by proxy rather than with your own figures.
ReplyDeletePlaying games does seem to seriously interfere with the real business in hand.
Thank you, Ross! It may not be too long before I could give the rules a test with my own armies if I wished. Still have a lot of work ahead of me, though, and gaming is interfering with painting as you suggest.
DeleteAn impressive sight! Very well done sir.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to that report, tho from the sounds of it, it will be a rather short one due to some cowardly troops on your side.
Glad you like them!
DeleteThe battle lasted about three hours so there is something to report. Will I recall the details when I actually put pen to paper?
Great looking battle Jonathan and your work is directing me to the distraction of continuing with my own WotR projects in both 15 and 28mm. Maybe next month :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see this project moving on and looking forward to see the Sumerians in the future.
Cheers, Ross
Thank you, Ross! Glad to be of assistance in getting you back to your WotR project. Some day, Sumerians...
DeleteOutstanding looking. You captured the feeling and action of the Battle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark!
DeleteYour Battle looks outstanding, Jon. With so much armor, the Banners are really needed to make the units pop in WotR, and yours do just that.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun playing in a Zoom game with you once again, even if we got to share the defeat. Had your men had a bit more luck in polishing off Mark's battle first instead, and I not had mercy on Bob by switching out the dreaded Jalapeno die when it got "hot", things could have easily gone the other way!
Besides, the Yorkists are supposed to win at Towton, taking advantage of the wind and potential reinforcements, although they have certainly lost more than once in playtesting!
Thanks, Peter! It was great fun sharing a game with you again. We had some bad luck with the cards which more than once pre-emptied our turns. Mark and I were both at zero morale so whomever tested first wold likely break. Unfortunately, it was me. Still, it was a very close contest. Interesting system that I would enjoy trying again.
DeleteSplendid looking battle! You don't seem to be having problems painting plastic!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you! No trouble painting plastic but I still prefer metal, for now. I miss the heft of a stand of 28mm figures and keep knocking these stands of plastics about by accident.
DeleteOh! That's great to see more of the waving banners and fine medieval units.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Andre! Still more to come.
DeleteMore lovely toys Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThe Perry’s War of the Roses plastics are certainly very versatile and a good way of building up large forces...
But I have to admit... I prefer metal... mainly because I don’t like sticking kits together...😲
All the best. Aly
Thank you, Aly! I am a metal head too. These are my first historical plastics since I was a kid. Nice figures and I enjoy putting them together but no substitute for the heft of metal.
Delete