Is a project ever, really finished?
I may never know.
In a post from July 2020, (see The Last Samurai?), I postulated that the Samurai Battles project was finished with the exception of, perhaps, fielding a few markers and some odds and ends. Well, that statement was only good until I started gaming with the figures.
When GMT released a new version of Commands & Colors Samurai Battles, I noticed a number of new scenarios out on the support website. What I also noticed was that new troop types were included in some of the scenarios. Into the mix were added Samurai horse archers and Samurai foot archers. Some of the alternate scenarios laid claim to these new troop types. If I wanted to play the new scenarios with miniatures, I must return to the painting desk.
With that, mustering out from the workbench, these 24 horsemen (in four BMUs) trot out just in time to take part in the Sunday game. While all of my figures for this collection are 15mm Peter Pig, Peter Pig makes no mounted Samurai archers. What to do? I discovered Museum Miniatures. I quick order arrived last week and I set-to in fielding a few units for the game. While larger than Peter Pig, the sculpts are gorgeous. On the gaming table, these size differences will disappear. The game for today? I turn back the calendar and refight the prequel to the Second Battle of Azukizaka fought earlier. That battle is the First Battle of Azukizaka in 1542. Oda vs Imagawa clans fight for domination again.
Today's table looks like this:
Yes, I need to paint Samurai foot archers too...
Very nice! I really like the hex basing; the way they fit together and make a slightly irregular group.
ReplyDeleteThanks! The double hex basing originated from my thoughts of gaming on a two-inch hex mat with units taking up two hexes. With a four-inch hex grid, these double bases fit into one hex.
DeleteI don't think a project is ever finished in a planning sense as one always adds, but they can become mothballed or sold which is finish of some sort. Those Samurai look great btw.
ReplyDeleteChristopher
While I like to think some of my projects are finished, I am likely fooling myself. All 'finished' projects are more likely in some state of dormancy.
DeleteGlad you like the horse archers! The sculpts are terrific.
They look superb and no, I don't think a project ever really ends. There is always some mall item that could be added to a collection
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil! On project completion, while I like to think I have some finished projects, we agree that our work may never be done.
DeleteTwo lovely looking units Jon, that's for sure. I reckon we think a project is finished, until we start to play games, then there always seems to be a need for another unit of skirmishers, armour, command etc. The pleasure and the pain of being a wargamer!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! There are actually FOUR units in this grouping.
DeleteYou are right. Often, I find myself painting at the last minute to field just one more item for an upcoming game.
Looks fantastic Jon - and the C&C rules are so elegant for any period.
ReplyDeleteThank you! For this game, I am only using CC:SB for the scenario. The battle will be fought using Basic Impetvs. CC rules are elegant.
DeleteNo is the short answer 😆.
ReplyDeleteNice Samurai!
"No" is probably the correct answer.
DeleteThanks!
The blue in photo one is particularly nice, I would call it powder blue, but am not sure if that is right, but I know each time you dip into it the results are very good.
ReplyDeleteI would label the blue as more of a cornflower blue and appears a bit darker than in the photo.
DeleteNorm, you are very kind in your providing encouragement.
I like both the powder blue and the rose colours you have used on these mounted Samurai Jon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like both blue and red shades used, Keith!
DeleteLovely work Jonathan. I too ordered some Museum Miniature Samurai camp figures and they are quite different to and larger than the Eureka figures I have used for the rest of the army, but I really like them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence! The Museum figures are larger but do not look too out of place. Beautiful sculpts. MM provides figures for unit types not present in the PP range. I also placed an order for Lancashire Games' Samurai figures at the same time. The Lancashire figures are HUGE in comparison. Full of character but much too large to fit with either PP or MM. I may use the Lancashire figures to create a one-off diorama.
DeleteGood looking Samurai bow units. Projects just go dormant for a while.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peter! Intermittent project dormancy is a good reason not to sell off collections. One never knows when interest or inspiration may return.
DeleteExcellent mounted Samurai Jonathan! Interest and inspiration does change, but I like to hang on to all my armies...
ReplyDeleteThanks! I tend to hang onto my collections too.
DeleteLiking these! Mounted archers will offer some great new tactical options to harass formations. Going to check out that manufacturer to see what else they have
ReplyDeleteThanks! MM have a lot of great ranges. The ‘Z’ ranges are unbelievable.
DeleteLovely samurai units Jon! It's amazing how much detail can be packed in a 15mm figure!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike! The MM figures are great.
DeleteGreat looking mounted troops, Jonathan. And the battle set-up looks fine as well.
ReplyDeleteI think there may be a difference between 'finished' and 'complete' - and 'finished' might be susceptible to two meanings at that! I don't think any project is complete - there is always the temptation to add something to it. A project might not be finished as in a 'finish' being applied to it (in terms of organising, painting, basing...). But it might be 'finished' in the sense that you plan to add nothing more to it (apart from fighting battles, campaigns and wars, of course).
My First Blacklands War was finished in the sense that the war reached a conclusion. But as the conflicts remain unresolved, there is bound to be a second war...
Cheers,
Ion
Thanks, Ion!
DeleteFrom the perspective of a project is finished when one puts away the collection for goods without thoughts of another battle or campaign. Clearly, I have no project that is finished in that sense since I always expect to bring them back out onto the table for a game. It may take years in between playings but I always 'expect' to see the troops in action again. some day.
Thanks for your comments and good to see you stopping by for a visit.
Lovely Samurai horsemen Jonathan…
ReplyDeleteOf course a project is never finished… it’s just waiting for reinforcements.
All the best. Aly
Much appreciated! You are a wise philosopher, Aly.
DeleteExcellent work Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteNicely painted up Jon and in quick time. I won’t give any spoilers as to whether they will be bloodied in their first outing 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! Just in time painting delivery. My supply chain to the front remains unbroken. Yes, a story on the effectiveness of mounted archers left for another time. Unchronicled BatReps are stacking up like figures in my painting queue!
DeleteIts a question Ive often asked Johnathan and it seems that no, an army is never completed.Usually I find some new/old figures that would look great painted and then I will add them to my armies.Basically we are just magpies.
ReplyDeleteWe are birds of a feather, Robbie, both magpies!
DeleteSplendid looking samurai mounted archers,of course a project is never completed, mostly complete maybe?!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! I have occasionally thought a project was completed only to be proven wrong. Repeatedly!
DeleteNevaah!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteExcellent (and apparently) timely "expansion" of your Samurai collection...sort of like road construction, a highway may be "done" but...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed! Yes, these fellas marched off the painting desk just in time for Sunday's game. They will see action on Tuesday and Thursday as well.
DeleteI can’t keep up with both you and Kieth posting 3 times a week. No project is ever 100% all done but when you hit the 90s it’s usually close enough; that’s when you can do almost every scenario you’d like with the troops you have. Then it’s a matter of having all the terrain you might like.
ReplyDeleteNice job on these figs too. 😀
Glad you like the figgies, Stew!
DeleteI rarely seem to be at a loss for a topic and could post most days if time allowed. Besides, posting every three days is just about optimal for me and allows time to receive comments.
When a project reaches the gameable state, is the goal of many.