Pages

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Back to the Italian Wars

After the deep dive into the differences between charge types and when to use them in Basic Impetvs, time to return to the painting desk and something a bit lighter.  Although, I know that the intricacies of Basic Impetvs are not of universal appeal, I do appreciate those readers who weighed in with their thoughts.  These rules' ruminations seemingly clog my mind frequently so putting them down for later reference is a worthwhile diversion from normal programming.

With that prologue out of the way, time to get to the topic at hand.  Today's topic is what figures have recently mustered out from the painting desk.

Out from the painting desk today are two bodies of Men-at-Arms for the Great Italian Wars.  All ten figures are from Wargames Foundry.  The flags, I think, are all from Pete's Flags.  Another five of these MAA remain in The Lead Pile to push into the painting queue another time. 

On the gaming front, Richard hosted another of his Koenig Krieg games in a remote setting and played on hexes.  Dan and I split command of the Prussian Army while Lee and Ray commanded the Russians.  For me, the highlight of the game saw one of my infantry brigades back off the ridge line in the best Wellingtonian fashion to protect itself from artillery fire.  This brigade later re-emerged over the ridge to hit the unsuspecting Russian infantry in the flank, destroying two infantry regiments.  Caught the Russians off guard with that ploy!  Great fun!  For a full battle report, visit Richard's blog at The Battle of Fernspiel, A SYW Remote Encounter.
Next game up on my table provides a look at the 1800 Battle of Montebello.  Since this is a meeting engagement with reinforcements for both armies arriving throughout the battle, the first trial with be a two-player affair.  After Game #1, I can reassess to see if this scenario can easily accommodate multiple players without having some players sit idly by for a long time.  First game is on Monday.
For now, back to the painting desk and preparing for Montebello.

40 comments:

  1. Very nice Jon and a reminder to get my own back on the table.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Time to see your Italian Wars collection back out on table, George! I always enjoy seeing your armies and reading your BatReps.

      Delete
  2. The anticipation builds. The dive into Impetus was interesting, though I didn't have a copy to refer back to, it was food for thought. Written rules are not easy to assemble and explanations are often overlooked and often needed. But the reveal of the next game is fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the diversion into BI charges was mainly to clear things up in my own mind.

      Delete
  3. And the figures are very impressive,
    What good looking flags.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The man at arms look fabulous with their standards. All in all very eye-catching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much appreciated, Pete! Still enough figures to field one more such unit.

      Delete
  5. Colourful looking units, nicely done

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice units Jon. Lovely flags. Glad you resisted making their armour too shiny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I prefer a more "blackened" look to the shiny, fresh out of the armorer's workshop look.

      Delete
  7. Smashing looking men at arms, Jonathan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very kind, Richard! Your latest game was really a good one.

      Delete
  8. Nice! I see Florentines (boo!) And Milanese?
    Good to see the production line working again.
    I've been toying with looking at my 15mm Italian Wars pile of shame / opportunity to do scaled down games, much like the ancients.
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Neil! Yes, Florentines and then a mix having red banners. Looking forward to seeing you tackle the Italian Wars in 15mm. Production is in good shape. I finished 132 figures through today.

      Delete
  9. Always great to see new Italian Wars figures Jon, as they really do look superb, especially with Pete's Flags to make them pop:). Well played on the KK game and personally, I never have a problem waiting in the wings as it were in a game, as it can be fun watching the action unfold based upon the decisions made by the other players.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve! Good to see that you do not mind waiting in the wings for your command to arrive. Rou might be in the minority.

      Delete
  10. Superb looking Men at Arms Jon, the Italian Wars really are very attractive and colourful! The map for the next game looks good, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Keith! I like the Montebello table too. With luck, my Austrians can mount a respectable defense.

      Delete
  11. Great looking figures Jonathan. They should really rename the period to "The Great Italian Flag Wars" 😁

    Well done with your cunning plan to turn back the Russians hordes and I am looking forward to the new battle reports.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! The colorful flags certainly add some punch to the collection.

      Delete
  12. I don't know much about the Italian Wars, but I'll look forward to seeing Montebello. A very fought over place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Northern Italy has been a very fought over region, indeed. I look forward to seeing how the first trial of Montebello unfolds.

      Delete
  13. A fine looking addition to the ranks of the IW collection. Pete’s Flags rather splendid flags adding to effect.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nice additions. I liked your basing and as I have a new project for which I'm considering how I want to base them this has given me some pointers. I want to avoid the basing that bears little resemblance to the battle mat/table top terrain and so stands out for the wrong reasons - yet I also want it to look good and give the illusion I put some effort into it! The effect you've got has me thinking [as did your interesting post on charges]. Thanks.
    Stephen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Basing is my standard Impetvs basing. Good luck in your quest for designing a suitable basing scheme for your own armies.

      Delete
  15. Lovely Italian wars figures Jonathan. They look like Pete's flags from the photos to me, and they round off the beautiful paint jobs very nicely.

    I'll look forward to the Montebella AARs in the coming weeks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Montebello will be interesting since remote games do not often offer the chance for meeting engagements with reinforcements streaming to the battlefield throughout play.

      Delete
  16. Those Men-at-Arms look great; I always assume they will be far too complicated to paint, but I think you actually keep things quite simple, and that's very effective. Still not sure I will ever try them, though! ( I think there is a 'Paperboys' range, if I rever get the urge for the period )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, David! I am a simple man with a simple painting style.

      Delete
  17. Gorgeous men at arms, another unit of these has crept onto my table, well 48 great Italian wars cavalry have been primed,all Perry plastic, to be Italian heavy cavalry that arent gendarmes,Ive just recieved my flags from Pete, wonderful stuff, looking forward to Montebello!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Iain, you are most kind! Thank you! 48 MAA is a lot to tackle! I will be watching your blog for their appearance. Montebello is now up!

      Delete