Before I unleash a barrage of French regiments for the new WSS project, two dozen Akkadian spearmen march out from the painting desk. These fine figures are 28mm Newline Designs. I always enjoy painting the Newline Biblical sculpts. I think they look good all ranked up too. One more 24-figure pack remains in The Lead Pile.
Examining the Painting Log shows that the Sumerian project approaches 500 painted figures. After the long run of 10mm ACW games, I am very tempted to bring this collection back onto the table. Maybe seeing the Hittites battle the Egyptians would be fun too? On second thought, I do not recall seeing either my Assyrians or Babylonians in battle, ever. Bringing new armies to the table might be fun. As noted above, the painting desk has seen a number of WSS French regiments pass over the workbench in October. In fact, I managed to paint all five regiments from my first Ebor order in the month just passed. A second order to Ebor was sent out last week. Hopefully, I will receive notification of its dispatch from England soon. Ah, the joys and painting inspiration of starting a new project. Fun, isn't it? For now, my work on this project has come to a dead stop until the next order arrives. Scope creep already! Still in a buying mood, I placed a Foundry order for Spanish pike, and sword and buckler figures to expand the Great Italian Wars project. My progress on reducing The Lead Pile took a hit last month. Oh well. I need to paint faster! Speaking of the new WSS project, Austin and I gave Beneath the Lily Banners a first run-out on Friday evening via Zoom. This was a small affair with only two units per side so that we could work through the rules. Work through the rules we did but it was not painless. My French suffered a horrible defeat after about three hours of play. Very good to get the new figures out and into a test game. There will be more test games, for sure, as our armies grow. This action was A's first Zoom game. I think it went well. Of course, my thoughts turn to how to adapt some of my own rules to the period. At least I would know the author's intent and could remember the rules!
The Akkadians look great Jonathan. A biblical battle would be an excellent idea, especially for any figures who have not yet seen the table.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to test out rules for your WSS project. Choose the set where you win the practice game 😁
Thank you, Ben! Biblicals might be next up although I have requests for other periods too. Your rule choosing criterion made me laugh. By that, BLB is OUT!
DeleteLovely additions Jonathan. Newline figures look great and you more than do them justice. There is nothing quite like the motivation a new project brings. Five regiments in a month is a great effort.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. 85 WSS infantry in a month is nowhere near your colossal output.
DeleteExcellent work on both the Akkadians and the WSS units Jon - what did you think of BTLB? I played them a couple of times and thought they were promising - not sure how well they would work for multi player games, though?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith! One small test game is not enough to know whether to keep or trash. Perhaps a bit more fiddly with more modifiers than I like and not gridded.
DeleteGreat addition! Masculine, muscular warriors! And judging by their faces, they’re all relatives (just like in Indian movies)😁😁
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexey! When I ranked these two units up and snapped the photo, the result reminded me of the Egyptian infantry display I saw in The Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Delete"I need to paint faster..." ☺☺
ReplyDeleteJonathan, absolutely - you are clearly slacking - not!
Neil
If more are incoming than outgoing, I DO need to paint faster.
DeleteWow! Lovely Gardes Francaises & Suisses. Beneath the Lily Banners is very special and maybe not easy in comparison with other rules. I hope that you will enjoy the rules.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We will give BLB a good try out. Certainly not as easy as I am accustomed to bringing to the table.
DeleteJon was a great host! He rolled great for me and really poorly for himself.
DeleteNext time, you will use your OWN dice! My dice have it in for me.
DeleteSuperb painting, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated!
DeleteGreat looking new painted minis Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLoving those Biblical figures Jon, very nicely painted as usual. The WSS lads are pretty splendid too.
ReplyDeleteDouble thanks, Mark!
DeleteExcellent output, love the ancients, I’m sure they would ‘want’ to get to the table soon. Are you hoping for a Newline winter sale?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Norm! Passing up a Newline sale is a hard ask! Hopefully we will see a January sale. I do have tons to figures to paint, though.
Delete"I do have tons to figures to paint," .... is that a figure of speech or a literal statement? From your excursions into your lead pile I assume the latter 😂
DeletePerhaps hyperbole but total weight may be only slightly exaggerated.
DeleteVery good looking figures. An ancients game will be very different than the ACW battle you have been running.
ReplyDeleteAn order in and completed painting within a month is a solid accomplishment. Growing a lead pile is easy. Maintaining control over it by regularly finishing units the way you do is something to take pride in.
Thanks, much! Well, my Lead Pile is not in as much control as you think!
DeleteBrilliant biblical output and equally brilliant WSS figures. Assyrians on the table gets a vote from me.
ReplyDeleteVery kind, Phil! Compared to your painting, I am not worthy. One vote for Assyrians!
DeleteThose spearmen look really good, and the WSS figures are lovely
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Andy
Thank you, Andy!
DeleteSplendid finish on your Newline biblicals, I always find them less impressive in metal but paint up really well, as yours have here, more Assyrians please and nice to hear you are adding to the great Italian wars!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain! Newline sculpting style seems more rounded to me but terrific models that paint up well to my eye too. I love 'em! A second vote for Assyrians. Who shall I pit them against?
DeleteCracking looking Akkadians, Jon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray!
DeleteThe Akkadians look superb. I played BLB years ago, 1st edition I think. Quite enjoyed the rules
ReplyDeleteThanks! First playing of BLB was a little rough but jury is still out after only a single playing. Lots of modifiers and special situations to apply. Might be too fiddly for me.
DeleteVery nice Biblical unit and well done on getting some 500 or so painted up. I find learning new rules, unless very simple, to be a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I prefer sticking to rules that I know very well too but I am always up for trying something new if others know the rules.
DeleteLovely work Jon, I like the Newline Biblicals too, lovely looking figures. Look forward to see what you think of BLB when you do more test games.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donnie! I am pondering using the game engine in my ECW rules to port them to WSS. I wonder if I can convince Austin to give them a try?
DeleteThe Akkadians look great but I do love those WSS units, as they're much more my period:). I tried BTLB (War of the Three Kings one) but far too fiddly for my tastes and still with some issues that needed clarifying. I'm not sure of these have been 'fixed' in the latest iteration of the rules? I will certainly be using Warlord Games Pike & Shotte rules if I ever get around to painting enough units for a game!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! We spent quite a lot of time looking up rules for clarifications and to answer the many questions that cropped up in game #1. Hopefully, the next game will be more smooth.
DeleteThat is a fine bunch of Akkadians, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark!
DeleteJonathan, nice work on your biblical troops as w as theWSS figures.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated!
DeleteAnd for all it's worth, buy some new dice! Especially before the ne t game.
ReplyDeleteChanging dice rarely helps.
DeleteVery fine work Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeautiful work on both the Akkadians and the WSS French unit. I love your bases. Don't the steep postal rates put a damper on UK orders these days?
ReplyDeleteAssyrians vs Babylonians would be very interesting, especially since you haven't had them out before.
Thank you! Yes, high shipping charges (and now tariffs) are a concern when buying from the UK. While these hurdles have not stopped me, I have slowed down. I think Punic Wars is up next since I had the collection all out on table to add dice trays to each stand.
DeleteWell that's great too. What battle are you contemplating?
DeleteNone picked yet.
Delete