A Mixed Bag

Today's offering is a bit of a mixed bag.

To start off, Matt (Wargames in the Dungeon) joined me in a remote game on Friday.  We fought the Battle of Zallaqah with Matt taking command of the Muslim army.  For those taking count, this is Game #4 in the Zallaqah refights.  Not unlike Alfonso VI, I learned an important lesson in this battle.  Hope I can commit this lesson to memory for next time!  Details for another day.

Spanish cavalry's inglorious retreat!

On the painting front, December painting productivity has really picked up.  Not unexpected given my seasonal painting tendencies over the years.  Completed units are stacking up at the light box like cordwood before winter.  Some units from projects not seen in a long, long time are moving out.  Well, a few, never!  I may be winding up the year on a high note on the painting front. 

First out from the workbench is a bit of a clean-up.  That is, a few miscellaneous figures were pulled out and sent into the painting queue for a quick win or three.  What emerges are three units from three different projects.  Mustering out are a three-figure command stand for the Reconquista (BTD and Crusader), a two-figure command stand for the SYW (Eureka), and a Norwegian two-figure machine gun stand (Peter Pig) for WWII.  Whew!  Glad to have these out of the way in order to tackle some bigger units.    

On Tuesday, I expect to see Pharsalus return to the kitchen table in 6mm using Commands & Colors for a series of games before Christmas.  Have not had Caesar v Pompey out in a long time.  Should be fun.

Pharsalus

On the big table, downstairs, Zallaqah will be cleared away and a new battle contemplated.  Current thoughts point to the anniversary of Wakefield on 30 December.  I need to design a scenario and get busy.  Wakefield poses some challenges for a scenario design and requires careful thought.  Wakefield may be the first game to see action in the New Year.  We will see.  My mind and motivations wander.

Next time, either more painted figures, the last Zallaqah battle report, or something completely different!

The Last Samurai?

The Last Samurai.  Besides casualty and disorder markers, these sixteen mounted Samurai exhaust The Lead Pile of figures for this project.  I think.  There may be a few more packs somewhere but I did not see any on a cursory dig.  A few lingering packs may be several strata down and not be discoverable without a well-executed dig. 

Back to today's figures.  Off the painting desk and finishing my Samurai Battles project are 2 x 8 stands of Samurai cavalry.  As consistent with this project, figures are 15mm Peter Pig.  Great figures, everyone of them.  Easy to paint too.

The Last Samurai

With enough figures to field armies for solo battles, I plan to stop accumulation here.  Right.  Turning to the Painting Log, last count shows 725 figures painted for the project in 47 BMUs.  More than enough for most Samurai Battles' battles.  Yes, markers would still be useful additions but those can wait.

One of the last times this collection was on the gaming table was an experiment to try converting Impetvs to a grid/hex (see Impetvs on Grid).  That exercise was more than six years ago.  Where does the time go?  Anyway, I recall that being an enjoyable exercise.  Perhaps I ought to give this collection another run-out on the gaming table to see if my thoughts on Impetvs have changed over the last half-dozen years.  Since that time, we have new versions of Impetvs and Basic Impetvs to put through their paces.  

Even if no game is scheduled, once I clear off some table space, I plan to review what I have done with this project.  I wonder how many linear feet of stands I have?  We will see.

Note: The Last Samurai? is my 1200th post for those interested in such blogger administrivia. 

Samurai Cavalry in 15mm

As suggested in the last post, two BMUs of Samurai cavalry trot off the painting desk.  Also, as before, figures are from Peter Pig.  With their various banners and armor, these Samurai horsemen offer up a lot of color.  With the mustering of two cavalry stands, total Samurai cavalry for the project reaches seven.  Hmm. The Seven Samurai.  Enough figures remain to field two more such stands.

The red bead cube on the right rear of the stand serves two purposes.  One, at a glance it identifies the unit as a "Heavy" unit in terms of Samurai Battles.  Two, it allows the placement of a unifying, clan banner when assembling a force from various clans into one cohesive army.  In the heat and confusion of battle, it is easy to overlook which unit belongs to which army when both armies may carry banners from similar or the same clans.

What is up next out from the workbench?  A return to the 1859 project looks to make it to the photo booth first.  This will be a brief return to the project with two guns each of Sardinian and French origin.  Two more regiments of French infantry are in the painting queue but it may be a long time before those see the brush.  Many other units are working their way through the production line ahead of them.  Actually beginning to show some progress on a Hittite Army in 25mm that I pledged as a goal for 2020.  

Ashigaru Teppo in 15mm

Seems like I am jumping all over the place with respect to many projects seeing action at the painting desk.  That perception is true.  However, today I muster out the first of three units for the Samurai Battles project.  First off the work desk is a 19-figure stand of teppo.  As always, figures for this project are from Peter Pig.  Excellent sculpts and a joy to paint. 

In an attempt to clean up The Lead Pile, I have been toiling through the boxes to see if some boxes can be better organized and consolidated.  Among the stacks of boxes and bags of figures, I uncovered two orders from Peter Pig containing Feudal Japanese.  Those bags had filtered down into parts almost unknown and certainly almost forgotten.  Quite fun to find lost treasures!  Both orders were relatively new orders picked up from recent sales.  Sorting through the bags of figures, enough figures were found to form one unit of Ashigaru teppo, one unit of Ashigaru spearmen, and four units of Samurai mounted cavalry.  

While the teppo form up and march out today, two of the Samurai cavalry units are finished.  A third cavalry unit is in work.  Expect to see the first two Samurai cavalry up next in the photo booth.  Nearing almost six years since the collection was out on the parade ground (see: Samurai Battles Project in Review), a display highlighting all of the work completed, thus far, seems a good idea.  I wonder to what extent the project has grown in the intervening six years.  I may be surprised.   Hopefully, pleasantly. 

75mm German IG in 15mm

Having recently completed a BTD German infantry gun and crew in 25mm (See Distractions), I pushed a 15mm Peter Pig German IG into the painting queue.  This little piece jumped ahead of a long line of figures awaiting a slap of paint.  The gun and crew found themselves, suddenly, at the front of the line.

Why the upset in the painting queue?  Well, I have been pondering Norm's Tigers at Minsk (TaM) rules after playing several games of late.  With the rules still relatively fresh in mind, I am interested in giving the rules another run-out before my memory fades.  Following the multiple playings of the introductory scenario, I am ready to try something different.  Different in the sense of presenting a different tactical problem and in introducing armor, infantry guns, and anti-tank weapons in the form of an AT rifle.  Not having any of the mid-war Eastern Front ToE, thoughts have centered on Norway, 1940.

Finding a likely candidate scenario in an old ASL Journal, work begins to convert the situation into one suitable for TaM.  The first scenario under investigation is primarily infantry only with the Germans having an infantry gun and a Panzer II showing up later to bolster the German attack.  Being set in Norway in late April 1940, maneuvering through snow with ski troops with come into play.  

While early war armor and weapons are not included in the original TaM, Norm was kind enough to provide stats for the PZII, H-39, and an infantry gun.  In addition to the IG coming off the painting table, work progresses on fielding some early war armor.  Off the workbench are a few each of PZIIs, H-39s, and Panhards.  All vehicles are 15mm Command Decision models from Old Glory with the exception of one H-39.  That exception is a Peter Pig piece.

Scenario development may take time as forces and timelines are modified to provide a competitive game and new rules are introduced.  How many playtests are needed to get everything in proper working order?  This is a question for which I have no answer.  Once the situation and forces have been stabilized, three complete playings ought to provide a respectable baseline.  More details to follow once the scenario sees further development.

Until then, expect more work from the painting desk.

Ashigaru Spear in 15mm

I never tire of painting Peter Pig's 15mm Samurai figures.  That is a good mindset to have since a small order arrived two weeks ago!  Taking advantage of a year-end sale, the order was packed and shipped quickly.  Even accounting for increased holiday shipping traffic, the small package arrived within a fortnight.  Always great service from Peter Pig.

The slightly chunky figures hold fine detailing.  The built-in sashimonos, when painted, add a burst of color to the unit.  The chunkiness and fine sculpting lend a certain charm to the figures.  Clustered in formation, the result is a handsome playing piece.  

This unit of ashigaru spear is clad in russet-lacquered armor.  The russet armor is a nice change from the more predominant black or red lacquered armor of many of the units in the collection.

While the iron was hot and motivation high, two more units for this project were pushed into the painting queue.  One more unit of mounted Samurai and another unit of ashigaru teppo will be working their way through the production line.  Before those emerge from the production line, a small mountain of Assyrians for the 25mm Assyrian Wars project will debouch from the workbench.  At last count, seven units will be making an entrance over the next few weeks.  

A Mix of Samurai and Ronin

After recently pushing out a BMU of Japanese teppo, I made a scrounge of The Lead Pile and cobbled together enough odds and ends to field a heavy infantry unit of foot Samurai and Ronin.  These fifteen figures are from Peter Pig's excellent 15mm Samurai range. 

My original plan for this project was to fight Samurai Battles in 15mm on a four inch  grid.  Added into this mix were a couple of battles using Impetvs both off grid and on.  All three methods produced enjoyable games with a vast array of color on the battlefield.  That was likely four or five years ago.  Hard to believe this is another collection that has not made it onto the tabletop in such a long time. 

When this project was in its early stages, Samurai Battles appeared on the kitchen table frequently for afternoon, winter gaming sessions.  Those were the days.  Since the game footprint of Samurai Battles is small, no need to spread it out on the big gaming table in the game room.  The entire game and accouterments fit comfortably on the kitchen table.  With another fall upon on us and winter approaching, perhaps, Samurai Battles can once again take up intermittent residence on the kitchen table?  

Norway for the Norwegians!

Following a large number of blogs, the temptation and urge to drift off onto other projects are a constant threat.  With an uptick in WWII-themed gaming of late, I could resist this temptation no longer.  While I have not pulled the long idle 15mm WWII project from mothballs just yet for a game, I was inspired to push some lead into the painting queue. 

The primary focus of my WWII project is early war in general and the 1940 Norwegian campaign specifically.  Looking back at my notes, it becomes quite clear that this collection has not seen action on the table in nearly ten years.  Ten years?  What possesses me to maintain a collection that is out of the box once per decade?  Well, my answer is that a steady stream of books on the 1940 Norway campaign continues to reach the market and I simply cannot help myself from picking them up.  With every book, I am re-energized to take one more look at moving the project onto the gaming table.   

Anyway, off the painting desk today are thirty Norwegian infantry including two machine guns and crew.  The figures are from the always excellent 15mm Peter Pig range.  Peter Pig Norwegians?  Those thumbing through the Peter Pig catalog will find no such range of figures.  What I used as Norwegian proxies are WWI Austrian infantry in greatcoat.  To my eye, at this scale, the WWI Austrian uniform looks very similar to the WWII Norwegian uniform.  Well, close enough for my use anyway.  The real purists will likely laugh at my substitution but, for me, these ersatz Norwegians work. 

Maybe I will resurrect my old Drive on Bjerkvik scenario and give it another game.  After ten years, I may have difficulty scrunching around for my game notes.  For that which is undocumented, I will fill in the gaps.

Japanese Levy Teppo in 15mm

A very long time has passed since the last Feudal Japanese unit mustered off the painting desk.  Looking back at the Painting Log, the last unit marching off the workbench for this project was in February 2018.  A very long time, indeed.  The lack of activity at the paint table is not surprising.  First, most of the figures have moved from The Lead Pile to the painted box.  Second, the collection has not witnessed action on the table in almost three years.  For a collection that I enjoy and a Commands & Colors game system that is so fun, the long hiatus is embarrassing, really.  Hopefully, with the end of busy summer schedules, time will be found this fall and winter to pick up the katana once again.   

Until then, 19 Peter Pig levy teppo march out from the painting desk.  Peter Pig's Samurai range of figures is one of my favorites.  Solid sculpts that are easy to paint and look good when finished.  This collection is one of the few that actually receive a satin finish rather than flat finish.  Something about lacquered armor calls out for a bit of sheen on the figures.

I recent Peter Pig sale saw me stock up on a few more packs of figures to complete a number of partial units lingering in inventory.  A unit of mixed foot Samurai will be the next unit seen emerging from the painting desk for this project.  The Samurai have not reached the painting desk yet but they will in good time.  So many units are in line ahead, it may take a month or two before the Samurai see the light of day.

Seeing the finished product, I am motivated to pull the collection out onto the table for a quick solo game.  With only a third of the gaming table in use at present, an 8'x6' section remains open for use.  

Ronin and Samurai Heroes

The workbench continues to see Feudal Japan figures as the last (well, almost last) of the 15mm Peter Pig Samurai figures clear The Lead Pile.  Not much left in inventory for this project except for a few miscellaneous cavalry/mounted leaders, a command screen, several packs of disordered troops, and perhaps enough teppo to make up a unit of arquebus.  Not much at all, really.

Today's offering consists of a pack of Ronin and a pack of Samurai Heroes on one heavy element stand.  One more heavy (Red) element to add into the mix.  With the addition of this stand to the project, 39 elements can now be fielded for battle.  Since the collection has not seen action in a long time, pulling the stands from storage boxes and parading them for a photo op may not be a bad idea.  The parade review may even motivate me to get them onto the gaming table for a battle.  Who knows?

This has been a fun and colorful project to develop but the painting phase may be reaching a logical conclusion.  "Logical conclusion?"  How often does painting for a project reach a logical conclusion?  I typically keep on painting past that point.  This project may be no different.

Levy Spearmen for Samurai Battles

Still a few more figures remain in The Lead Pile for the 15mm Feudal Japan project.  With this stand of nineteen figures mustering out from the painting desk, only a few odds and ends linger in inventory.  Not sure if enough figures remain to put together one more stand.  Maybe enough for one more teppo stand but I must confirm.  Figures are Peter Pig.

The primary objective of the recent parade of newly minted Japanese across the painting desk was to finish off a project.  Yeah, like that ever happens!  The secondary goal was to get the collection back into gaming rotation with some experimental rules using a grid-based method.  Still awaiting that to bubble to the top of my hobby queue too. 

Anyway, the backlog of completed units awaiting their turn at the photo booth are stacking up like cord wood in anticipation of winter's arrival.  As for winter, it has definitely settled back into the Pacific Northwest with more rounds of snow-laden winter storms.  The white stuff is piling up outside as I hammer out this entry. 

If you are following the Montcalm & Wolfe Campaign, expect results on the Battle of Fort Oswego from Peter soon.  Pop over to Peter's blog (Battle of Fort Oswego Setup) to see the battle set up.  It looks great!

Archers for 16th Century Japan

Another BMU for the Samurai Battles project musters off the painting desk.  This time, a 19 figure stand of archers is added to the roster.  As before, figures are 15mm Peter Pig.  Note that the archers carry no sashimono.  Peter Pig catalog classifies these archers as Levy Ashigaru.  

Looking back in the Painting Log, this project has reached 37 BMUs including a small handful of command stands.  Having grown much larger than originally anticipated (really, much, much larger) and with less than a dozen packs left in inventory, time to consider winding down the "Build" phase of the project.  One 2018 goal targeted painting the remaining figures in The Lead Pile.  That goal certainly looks achievable. 

Figures for at least three more BMUs remain to muster.

Arquebusier for 16th Century Japan

The 15mm Samurai Battles project continues to see renewed effort.  After pushing out two stands of spearmen in December, a 19 figure stand of arquebusier departs the painting desk.

This stand of teppo is outfitted with russet-colored, lacquered armor.  Being classified as "Light" troops under Samurai Battles, the stand carries a green block denoting its light status.

Figures are from Peter Pig's excellent Samurai range of figures.  Expect more Feudal Japanese stands to work their way through the painting queue as I attempt paint down this portion of The Lead Pile.

Ashigaru Yari in 15mm

As promised, a second unit of spear-wielding Ashigaru departs the painting desk.  These 21 figures are Peter Pig like all of the 15mm figures in this project.  Rarely, it seems, that a project is exclusively comprised of one manufacturer.  The 15mm Samurai Battles collection is one such project.

This two-hex stand augments an existing clan which I designate as the "Running Man" clan.  While I tend to build clans or brigades in a set composition of elements, I have found in games using Samurai Battles that more yari are needed than the default two units I field per brigade.  

One note on the seemingly odd stand arrangement.  My co-conspirator and motivator for this project uses a four inch grid for his Samurai Battle games, I wanted units having a four-inch width so that my units maintained the same frontage as his.  Since I use a two-inch hex grid for some of my other gaming projects, two 50mm hexes are joined to form the BMU shown here.  In Samurai Battles and Impetvs, number of figures per stand are not important, so the number of figures per stand is based on my notion of what looks good.   

A BMU having a double hex base allows one of my stands to take up two hexes on the hex game mat providing a more linear look to the game.  This arrangement also allows the possibility of introducing flanks and Zones of Control into the rules being considered. 

With a couple of units freshly mustered off the painting desk, motivation is high to get the collection into battle.  I wonder how long this urge will last?    

Ashigaru Yari in 15mm

It has been a very long time since any 15mm Feudal Japanese figures have passed across the painting desk.  Better late than never, right?  The collection has not seen any tabletop action in an even longer period of time.  What motivated me to push these into the painting queue now?  I really cannot say.  The packs caught my eye on a recent rummage through The Lead Pile.  Often that is the only trigger needed to snap into action.  

Off the painting desk is the first of two Ashigaru spear units.  Figures are from Peter Pig's excellent Feudal Japan Samurai range.  Like most of the Samurai and Ashigaru figures from Peter Pig, the sashimono is cast onto the figure.  A detail I quite like.  No fiddling around to attach a banner to figure.  Even with a simple and stylistic clan emblem, the figures stand out on the gaming table. 

While the figures have not seen action on the gaming table recently, I enjoyed games using both Samurai Battles and Impetvs with the armies mustered.  Using Impetvs, both gridded and non-gridded versions have been tried.  Modifying Impetvs to work on a grid produced intriguing results using simple mechanisms to convert from non-grid to grid.  I am reconsidering the gridded approach and working to codify some of the mechanisms developed and tried during those playtests.  My game notes, thus far, have proven elusive.  Perhaps if the figures get back onto the grid, it may all come back.   

Command Tents for Samurai Battles

With two stands for the Samurai Battles project completed near year-end, that project maintains a spot in the current painting queue rotation.  Off the painting desk are two command tents.  

While many of the Samurai Battles scenarios do not require command tents, a few do.  Wanting to build a comprehensive set of units for the game, a recent Peter Pig sale was an opportunity to pick up a few of these missing pieces.

Included in the composition of each of the command tents are one-half of a Maku screen, generals and messengers, and signalers with drums and conch shell.  Enough packs to field two populated command tents.

Since this project has been based for play on a two inch hex grid mat with double sized bases, each command tent is set upon three, 50mm hexes.  The 2 x 50mm hexes also fit within Jake's four inch hex mat.  Flexibility!

Each command tent's entourage was themed in either red or black lacquered armor to make each easily distinguishable on the battlefield.