Psiloi

Hi gang,

As this weekend we have both Geequinox (the smaller of the two "geek" conventions that happen in town) and Easter, both of which tend to be pretty time consuming at Chez Monkey, so not likely to get a chance to post on the weekend.  I figured a day or two early wouldn't hurt.

I seem to be on a historical jag, so I dug out the Spartan psiloi that have been gazing accusingly (if stoically) at me from the shelf for some time, and got them finished up.  They're based for Impetus.






These guys are all, I think, Xyston 18mm, a range I come to appreciate more and more every time I paint them.





With these two units finished, I've got two Spartan phalanx, an allied phalanx, a unit of horse and peltasts, and three skirmish units.  Probably looking at more hoplites, especially allies, but it's starting to pull together as a small, but coherent force.  I've used integrated command on the bases, largely, but may treat myself to a command stand or two as well.


FMB

Put away wet, anyway . . .

Hi all,

Finished up a unit of Spartan (Spartiate?  Spartish?) cavalry for the army I'm working on.

Stuck a general on there too.  I find I like extraneous command ;)

Impetus Unit Type:  CM
Base Size:  8cm x 6cm
Manufacturer:  15mm Xyston

Upon reflection, I've realized I goofed a little with this lot.  As with the other units, I'm building for Impetus (but with an eye to using the army for other rules as well), I based these guys with a number of figures equal to their VBU (i.e., combat value).  Cavalry, in the Spartan Impetus list, have two options - VBU 4 with Impetus 1, or VBU 5 with Impetus 2, i.e., I based these guys as the VBU 5 option.

This has been an interesting project for me, because of the limited palette.

 The thing is, however, that unlike their infantry, Spartan cavalry were, evidently, notoriously bad.  This suggests that Spartan (Spartiate?  Spartish?) cavalry should be the 4/1 option.  Some digging around (notably in the new and improved DBA 3.0 book, now with added army notes) suggested that the 5/2 option would likely be for Thessalian cavalry, which the Spartans took with them on some overseas adventures.  So, oops?

I also kind of like how the basing is evolving across my ancients.

I'm not particularly broken hearted about it, or anything.  Part of doing an army for me is learning about the period.  In this case, I just learned about it after the fact ;)  Given that even at max size, Spartans can't take more than 2 units of cavalry, painting up an extra figure is not the end of the world.



Another feature of this was that I painted and added Hammipoi, who were evidently skirmishers who used to run along beside the cavalry.  Either those Spartan cavalry were REALLY bad riders, or those guys must have been awfully nimble.  In game, this gives the unit a few extra shooting dice when they charge or are charged (which effectively means a chance to disrupt), which never hurts.

FMB

Back from the past

Hi all,

I seem to be on a historicals kick right now, to the point that I dug out an old project from the Toronto days, and added a little progress.

Impetus Unit Type:  FP
Base Size: 8cm x 3cm
Manufacturer:  15mm Xyston

They're a little glossy in the picture (more than in reality, in fact), but this is the rear element of my second Spartan phalanx (first one is here).

This seems to have lit a spark, and I've been working on some more Spartan stuff, as well as a test unit for an Achaemenid force.  All in all, I've been painting, and puttering up a storm, and generally having fun.  Don't know if its the summer weather, or what, but for now, I'll enjoy the productivity while it lasts.


FMB