Border Reivers - En Garde

Well the collection saw its second run out at the club using the En Garde rules. Both forces came out at 135 points.

The game saw 2 families, the Grahams and Fosters fighting over a small farm. Though most of the fighting took place on the wooded hill.

The game saw both chieftains killed in the melee. The Chief of the Fosters took out his rival in melee, before being wounded by a pistol shot and being overwhelmed by vengeful Grahams.

We also tried out a couple of war hounds. I can see their potential but need more than 2. As a maximum of 4 models can be involved in a single melee, 3 war hounds can trap a single model, where as with only 2,  I was able to add a second fighter and saw off the hounds.

Overall I can see the potential of these rules. I even begun adding to the collection with a mix of Reivers arriving from Vendal and Hoka Hey. I also picked up some civilians from Reiver castings. I've also picked up some of the muskets and pikemen from Warlords wars of religion range which will see service as Garrison troops.

'The Family'

I've finally managed to complete the last of my purchased figures to complete my Border Reiver family. First was the last of the Graven images/ Hoka hey foot and mounted figure. All 6 now done.

The last batch was the remaining 4 figures from TAG. Lovely figures with great detail.

So all together that rounds the family out at 6 mounted troopers, 14 footmen and a handler with a couple of sleuth hounds.

I've mixed 3 different manufacturers for this force and they mix reasonably well. Might have to start on a second family or maybe a Warden and some Garrison troops.

En Garde

Well Thursday saw the first outing for my Border Reivers. As I hadn't played the En Garde rules before my opponent kept it simple with a straight up fight to get to know the rules.

Overall I liked the rules, the use of a combat pool certainly makes you think. I quickly realised that high ranked models are best to be avoided in combat, best to try and shoot them.

As l didn't track everything that happened during the game I've added a few photos from the game for flavour.

 

Next time we play these we'll need to add in mounted troops and use some of the extra combat abilities.

A Reiving we will go!

Well with a first test game of the En Garde rules from Osprey, l thought it best to complete a few more of my reivers. First up was the 5th foot and mounted figure from Hoka Hey/ Graven Images. Took no time at all to get this guy painted.

I also finished another 3 figures from TAG, still leaves 1 blister pack to complete. These are very nice figures and painted up well.

So this brings my Reivers up to a very use able force, though I'll definitely expand the collection but at a leisurely pace. So far l have completed;
5 Mounted troopers with dismounted option
1 March Warden
1 Houndsman with 2 hounds
10 Reivers with mixed weapons.

More Border Reivers

I've slowly been making my way through the first set of figures I picked up for this project. Not far off being able to put on a small game to test the rules out.

First we have another foot and mounted figure from Hoka hey. This brings me to 4 of the 6 figures from 'Red Rowan'

I'm not too happy with the buff leather riding boots. They seem a little too bright. Next was the first figure from The Assault Group. They are a nice set of figures but much smaller than those from Hoka hey. They should mix better with the Reiver castings figures already painted.

I do have another of the Hoka hey foot and mounted figures completed, along with 3 more from TAG but I've run out of basing material.

'Hot trod' Border Reivers

It's the start of another little side project. Being a Northumbrian the Border Reivers, their history and background has always inspired me. So now it was time to actually collect enough figures to get them on the gaming table.

At the aptly named Border Reiver show in Newcastle I picked up the first figures for a family. A quick visit to the Hoka Hey stand to pick up a pack of mounted Reivers and their dismounted equivalent. Then it was a visit to Reiver castings to pick up a couple of packs from them. These along with a free Warden figure were a good starting point.

So first up is the Reiver castings. A hound master with a couple of hounds as well as a pack of mixed weaponed reivers.

Hound master and Slueth hounds

Warden's men

Not bad figures. They are a fraction smaller than the Hoka Hey/Graven Images figures, but definitely of a slimmer build.

Next up is 3 of the mounted figures from Hoka hey with their foot equivalent. These are hefty figures and were a joy to paint. The horses though are not my favourite.

Lastly is an old foam building that has been in my collection for a very long time. Probably more for the Highlands  of Scotland, but will see service as an isolated cottage in the borders.

The turf roof looks very bright in the photo, but is actually much darker.

Next I have the last 3 mounted figures to complete. I also ordered a couple of packs from TAG which have just arrived, more compatible with the Reiver castings. Not a bad start. I will have to add some civilians, livestock I have plenty of. I also might pick up a Bastle House, I have seen one in MDF but it has a staircase?? These were a later addition as most Bastle houses used a ladder to the upper entrance. I may just build one myself with foamcore.

For rules, I have the Osprey En Garde rules which look suitable for the period. Will look to give them a try in the next couple of weeks.