Clearing the painting table

Every so often I need to get the painting table cleared as it gets clutter with half started figures,undercoated figures etc that have sat there for too long. So today I cracked on to get some of thesr finished. 

First up is 5 more figures for my Angmarin army. They are based up as 2 unit leaders. 1 of the figures is an old Black tree Saxon from a long forgotten Viking shore raid I did as a demo at the Border Reiver show. 

The next batch are from Star Wars legion. Princess Leia and a squad of rebel troopers. I veered away from the film colour schemes for Leia and went for a more military look to help her match in to the rest of the army. 

The troopers are just a mixed bunch of figures I picked up as part of an EBay bundle. 

Now I just need to completed another 4 Angmarin, 4 WW2 Soviets and some FPW French Dragoons. The Prussian infantry regiment is nearly completed.

Men of Angmar II

I completed another batch of infantry for my Angmarin force. This time 10 infantry and another designated unit leader. The figures are a mix of Gripping Beast Saxon Thegns with parts kitbashed from Warlord and Victrix to add some variety. There is 1 metal figure, an old Dacian I had in my spares box.

For my go to set for fantasy gaming, Dragon Rampant, I have a nicely growing force to serve the Witch King. 4 units of foot, a unit of cavalry and archers.

I've got another unit of cavalry awaiting basing. There are another 12 cavalry and 17 infantry to complete. I will then need to add some more fantastical stuff to the army.

Witch King of Angmar

Finally found a suitable model to lead my forces of Angmar. The Witch King himself. I do have the GW versions but not that happy with it. This model is from Reaper Miniatures and is described as a Cairn Wraith. I love the pose.

I used a mixed of black and black/green to add some highlights to the black robes. I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

I also added a couple of war dogs from Reaper and 4 more infantry. 3 are kitbashed plastics and the other is a Foundry Frank.

I already have a dog handler painted up for the war dogs. These are big and I'm tempted to add a few more. I've now got another batch of infantry to complete and another 6 cavalry to increase the unit size.

Men of Angmar

Finally managed to get the bases done on the last group of figures. I've also added a unit of cavalry. These are refurbished figures that were in need of some TLC. I touched up the paintwork and added the black shields to bring them in line with the rest of the force. They are a mix of manufacturers,  foundry, citadel and gripping beast.

I also completed 6 further infantry figures. 4 of which are the GB plastics with a few head and shield swaps. The others, 1 is an old foundry Arthurian figure, based as a leader. The second is a very old citadel Easterling figure.

With the figures done so far I can probably eke out a basic army for Dragon Rampant.  On the painting table I have another 10 warriors half done and a couple of wardogs. I have also ordered a Carn Wraith from Reaper miniatures to act as the Witchking himself. So a few photos of the force so far. 

LOTR Elves

As I've been awaiting an order of MDF bases for my FPW figures, I decided on a little divergence to keep me painting. These Elves have been built and undercoated for a while. So it was time to get them painted.

First up was 3 extra heavy cavalry. These have been converted from Conquest Normans. The armour is a bit too heavy, but I needed them until Oathmark produce some.

With Glorfindel to lead them I've enough for 2 companies of heavy cavalry and a light company for my big battles Dragon Rampant.

The other figures I painted were a unit of Elven swordsmen. These are the plastic Oathmark figures and they are rather nice. Need to get the rest of the box finished.

These will be the 1st company for my 3rd battalion of Elves.

On the painting table there are a few more figures for Judge Dredd, plenty of FPW figures and the start of a new project, but more of that in a later post.

Elven army takes shape

After testing my home brewed rule adaptions for fighting larger battles in Middle Earth, it was time to bring the Elves up to atleast fighting strength. So far I've had to rely on John providing his Gondorians to put on decent sized games.

So first up is the last 2 companies to make up what has been affectionately named the 'Blue' command by club members. These are designated as heavy infantry.  I did use some spares from Oathmark to make standard bearer (still needs a standard added) and an extra spearman from a broken figure.

Next up was a company to add to the'Green' command. These were a mix of armoured and unarmored figures from the GW Galadhirim range. I do have enough figures left over to make up an archer company.

To lead the mounted component of the army I've used the Glorfindel model from GW. Not my favourite, but he does at least look heroic.

To further expand the force I can add 5 more infantry companies using some Oathmark figures. I also have another company of riders using Conquest Normans. I'm also repurposing some GW Reaver knight which can help bulk up the mounted arm until Oathmark produce some Elven cavalry.

Now I feel the need to switch periods for awhile as I need to start on some 28mm WW2 Germans.

Lord of the Rings Elven warriors

Well with my current enthusiasm for all things Tolkien. It was time to add some more Elves so I can fight some of the Battles of the first Age.

The figures are mainly plastic with a few metal mixed in. They were produced by GW based on the Peter Jackson films. Not quite how I imagine them, but I somehow have 40 of them to paint up. It will be enough to make a division, then I can start on the Oathmark figures for the second division.

I decided to go with a mix of blue and greys. I wanted a slightly uniform look them. The next 2 units are both of swordsmen. I have spare figures of Elrond and Gil-galed to act as leaders.

Gothmog and Elven Riders

With a follow up game this week I neefed an extra Orc captain to lead the 3rd battalion. A quick rummage in the spares and I came up with Gothmog. Its not my favourite model. I also don't like the GW/Peter Jackson version where Gothmog is an Orc and not a Black Troll. To keep him company I painted up another 3 Orcs.

With my Orc army nearing completion it was time to turn my intention to their Opponents. Now I already have some Gondorians and Rohirrim, but these are not suitable for the 1st Age, so Elves are needed.

My first submission is some Elven Riders.  The bodies are Conquest plastic Normans, the Cloaks are from Fireforge and the plumes are from Oathmark. I did use some greenstuff to make a chest plates for a couple of the riders. Next time I'll try to make them thinner, but not bad for a first attempt.

I've ordered another sprue to make a second company. I'll the need to paint up my mounted version of Glorfindel to lead them before starting on some infantry.

DR Battle Companies

On Thursday night I umpired the first game, running a few amendments to Dragon Rampant to allow larger games and make it easier for multiplayer games.

I made some adjustments to Command and Control, giving each command random activation points. This seemed to work well and helped the game flow. Another rule was limiting the number of rounds that missile units can fire.

The game involved a detachment of Elves linking up with some Men of Gondor after tracking an Orc raiding force.

The good guys had the following

Elf captain
2 companies of light foot - mixed weapons

Human captain
4 companies of heavy foot

Human captain
3 companies of light missile
1 company of rangers

Human captain
2 companies of Elite riders - controlled

The Orcish raiders were as follows

Orc captain
3 companies of warg riders
1 company of wolves

2x Orc captains each with
4 companies of heavy foot
2 companies of light missile

The game kicked off with the Gondorian heavy foot occupied a defencive position on a large hill. The Elves and knights moved to extend the right flank.

The Warg riders crossed the river looking to get behind the Gondorians. The Orc foot kept it simple and headed straight at the enemy.

With the Warg riders threatening the flank, The Gondorians recalled their cavalry and turned their archers to meet the threat. The first Orc battalion opened fire on the Gondorians before their heavy infantry charged  home. The first assaults were beaten off, but the Gondorians could ill afford the loses inflicted upon them. The Orcs must of had the whips of Sauron on their backs as their morale held. The Gondorians counter attacked, but were beaten back. Their captain was forced to join the fray to best back the Orcs.

With the Elves pouring fire into the flanks, things seemed to be going well as an Orc company broke. However 2 of the Gondorian heavy infantry companies collapsed under the pressure. Led by their captain the Orcs surged forward again. This time a Hero of Gondor stepped out and slew the Orc captain in personal combat. The morale of the Orc battalion was shattered, but so 2 was the Gondorians as the last of their heavy infantry faltered.

The Elves on the flank were becoming cut off as the second Orc battalion moved forward into the gap. With only missile troops remaining and their knights negated by the warg riders. The good guys ceded the field.

Overall the amendments seemed to hold up well. Positive comments from the players. I'll tinker with a couple of things before a second trial game next week.