Ideal Game Table Size

Lets say you were thinking of building a gaming table, and the room in which it would be set was pretty large. Let's also say that said gaming table would be used mostly for 28mm gaming, but also some smaller scales on occasion. Let's also say it would be used for a variety of games, and by different people, playing anything from ancient mass battles to 20th century urban warfare.

What reasonable size would you aim for?

All of my tables have been 4'x8' but given the chance, I'd like to try something a bit larger in the future. I think 6'x12' would probably be the extreme limit. Maybe 5'x10'?

Two New Little People

Two new additions to the household. One significantly more important than the other.

First is our daughter, Abigail, born Thursday morning at 12:08am. She's beautiful, healthy and happy -- as is her mother. She is our first (only?) child, and has already captured her fathers heart.

On a less profound note.... the day before the baby arrived, I painted a hobbit figure I picked up from Reaper Miniatures, to use as my character in our RPG campaign. Nob Scrobbleton, rustic but ambitious hobbit trader of herbs and other exotic commodities, turned adventurer.

Medieval Burgundians For Sale

Per my last entry, I'm getting a little desperate. I have actually found a new job, which I start in August, and should get my back on my feet again. But in the interest of avoiding losing my car & both our phones any day now, I've still got to raise some cash ASAP. So I've decided to offer up my Burgundians as well as the previously posted Skaven. I hate to do it, but once again, my loss is your gain. I can be contacted at my user/blog name (at)gmail.com

So...

Painted 28mm Burgundians (15th Century Ordonnance, Charles the Bold)

Figures are all painted, mounted on a mix of single and group bases, with infantry having a 20x20 "frontage x depth", and cavalry having 25x50. All bases magnetized. Figures are a mix of at least half being Front Rank, the rest being a mix of Crusader, Old Glory, and Grenadier (Copplestone sculpted figures currently being sold by Mirliton.)

Totals: 167 Infantry, 27 Cavalry, 2 guns
$1300
Price includes shipping to most locations around the world.

Photos of many of the figures, both in-progress and finished are available here:
http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/burgord/?start=all

You can also hit the Burgundian tag here for some of it.

64 Archers
30 Ordonnance Pike
25 Low Countries Pike
14 Crossbow
10 Hangdunners
21 Dismounted Gendarmes/Heavy Men-at-Arms
21 Gendarmes
6 Coustilliers
3 Artillery Crew
1 Light Cannon
1 Organ Gun
80mm frontage of pavises on separate bases
180mm frontage worth of stakes on separate bases

The numbers above include command figures, including a suitably ducal looking cavalry figure.

I will also throw in a few unpainted artillery crew figures, since I only ever got around to painting three.

Skaven For Sale

Selling. Cash only. Losing my job and having baby on the way are forcing me to sell off some of my gaming collection. Reluctantly. My loss is your gain. Buyer pays shipping and any extras (insurance, etc.)


WFB

Skaven - Painted

Basing note: All bases are magnetized. That's how I travel with my army. Most are basswood with magnetic sheet on the bottom. Figures are either glued straight to the base, or in the case of many of the metal figures, the tabs have been cut and they have been pinned as well. I used white/PVA glue to stick the figures on the base, so if you don't like the basing, they shouldn't be too difficult to remove. Most of the group bases include extra scenic elements like arrows stuck in the ground, rats running among the troops, mushrooms, etc.


90 Plastic Clanrats: $270
These are the previous multi-piece clanrats, with some giant rats mixed in to accomodate the figures ranking up. They are all based on magnetic bases, with a mix of single bases and multi-bases. The multi-bases accomodate a lot of the conversions and "unruly mob" look I was after. Two units of 30 were designed to have the front rank holding large improvised shields (inspired by the historical "shield wall" concept) with the second rank attacking over their heads. These have been used for years, and as anyone who has had these figures can tell you, there will be a sertain amount of snapped tails involved. I've tried to make repairs & repaints where I can. Just understand these are well painted/converted gaming figures, not display pieces. ;)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skcl01a.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skcl01b.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skcl02a.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skcl02b.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skcl02c.jpg



30 Metal Plague Monks: $100
"Brotherhood of the Red Pox." Mounted on magnetic bases, a mix of single based and multi-based. I traded for the figures, whoever had them before me cut off a few of the second hand weapons for some reason. Hard to notice in the mob. I have added a painted banner to the standard since the first photo was taken.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/mnk1.jpg
Pic of the monks with the Furnace, for reference, so you can see the banner. (Furnace sold separately!!)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/furnwip3.jpg


6 Plage Censor Bearers: $30
Mix of metal and converted plastic figures. Painted to match the "Brotherhood" above.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/pcb1.jpg


Plague Furnace: $100
A lot of hard work and... blood went into this. Not sure why I don't have a finished pic of the Furnace, but below are a couple WIP shots without the crew finished, nor the base on two of the photos. The crew & plage priest are painted to match the monks & PCBs above.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/furnwip3.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/furnwip1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/furnwip2.jpg


10 Metal Clan Eshin Gutter Runners/Assassins: $60
10 of the figures from the group below in the pic. I will supply maximum variety (at least one of each pose.)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/esh12b.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/grtt01.jpg

4 Swarms: $40
Mix of actual GW "swarm" stands & rats on scenic bases.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/swm01.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/swm01b.jpg


Converted Skaven Themed Game Turn Counter! $100
Converted from the old Doomwheel, plus some other bits. Rotate the engineer on his throne so that it points to whatever turn it is. Magnetic base. The standard was painted black with the intention of painting a symbol or a tick mark for every defeated enemy, but I never got around to it. But all the better for you to do it after you buy this unique conversion from me! ;)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/turn05.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/turn03.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/turn04.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/turn05.jpg


Rat Giant! $100
100% Scratch sculpted giant rat critter, accompanied by his Clan Moulder escort on his base. Previously used as a DoW giant in previous editions, I've used this as an Abomination since the latest army book came out. Based on a 50x50 magnetized base. You will need to add a secondary base (I was using a metal base, built up in the front and back) or rebase him to match the new base size. Scupted with a durable mix of epoxy putties on a heavy gauge wire frame.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skgt10a.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skgt10b.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skgt10c.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skgt10d.jpg

1 Converted Plague Wind Mortar (PWG figure not included)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skmort2.jpg

Old metal Grey Seer on old metal Screaming Bell: $100
One of the centerpieces of my army. It's on the old sized base, so I've been slipping another base under it for games until I got a chance to rebase it. The Seer is has a pin in one foot, that fits into a hole on the top of the bell. Also included is one matching 20x20 infantry base with two holes, so if the bell is destroyed you can remove the Seer and put him on an infantry base.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell07.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell06.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell05.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell04.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell03.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell02.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/scrbell01.jpg


Photos still to come on these:

46 Metal Slaves: $140
Magnetic bases, mix of group and single based. These are the skinny slaves released for a short time in 6th edition, mix of poses & weapons, including a musician.


46 Metal Slaves: $140
Magnetic bases, mix of group and single based. These are the skinny slaves released for a short time in 6th edition, mix of poses & weapons, including a musician.

1 Ratling Gun: $15

1 Ratling Gun: $15

1 Warp Firethrower: $15
Original Jes Goodwin sculpt

1 Warp Firethrower: $15
Original Jes Goodwin sculpt

1 Converted Warp Grinder: $15
Converted from fogires from the old metal WLC plus other bits. Painted, but here's some pics of the figure before being painted:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/GRND02.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/GRND03.jpg

8 Jezzail Teams: $80

1 Warp Lightning Cannon: $55

9 Poisoned Wind Globadiers: $30
Old (original Jes Goodwin) metal figures. Mounted on old 25mm round bases. I haven't had much trouble using them, but probably need rebased for current ultra-competative WFB environment. I will throw in 9 unused 20x20 bases.

7 Rat Ogres, 20 Giant Rats, 5 Clan Moulder Packmasters: $100
I will throw in unassembled/unpainted bits for a couple more packmasters and some more giant rats as well.


Skaven - Unpainted:

New Plastic Doomwheel: $25
Everything on sprues except one of the two optional driver heads (used in a conversion, above.)

9 Poisoned Wind Globadiers: $25
Old (original Jes Goodwin) metal figures. Bare metal.

Metal Verminlord: $25
Bare metal, unassembled.

30 New plastic clanCrat spearmen: $35
Converted with extra long ("pike") spears. Assembled, based & primed black (one test model is paint.) Shields separate, but included. Photos of the first 20 after they were assembled/converted:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/skpko6.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/ZeroTwentythree/skaven/pptest.jpg



You may be able to find more pics, info, and see how your new troops have performed in battle here:
http://zerotwentythree.blogspot.com/search/label/Skaven
http://www.warseer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4082928#

Adaptation

Given all the changes I'm dealing with, maybe I should just consider 6mm gaming?

I do prefer larger scale games. Money, time & space are getting tighter.

Maybe this...

http://www.warlordgames.co.uk/preview-black-powder-last-argument-of-kings/

...would give a me good excuse to change gears as well. Given the relatively easy learning curve, I might even be able to get some new blood interested. Not sure how many people I know have any interest in the musket era, though.

Anyone have any opinions on 6mm vs. 10mm? I've never really compared before. I've mostly been a 15mm & 25/28mm guy.

Changes

Employment and financial problems continue. Its looking like I will be selling off a lot of my gaming stuff. I will be posting a list of all my Skaven figures in the near future, and probably sell them unit by unit. I have some more difficult choices after that, but I think the next two on the sales floor may be the Man-O-War collection and the Burgundian army. I will probably try to sell each of those as single lots first. I'm going to try to hang on to the ancients as long as possible, before getting desperate enough to part with them.

It sounds like the RPG campaign may be winding down already, too. I'm a bit down about that. We only manage to get together maybe once a month (originally started as every second week) and a couple of the players have jumped into a more modern game elsewhere. I've been enjoying the RPG "flashback" and it has been a good way to unwind.

I (still) haven't painted any figures recently, but I have been doing other painting. This weekend I painted the (soon to arrive) baby's room. We're going with a whimsical enchanted forest theme. The past few months I've also been working on some cartoon-y paintings to hang in the room. I've had to squeeze out some free time where ever I can, but I've got three of the planned four done already. The baby is due sometime in the next few weeks. So it will be a race to get the last one done!




"Seem What the Owls Are Not," "The Rabbit, The Treefish and the Inchworm," and "Flight of the Cuttlefish." I've gone through a pile of ideas for the fourth one but I think it will end up being a partner for the center one. I told my wife I could probably keep going and cover the walls, given time and materials to do so. I'm contemplating scaling that down, though, and instead making a (or several) home made children's story book(s) instead.

Wanted: 15mm fantasy, medieval, ancient odds & ends

We're still trying to hang on to the old-school RPG group. At 7 people (6 PCs and a DM) it's hard coordinating free time, especially once summer hits. We're hoping to maintain once a month games until the fall. We've only met twice in the past two months, though it's been a great deal of fun!

The DM has been using dice and some plastic Risk figures for trying to visually organize the battles. I'm thinking of suggesting figures, but because of space considerations I'm tempted to try 15mm instead of the usual 25/28mm. The problem, as I see it, is tthat most 15mm figures come in larger quantities of 12-50 per pack.

So I am looking for your 15mm odds and ends. For sale (preferably cheap) or trade. We could probably use a variety of generic human fantasy archetypes (either fantasy or historical figures - some armoured, some barbarians, some "rangers" etc.) as well as typical fantasy RPG figures (skeletons, orcs, goblins, dwarfs, elves, etc.) That would be the best place to start, I think. Maybe we can work on some big critters after that.

Campaigns, Careers and Mind Games

First the bad news...

After being unemployed for about 6 months, I finally took the only available job I could find (for now,) which has a whole lot of great things going for it except for two small details: atrocious hours and even worse pay.

So gaming for me has been virtually non-existent and I've been (reluctantly, in some cases) selling off some of my gaming stuff to help cover the bills. Hopefully something will turn up soon and my life will return to normal (or at least "normal" in the sort of way that's "normal" for a grown man who likes to play war with little toy soldiers.) The fact that my wife and I are expecting our first baby in less than two months, in addition to all the job/money/time issues, isn't exactly instilling me with a terribly positive outlook, though.

So other than those last couple entries, I've had almost no time for games or painting.


Then the good news (such as it is)...

I have, on the other hand, continued to toss around ideas in my head. My imagination is my last refuge. Mostly in terms of campaigns, as far as gaming goes. As I believe I mentioned previously I'm considering the idea of trying a Roman campaign before a Successors campaign. (This is all ignoring the fact, for the moment, that I have the above mentioned no-time for games.) To an extent, I suppose it will be a trial run for mechanics and practicality. I think I've got quite a bit of it worked out and have started putting some of it into a playable form. Right now it's just notes and the begeinnings of a deck of "campaign cards."

I am also thinking of indulging in a bit of alternative history. I came up withe idea for doing with ancients what others have done for the 18th century, in creating an "ImaginAncients" setting similar to the ImagiNations concept.

The basis for my Roman campaign, as I am imagining it, would involve at least three Roman factions, plus one or two outsiders.

One is Sertoria/Hispania, a "new" somewhat multi-cultural but still Roman dominated republic in Spain. In this setting, Sertorious would not have been assassinated, would have continued to fend off Roman attacks on Spain (helped by further splintering of factions at Rome), gained greater popularity both with the native Spanish peoples as well as the exiled Populares. A republican government and senate based on the Roman model were founded, encompassing the Hispania & Lusitania, all the way to the Atlantic, and maybe some small bits of south-western Gaul and/or Mauretania. After his death, a cult of personality formed around the (then deified) Sertorius.

That is the biggest bit of alternate history. A lot of the rest would at least remain along the lines of real-life history (as far as we know it.) Rome, as it had been, continued to be embroiled in factional strife. Not long after the death of Sertorius, Caeasar embarks upon his Gallic War. The campaign starts with Caesar in control of all of the Gallic territories.

The Optimates have retained a hold on Rome, Africa and most of the East. I am still tossing around the idea of splintering them off into two factions.

In terms of non-Roman factions, the two that come to mind are some sort of "alternative history" versions of Germania and Parthia. As far as Germania, I was thinking of some sort of German Vercingetorix who (somehow) manages to unite a large number of Germans who, as a reaction to the threat of Rome, go on the offensive. Or maybe there is an outside force that pushes the great German migrations forward in time. As far as Parthia... I admit a bit of ignorance. I'm not sure how to work them into a more effective, organized and expansionist role. Another "great personality?" How about a Persian revival instead? Or Pontus?

Like I said, still a bit of a mind-game. It's the closest thing to "gaming" I've got, currently. I barely even have time to read. So I'll continue to toss some ideas around in my head in the hopes that I can pull something together by the time I (hopefully) get back to that mythical "normal" gaming life.

Any suggestions are welcome. As are job offers. ;)

WFB Core Battles

Some of the old game club got together again for another day of WFB gaming. We played two rounds. The army rules were:

• 2000 Points
• No Lords
• 15% Max. Heroes
• 20% Max Special
• No Rare

I drew up two army lists. One for Empire, one for Skaven. I decided to play the Empire list, but when it came time to pack the car, I discovered that the Empire figures were all over the place (some packed in the travel box, some in a cabinet, some out on the desk) and laziness won out. I brought the Skaven. The army looked something like this:

1 Chieftain with heavy armour, shield, warlock augmented weapon
1 Chieftain with battle standard, heavy armour shield, and the magic standard that causes -1 LD to enemies within 12" and units in base contact reroll successful LD tests.
1 Engineer w/ LV1 magic

50 Clanrats with spear & shield
1 PW Mortar
30 Clanrats with shield
1 Warp Fire Thrower
30 Clanrats with shield
1 Warp Fire Thrower
40 Slaves
40 Slaves
30 Monks
6 Rat Ogres + 3 Handlers
2 Swarms
15 Night Runners
1 Warp Grinder



My first game was against a dwarf gunline. It had a bunch of units of 10 dwarfs with either handguns or crossbows, heavy armour and great weapons, three units of 5 miners, each with a drill, a unit of rangers with crossbows, three bolters with engineers, three slayer heroes and a thane.




The dwarfs set up on their back line, with the larger part of the army on a large hill. The slayers and miners were sent out to slow down the advance while everything else got shot up. It largely worked. Most of my Skaven are S3 and it took a ridiculous number of combat rounds to roll just two wounds on each slayer.

The big break for the dwarfs happened when the 50-rat horde, containing both the general and BSB, failed a freak panic test early in the game and spend a couple rounds fleeing, keeping them mostly out of the game.




In the meantime, fire was focused on the unengaged units, whittling them down to numbers too small to be effective by the time they got to combat. It was almost a re-fight of the recent WAB games against Persian and Macedonian missile armies, posted previously.



In the course of the game, I had a pretty freaky dice roll...





Game 2!

Game two was against an Empire army. It was something like:

30 Swordsmen
10 Swordsmen detachment
10 Handgunner detachment
30 Swordsmen
10 Halberdier detachment
10 Handgunner detachment
30 Spearmen
10 Crossbow detachment
10 Crossbow detachment
10 Knights with a Warrior Priest
1 Captain with battle standard
2 Mortars
1 Cannon
1 Engineer



It would be another game of mostly me moving up to contact the enemy. The first turn was brutal, as a couple of mortar rounds dropped my 50-rat horde below half strength. I got my rat ogres into combat with the knights early on, but I rolled horribly, he rolled great, and the result was that I lost combat by a lot and ran away. After a forced pursuit, they turned around, failed a charge and spent a couple turns getting flamed by a fire thrower before blowing a panic test. They rallied at the end, but were effectively removed from the rest of the battle. (At a high cost to me.)



My plan was to stall on one side or the other. I decided on stalling on my right (foreground in the photos) by sending swarms on the far side of the village, and slaves (and the other WFT) "refusing" (I hoped) the flank of the main line. My tunnelers popped up in front of the artillery, but were then charged by the flagellants supporting them from behind. I sent monks over the far hill, but they also got shot to pieces and broke in the second round of combat, after failing to do much of anything in spite of their "buckets o' dice" in combat -- even against mere humans.

The remainder of the horde did win combat in the center, but were then left standing alone just outside of the minimum firing range for the mortars. My only real luck was with a unit of clanrats on my left who made it to combat largely unscathed by missile fire, beat a detachment of crossbowmen, then turned and fought the swordsmen who had defeated my monks. After two rounds of combat, I managed to squeek by with a narrowly won round and lucked out when my opponent failed his break test.

We didn't total points or anything, but looking at the battle, I think it was at best a draw for the Skaven -- and that's being generous. All I had left were a couple units of clanrats. My opponent had lost most of his combat units, but he still had enough shooting to prevent me from turning and charging him effectively. At some point, the knights would be back, as well, though it would probably just be to mop up any remaining rats.




The next games will hopefully be in a couple weeks, and will be Ancients again.

Wargames Factory Resolution

As I explained in a previous entry, I've had a bit of difficulty collecting payment for painting services performed for Wargames Factory.

Yesterday was the final step in a resolution of the issue. I accepted payment in WF product in lieu of cash, and after about a month of delays, said product finally arrived on my doorstep.

Since those to whom I have financial obligations (utility bills, the grocery store, etc.) are not as gracious as I am in taking toy soldiers as "legal tender" I am now looking to convert this plastic currency into something with which I can pay my own bills. After setting aside figures for myself and friends, I have the following available at $12 per box, plus postage:

6x Shock Troops
2x War of Spanish Succession Infantry
1x Ancient Numidian Infantry
5x Ancient Persian Infantry
2x Ancient Persian Cavalry

If you buy three or more, I will drop the price to $10 each. Buyer pays postage.