Monthly Retrospective 3

Month four of 2012 is over.  This year is going blindingly fast, to me at least.  This was a productive month in some respects and not so much in others.

I started 15mm for Sci/Fi this month.  That's a big step.  I prefer 28mm models, and I'll still game in that scale.  The reasons I finally succumbed to the dark side of gaming are probably pretty familiar to all those that have already made the leap.  There is a huge, and ever expanding range of models.  They are dirt cheap.  They paint up quickly.  The terrain is much cheaper than 28mm.  There is freedom to build whatever force you want. (Technically this exists with 40k as well, but GW would have you believe that is not the case).  There are a ton of different rule sets out there.  I bought some test models, ARC fleet from CMG.  I liked them, even the infantry.  So I ordered a bunch of Sahadeen and two Vipers from Rebel Minis.  Those arrived yesterday and look very nice as well.  I'll be doing a review on them as I assemble them.  I'll need to put in another order to CMG to flesh out the first order, but that will give me two armies to game with.

Painted CMG ARC Fleet

Painted Romans

I have painted my first box of Romans.  I still need to put the decals on the shields and attach them, but I'm counting these as painted for April.

Command

Romans!

I have assembled the first box of Warlord Romans.  I have two of the boxes of twenty Legionaries with a scorpion.  This is one, out of the way.

Box art from Warlord Games.

Celts!

As you may remember, fascinated as you all are by all of my doings, I bought a box of Warlord Celts in February.  Rather, SWMBO bought them for me as a Valentine's day present.  They arrived in March and sat for a couple of weeks.  I have finally gotten them assembled. 

A Celtic Warband, marauding across my desk.

Look what arrived in the mail

Last week I finally received my order from Warlord games.  After picking up the Hail Caesar rulebook, and looking through it, I decided that I was going to take the plunge and pick up a Roman army.  My wife ordered this for me for Valentines day.

Basing

As noted below, I have quite a few new figures inbound.  These are all historicals, Romans and Celts.  Coming from a GW background, I like my minis individually based.  Add to that the endless variety of historical rules with their basing arcana and I have been at a loss as to how I am going to base these models.

I've decided that I will base them individually.  I can build movement trays of whatever size is necessary for the rules I'm playing.  I am, very strongly, leaning towards round bases.  The reason for this is simple, I want to be able to use them for skirmish games.  I want to use the Lord of the Rings SBG rules.  These need round bases.

If I use the GW War of the Ring movement trays I can fit eight round bases on a tray.  Two of these will suffice for HC, especially if my opponent is using the same style.  So!  Problem solved you say!  Not so fast.  I am having a hard time finding the bases I need.  I found an ebay seller who sells 100 for a couple of pounds.  Great.  Only the shipping works out to be three times what the bases cost.  There are a bunch of sellers who sell in smaller quantities for more money.  I'll keep looking for the solution to this one.

This leads to the next part of the question.  Using Romans and Celts in a skirmish game, what stats will I give them?  I know there is a yahoo group dedicated to alternate uses of the LotR rules.  I also happen to know the author of Legends of the High Seas, so could ask for advice from him.  I want to work this one out on my own, (though I may still hit up Tim for advice).  I'm thinking, right now with no play testing, that I will use Uruk Hai for the Romans.  For the Celts I'm leaning towards orcs, though that is still not a great fit for me.  It may take some fiddling but I'm going to work this out.

Hail Caesar - First Impressions

I received my copy of Hail Caesar in the mail yesterday.  I'm still working my way through it but from what I've read so far, I like it.  This book does not take itself too seriously.  The rules appear to be common sense and reasonable.  The central premise is that these rules are for friends to sit around a play a reasonable game together, not for tournament play.  I enjoy tournaments every now and again, but week to week, I play for both myself and my opponent to have a good time.

On first read through, these rules look like they may deliver what I'm looking for.

Historicals

I majored in history in college.  Military history.  I love it.  My parents are both PhD Historians.  I've never played or collected a historical game or model.

I think I've been intimidated by the choices.  Too many scales, rules, eras.  Where to begin?  Will I have someone to play with?  Because I haven't had the answers to these questions I have held off on taking the leap.  I've read the blogs.  I've leafed through the rules books and read reviews online.  I've looked at models from different eras and manufacturers.  I've avoided making any kind of commitment for years.

I've finally made a decision.  I've ordered Hail Ceasar.  I'll read through the rules.  If they look good then I'll be picking up one of the great deals on Romans from Warlord Games.  I'll probably add some Celts.  I don't know that I'll have anyone to play against but I've taken the first steps.

I'm also interested in Black Powder, several sets by TooFatLardies as well as Very Civile Actions from the Perfect Captain, for ECW.  I'll probably be buying several sets of rules this year.

I'm looking forward to this.  We'll see how it goes.