So... plan B: Lion Rampant (or later on, Dragon Rampant). I've picked up the rules, and they seem perfect to me: a few pages, nothing too elaborated, I could even convince my old pal Haekel to play a game or two against my dwarfs, provided I paint his army of course... which gives me a perfect opportunity to change my beard-and-chainmail painting routine.
In Lion Rampant, the recommended size for retinues is 24 points, which means 40 to 60 models to field, grouped in units of 6 or 12. Considering the available units, I see the following equivalencies:
- Hammerers = Foot Men-at-Arms
- Dwarf warriors = Foot Serjeants (possibly upgraded to give them two-handed weapons)
- Slayers = Fierce Foot
- 6 hammerers (including the commander) = 6 pts
- 12 upgraded dwarf warriors with two-handed axes = 6 pts
- 12 dwarf warriors with spears and shields = 4 pts
- 12 slayers = 4 pts
- 12 crossbowmen = 4 pts
So, what's next? Possibly Dwarfs (Renaissance style), or Imperial dwarfs (but with more colours this time), or Chaos dwarfs (the Big Hat ones), or... Chaos dwarfs again (the Marauder ones), or Skaven (Haekel has a weak spot for these little bastards in fur), or Wood Elves, or Dark Elves, or Empire... or Halflings.
With Lion Rampant, it's rather easy to pick a 24-pt retinue... then of course, I need to paint 50 models before starting to play :)
It's a nice little game, you will learn the rules in just one game. There's enough variety in the different troop types to give you some different match ups, and of course there's 12 scenarios to play through. Plus, be honest, by the time you have your figures painted the new dragon version will be old!
ReplyDeleteAh! This way, I'm sure that all the errata are published before my first game :)
DeleteHaving watched this army grow I am glad you are going to blood it. I just ask (as a huge Warhammer Dwarf player) that you don't give up on getting to the Warhammer table one day!
ReplyDeleteHmm.. OK, let's pretend that I will play them one day ;) Anyway, I still have a few dwarfs to paint to complete my regiments (at least 1 hammerer, a few warriors and spearmen, a cannon crew, and of course the general). But they are not anymore on top of my 'to-do' list. It's kind of a relief, actually.
DeleteWow!! They look so amazing all set up together! I too am looking to Lion Rampant for quick and dirty games in the evenings...keeps us updated on how you get on with the rules.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the whole army displayed for battle.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, I'm looking at the fan made fantasy version of SAGA, but I may look at Lion Rampant a day or another.
And whatever you will paint as your next army, I'm sure it will be fantastic !
Thanks. Actually, this is only a part of the army: the regiments of warriors count at least 20 models, there is a second quarellers unit, and the warmachines are missing. I'll try to post the whole lot soon.
DeletePlease don't give up on the army you had planned! I for one am dying to see the finished article.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, there are still plenty of dwarfs on my desk. But I needed a break, the last models being rather tedious to paint. I'm working on an old skaven for a change...
DeleteI want to collect dwarfs again after seeing these mini bearded master pieces :)
ReplyDeleteThanks... and good luck: witgh the current prices, you need a gold mine to collect a whole army ;)
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ReplyDeleteIt s nice to see some of your minis after so much time :-)
ReplyDeleteHope to see you soon too!
Sam.
Hi Sam, thanks. I hope you have finally completed your collection of Marauder Chaos dwarfs ;)
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