Monday 27 July 2020

Sword and Spear.

 I think this is the longest delay I've had between posts unless I'd been away on holiday. Obviously because of Covid I havent been on holiday so there shouldnt be any excuse for not creating a post.
Frankly I couldnt think of anything worthwhile to say that wouldn't have upset someone. Its always best to say nothing if one has nothing good to say. 
 Anyway Im now back and thought I would display the two small armies Ive painted up during the lockdown, one Ancient Greek and one Early Persian.The more astute will notice that some of the figures are on single bases but that is because I intend to use them for SPQR as well as Sword and Spear.
John and I played our first wargame using Sword and Spear last week and I obtained a creditable defeat. Pitching the Persians against Republican Romans perhaps wasnt the best of ideas but the result was closer than I thought although the command and toughness of the Romans was pretty high.As a first game of Sword and Spear it was very enjoyable albeit frustrating due to my poor positioning of my cavalry. 
 Still it was a wargame with a real opponent which after these last few months was a wonderful experience. We really are social animals and I think wargaming is the better for having real opponents. I never could get my head around Solo Wargaming although it looked interesting.
 Typically I have ignored the fact that in Sword and Spear one doesn't need hundreds of figures and have been painting up different bases of Persians and their many allies and of course I had to have a chariot or two. The eagle eyed will recognise the Hinchliffe King of Kings sat admiring his army.
 The Greeks are mainly Victrix from their excellent range, lovely sculpted figures. I keep hoping they will release their Persians soon. Tomorrow is a second battle using Sword and Spear so here's hoping I'm more astute than the first game.



26 comments:

  1. Good to see you posting again Robbie, and a fine lot those Persians are too! Great to get back to a bit of gaming.

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    1. It is Dave. It must be terrible for the people still in isolation.

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks Neil, I just wish Victrix would release their figures.As it is I am going to end up with too many units when they finally get released.

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  3. Lovely armies and a goodly amount of work to have come out of the lockdown period. Are they based to 60mm or 80mm?

    Really pleased to see a Sword and Spear post. They have been on my shelf for ages, but I have had two knock-arounds with them over the past 2 weeks or so to get a good grasp of them and I am liking the game that they give.

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    1. We settled for 90mm bases Norm.It means my close order figures are in fours, and my lighter troops in threes. Ive now used the rules twice and am slowly grasping the salient points. They are very subtle and require some thought. Im also struggling to use the skirmishers correctly yet but I will get there.I think they are a cracking set of rules though.

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  4. Good to have you posting once more. The figures have turned out really well.

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    1. Its been a struggle to be honest. I miss the shows and the general contact with wargamers. Hopefully things will improve soon.

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  5. A real wargame with a real opponent, this is a step toward a return to normalcy! Super looking armies. Good to see you blogging again, Robbie.

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    1. Thanks Johnathan, its a real pleasure to be fighting a live wargamer.

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  6. Those Persians look terrific and are quite an inspiration to get back into Ancients in a big way.

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    1. Ditto you and your damned flats Paul, they are excellent.

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  7. Good to see you back Robbie. As ever, gorgeous paintwork on those figures. Very striking armies, even the Persian 'joke army'. Fabulous and so tempting.....

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    1. You could be right about the joke terminology Colin, they remind me of the poor Italians of 1941 fame.

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  8. Robbie glad you’re back as you say there’s plenty to comment about out there but I doubt any of it would warrant positive comments and would result in upsetting someone far safer to stay in hobby 😁 Greeks and Persians what can I say but excellent - my two favourite ancient armies . Haven’t tried the rules yet so I wait on your recommendation - keep the posts flowing

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    1. Well Graham, Ive now fought three battles using the rules and chalked up three defeats against strong opposition. The rules certainly make you think, and if you make a tactical mistake they are unforgiving. I really like them, but the poorer the quality the more generals you will need.

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  9. Lovely looking armies, glad to see you're posting again!
    Best Iain

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    1. Sorry for the delay in replying Iain, things just seen to drift. Hopefully I will get back in the saddle soon.

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  10. Somehow I missed this, but good to see you back in harness and turning out a decent number of very respectable figures. Keep at it!

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    1. Thanks David, I cant keep up with your volume of lovely ancients, keep it up.

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  11. Very impressive armies, Robbie. Haven't taken a look at either SPQR or Sword & Spear; still trying to get "master" as in game master Hail Caesar. Best, Dean

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    1. Thanks Dean. Tbh I never thought I would return to ancients but I am enjoying the period especially using the Sword and Spear rules. They take some mastering and you need to think a lot.

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  12. Great stuff Robbie. I must admit that I like Sword & Spear. Just abstract enough for good game play but no fiddly movement and the right amount of historical wrinkles to be satisfying. The rules will reward solid tactics and good planning but a few bad dice rolls can still screw you over! Lovely figures BTW. :-)

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    1. Great to hear from you Neil. I didnt know you were an ancient wargamer. The rules are interesting and you really need to keep your wits about you.

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My 6mm Napoleonic set up.

My 6mm Napoleonic set up.
Austria 1809.

Austrian Hussars

Austrian Hussars
Hinchliffe figures

Austrian Grenzer

Austrian Grenzer
Austrian Grenzer

Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2013
Smoggycon 2013

Smoggycon 2012

Smoggycon 2012
Smoggycon 2012

Smoogycon 2009

Smoogycon 2009
My French getting another beating