So I and 'A' decided we wanted a joint project to provide some 'head to head' wargaming , and hit on the idea of using the new 2nd edition 'By Fire and Sword' , a set of rules produced in Poland covering the wars of the 17th century.
The starter set has two skirmish sized forces , rules, dice and tokens to set us playing . The problem is they are 15mm - it's a LONG time since I painted any 15mm figures and this was going to be a test of my patience - and eyes ! . First up Polish Dragoon unit - an easy paint as they are uniformed and simple.
These were not as easy - all different and a bit complecated . Each unit comes with a card that has all it's stats on it - the symbols are taking time to get our heads around !
The Polish Commander , who issues orders and helps rally troops .
The opponent - the Turkish Bey who is in charge of the Ottomans .
The skirmish level battles are fought on a 4x4 table and have a selection of scenarios . Here these Turkish light cavalry have been given a 'move' order . Interestingly the Polish company uses inches for the measurement in the rules !?
Mid battle clash ! - I have based them all up , undercoated them and are SLOWLY painting them up . The Ottomans are a challenge with ornate clothing and no uniformity , also both armies are ALL cavalry ! - very different to what we are both used too .
My opponent 'A' studying the rules to find how we play them , it is a learning experience and we are slowly getting our heads around the rules , the mechanisms are fairly simple - using D10 dice , but the difficult part is deploying and using the different units properly ! . More updates and more painted units soon . (click on photos to enlarge them)
A very interesting project, I have some of the Tartars and they are nice miniatures, look forward to seeing how this project goes, certainly off to a good start.
ReplyDeleteYes they are small 15mm, nice but fiddly to paint.
DeleteI have heard of these rules and it is interesting to see your game and read your reflections on them
ReplyDeleteThe basis of the rules are simple but awkward to work through somehow.
DeleteYour 15mm figures are looking good for this project.
ReplyDeleteThank you , not sure if I'm enjoying painting them , they are very small !
DeleteA new project like this is a grand way to try something refreshingly different on the tabletop.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Andy
Yes we are enjoying the games we are playing.
DeleteWas aware of these rules but didn't realize they were 15mm. Good looking games!
ReplyDeleteYes true 15mm , this is the new edition which is a total rewrite of the original ones.
DeleteThe 17C 'eastern' armies are very interesting - worth playing with just to have winged hussars. I have armies in 40mm which are not so fiddly to paint. I use the Fire & Sword army books for info & reference - but use my own rules for games. (goings on recorded on https://cavalierecw.blogspot.com/ )
ReplyDeleteIt is a period I don't know anything about and the forces we have are all cavalry so a steep learning curve .
DeleteIt all looks great Tony! 15mm figures are a real strain on the eyes! Good luck with the rest of your painting!
ReplyDeleteYes they are difficult after 40mm figures.
DeleteYour figures look excellent. It's such a fascinating period with so many different and colourful units.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the film adaptations of Henryk Sienkiewicz's Potop (The Deluge), Ogniem i Mieczem (With Fire and Sword) and Pan Wołodyjowski (Pan Michael) to get you started—you can find them on yootoobe with English subtitles. They were/are historical novels, of course, but did not take too much licence with the history.
Best wishes, James
Thanks will look them up
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