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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

128 Gauls streak across the finish line!

With a bit of fortitude, I managed to push an additional 32 bases of heavy foot warriors across the finish line for my Gallic army. Multicolored pants and shirts didn't hold me back but the 2-tone shields with 2 - 4 squiggles each were quite trying. It was more work than pleasure to finish this bunch.  As Vercingetorix is my witness, this is the last time I paint Gauls in 15mm!


While I can run these fellows as any Gallic tribe in Field of Glory, they're especially suited to be Galatians. I'll let Philip Matyszak explain why from his great book, Mithridates the Great:

“It appears that the Galatians still fought in the traditional Gallic style. Though skilled metalworkers, all but the tribal leaders generally fought naked.  The Gauls made excellent shock troops, as it took experienced opponents to stand firm against headlong charge by hundreds of large sword wielding warriors who were nothing but spiky line hairstyles and ferocious expressions. The bad news was that the Galatians had only a rudimentary grasp of military discipline and tended to regard setbacks as an invitation to go home.”

The bonus in running them as Galatians in Field of Glory is that they're all rated as superior heavy foot. This plus their impact bonus I'll have a fighting chance IF I can win on impact.  That's really all I'm looking for in a game. I'm a sucker for the "Lost Causes" of history.  As I told my friend Mark last week, when I run Gauls, it is indeed a lost cause.

Here's all 48 bases of heavy foot ranked up. I kept the palette a bit tight by repeating color combos. I think it achieved an irregular look without being hard on the eyes. Front or back, they provide an interesting view! While they were a trial to paint, I'm happy with the look of them all massed up.

Once I finish the Gallic camp and 4 command stands, the Gallic/Galatian army is done! And then, finally, back to Saga.

51 comments:

  1. Vercingatorix said to tell you that he doesn't believe you.

    Lovely painting Monty.

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    1. Thanks! I just realized the truth of this when someone pointed out the Blue Moon is working on a Gaesatae line. If I drank enough, I might be tempted to do this a 4th time. Maybe. ;-)

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  2. WOW!!! This is impressive Monty and I do think your finest work to date. I've never seen so many streaking men in one place-a joy for me to behold!

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    1. I'm afraid I'm going to be insufferable as a result of your kind words, if only for a day! I'll try to behave, but in any case, thanks Anne!

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  3. great work you have to love mass Galic warriors
    Peace James

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    1. James! I want to do Gauls in 28mm some day. I just have to find a reason or project for it. Maybe Saga Ancients, if it ever comes about? Thanks!

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  4. Hi Monty,

    too much pantless men for me sorry;-)
    impressive force! I really like the work you done on the shields!
    Steven Neate wrote an excellent tournament report on his Galatian hero "Stevanus" in the last Slingshot of the SOA, it's full of tricks on "How to fight with Celtic nude guys with Field of Glory"
    have good games with them!

    Cheers

    Gilles " the Gallic jester;-) "

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    1. Gillies! I missed the SOA article and I do so want to read it now. I need all the help I can get to keep from being roadkill to my Field of Glory buddies. I wonder if I can subscribe and get a copy? Thanks for the heads up and kind words.

      Only one more post of pantsless men and then back to pants. Whew!

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    2. Hi Monty,

      of course you can suscribe to Slingshot,you can choose from which number issue you would like to begin your subscription ( just in case it's the issue number 287);

      thanks for sharing your Armies projects;

      Cheers

      Gilles " braces or belt but not both ;-) "


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    3. Perfect, I'm in. Great share as always Gilles!

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  5. Monty:

    Amazing - simply amazing. Wonderful brushwork on this horde. Best, Dean

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    1. Thanks Dean! I can't wait to see what you cook up next for your Empire forces. Its a gorgeous bunch!

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  6. My word that is an impressive sight Monty!

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    1. Thanks Michael! It does boggle the mind that anyone would go to battle like that.

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  7. Very nice, Monty. They give me the willies.

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    1. Coming from the master of Gauls in 15mm and 28mm, I appreciate it!

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    1. Thanks Seb and good luck on the home hunt. Make sure they have a good painting room!

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  9. They look like an angry deputation at the nudist camp office:

    "what do you mean you've run out of factor 30+ sunblock?!" XD

    Excellent work, Monty. The bright shield designs really break up what could have been a fairly monotonous bunch. They really look like an angry horde!

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    1. LOL! Thanks Rosbif. One of the advantages of painting ancients is the freedom to come at armies with wide open parameters. We don't have the burden of recent history that you Napoleonics folks have! ;-)

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    1. Thanks Cyrus, I'm hoping the visuals will distract my opponents, if only for a turn or two!

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  11. Wow, Monty those are terrific! The "little squiggles' are on the shields right?

    Great work!

    Jon

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    1. Ha! I left myself open to that one. I mentioned to a club member long ago that its perhaps not appropriate to highlight all part of a Naked Gaul. Thanks Jonathan!

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    2. Dammit, Jonathan got it in before me because some of us have bigger squiggles than others, fantastic work Monty!

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    3. Thanks Fran! And people think my mind needs a wash. ;-)

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  12. Wow! That's a great looking warband Monty. The mass effect is simply stunning.

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    1. Thanks Jonas! Now I need to finish the army and get it on the tabletop.

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  13. !!Blimey!!! and I thought I painted a lot!!! :-D

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    1. You do! I just about fell out of my chair when you posted up the HUGE group photo of all your recent work. With all sorts of scratch builds and mods!

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  14. A great job Monty, the shields look excellent!

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    1. Ray, thanks! It was a bit of a cheat to go pink but I think people will hardly notice it. Except perhaps when these fellows rout.

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  15. Oh yeah, can't beat that look!

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    1. Thanks Caliban! But will they fight or frolick?

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  16. Great job, nothing like that massed effect.

    John

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  17. You are officially insane ;) My compliments, sir.

    FMB

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    1. Thanks Marcus! If they were based for Impetus, I'd have 2 Gallic armies. No looking back now!

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  18. Great painting! The work on the shields is especially stunning.

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    1. Thanks Moiterei! Your Rush for Berlin work makes me want to paint, and play, WW II. And DB too!

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  19. That's an impressive display of well painted figures! Great shields!

    Christopher

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  20. Very good paint work !

    Impressive sight with the 48 bases lined up Monty !!!


    Best regards Michael

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    1. Thanks Michael! It's much better than the sight of them on Popsicle sticks. ;-)

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  22. Wow! Impressive work Monty. A mass of those boys charging towards you would certainly be quite daunting!

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    1. Matthew, I agree. Once I heard them bang their swords on the shields and then the war cries, I'd run away!

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  23. By Toutatis! It's the mighty warband of the Gymnopyges!

    Impressive work as always; do you have a Pontic army stashed away somewhere that these chaps can join?

    I can imagine Mithradates having to issue occupational health and safety warnings to the men before battle; "Now those of you WITHOUT the proper safety equipment, and I cannot emphasise this strongly enough, please stay well clear of the scythed chariots, and yes, I'm looking at you, Galatians... You can't do the chariot trick on these vehicles, remember what happened to poor old Olorix!"

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    1. LOL! Those scythed chariots did not work out quite the way they were supposed to, perhaps in more ways than one.

      Ev, that is a brilliant idea! I once painted a very nice Pontic army for Impetus but when Impetus didn't catch on here, I sold it. I've got a Dailami army in the works but after that, I'll give this some more thought. The "portability" factor is a big plus. Thanks!

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    2. No worries!

      For those of us on a budget (and these days, that's most of us), interchangeability is a plus when collecting an army. There's also the perennial question of what to do with the odd units we ended up buying because we liked the look of them at the time (guilty as charged, your honour).

      The great thing about Pontic armies is their huge variety; everything from Thureophoroi and pikemen to chariots and screaming spiky-haired tribesmen.

      That would be an ambitious project, to say the least, but it's quite apparent that you enjoy a challenge - keep us posted on any developments!

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