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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Saga - Norman archers and crossbow

First up for my Norman warband are my shooty guys.  The Normans have good shooting abilities on the Saga battleboard.  Massed Volley lets bow units shoot at twice as their normal range.  Even better, Storm of Arrows activates ALL ranged weapon units to shoot with no fatigue. Being able to shoot archers and crossbow twice in a turn with no fatigue is a big bonus.

Crossbow units reduce the armor value of their target by 1.  Unfortunately, they suffer a -1 to their armor value in melee due to their cumbersome equipment.  I'll greatly enjoy turning enemy units into pincushions as they approach and then I'll be quite sad when they get sucked into melee.  Crossbow count as warriors so they're easier to activate than levy archers, they generate a Saga die (levy archers don't) and they get more dice per figure for shooting.  They seem like an obvious first choice for any Norman warband!
I painted 8 but count only 7 in the pic.   Hellooooo?

Queue Monty Python's "How Not to be Seen."
Levy bow are my second shooty unit.  The question is, do I take 2 units of levy bow or 1 crossbow and 1 levy bow?  2 units of levy bow kills you in the Saga dice generation phase so it's a tough call.  I may paint up a 2nd unit of bow so I have options. I can see Burkhard shaking his head "NO!" at the idea.



All Gripping Beast figures. Army Painter Strong Tone painted on, not dipped.  I put a coat of Future polish over the top over the highlights for protection, followed by Liquitex Matte Medium to take the shine off.  Basing is Woodland Scenic ballast- 50% Fine, 50% Medium.  And since these metal figures are prone to tumbling around in the box I'm storing them in, I ordered up Litko magnetic bases for the 25mm disks.

Next week, I'll get my Vikings on the tabletop at a small local Con, followed by food and beers with my friends.  I'm thinking the whole event will look something like the picture below. Ah, life is good!

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30 comments:

  1. DalaupprorMarch 10, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    Greate painting Monty !

    At least at my club the Normans have had a tought time...but it could of course be the players running them;)

    2 Units of levy archers might not be the first choise, but as the Normans have realy much Archer abillitys you of course must paint them up and test, If you split the Crossbowmen in 2 groups of 4 minis and field small groups of mounted Heathguard/Warriors you any way get enought with SAGA dice. Even better if you field William that may use "We obey" to activate 2 units for shooting OR moving...

    Looking forward to see some pictures from the event you atend, especialy the fest afterwards, and a picture of you in the "so historical" winged helmet:9

    Best regards Michael

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      Thanks Michael! Brilliant tip! Sometimes the most elegant solution is right in front of me and I don't see it. I'll put that one into play.

      I've got to find a winged helm!

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  2. TamsinPMarch 10, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    Great looking figures Monty!

    Michael beat me to it with suggesting splitting the crossbowmen into 2 fours to generate 2 Saga dice.

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 10:02 AM

      Thanks Tamsin, and good luck on the painting challenge. You're really tearing it up!

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  3. MaxamillianMarch 10, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    'Behind which tree is he hiding? Let us see, fire ze crossbows!'
    Sorry, just trying to bring month python to the Norman conquest :D
    Nice brushwork btw

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 11:44 AM

      I do LOVE that bit and I'm not sure how I managed to misplace a figure for a photo shoot! Thanks!

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  4. john de terre neuveMarch 10, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    I must say they are great looking figures. I use the Dark Tone painted on, your figures are brighter then mine, maybe I should cut back to the Strong Tone.

    John

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  5. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    Thanks John! I've seen your Saga painting and it is wonderful. Dark and a bit grubby looking is perfect for the Dark Age warbands.

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  6. Stig of the DumpMarch 10, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    Nicely done, they look great. Do you highlight over the dip? I have started to do this, and have to say it really brings the figures to life.

    Steve

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 11:59 AM

      Yorkie! Yes, I do. Its easy to go either way on this point. The figs look good coming out of the dip once you take the shine off but I need the practice in 28mm. So I highlight over the shading.

      I love your latest Impetus armies, btw.

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  7. PhilMarch 10, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    Very, very nice figures Monty, I do like the crossbowmen! Waiting for the Vikings...
    All the best,
    Phil.

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 9:35 PM

      Thanks Phil! Storm of Arrows will be a nice Norman gift to the Vikings.

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  8. JonathanMarch 10, 2013 at 12:15 PM

    Monty - those looking great and the bases are very nice! Good luck at your game next week, but I don't recommend allowing dogs on the table :)

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 9:36 PM

      lol, thanks Jonathan. Dogs make everything better but not the dinner table!

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  9. thefrenchjesterMarch 10, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    Hi Monty,

    they are great!

    is the 8th crossbowmen has been em"barked"in his cart by the shruber?
    or he said "ni" to the knight in the forest? ;-)

    painting 28mm is so addictive! you'll fill a tool box full of 28mm figures even before you could understand;-)
    Enjoy your Saga games !

    Cheers

    Gilles

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 9:39 PM

      Thanks Gilles! It is very addicting. I'm really having fun with the click up. I'm just not sure how long I stay in 28mm, given that outside of Saga, everything my clubmates do is 15mm.

      And I just can't get enough of the Python crew.

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  10. BrentMarch 10, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    Nice work, Monty. Your 28s look great! I like the smattering of painted helmets in the units, that brings real character to the whole lot.

    Played a multi-player game with 10 point armies today. That was a blast, everyone had fun. I think it's the way to go at recon. I'll try to get some Normans based up too.

    And I'll get the dogs ready ;^). We can dice off to see if they're allowed . . . .

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    1. MontyMarch 10, 2013 at 9:42 PM

      I really appreciate it, Brent! A 10 point multiplayer sounds great. I don't want to come home early so maybe 2 games and beer. See you Saturday!

      P.S. If I put out a No Dogs Allowed sign, I bet the warbands won't listen.

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  11. UnknownMarch 11, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    They look great. What happened to the 8th guy. Friendly fire perhaps. Have a grand time at the con and don't get too debauched.

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    1. MontyMarch 11, 2013 at 7:39 PM

      Anne, thanks! Lol, I can't remember the last time I got debauched. Gotta do that once in a blue moon just to remember we're alive.

      I hope you don't think me a dunce. I couldn't find your message and it turns out Blogger threw it into a spam folder which I could not locate. All is well, now that we've retrieved your comment and set the world straight again.

      Delete
  12. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)March 11, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    They look nice Monty! Those crossbows sound nasty. I just played my first game of SAGA and quite enjoyed it.

    Christopher

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    1. MontyMarch 11, 2013 at 7:35 PM

      :-)

      Two years back, I only played Field of Glory. Now, I'm actively playing Field of Glory, Maurice, Saga and always looking for a chance to play Impetus. I feel like I've just scratched the surface of possibilities! Next weekend looks to be a 6 player 12 point multiplayer with the Irish versus the Vikings!

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  13. DeanMMarch 12, 2013 at 6:46 PM

    Great looking Norman missile troops. I'm really considering switching from Vikings to Normans for SAGA. Best, Dean

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    1. MontyMarch 12, 2013 at 10:00 PM

      Dean, thanks! Well, nothing wrong with having a few options for the tabletop. I do like the range of the mounted Normans. Plus, I think they make a pretty good matchup!

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  14. Ray RousellMarch 13, 2013 at 3:03 AM

    Excellent figures Monty, love the coloured helmets.

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  15. fireymonkeyboyMarch 13, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Nice work on these, Monty, I really like the colours.

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    1. MontyMarch 20, 2013 at 4:46 PM

      The helmets do give you a chance to bring in a little color...even in the Dark Ages!

      Delete
  16. Iowa GrognardMarch 20, 2013 at 4:56 AM

    I've been following your saga into...Saga. Great progress!

    The wife and I decided to play it, but we've only gotten so far as reading the rules and unpacking boxes of minis.

    I did read about a strategy somewhere that had Normans taking 2 groups of levy archers and the rest as Mtd, batting clean-up. It might have been on the M&T forums.

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    1. MontyMarch 20, 2013 at 4:51 PM

      Iowa, great to hear from you!

      I think you and your wife will enjoy it...loads of fun to be had!

      2 levy archers is good but then you need some smaller units to generate your Saga dice. Maybe the Crossbowmen in 2 groups of 4? I'll post a little more about Norman strategy later this week. And bring on Spring!

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