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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Sarmatians & more

In Field of Glory, Dacians can take a Sarmatian ally to field the superb Sarmatian lancer cavalry. That gives the Dacians cavalry equal to or superior to anyone else in period.
My heart briefly sank at the sight of 36 riders without lances or holes in their hands for the same. Out came the Dremel and in less than 30 minutes, I was done. Note the superb Ancient Warfare magazine, vol VI, issue 2 featuring Trajan's Dacian wars.  This magazine is a treasure which I find to be inspirational and informative!  The artwork is superb as well.  

Bastarne Cavalry: They're quite average for the period.  If I field them, it'll be to provide rear support. These bright geometric patterns were my first idea for Dacian shields. I wasn't thrilled with the results here so I'm striking out in another direction.
Light Horse: There might be a place for light horse in my Dacian army.  If so, these fellows are ready to serve, and swerve, when called upon.
I've been looking for inspiration in painting Dacian shields since the day I got this army from Old Glory.  The Dacian shield patterns found on Trajan's Column are unpaintable in 15mm and I did not like my first try above.  Looking for Plan C, I found inspiration at the Iron Mitten blog. Stay tuned!
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50 comments:

  1. The Angry LurkerApril 29, 2014 at 2:49 PM

    Blooming little beauties Monty!

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  2. Moiterei_1984April 29, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    Excellent work! Your Sarmatians are simply outstanding. I especially like the armoured cavalry.

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:40 PM

      Thanks Moiterei! They do look pretty decent all ranked up.

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  3. TamsinPApril 29, 2014 at 3:19 PM

    Lovely Sarmatians, Bastarnae and light horse Monty.

    I've got 60 more Sarmatians with lances lowered to drill through the hands of - not really a job for the Dremel which is why I keep putting it off.

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:44 PM

      Thanks Tamsin! 60 is a very long run for a pin drill. Invariably, I get impatient and snap one of the tiny bits. Good luck when you do go back after them.

      Are the Sarmatians a fun army to run in FoG? I know folks who run mounted shooty armies but not mounted lance.

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    2. TamsinPApril 30, 2014 at 3:03 PM

      They can be fun, provided they don't get broken up on the way in. Having a light foot screen could help. There's also not much in the list to soften up the enemy before the lancers charge home, so it's worth considering taking a Scythian ally for a light horse boost.

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    3. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:22 PM

      Ooh, that's a good suggestion. 36 lancers are hardly a down payment on a full Sarmatian army but I maybe it's worth exploring. THANSK Tamsin!

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  4. DeanMApril 29, 2014 at 3:26 PM

    Fantastic cavalry, Monty. Superbly painted and bases. That's a nifty Dremel too. Best, Dean

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:45 PM

      Thanks Dean! That attachment is a real timesaver.

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  5. DalaupprorApril 29, 2014 at 3:27 PM

    Stunning work !

    I´m realy impresse of the amount of 15mm you paint Mounty !

    Best regards Michael

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:46 PM

      Michael! I didn't plan to paint so much 15mm this year but so far, that's how it's turned out. I'll be back to 28s soon!

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  6. Phil CApril 29, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    Gorgeous Cavalry and painting all round Monty!.... The Sarmatian (Iranians) Lancers are one mean machine punching cavalry force, they should spread fear to your opponents!

    not so fun drilling holes for your figures to carry the lances....I know its a pain, well for me it is, working on Xyston miniatures! anyway.. great work by you sir!

    cheers,

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:47 PM

      Thanks Phil! It is kind of cool how the Dacians were allied with the Sarmatians. If more of the tribes had banded together, who knows how history might have turned out.

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  7. MillsyApril 29, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    Serious eye candy mate. They're bloody gorgeous!

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  8. JasonApril 29, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    Beautiful work Monty! I thought they were 28's at first. Those fellows are going to be awesome in battle.
    Best wishes,
    Jason

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:50 PM

      That's about the sweetest thing you can say to a 15mm painter! Thanks Jason, I do hope they help turn the tide against the Romans.

      Delete
  9. NateApril 29, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    Very nice!

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  10. Evan HughesApril 29, 2014 at 4:50 PM

    Great work Monty, this is shaping up to be another 15mm triumph!

    Any ladies in the Sarmatian force, by the way? There seem to have been a few historically if grave finds are anything to go by!

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 5:58 PM

      Evan! Is there any corner of history that still holds a surprise for you? You are correct. Adrienne Mayor, the author of "The Poison King" is about to release a new book called "The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women across the Ancient World." I'm pretty sure Sarmatian women will be in there!

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  11. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)April 29, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    I particularly love your 15mm work which always has the right color tone to them!

    Christopher

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  12. CyrusApril 29, 2014 at 5:54 PM

    Superb Sarmatians Monty!

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  13. jmilesrApril 29, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    Fantastic Troops!
    The Sarmatians are the stars of my 28mm Dacian army

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    1. MontyApril 29, 2014 at 9:49 PM

      Thanks Jim! I just found your Dacian army on your blog. Great work, especially your Sarmatians. I also love the 5' fort you made for Historicon.

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  14. UnknownApril 30, 2014 at 2:29 AM

    Oh my God, what an amazing display those Sarmatians make. You're beginning to churn out some epic work Monty. In the last year or so, the quality of your work has increased so much it's amazing.

    You continue to impress me!

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    1. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:24 PM

      You are the best! I do think I'm better now than a year ago and hopefully, I'll be better in a year than today. However, I feel like a tortoise to your hare! You're on fire!
      ;-)

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  15. Michael AwdryApril 30, 2014 at 2:31 AM

    Oh my look at those beauties! Good to see the Dremel flex been used too. I added one to my Christmas list on your recommendation and Father Christmas kindly obliged - a fabulous bit of kit

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    1. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks Michael. I'm a cheap SOB but this was a good investment. I recently drilled out hands on a bunch of SAGA figures for a friend. Quick work!

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  16. john de terre neuveApril 30, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    Very, very nice. I will have to get a dremel one of these days.

    John

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    1. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks John! It is pretty slick. The best price I could find for it was Amazon.

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  17. Jonas MApril 30, 2014 at 7:27 AM

    Oh these are all lovely little fellas Monty. The Sarmatians in particular, are very nice.

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    1. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:26 PM

      Thanks Jonas! Last night, I saw someone's 28mm Sarmatians and now I have figure envy!

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  18. Jonathan FreitagApril 30, 2014 at 9:02 AM

    Outstanding cavalry! Your color selection and application always make your troops pop.

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    1. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:28 PM

      Thanks Jonathan! I could have shaken it up with more variety but I'm rushing. I've got a bunch of 28mm coming down the pike so I need to wrap up my personal painting.

      Delete
  19. MontyApril 30, 2014 at 4:27 PM

    Thanks Andrew! I'm really excited about the shields.

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  20. KreoseusMay 4, 2014 at 4:33 AM

    Hi Monty

    really nice. I have always wanted these Sarmatians, but the OG bag size can be quite awkward, I only need 12 figures. All of the cavalry are nice, I particularly like the basing on the Sarmatian lancers and the shields on the Bastarne cavalry.

    Phil

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    1. MontyMay 4, 2014 at 3:08 PM

      Thanks Kreoseus! OG does have some odd lots. I did a quick search and the smallest they offer is 18 figures. That's why I have 36 figs.

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  21. Jason MeyersMay 4, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    Your work on 15mm is some of the best I've seen. Not many make the effort to make them pop like you do. Wonderful eye candy for your lucky opponents across the table. :-)

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    1. MontyMay 4, 2014 at 3:10 PM

      Wow Jason, that is very kind of you! I have a bag of tricks for 15mm and I use them mercilessly!

      Hey, have you checked out Fantasy Flight Game Center? It is a gaming nirvana!

      Delete
  22. BaconfatMay 4, 2014 at 12:41 PM

    I really like the Bastarne and light cavalry.

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    1. MontyMay 4, 2014 at 3:13 PM

      Thanks Bacon, I appreciate it! Hey, and I don't know how I missed it but I;ve now got you up on my blog roll. I really lean on that to keep up with everyone's fine painting!

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  23. PhilMay 5, 2014 at 4:08 AM

    I know, I'm late...but...excellent paint job, with great bases, love these troops Monty!

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  24. marcoMay 6, 2014 at 2:33 AM

    geat job as usual !
    a dacian song for the sarmatian :
    " do you need anybody ?
    Ummm I get high with a little help from my Bastarne friends,
    Ummm Going to try with a little help from my sarmatian friends"

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    1. MontyMay 6, 2014 at 5:24 PM

      Thanks Marco, and love it! The Dacians did need a lot of friends to face off with the Romans.

      Delete
  25. UnknownMay 12, 2014 at 2:51 AM

    Superb work on those Sarmatians. and your Bastarnae aren't bad either.

    Cheerio
    Seb

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