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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Spartan army continues

Painting an army for Field of Glory can be a bit of a slog as the figure requirement are fairly substantial in 15mm. Also, you want some options to keep the army interesting to run. With the Spartan hoplites painted, it was time for the whistles and bells.

Cretan Archers: In Field of Glory, these sharp eyed mercenaries are rated as Superior and reroll 1s.  If you're going to be the best mercenary bowmen on the field, you should try to look the part.
Javelinmen/Peltasts: These skirmishers are useful as filler or to challenge for terrain that I can't send my Spartan hoplites into.  Yes, they can shoot but it's generally not that effective.  

Thracian Medium Foot:  The Thracians give me one nonskirmish foot unit that can operate in bad terrain. That's a lot of responsibility!  I painted them in a Thureophoroi style so they can pull double duty and serve on my other ancients lists.  I really should have used a fleshwash over the white on these fellows instead of an earthwash.  Ah well...
Commanders:  In Field of Glory, a Spartan army can only field 3 commanders.  If I run a Spartans with allies list, I can field a 4th General for the allied troops.  I did sneak in a single Xyston figure to this Old Glory lineup.  He's the fellow with a helmet under his arm, reminding me of how nice Xyston figs are.  

For the Spartan project, I've been painting to the superb Great Courses "Pelopponesian War."  It's 36 half hour lectures led by the distinguished Professor Kenneth Harl at Tulane.  One of the great things about my audible membership is that an 18 hour Course counts as 1 book.  I just realized they also have Donald Kagan's superb "The Peloponnesian War" so that's in my cart and ready to go.  If there is a quiz show centered on the Pelopponesian War, I'll soon be ready for it!  

44 comments:

  1. Great looking army. Fantastic paint job and basing.

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    1. Phil! Now I'm left to wonder just how bad it could have been. ;-)

      I have a crappy keyboard and from time to time, my comments go up before I was read on account of the magical MS keystroke combo.

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    2. oops... sorry :o) about that...must have had the silly keyboard in reverse :o)

      my message was "awesome" good strong contrast of colors you used which makes the figures pop out with your flocking of the bases style. great!

      cheers,

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  3. Stunning work on all of these troops, Monty. Really like how the flocking ties them all together too. The mass amount of figures is very impressive and well worth your efforts. Dean

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    1. Thanks much Dean, you're too kind! I have a small window before the next wave of 28mm hits so I'm rushing to get a couple of FoG armies done. So far, so good!

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    1. Thanks Hobby! I hope your Carthaginians are progressing nicely.

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  5. Excellent looking units! Looking at your Spartans I can somehow feel my resolve crumble not to get into anything new anytime soon.

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    1. Thanks Moiterei, and lol! So much great gaming and history, so little time.

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  6. Wonderful Monty! Your Spartan army is looking just great!!

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks Christopher! I must confess the Spartans would look better based for Impetus. Ah well, at least I get to play ancients. ;-)

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  7. First Spartans, and now their support troops? I think you've already overtaken the force which went to Thermopylae, or at least the total's coming close - you must have nearly 300 figs there by now!

    I have to agree with Moiterei about crumbling resolve in the face of something shiny; this is lovely work!

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    1. Thanks Evan, you are very kind! Hopefully, this is the first of a one two painting punch. As I wrap up, I'm already onto the next thing. Ooo butterfly!

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  8. Nice work Monty - I'm looking forward to some pics of the completed army all together.

    You've certainly put the pedal to the metal to complete this army so quickly.

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    1. Thanks Tamsin! There's nothing to motivate a painter like a new campaign and dreams of actually winning a few games. ;-)

      And BTW, you own the pedal to the metal award!

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  9. Absolutely tremendous Monty, you are certainly amassing a great force there.

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    1. Thanks Michael, I appreciate that! I didn't plan it this way but the first quarter has been 15mm heavy. Let's see what the second quarter brings!

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  10. Monty, you don't tackle projects in small measure, do you? Terrific figures and brushwork. Basing is clean and elegant. This is a great army.

    While I have Kagan's TPW on the bookshelf, I haven't read it. You are tempting me but I am afraid if start the book, I start another period! Woe is me.

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    1. Jonathan, a big thank you sir! I kind of ate my seed corn by selling 3 of my FoG armies this spring. I love running Gauls but they usually lose and I needed some variety. So, here it is.

      Kagan's book is very highly rated, one of the best on the subject I believe. I loved the lectures but now I want Kagan's take on the subject . Almost 30 years of ruinous war...crazy!

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  11. Lovely troops and basing Monty!

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    1. Thanks Cyrus! Can't wait to hear about your new Celtic warband and how its performing!

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  12. Very nice mate. The basing is particularly good.

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  13. Nice work, and your churning them out at an impressive rate too. Looking forward to seeing them all done!

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    1. Thanks Yorkie! It's a bit of a production line but that's how I do 15mm nowadays.

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  14. This is some stellar work Monty. You just keep getting better and better. The basing is also very well done!

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    1. You are always too kind! I love it just the same, thanks Anne.

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  15. What a multitude of wonderful troops...the Thracian Medium infantry are my favourites...excellent basing too Monty!!

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    1. Thanks Phil! Thureophoroi...say that 3 times fast in French or English! ;-)

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  16. These are excellent Monty! I'm equally impressed by your perseverance in finishing large projects such as these.

    I'm looking forward to seeing the finished army!

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    1. Thanks Jonas! I appreciate that. One more army in 15mm and then back to 28mm.

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  17. quality and quantity
    yes it's possible

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    1. Marco! I'm so jealous of your FoG tournament in France. I wish we could get that going here.

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  18. Stunning work Monty !

    Best regards Michael

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  19. Thanks Andrew and we're waiting for the big reveal on your Brits!

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  20. Fantastic brushwork Monty, keep it up!!!

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  21. beautiful painting, special mention for the Spartan command

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    1. Thanks Spock, I need to see what you've been up to Impetus wise!

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  22. Excellent work as always Monty. I love the old glory figures, not always technicaly perfect but bags of character & animation.

    Phil

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    1. Thanks Kreoseus! I'm pleased with the OG figs for the Spartans. There are some of their lines that could use an update but these are fine. And I must say, the Dacians I have queued up are great scuplts too. ;-)

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