Personal Thoughts On Fantasy Army Composition

 I've been planning and dreaming of late, with regards to fantasy battles which roll on and on, or at least seem to.

I recall that amongst the things which inspired me as a youth, were the pictures of games by Joe Dever, and several years later the images in the 3rd editon of Warhammer. These were large games as you would expect,but what struck me was the variety of not just manufacturers represented, but the types of units. These were not games with one race per side, but rather truly 'Good vs Evil' themed games. 

There were different nationalities and tribes amongst each race, and it really struck a chord with me which still resonates today.

So, as well as the masses of Orcs, I'll be collecting odd units as I see fit. For example I really like the idea of a regiment made up from assorted adventurers and fighters, fighting for the loot as well as a belief in the cause they side with. The Orcs will be based around the 'Sword Hills Tribe' but will be supported by other radically different-looking Orcs, Goblins and the rest. Perhaps a sinister death cult from the Eastern human empires, Oriental moonks, Western chivalric orders. 

Maybe a brigade of undead horrors commanded by a mercenary necromancer, the list goes on.

And then there's the table... It must, to get that 80s vibe have lots of buildings, a river with a lovely bridge or two and walls and woods to impeded movement and hide Elven archers in, raining death upon all who oppose them.

I love the idea of fighting close quarter battles where units have to struggle with not just the enemy, but the terrain. I love seeing regiments fighting down streets and over barricades. I don't know why, it's just one of those things I recall seeing in grainy black and white photos or in the early White Dwarf magazines.

So that's what I'll be doing for the second half of 2023; massing individual units and packing them off to my painter. I want the troops I field to have 'background' and not just be cookie cutter armies.

That said, I have just begun to base the first 500 Nick Lund Orcs. I'm using standard WHFB basing frontages with a 20% increase in depth. I'll be using 6 figure elements but with 5 figures per base to give a less organised look to the units. After all, we are talking fantasy here, not 18th century British.

As you can see, I still need to purchase the musicians and standards, but you get the idea. The bit of extra space allows more in the way of shrubbery, rocks and plants.

Well, if you will excuse me, I'd better crack on with the day's work (more 6mm Napoleonics if you're interested) as I want to get finished early and open the envelopes full of flags which arrived this morning.

My daughter is having an operation on Friday, so no doubt I'll be on grandparent duty this weekend, and may not get much time to paint or base toys.

TTFN