A question of scale?

[Rupert of hentzau]

If I am going to use Pendraken LOA, how do I view Flags and Buildings?

Flags
There is a tendency to use large flags to give an impressive wargames appearance, League of Augsburg lads being the most notable.
On that basis should I consider 15mm flags?

Buildings
If we are playing at a scale where we have multiple battalions, do represent a village should I consider 6mm Buildings?

Any input appreciated

Cheers Bryan

[FierceKitty]

A question that is frequently asked here. Of course you should use 6mm buildings; nothing else gives a plausible impression of a settlement.

[Norm]

This year there has been a boots to the 10mm terrain that is available. I think the best way is to look for big footprint 6mm or small footprint 10mm, so just pick the right items from what is available in the two scales. Pendraken and Battlescale do very nice and useful 10mm bridges - which of course depends how wide your waterways are.

[FierceKitty]

Boots? Is this the old woman who lived in a shoe posting here?   

[Steve J]

I use 6mm buildings (from Leven Miniatures) for my Black Powder games to give the impression of a village rather than just one house. I'm planning on doing this for BKC too. When dropping down to platoon level games, then 10mm buildings seem to work better IMHO.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Timecast 10mm

[Terry37]

I game in 15 MM, but usually use 6 MM buildings for my Strongholds (camps a major aspect of HOTT), and they work fine. I also use 6 MM buildings if I want to represent a BUA (Built Up Area). For me, they work fine and also allow me to do a little diorama work and still fit the acceptable vase size of the rules.

As for flags, I will try to avoid them if possible, but when I can't I try to make them scale to the figures I am using (15 MM).

Terry

[Ithoriel]

First up, welcome to the forum Rupert!

This is a hobby-horse of mine so feel free to take these comments with a pinch of salt

Feel free to use 6mm buildings any time you are refighting the Battle of Toytown when the Brigade of Guards manfully stormed the Wendy Houses held by our despicable enemies.

For more grown up battles, if you can envisage a couple of dozen figures as a battalion a thousand strong surely your mind can cope with a hovel and a hen-house representing a hamlet, no?

Failing that, my advice is do whatever looks right to you. If you and any opponents present are happy with it then you are doing it right!

[mollinary]

I think the scale thing depends on what looks right to you.  Is it vertical scale or ground scale that is more important to you? We all make compromises in miniature  games, ground scale, figure scale, vertical scale.  Have you ever seen anyone whose terrain is the same vertical scale as ground scale?   Or whose units occupy the same amount of ground as their vertical size would dictate? Using 10mm figures, one can assume approximately 5mm to the yard. So 5 yards to the inch ground scale!  Is it the size of the unit, or the individual figure which your mind focuses on?  My personal compromise is to use 6mm scale buildings when my figures are representing 20 men or more each. If I were going for a skirmish game, or one where they represent say, f5 men each, then I would use 10mm buildings. This is because it is the size of the unit which I use to measure against buildings representing villages lot towns.That said, many miniature buildings are impressionistic, and have a different vertical scale to ground scale. Look at the magnifiicent '6mm' buildings produced by Total Battle Miniatures, and the slightly oddly structured ones produced by Hovels for 15mm figures.

As to flags, I would be inclined to experiment before deciding. I love the League of Augsburg stuff, but think that their cavalry flags have gone 'large' to the point of looking ridiculous. Just a personal view.

I would try a sheet of Pendraken's lovely new flags for the period (it won't break the bank) and see how one looks when put on a standard bearers pole. If you think it looks a little small, then look at what other manufacturers offer. Many will now produce flags on request to exactly the dimension you want on the pole, so you don't need to be restricted by 6mm, 10mm, 15mm flags.  Wargames Designs website tell you exactly what size their normal flags are, and give you the option of resizing.  Maverick models will also produce to your requirements. We are very lucky to have such flexible suppliers. 

Hope you find what suits you.

Mollinary

[d_Guy]

To restate what has already been said and well explained by Mollinary - for both villages and flags do what looks right to you! I use a variety of buildings in the 10mm scale range (and they often vary between 8mm to 12mm depending on manufacture) and I like them all - even mixed together! Also, I figure you can always move the buildings around to accomidate your troops.

One more thing to consider with flags - the Pendraken LoA cornets and ensigns have cast-on flag staffs so unless you want to cut the points off the staffs or replace them altogether best stick with 10mm flags.

[Orcs]

Timecast 10mm

Yes but your biased.

I use Timecast 10mm as well, they are lovely. As they are correct scale they do tend to have a larger footprint.   Although I have been highly tempted by Total Battle miniatures stuff for WSS

So I suppose if your a wargamer who tells your other half that this line  |---------------------------------------------------| is Six inches they perhaps you should use 6mm buildings   

[Subedai]

I make nearly all my own buildings and try to keep them in scale with the size I am working with; therefore 6mm buildings for 6mm and 10mm buildings for 10mm. But it all depends on you, if you are happy with 6mm then go for that, after all it's your hobby.

And another welcome from me.

MickS

[Sandinista]

Welcome on board 

Buildings look better in my mind if they match the vertical scale, otherwise it does appear a bit toytownish.

For flags, use Pendraken's range, though I am biased as I designed them :-)  The infantry flags are to scale, but due to the size the cavalry are over scale. A cavalry standard being 18" - 24" square equates to about 3mm square, I made the cavalry flags 7-8mm square to enable recognition. The dragoon flags I am working on are likely to be 6mm, though this may change depending on how much of a pain I think it is to fit them. The last thing anyone wants is to buy a flag sheet and struggle to attach them.

Cheers
Ian

[Rupert of hentzau]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I suspect the answer is to grab some Pendraken flags with my first order and see how the look.

I am tempted by the idea of more 6mm buildings in an area than fewer 10mm, but I guess I should get some armies painted first.

Cheers
Bryan

[FierceKitty]

This chap has a brain between his ears, evidently. I shall be watching his posts with interest.