Gents and Ladies,
Lend me your ears...
I've 'volunteered' to run a Wargames club at school until mid May. I want to avoid the GW uber expensive trap, but want to run a Fantasy Campaign. There will be twelve players max.
At present I have in 10mm:
Halflings
Dark Elves
Goblinsx2
Medieval Humansx2
Barbarians
Which other forces should be included? What is iconic?
Thoughts involve:
Wood Elves
High Elves
Dwarves
Undead
What else should I use? I need a couple more army suggestions. The opening game will be 'King of the Hill' where everyone will have similar forces (General, Cavalry, spears, Bows, Swords). From there they will 'develop' units and/or skills. So for instance the Goblins would have access to many units of dross, but very few upgrades; whereas Elves would have a limited recruitment pool but would have many accessible upgrades. Artillery and magic will be highly limited.
Thoughts?
I think I would include undead and another Elf army as they are traditional fantasy armies
Agree with Fenton as well as dwarves.
Great, thanks guys. Basically, I will need 12 mini armies that I can get stuff done for over Easter!
What should be choice 12?
What about Orcs?...or is it too close to Goblin?
How about Amazons?
Trolls, ogres and giants always got me going as a kid (and dragons)
Wot? No Chaos?
What rules are you planning to use?
With HotT you can let your imagination run riot. I ran a Giant, a Dragon and an Ent army at one time or another when I played HotT. Other rules may necessitate the use of more closely defined armies. Warmaster for example.
Lots of rules out there, though HotT and Warmaster are my favourites.
I would go for an Undead Army and an elf one - Whichever is the quicker to paint.
Quote from: Fenton on 27 March 2014, 12:12:36 AM
What about Orcs?...or is it too close to Goblin?
How about Amazons?
Amazons is not good for young boys - They will get distracted
I am NOT getting involved with this, but I do like a good Goblin ! :d
Orcs
Thanks chaps.
I have two goblin forces already, but all other suggestions gratefully accepted. Amazing amazons are soooo off the list, as are Dark Wlf females, unless I can buy mulliputt in bulk and clothe them!
Orcs and trolls are planned goblin upgrades. Leon has suggested tribal lizards too.
I was planning to run either HOT or Hail Cheesy as this lot are bright and all mostly mostly play 40k. An intro game of king of the hill, then they will get to pick their own fights and I'll set up the scenarios. I just don't want them bringing stuff into school when some of their colleagues are 'light fingered'. They are going to develop their own armies, so they could pick their own unit upgrades (from 'racial lists') eg Skeletons upgrade = lots more skellies, but pretty naff units, Dark Elves = choice of skills for surviving units
Dwarves, Elves and Undead, for sure. For other armies, maybe Skaven Ratmen types? Lizardmen would work well too (and can be in nice bright colours).
Or since there are already medieval humans, maybe some Araby type opponents? Possibly with Egyptian mythology additions?
Yup...undead for me too Will; crucial part of any fantasy game. Could do a "wet dead" type army too; along the lines of EE's Vampire Counts.
Undead High Elves and Dwarves are iconic for fantasy.
Yep, Undead, High Elves and Dwarves are a must! For the other one I would go for Ratmen or indeed the Lizards; at least there is quite some choice among the initial models and then some to keep it interested when you want to upgrade.
Cheers,
Rob
Interesting insight here on how times change! Thirty years ago, when I started to run the wargames club at my school, the lads were gaming
1. Napoleonics
2. WW2
3. Er....that's it.
The great thing is that, whatever the 'period', the hobby still has followers in that age group and the computer game does not rule supreme.
Hmmm - wouldn't it be better to do something that might teach them about history? :-\
That's week three, borrowing some Napoleonics, but don't want to upset the locals, yet! ;)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 27 March 2014, 02:33:01 PM
That's week three, borrowing some Napoleonics, but don't want to upset the locals, yet! ;)
Yup. 'Start from where they are and lead them on from there' was always a classroom strategy recommended by my mentors in the job---and it works, too :) Good luck with what sounds like a fun endeavour.
Quote from: Hertsblue on 27 March 2014, 02:07:13 PM
Hmmm - wouldn't it be better to do something that might teach them about history? :-\
Wargaming, done properly, teaches them English, problem solving, probabilities and social skills at the very least. History can come later if they're up for it.
Any female vampires in the catalogue, one of my players has made a request, bless her!
Not actually a vampire but perhaps the lady on the left might do if painted appropriate colours?
The forum post just refers to them as 18thC civilians, I presume they are
SYW12/ Range: SYW Misc/ Civilians (15)/ £2.30
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/4554442359_717006d9c1.jpg)
Lady Vampires always dress nice..
Thanks,, it's either her or Kiera, or a witch elf?
Quote from: Ithoriel on 27 March 2014, 10:42:45 PM
Wargaming, done properly, teaches them English....
You have great faith. Walked on water recently?
It's always worked for me, luring them into an interest in History less so.
I was thinking of the strange dialects used on this forum.
Ah, as you know I prefer the living language to the killed-and-preserved-in-a-jar-of-formaldehyde version you seem to favour. Each to their own, naturally.
Go all Hyperborean: Orientals, Black Africans, Africans, American Indians, Mongols. Add in the odd magic user or beastie.
Fantasy Samurai are always good for a laugh if you include dragons, lions ninja etc.
Quoteit's either her or Kiera, or a witch elf?
Can't be a witch elf, no thigh boots (sighhhhhh) or whip (sighhhhhhhhhhhhhh)
Appologies if already suggested but what about beast-men (minotaurs etc)?
And fantasy egyptians, several ranges of animal headed troops out there, including the lovely Pendraken ones (I keep meaning to add a few units of anubis headed troops into my NKE army as elite guards).
Don't forget pirates, these can be disafected/criminals from any background and sail arround attacking everyone then disapearing back to their secret island lair (if you're using an earth based map then Crete is a nice central location).
Cthulhu fhtagn? Plenty of fishlike and tentacular entities in the catalogue somewhere, I imagine.
Thanks chaps.
I have several squid faced things, they may lurk in the background, without too much F'tang!
Final list:
Barbarians
Tribal Lizards
High Elf
Wood Elf
Dark Elf
Dwarf
Halflings
Medieval 1
Medieval 2
Goblin 1
Goblin 2
Undead
Quote from: Ithoriel on 28 March 2014, 12:52:11 PM
The forum post just refers to them as 18thC civilians, I presume they are
SYW12/ Range: SYW Misc/ Civilians (15)/ £2.30
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/4554442359_717006d9c1.jpg)
I particularly like the second from the left - "eighteenth century peasant with panzerfaust"....
Quote from: Hertsblue on 03 April 2014, 07:37:18 AM
I particularly like the second from the left - "eighteenth century peasant with panzerfaust"....
;D ;D ;D
18th Century Volkssturm... :P
Cheers,
Rob
Highlight of today's game, 'experienced' Goblin general taken out by a fire ball from a newby Mage, controlled by one of the girls and this was her first roll, ever! The boy who owned it was fuming! ;D
'Tis always the way. In Mordheim it seemed that it was the Goblin henchman armed with a dagger that did the most damage, inevitably to your favourite character :(.
;D
After that the Goblins didn't do much, apart from discussing how to tell Jason apart from Jason (it's been decided all Goblins are called Jason) and search Exploded Jason's corpse for his gold!
The Humans broke two units of Dwarf warriors after two bloody rounds of combat (Human Foot Knights in full plate saving on 3+, three hits, three fails).
Dark Elves seriously mugged the Halfling bowline, The Half Pints have lost three units now. The halflings were also charged by the Undead's bats, but shot and broke the swarm.
Barbarians hid behind a hill, trying to cast spells at a Vampiress, the only spell that was successful was 'Cast a plague on her skeletons'! To which the Vampiress, normally one of the quieter class members leaned over to the Barbarian general and said 'Really? That's not logical, how's that going to harm the already dead!'
The spells were interesting too, line if thorns from the Undead to stop the Barbarians. Elves trying to hurl huge rocks. Humans trying mind control on Dwarves (the Human Mage has since developed a love of gold as that backfired)!
Sounds very entertaining Lemmey, please keep us informed! ;D
Cheers,
Rob
I saw on FB that Too fat Lardies ar starting a wargames books in schools project
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/
Another great set of games today...
Highlights included:
Goblin Mage, whose player had been saving up 'Victory Points' for three weeks, tried to cast his first spell (with magic, low is good). He rolled double 6, followed by double 6! The poor goblin general standing next to him will be cleaning bits of Shamen off himself for weeks!
Dark Elf Raptor Riders going on a rampage through their own lines as they are charmed by the Vampiress, killing an allied unit on the way!
Wood elf bowmen being the last remaining unit after the Woody spears and skirmishes were brutally despatched by Humans, destroying three units with shooting! The Wood Elf player has finally spotted the powerful unit in his army!
Dwarves using artillery vs Goblins! Always messy...
Sounds like a lot of fun and good to see some learning, even if slow ;D
Any photos of the armies?
Just working on the Lizzies and them I'll post pictures. Some are learning faster than others! ;)
Sounds like a really fun set of games, with some events that I'm sure will be talked about for years to come.
I'm impressed that the girls are joining in too. I would hazard a guess that the boys are trying their best not to look too stupid....
Quote from: Hertsblue on 14 May 2014, 08:54:38 AM
I'm impressed that the girls are joining in too. I would hazard a guess that the boys are trying their best not to look too stupid....
I agree. It is great that you are doing something to change the hobby's demographic (and I speak as a fat old man with a beard and a Rammstein T shirt).
Today we played Talisman (1991 edition picked up at a car boot sale for a quid):
They loved it. All want to play again. Dialogues Included such classic lines as:
That strength 7 dragon, I'll easily beat him with strength 2 prophetess!
I'll attack his priest! What do you mean he can add strength to craft!
Troll attacked by a sorceress! My s2 will easily beat you... Troll basically turns her upside down until her money falls out.
One of the nicest girls in the school 'Explain to me how as sanitation works, coz I'll have that Troll!'
What does a raft do?
He's a toad, stomp him!
I think they're getting it!
Sounds like all that non-competitive nonsense has gone out the window. :D
Sounds like great fun for all concerned :)
What should I use for Mammoth tusks?
That's a bit like asking for photos of the dodo. How many tusks do you want, and how big are they?
Was going to be traditional and say two, slightly curved...
A bit of carving in balsa might do the trick. Then a couple of coats of gloss varnish to seal them.
Quote from: mad lemmey on 04 June 2014, 09:56:54 AM
What should I use for Mammoth tusks?
The AC6 Mammoth comes with separate tusks, so we could send you some of those?
At a suitable charge of course :D
IanS
Please!
You do realise that ivory-trading is illegal? :o :o :o
Quote from: mad lemmey on 05 June 2014, 03:58:14 PM
Please!
Pop me an email with how many you need and we'll get them sent down.
8)
Just two would be amazing. Thank you.
Package arrived today, can't wait to paint the rats, including the 'Big Cheese' and the 'Mould Guard'!
Loving the Orcs too! They're gonna be a doozy to paint, just what colour to do Orc flesh? Tolkien swathy or Green?
Orc flesh? Human, with woad!
Orcses is gyeen
IanS
Quote from: ianrs54 on 07 June 2014, 06:54:40 AM
Orcses is gyeen
IanS
Only Evil Empire orcses is green, Tolkein's orcses is various shades of dark human skin tones. I prefers the latter, personal like.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 07 June 2014, 09:22:21 AM
Only Evil Empire orcses is green, Tolkein's orcses is various shades of dark human skin tones. I prefers the latter, personal like.
Agreed!
Cheers,
Kev
Na - gween, Ize et em
ianS
Highlights of yesterday:
Barbarian skirmishers being run over by the Goblin War Pig...
Barbarian Mage suffering a catastrophic 'miscast' (they'll be picking bits of him up for WEEKS)! :-&
The other Barbarian force taking a village in face of stiff Dwarf and Halfling opposition, one stand of Barbarian skirmish bows fought off a unit of Halflings armed with clubs and out shot the entire Dwarf army (to the point where the Dwarfs were retreating disordered)! :o 8-} Guess which unit just got a free upgrade to 'Elite' & 'Marksmen'? Will have to find a waay of differentiating them on table now!!!
Green would be more relevant to Elves, wouldn't it?
oh dear...... I guess Ive been doing it wrong ;)
......... my Orcies tend to be blue-skins (like the Pathfinder ones) ^^
Only three kids in today for club (the rest are visiting their new schools).
High Elves, who did nowt all game but read a paper and write his shopping list (Blundered move orders too).
Dark Elves, who magic'ed away a unit of Barbarian's arrows!
Barbarians, in furious response, rolled a blunder, and despite the general ordering a move left, triple charged the Dark Elves with their whole army!
Five bloody turns of combat later, the Barbarians were slightly on top, but both sides had units pouring away from the fight shaken and disordered. A very even fight, many barbarian attack dice, with weak saves, vs stubborn Dark Elves with armour and not so many dice! Classic match up, the boys and girl loved it!
Both sides lost their skirmishers. Dark Elf crossbowmen fought off elite barbarian bows and then succumbed to a Buffalo Charge (7 wounds inflicted).
Mammoth did nowt and withdrew with the buffalo riders it was behind, tu'ther buffalo riders and raptor riders chewed lumps out of each others opposing infantry, until the raptors withdrew vs Barbarian spears after three turns of drawn combats, taking their supports with them!
Win for the High Elves, as everyone else was damaged!
So the moral of the story is - if you can stay out of the fight then you're bound to win? Sounds a little like "Stick close to your desks and never go to sea, and you all may be rulers of the queen's navy" ;)
Sounds like a rinky dink little scrap :D
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 June 2014, 07:30:04 PM
Loving the Orcs too! They're gonna be a doozy to paint, just what colour to do Orc flesh? Tolkien swathy or Green?
In my opinion as a Tolkien fan to be "Historically correct" they should be swarthy - I use a leather brown for Goblins, Negro flesh (can i say that) for Orcs.
But as I have never seen a real one, whatever takes your fancy.
Go to Nucastle on a Saturday night, the orcs is the ones in shorts....and dey is black und white
Otherwise
Orcs - Grey
Orks(tm) Green (dark)
Orx - Green(Light - dreadball)
IanS
Quote from: Hertsblue on 06 June 2014, 07:19:31 AM
You do realise that ivory-trading is illegal? :o :o :o
Mammoth ivory isn't! ;-)
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 June 2014, 07:30:04 PM
Loving the Orcs too! They're gonna be a doozy to paint, just what colour to do Orc flesh? Tolkien swathy or Green?
I've always prefered grey! :o :D
What always gets me is that people always do orcs with tiny eyes. As a nocturnal race, they should look more like bushbabies!
Stiff dwarfs and halflings should take up yoga.
Bear therapy ????
Boo Boo administering ?
IanS
I would go for undead, you know horror things, like mummies, wolves, vamps, zombies and few skellies, more than a only skelleton army
Then could be iconic beast men, minotaurs, beestmen, haedusemen, and all animal-men hybrid