Classical Amazon Army List for Warband

[Big Insect]

Below is a 'Fan List' that I've created to go with the new Pendraken 'Classical' Amazons. There are a couple of 'missing' troop types in the Pendraken range, but I am sure that will get sorted.
I'd like to upload this as a PDF but have no idea how to do that (help appreciated?) as the formatting is better if it can retain its tabular composition. But you'll get the idea.
Other possible units are based upon animals associated with Ares, e.g.: Dogs, Vultures and Wild Boar.
Enjoy.

THE CLASSICAL AMAZONS

The Amazons are a race of fierce, independent warrior women who lived on the periphery of the known world. They are described as antianeirai—"the equals of men"—for their extraordinary physical strength, tactical brilliant, and courage in battle. Living in magnificent cities on the edge of the great steppes, they are viewed by the other races a ferocious, wild and exotic. Amazon society runs on an entirely matriarchal basis, focused heavily on military prowess, hunting, and freedom. Men were strictly banned from living within their borders. To prevent their society from dying out, the Amazons would periodically visit neighbouring tribes to mate. Only female infants were kept and raised. They were trained from early childhood in horse riding, archery, and tracking. Male infants were either sent back to their fathers, abandoned, or killed. The Amazons are led by warrior Queens and are guided by powerful Priestesses who can summon up the powers and support of Amazon deities such as Ares: the god of war, who is revered as the ancestral father of the Amazons. Their first queen, Otrera, was said to be the daughter of Ares and the nymph Harmonia. The Amazons inherited his aggressive, martial spirit and fight under his divine lineage; and Artemis: the virgin goddess of the hunt, wildlife, archery, and childbirth.

UNITS   CP/MP   MT   MV   SH   RA   ML   PR   MO   Pts   Notes

Command Unit (1)
Queen   1d6+2   2d6   1   -   -   2d6   2d6   5   85   -
           1d6+2   2d6   1   -   -   2d6   2d6   5   75   -
Magic User Unit (0-1)
Priestesses1d6+2   2d6   1   -   -   1d6   1d6   4   82   Magic
             1d6+1   2d6   1   -   -   1d6   1d6   4   73   Magic
Core Units (200pts+)
Mounted Archers   -   2d6   2   2d6   3   1d6   1d6   4   55   Skirmish,
Swift, Parting Shot
Foot Archers   -   2d6   1   2d6   4   1d6   1d6   4   40   -
Crossbows   -   2d6   1   2d6   3   1d6   1d6   4   36   Powerful, Slow shot
Warband   -   2d6   1   -   -   2d6   1d6   4   24   -
Optional Units (0-200pts)
Scouts   -   2d6   1   1d6   4   1d6   1d6   3   32   Skirmish
Hoplites   -   2d6   1   -   -   2d6   2d6   4   38   Formed, Resolute, Shield wall
Guards   -   4d6   1   -   -   2d6   2d6   4   83   Formed, Resolute, Shield wall, Regenerate
Herds   -   2d6   3   -   -   2d6   2d6   3   35   Swift
Serpents of Ares   -   3d6   4   1d6   2   4d6   3d6   4   129   Fear, Flyers, Powerful
UNITS   CP/MP   MT   MV   SH   RA   ML   PR   MO   Pts   Notes

OPTIONS
•   The Queen can be upgraded to Skirmish @ +5pts, and Swift @ +5pts and Parting Shot @ +5pts; or any combination of these abilities
•   The Queen and any Horse Archers can be upgraded to riding 'Terror Birds' by replacing Skirmish ability with Fierce, at no extra points
•   Warband units can be upgraded to Fierce @ 5pts on an all or none basis
•   Warband units can be Impetuous for free, on an all or none basis
•   Any Scout unit may have Parting Shot @ 5pts
•   One unit of Mounted Archers can be upgraded to include a Hero at +10pts
MAGIC SPELLS
The Priestess unit may use the following spells during the battle.
•   Fly True - (1MP, Shooting phase). All Amazon shooting units, within 2BW of the Priestess unit, gains the ability to reroll any shots that fail to hit first time. This applies for just one turn.
•   Like the Wind - (2MP, Movement phase). All mounted Amazon units that start their turn within 2BW of the Priestess units, gain an additional BW of movement, as long as this does not take them into combat with any enemy units.
•   You Wouldn't hit a Girl, would you? - (3MP, Initiative phase). The enemy Command unit loses 1CP this turn if it is in Melee or attempts to Melee, or attempts to Command any other units into Melee.
•   Magical War Belt - (4MP, Melee phase). As the ultimate symbol of the power of the Amazon queen, this belt (or zoster) bestows upon its wearer the fearsome power of Ares in combat. If within 2BW of the Priestess unit, the Amazon Queen gains Hero status (adding +1d6 to her CP) for one turn, that she can spend either on herself or on another Amazon unit, within 1BW of her, who is already in combat. 
•   Curse of the Steppes - (6MP, Protection and Moral phase). All enemy units, not engaged in melee become overwhelmed and disorientated by the vastness of the Steppe. All enemy units within 4BW of the Priestess units, drop by 1d6 of PR (to a minimum of 1d6) and suffer 1 Moral loss this turn.
•   Rage of Ares – (8MP, Initiative Phase). The Priestess unit and all friendly units may choose to gain either Melee +1d6 (or if they already have Shooting ability Shooting +1d6) and Protection +1d6 and the Impetuous and Powerful special abilities this turn.

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS
Generals are Amazon Queens, who are skilled in the arts of war and leadership. They come from a hereditary caste but are choses to lead through their individual marshal prowess, dignity and diplomatic skills.
Priestesses are the gateway to the gods. Through them the forces of nature and the Amazon deities are channelled to support the Amazon's military endeavours.
Mounted Archers make up the main strength of the Amazon armies, riding both swift Steppe bred ponies or fearsome Terror Birds, they are the ultimate mounted warriors.
Foot Archer units are often formed from the younger Amazon warriors and will also act as Scouts, for the army, as well as formed and formidable missile formations
Crossbows are the dismounted shooting capability of the army, designed to counter the Amazons greatest enemies, the armoured Classical Greek hoplites.
Warband make up the bulk of the foot units with the Amazon forces, they are Fierce in their attack and in support of their mounted sisters.
Amazon Hoplites are drawn from the citizens of the great Amazon cities. They are enrolled in units representing the quarters of the cities they live in and are devoted to these units, defending themselves and their comrades to the bitter end.
Guards are a rarity in the Amazon forces. They act primarily as either the personal bodyguards of the Amazon Queen, if they are female or as border guards, if they are male. The male guards spend the day time defending the Amazon frontier, whilst at night they retire to barracks just outside the border of Amazon territory. They are most usually recruited from the sons of Amazons, that have been sent away at birth, but who are drawn back to serve their mothers.
Herds represent the savage untamed power of the Great Steppe, in the shape of herds of wild steppe horses and ponies, guided and driven by the combined will of the Amazon Priestesses and their herd instinct.
Serpents of Ares are the most prominent sacred animals of Ares. He is associated with the Colchian Dragon guarding the Golden Fleece and the Ismenian Dragon protecting its sacred spring. They represent raw, deadly, vengeful power.

Mark G Fry
04/07/2026

[Daldnoa]

I like your list! I'd add some fireball-like spell like most of the lists, but the rest is nice.

Have it in PDF: Amazons_compressed.pdf. I just fixed the CP value of the lower cost Queen (it should be 1d6+1)

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Definitely needs a shooting spell.
 I was just going to ask for a list!

[Big Insect]

Hmmm. Shooty spell. Will have a think  and get back asap.

[Big Insect]

I like your list! I'd add some fireball-like spell like most of the lists, but the rest is nice.

Have it in PDF: Amazons_compressed.pdf. I just fixed the CP value of the lower cost Queen (it should be 1d6+1)

Great - thankyou. Will sort a shooty spell, then work on a matched opponant - a Classical Mythical Greek as Pendraken will have most of the figures across a number of ranges 

[Ithoriel]

The sacred animal for Ares was the dog, the sacred bird a vulture.

For a shooty spell how about either "The Hounds of Ares*" or "The Foul Flock*" which respectively summon a pack of spectral hounds or a flock of large and aggressive vultures which attack and then return to whatever realm they came from?

Alternatively another symbol of Ares is his spear.

"The Spear of Ares*" The priestess summons her father, Ares, to her aid. The god hurls his spear at the target then returns to Olympus. Physical components are  Chris Hemsworth, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa and a hefty dose of scepticism.

I leave actual details to others

*Other names are available!

[Big Insect]

I am liking the 'Foul Flock' as I think Pendraken already do 10mm Vultures 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

I am liking the 'Foul Flock' as I think Pendraken already do 10mm Vultures 

They certainly do, huge things...

[Chieftain]

Nice fan list!  Have fun with it and let us know how it works out on the table.

[Big Insect]

After a bit more research I think I need to adjust the way that the Classical Greek Dragons (Serpents) are depicted.

Generally - classical Greek dragons are massive, wingless serpents or "drakons" (δράκων), they have venom rather than fire, and rely upon stealth, guile and their venom and massive strength to overcome their enemies.
(NB: there are recorded instances of winged & flying 'serpents' such as those that pull Medea's chariot, or the 'monster' Typhon - although it was not technically a serpent or dragon, and these are rare instances).
Portraying venom in the rules is an interesting challenge (non-savable hits seems a bit extreme) 

So, I'll make an adjustment here & therethere and also add in the 'Foul Flock' idea about a shooting spell.
Back shortly

Mark

[Daldnoa]

Venomous troops are usually represented as Powerful. I'd go with that.

[fsn]

Drop! Bad dragon!

[Big Insect]

Drop! Bad dragon!

    

A bit like our cat & mice.
But dropping it is usually not a great idea, as it immediately runs under the fridge or cooker & dies there, only to stink to high heaven in the hot weather & have to be fished out, usually covered in mold, using a hooked stick!
(But I am liking the reference material for Techno's sculpt in the future)

Mark

[Last Hussar]

Drop! Bad dragon!

My immediate thought, before I saw your caption!

[Techno 3]

At some stage I'll tell you the true story, from a few years ago, when one of our cats released a very young rat in the kitchen...and the endless amusement we had trying to either kill it, or drive the sod out.

[Big Insect]

I am all up for shaggy rat stories ...

A few years back, when we had another of those really hot summers, we spent most of the time with our kitchen back door open onto the garden. We are in the middle of the city of Bristol & our garden is relatively small but surrounded by a tall brick wall. At that time we had two cats & leaving aside the endless stream of bluebottles that flew into the kitchen and ended up as 'prey' for these moggies (who seemed to enjoy catching & eating them!), that summer we had 2 unexpected visitors.

The first visitor arrived unannounced very early one morning. Having come downstairs to make a coffee to take back up to my good wife in her bed, I had flung open the back door to let some cool morning air into the house.
Returning down the stairs (& we have 5 flights & 2 landings) to my surprize, I was met halfway down by a large grey squirrel. We both looked at each other. I was thinking "Oh sh*t! Hope the cats havent spotted it" and "damn the sitting room door is open, hope the little bu**er doesnt head in there". I am not sure what the squirrel was thinking (I gather they generally arn't that bright) but it gave a loud chitter and turned around and headed back down the stairs towards the internal kitchen door. I breathed a sigh of relief as it turned into the kitchen only to see it 30 seconds later come galloping out of the kitchen & skidding down the polished floorboards of our main hall, closely followed by the younger (& more reckless - stupid) of our two cats.
It was like something out of a Spiderman movie. The squirrel, realising the main hall was a dead end, with its shut front door, proceeded to scale the door and ended up sitting, chittering loudly on the mantle of the doorframe. Having the presence of mind to very quickly grab the cat by the scruff of her neck, much to her surprize, as she was 110% focused on the squirrel, I opened the dining room door & flung her in, unceremoniously. Shutting her in & out the way. The squirrel saw its opportunity & made a mad dash for the kitchen, only the be met by the second, older, wiser cat, who was sitting waiting quietly in the back door mat. The squirrel did a giant leap, not at the open door above the cat, but at the large closed kitchen window next to it. It hit the glass with an almighty thud, bounced off & landed dazed on the kitchen table below (which is also glass). The cat, seeing its victim stunned, grasped the opportunity & jumped at it, from under the table, crashing into the glass from below! This seemed to spur the squirrel back into action. It lept off the table, scrabbled across the window frame, along the kitchen wall and out of the back door and up the outside of the house. At this point my wife arrived down stairs, having drunk her coffee & on the hunt for toast, wondering what all the crashing & banging was about.

Visitor no.2 arrived a few weeks later. I was in the kitchen, preparing lunch. It was another hot day & the back door was open (again). As I was puttering around the stove, I heard a metallic rattling sound. I turned around & it stopped. This happened twice more & then I stopped what I was doing & just stood still, watching the kitchen. Then the rattling came again, and I noticed a 'stick' poking up out of the toaster. Which is where the rattling was coming from. As I approached the toaster, I was horrified to see that the 'stick' was actually a long pink slightly furry rats tail! The blighter had got into the kitchen and has somehow squeezed into the toaster & was eating the crumbs at the bottom. It was totally oblivious of me, so I grabbed a T-towel  & flung it over the toaster to allow me to unplug it & then dump it out in the garden (shutting the kitchen door behind me). The rat, emerged a minute or so later from under the cloth, and sauntered off up the garden path, to be met by the younger of the two cats. Not wanting a large vets bill, I reacted quickly & shouted at the cat, ran into the garden & grabbed the T towel, throwing it in a ball at the cat. However, she had obviously met rats before and was aleady up and ontop of the wall, well out of the way. The rat however was completely unphased by all this. It just got up, and sauntered off down the garden path & out under the back garden door. Bristol city centre rats are cool (& tough) cookies! Needless to say, a new toaster was required PDQ.
NB: my wife's initial reaction was "why didn't I turn the toaster on?" (revealing a side of her I'd never seen in the 20+years we've been together!).

I will save the story of the 3rd visitor (oh my dear beloved) for another time.

😊😊😆

[Matt J]

I live in the countryside and we share our home with multiple furry invaders. They live in the walls and the loft, regularly die (we had to sleep downstairs when a rat died in the bedroom wall as the smell was terrible). You get these horrible yellow pink stains appear in the ceiling or walls as they die and decompose. They also eat the bloody cables. Shoot them, trap them, but its an ongoing struggle. Record was 21 mice caught in snap traps in the loft in about a week. I was emptying bodies everyday.

[kustenjaeger]

We have the occasional unwelcome visitor usually introduced by one of the cats. He is generally pretty good at keeping his catches outside.  He will chase foxes though!

Our other cat is mainly interested in moths and butterflies although he will occasionally catch a mouse. In his youth he tried for a pigeon on two occasions but failed so lowered his expectations.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Back in the 80s,my mum amd step-dad opened a restaurant.
There was a stray black skinny cat, who despite everything, feeding etc, refused to come anywhere near us, and lived in a rolled up carpet in the spoil heap of the building works for the summer and autumn.

Oe cold, snowy, frosty day, 'Rover' walked into the kitchen restaurant, dumped a dead rat that was at least as big as him, on the floor, with an air of "Here's the deal, feed me, keep me warm, leave me alone, you never have to see these things again".
The deal stuck.

Even if we did gave to prominently display a sign saying "Do not stroke the cat, he will scratch." He was happy, and soon adopted a patch of sunshine as his own, aslong as he was left alone.