Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Thessalians for Partizan


I'm dashing around basing a few final things for Sunday's huge Ipsus game at Partizan in Newart-upon-Trent. Above are two new squadrons of Thessalian cavalry in their famous rhomboids, freshly wood-glued to their bases. They have been assembled from my "reserves" (storage boxes of painted minis sourced from eBay) and represent the work of at least three different painters, but they came together well with a little overpainting and retouching. I'll be grouting tonight, dry brushing tomorrow and Ian will flock later in the day.

In total, I've managed to base an additional sixty cavalry figures for the big game on Sunday, which now involves a tad over 3,000 miniatures. If you'd like to play at Partizan, in what must be one of the largest ancient games ever run at a show, please drop me an email. 

If you want to buy anything from the BigRedBatShop for collection at Partizan, feel free to order, and drop me an email- I'll refund postage, bring it with and add some free extra chits or whatnot.

In other news there's a date for a TtS! tournament in Glasgow, below.  I'm assured that the recent event was a blast, please contact Dave Soutar at the address below, to reserve a place.

Monday, 15 May 2023

Preparing for Partizan

 

I'm busy getting stuff ready for a slightly extended version of the big Salute Ipsus game, next Sunday at Partizan. This means adding some more units and tweaking the scenario. Mostly I need extra cavalry cavalry units; I'm doing whatever I can finish in time- some Greeks (actually Thebans) above and some Scythians below. They are just off to Ian for flocking, need tufts, too. There are also numerous Persians and Thessalians at other stages in the process.

I'm gradually re-modelling all my cavalry into units of 18 heavy and 10 lights. Much more grouting and flocking to follow!

If you are coming to Partizan on Sunday and would like to play in the big game, please drop me a line.

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

The Circle of (Basing) Life


A year ago, I decided to reorganise my small wing of Persians into larger regiments, and asked Redzed to paint another dozen for me. I've finally gotten around to finishing the job, but needed to tackle the sad business of stripping the existing minis from their old (but sadly attractive and very serviceable) bases. Above is a photo of them in the process of debasing; the old bases have been soaked for 24 hours in water. Once softened, I gingerly pulled the minis off them, and salvaged the valuable tufts and even the magnets that were glued into the base. Thrifty, neh!
 

Here they are, glued onto their new bases, more densely packed than  previously and in two ranks, instead of one. You may be able to make out the holes into which I fit my magnets. Once the wood glue has dried, I'll grout, flock and tuft and the circle of (basing) life will be complete. Until the next time...

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Ipsus Postscript


Here are some more images of Saturday's Salute game, taken during the course of play by chum Ian. The above shot is my absolute favourite shot of the game; quite possibly my favourite ever shot of a game of To the Strongest! Massed pike and elephants make for an exceedingly dramatic image.


The Gripping Beast scythed chariots looked spiffing!

Ian picked his moments carefully, snapping away during lulls in the action, missing out hands and playing cards.

This last one shows why I've moved to the deeper units for show games, they give a real impression of mass.


There's also a video showing the entire game, which I shot just before the players arrived.

I'd like to thank everyone who helped, the painters (mostly Shaun McTague but also Craig Davey), Ian for flocking, grouting and photos, and everyone who helped to run the game or talk to punters whilst I was running around like a headless chicken. Also Ian and Iain for helping with the setup and also Shaun and Rich who helped with the knock down at the end. The Warlords did a fantastic job running the show, which was one of the best Salutes I can  recall. They also gave us this trophy, which took me quite aback!


It was also super to see some of the other games, including the huge London Bridge skirmish game run by Seven Dials chums, the Friends of General Haig TYW, the big Leuctra, the Gustavus Adolphus 1:1 game and the dinky little Imjin River. Unfortunately I missed seeing any of the games in action, and got no photos at all. There were quite a few other games that I'd have loved to have seen in the flesh.

So what's next? I plan to run the same battle at the excellent Partizan show in Newark on Sunday May 21st. If you are coming and would like to play for a couple of hours, please email or message me and I'll book you in. We will run it in the AM, and again in the PM if there are enough interested players. It will be a little larger than the Salute version, since I intend to get a few more units finished.  :-)

In other news... there is a new version of the To the Strongest! Quick Reference Sheet available. There are some significant changes to Save Modifiers, and a few other useful tweaks. Also pick up the latest Even Stronger Supplement that came out last month, if you haven't already.

Friday, 21 April 2023

Ipsus at Salute!


Today chums Ian and Iain helped me set up the big Ipsus game at Salute, ready for the big day  tomorrow. 


Above are four of the eight new scythed chariots fielded, which will likely perform terribly on their first outing, in the manner of all new lead.


There are lots of lancers on the Antigonid side, eight squadrons led by Demetrius Poliorcetes.


The new phalanx- looking suitably pointy! Also some of the game's 33 elephants, above lovely ride-ons from Aventine, and below some venerable Vendels depicting Seleucus' massive herd.


Most of the lovely photos above were taken by chum Ian.

Ipsus can be found at GG04, near the centre of the hall, between the Warlord merchandising/painting competition area and the N7 exit. We'll hopefully play it twice, using my To the Strongest! rules, and we have spaces for players. Please do come by and say hello tomorrow! 

Monday, 17 April 2023

Mustering for Ipsus

Today I've started the laborious process of mustering the troops for Ipsus at Salute. They are currently scattered in storage boxes throughout the house and cellar. I need to find all the minis, count them, and revise the OOB and battle plan accordingly (and urgently!). These are just over half the required boxes.

If you play To the Strongest!, I've just uploaded a new version of the Quick Reference Sheet, version 1.1F. You'll want it there are several important changes in the save modifier table. Download it now, don't let your oppo steal a march on you! It's here.

Friday, 14 April 2023

Litter Lout

 
Here is a quick Work In Progress shot of the command stand for King Antigonus the One-Eyed, for the big Ipsus 301 BCE game at Salute next week. Antigonus was 81 years old at Ipsus, and had suffered a fall earlier in the campaign, so I've depicted him surrounded by his bodyguard, near a litter. The lion banner was suggested by Jeff Jonas, as Antigonus had earlier been Satrap of Lycia, which province was associated with lion symbology. I've depicted him "at bay", just before his dream of reviving Alexander's Empire was finally ended by an enemy javelin.

I started work on this stand as long as three years ago, so it has been an exceedingly slow burner. Minis were painted by various people including Shaun Watson and Shaun McTague. I still need to paint his litter and finish the base, flock etc. Below are the components yesterday morning, prior to basing.


If you are at Salute next week, please drop by to see Antigonus and his unfeasibly large phalanx! To the Strongest! will be at GG04, near the centre of the hall, between the Warlord merchandising/painting competition area and the N7 exit.