"Which 25/28mm figures for Italian Wars?" Topic

Hi folks,

I'm thinking of getting into the period, having seen some of the colourful photos on the Dadi/Impetus site.

You dont need a huge number of figures for Impetus basing, so I'll probably do a couple of armies for players to fight both sides.

But which figures are the best?

Im off to Derby next weekend, so would appreciate any advice for me to include in my research!

Many thanks.

Foundry
-Gendarmes
-Landsknechts

Eureka
-Gendarmes
-Archers (lesser gendarmes)

The Assault Group
-Neapolitan/Spanish infantry (pike, shot, sword & buckler); Jinets.
-Italians: infantry including pikes, arquebus; cavalry including "Elmerti" ( heavy cavalry).
TAG have more figures about to be released.

Artizan Designs
-Landsknechts
-Swiss (post-Burgundian Wars, therefore appropriate)

Old Glory
Cheaper but on the whole not as nice as those listed above. Gendarmes are so-so, but Landsknechts are above average. Fairly extensive range.

Redoubt
A bit dated. They tend to run larger than the others, but will work with old glory. They carry great vignettes and some figures others do not carry.

Well put…

there are a couple of smaller companies with nice minis around, but they are comparatively expensive and not extensive (Vinni, Pro Gloria, etc).

The planned Man-at-Arms by the Perries will work for some of the Gendarmes, but they will probably not be released within the next month. They do have some other packs that work for the Italian wars, though – as does Venexia. You can also use some of the old GW Empire troops if you are adept with conversions and the occasional Gamezone mini. There are also many conquistador ranges that you can harvest for Spanish infantry.

Note that if you put your units on 6*3cm bases, you can use them both for Impetus and FOG-R (though you should be able to play FOG-R even with 12*6 bases, counting as four with perhaps the odd loss-marker).

The Landsknechts and Swiss from Old Glory are. IMHO, their best range. They fit very well with Foundry, even in the same unit.

Old Glory – what bogs me most with these is the prevalence of felt hats, which are ahistoric for any Landsknechts pre 1550 and probably very rare after (afaik there is not more then a handfull of contemporary depictions, out of hundreds). They also use a high coned helmet that I have not seen on any historical image for the Italian wars. The clothing is sometimes a bit on the garish side, so overall they probably fit better in the 30-50 period.

Apart from that, they are fine. Cut the weired hats off and greenstuff a beret, and they are fine.

On the other side, their Swiss are a bit plain and would fit better in the 1470-1500 range.

That said, for their retail money they already offer a good worth – especially if you take part in any bonus programms (not sure wether these still exist).

As above but for Command go to Redoubt,

Tally Ho!

I bought a TAG unit deal of Italian shot just because the figs were so lovely -good price on those too and every figure different.
What about the Foundry Conquistadores for Neapolitan Spanish?

Can't imagine FOG will be as much fun as Impetus but hey lets not get into all that!!!!

I also use some Front Rank and Grenadier "fantasy" for Italuans …picking those that have the right look.

Puster is spot on re: Perries and Venexia.

Essex makes some suitable figures as well – their Gendarmes are particularly nice with a choice of ? 8 riders and multiple barded horse types. They are much bigger than the OG and Essex equivalents, similar in size to Foundry.

I have some of almost all the manufacturers discussed, but usually in their own units.

Pictures at my old website in the gallery at:

gonsalvo.com/gallery/index.html

plus many more in the battle reports.

Peter

Go eclectic. Buy the figures you like and mix 'em up (perhaps not by unit). I used Foundry, OG, Front Rank, Essex and a few Redoubt. I intend to buy some TAG at some point – especially the light cavalry and Italian stuff to mix in.

All together they look good:

link

As I think you'll agree.

James

Well it also depends on what period of the Italian Wars. I have gone with the 1490-1510 period so i can happily use older figures. I ahve used the Perry plastics along side the Foundry Landsknecht and to me an my group its good

very interesting, thanks guys

How are the TAG figures compare to Artizan size wise?

msoong, here are comparison pictures I took sometime ago:

Perry's new Italian Range will certainly work for the early years of the war!
link