Brummie Lad | 24 Feb 2013 6:33 a.m. PST |
Hi all, This is one of those "I'm sure it has been asked before, but I'm that lazy I couldn't be bothered to scrawl through past posts" kind of questions!!! I've been admiring Victoria Miniatures bitz and bobz recently, and I was wondering if anyone knows how well they would fit onto Warlord Games Zulu War British troops. Also, which horses would be best to use with their rough riders? Reading through some past posts (yes, I did actually do this ) I've noticed that G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. seems to be a very popular choice of gaming system. Would this be the best one to go with? Any other suggestions for minis, modelling and gaming ideas would be most welcome. Thanks Ryan |
Griefbringer | 24 Feb 2013 8:05 a.m. PST |
If you want to try plastics, another option (besides Warlord Games) would be the Wargames Factory British infantry from their Zulu War range. |
J Womack 94 | 24 Feb 2013 8:33 a.m. PST |
Regarding rules, there are several choices. Also, plesae check out my VSF blog, Victoria's Boys In Red. I play quite a bit of GASLIGHT. I would recommend the Compendium rather than the individual books at this point. It is unit based, with random activation order. Each figure is individually based. Units of 10, with 4 man gun crews. Points system can be used, and there is no specific background, so you can create whatever you like by adjusting the various unit characteristics. I helped to produce When the Navy Walked. Good for larger scale games, with many units. Stand based, but you can determine for yourself what size stands you like. Most units are four stands. I use it for 6mm figures, with infantry mounted three figures per base measuring 10x20mm. It works well for 15mm (the original design scale) and even 25mm (I would adjust ranges for 25mm). I have played Valor, Steel and Flesh at a convention. It is okay, but nothing about it really stood out other than it is easy to learn. I did have fun at the game. I have seen Dystopian Legions played. The figures are pretty neat, but they are much larger than 28mm, and would be incompatible. However, if you are just getting started, you might still use them. Sky Galleons of Mars gave a good convention game in 28mm. I still plan on buying one of the bigger Martian vessels one of these days – maybe at Historicon this year if anyone has a good one available. it is more ship to ship, though. The same system includes The Soldier's Companion, the Space 1889 minis game. I recommend it as a resource for ideas no matter what game you play. Wessex Games has Land Ironclads, the ground warfare companion to Aeronef. It is very small scale, though, so perhaps not what you are looking for. I haven't played them, nor seen it played. If you like horror/VSF skirmish style gaming, you might look into Empire of the Dead. Other than online battle reports, I don't know much about it, but it looks interesting. Another skirmish set that is being released in April or May this year is In Her Majesty's name, based on In the Emperor's Name rules. The figures look marvelous. Black Hat (I think) makes Martian Empires, which is designed for their 18mm range of figures. Never played it, or seen it played, but have read some interesting AARs. I am sure that I am forgetting some, but that is a batch to consider right there. |
J Womack 94 | 24 Feb 2013 8:38 a.m. PST |
Oh, and regarding the mounts for Rough Riders, I would imagine that any of the Games Workshop horses would work, so long as you went with un-armoured, un-caparisoned ones. Like the Warhammer Fantasy Empire Pistoliers, perhaps. I plan to mount mine (when I order them) on some mechanical dragonflies. |
J Womack 94 | 24 Feb 2013 8:43 a.m. PST |
You could use GW Praetorians for French Colonial Marines. Lots of folks use Mordians for Prussians. I use a mix of historical and non-historical figures. Most of my Brits are armed with old fashioned rifles. I use Empress Miniatures beautiful Zulu War range for them. The figures armed with laser rifles, etc., are part of a special unit. I do the same for my Germans. |
nazrat | 24 Feb 2013 8:47 a.m. PST |
Avoid the Wargames Factory British at all costs! They were WF's very first effort, and unless you just have looking for the cheapest option possible they're not worth considering. They are awful, awful figures, with soft details and just bad proportions and sculpting in general. Some like them a lot, though, so your mileage may vary
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BrigadeGames | 24 Feb 2013 9:40 a.m. PST |
You could use either of these two ranges for your VSF needs: link link Some stuff for scratchbuilding - link Of course you can preorder these as well for VSF: link |
Capt Flash | 24 Feb 2013 12:59 p.m. PST |
Just a notes out WF, yes the early releases of British were useless, but I havefive boxes' worth of later castings I picked up that are just fine. Don't know if the molds were re-done or what, but maybe open the boxes and look them over before you buy if you're shopping at a FLGS. |
KatieL | 24 Feb 2013 1:49 p.m. PST |
Black Pyramid do VSF figures. Very nice actually. |
Chris Palmer | 24 Feb 2013 2:01 p.m. PST |
As co-author of GASLIGHT, my choice of rules would be a little biased, , but I would like to point you towards our website where you can download a free Quick Start set of the GASLIGHT rules to try them out: link I would also urge you, if you haven't done so already, to join the GASLIGHT Yahoogroup, where there are a bunch of helpful folks willing to answer question and help with ideas, as well as a photo and files section crammed full of inpirational and useful stuff: link |
DerKrampus | 24 Feb 2013 2:15 p.m. PST |
I am going to stick my neck out and say how much I like the Wargames Factory Brits, especially for VSF. They are very versatile and being both plastic and affordable I would highly recommend having a go with them. I mixed resin VSF pith helmet heads from Ramshackle games and just glued them directly onto the WF bodies. I will also second Katie L in her praise for Black Pyramid's Tea Wars range of figures. They are splendid and mix very well with my WF VSF boys. Here are some links to assist you: link blackpyramid.co.uk Hope this helps! Krampus |
Chris Palmer | 24 Feb 2013 4:11 p.m. PST |
Here are some Wargames Factory British VSF conversions I did using weapons from the Warzone Plastic Bauhaus figures:
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DerKrampus | 24 Feb 2013 5:30 p.m. PST |
Those are outstanding Mr. Palmer! |
Charles Marlow | 24 Feb 2013 8:37 p.m. PST |
I like your conversions Chris and I've the bits to try it out, hurray! |
Troublemaker Games | 25 Feb 2013 4:09 a.m. PST |
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Jimula | 25 Feb 2013 4:10 a.m. PST |
Nice job Chris – do you have to get the whole set of the warzone figs or do bitz sellers stock them? Regarding head compatibility the lovely people at Black Pyramid are sending me some sample heads so I can try them on Warlord models – I will report back! |
Chris Palmer | 25 Feb 2013 7:18 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the kind remarks, folks! No one I'm aware of sells Warzone plastic bits. |
ARMY Strong | 25 Feb 2013 7:21 a.m. PST |
I have a ton of them in sprues |
J Womack 94 | 25 Feb 2013 9:40 a.m. PST |
I have some of the Black Pyramid heads. I put them on Mordians to make my own Praetorians. |
Brummie Lad | 25 Feb 2013 10:04 a.m. PST |
Thanks so much for all the responses. It certainly gives me something to consider. Very nice painting as well Chris. I had suggested to me over on the Victoria Miniatures Facebook page to use Cold Ones as mounts for their Rough Riders. I thought that was a really good idea. Now to find some Cold Ones for sale by themselves
. Cheers Ryan |
freecloud | 26 Feb 2013 4:18 a.m. PST |
GASLIGHT has worked fine over the years (though in our club my VSF Brits have re-emerged as 40K Imperial Guard now, those rules/army list work quite well for the "period" actually). Also keen on trying FUBAR VSF rules, anyone used those? As to figures, also check out Eureka's "Pax Limpopo" stuff for a littl bit ;ess serious VSF. I am teh proud owner of a Triumphapede secion and a squadron of lancers on unicucles, and my Prussians have clockwork robots with wind-up crew |
Jimula | 26 Feb 2013 9:08 a.m. PST |
Well my sample pith helmet heads arrived from Black Pyramid, and they are as near as damn it spot on for the Warlord Zulu British infantry – so it looks like I will be getting some of the gasmask heads to do some conversions with. Attempts at pictures were a complete fail :( Now has anyone tried any Victorias Miniatures arms on the Warlord figs? |
Philby | 26 Feb 2013 10:41 a.m. PST |
I have used Victoria's Miniatures Rough Riders with Wargames Factory Horses and they turned out fine. The horses were cheap but you will need to green stuff a saddle. |
J Womack 94 | 04 Mar 2013 7:48 p.m. PST |
Well, I ordered $99.50 USD worth from Victoria today. I won a $100 USD gift card at work in a drawing, so I blew it on toys. |
Brummie Lad | 06 Mar 2013 6:11 a.m. PST |
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Knockman | 15 Mar 2013 4:04 a.m. PST |
I'm intrigued – 'Cold Ones' – does anyone have any pics fo these please? |
Brummie Lad | 16 Mar 2013 1:25 p.m. PST |
Knockman: These are pics of Cold Ones: link Regards |
Captain Cook | 16 Mar 2013 6:09 p.m. PST |
I can heartily recommend the Brigade Games ones, here are a couple I have painted
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J Womack 94 | 19 Mar 2013 11:15 a.m. PST |
I got my Victoria's Miniatures Rough Riders in yesterday. They fit the bill quite nicely. I will post pictures when I get something painted up. Perhaps this weekend. |
J Womack 94 | 20 Mar 2013 7:24 a.m. PST |
Those Brigade Games chaps do look rather nice. |
Brummie Lad | 22 Mar 2013 2:20 a.m. PST |
They look really good CC! J Womack: What mounts are you using? |
J Womack 94 | 23 Mar 2013 3:56 p.m. PST |
Mage Knight soaring gunner dragonflies. Mechanical dragonflies, essentially. Test fit of the legs indicates it should work with just a bit of trimming on the saddle. No further progress yet. |
Jimula | 23 Mar 2013 5:03 p.m. PST |
Regarding the OP has anyone tried Victoria's stuff with any of the Warlord Games Zulu wars British yet? |
Pole Bitwy PL | 25 Mar 2013 11:07 a.m. PST |
You could give the 1:72 plastics from Italeri a try: link You get a lot of them for the price and being plastic they are easy to modify. link Other manufacturers / boxes: link link link You will also find lots of nice opponents in 1:72 for example: link link link Good luck with your project. |
Brummie Lad | 26 Mar 2013 2:51 a.m. PST |
Pole, I actually already have all those boxes of figures! Different project though! J Womack: I look forward to seeing them! Jimula: I'm still waiting too! lol. I may end up getting a box when I've sold some stuff! |
Knockman | 28 Mar 2013 4:45 a.m. PST |
Brummie Lad – many thanks, that certainly inspires me. |