"Relic's Cataphracts Command" Topic

Hello folks. I just wanted to share some pictures of the cataphracts I've just finished painting, from Relic. There's a lot of detail on these guys, so a slow job it was!
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How do your cataphracts perform in battle? What rules do you think best simulate their historical uses?

Regards,
James

Tremendous job!
I have these figures in my 'to paint' box, they really are beautiful models

Very nicely done! Exceptionally clean lines for cataphracts.

Beautiful job on some first class minis.

Doug

That's a tremendous paint job, on some stunning minis!

Simon

Great brush work, and a very nice dapple also!

Fantastico! Really, those are beautifully painted. The shades of color are perfect.

Thanks guys. Mike Evans of Relic really sculpted some awesome detail into these. I shudder to think about how long it must have taken to make all those little plates. Better him than me! – James

Very nice transfer! Was that LBMS? They fit well..
Saddle transfers might be an idea in the future…

Oh yeah, these are gorgeous. For rules, we use a playtest version of Tactica II, in which enemy attacked by cataphracts have to test to receive as normal. If they fail, the cataphracts receive doubled dice, and may maintain their impetus into later turns. However, I don't think this gives the flavour of cataphracts, since it's the same mechanism that's used in the rules for all hard charging types. So we have experimented with something similar to the original Tactica rules, which gave them very high fighting values, good protection against shooting, and slow movement rates. Our group seems to like them being differentiated from other cavalry in this way.

Don't know if this helps, though!

PS Hope you don't mind acquiring another follower…

Caliban, thanks for the rules run down. I think I'm with your group on wanting them to be differentiated, since these guys were the pinnacle of force in their day.

Mike, the banner is a combination piece – the wreath elements are cut from an LBM shield transfer, and the 8-rayed sun and border lines are my freehand.

I think saddle transfers would be a great idea. Its nice to have attractive, ornate ones, but of course a lot of effort to make them. Maybe they could have a hole in the middle so the rider can be mounted directly to the horse – or one could just cut the hole. – James

Superb painting and figures!

Great figures and painting!!!!!!!!!! Mike Adams

Great painting on some lovely figures….superb.

Excellent job on some very 'colourful' figures. Need to paint mine up as well as Mike's Companions.

Garry

Nicely done!

Very inspiring, makes me want to paint mine!!

Fantastic work there…but I suspect you'll have no luck with them on the wargames table due to the curse of newly painted miniatures.

Thanks guys, and thank you also for the warning Orlock – but I fear the "curse of the newly painted miniatures" may be superseded by the more powerful "curse of the command element whose comrades are not nearly ready to join them". That's a tough one.
But these guys took me so long to paint, that by the time I can field a unit of them they will be very far from newly painted….. – James

But if your a dipper/washer, these minis will almost paint themselves!!!

Would have give 10 out of 10 for sculpts and painting.

Just AWESOME!

Sigh….

Lovely. Just Lovely…

Beautifully done, like the way you mnused the LBMS transfer as well, nice touch.