"15mm Samurai - Period/Figures?" Topic

I am a COMPLETE newbie to the Samurai world. I enjoy playing the Shogun Total War PC game, which is mostly set during the 1500s, and I have no idea what that period is even called. I am wanting to do some 15mm skirmish type gaming using the troop types within the game (Samurai, Ashigaru, No-Dachi, Monks, cavalry, etc.) and shows the differences in these various troop types and weapons they carry.

I have come across a few homebrew skirmish rules that seem to have some of the aspects that I am looking for, but I am also open to other suggestions. Looking also for a set of rules in which the figures are mounted singly. Think Force on Force gaming for the 1500s!

Looks like a few companies make village type buildings, so terrain shouldn't be an issue.

I have seen some suggestions for figure ranges, but my concern is more along of the lines of finding individual figures as I will not be needing 6, 8, or 10 figures of the same type. I foresee players running a small group of 6-10 figures. So I am looking for a company that sells their 15mm figures individually, which maybe problematic.

Anyway, looking for some feedback and suggestions. Thanks!

That would be the Sengoku period. Two Dragons make a good set of figs, but they are in multi-paks. Peter Pig also does some fine looking sammies.

Old Glory 15s make some nice ones too.

Old Glory's are nice, but I would suggest the Two Dragons figs for what you want. They are in multi packs, but the packs are smaller than Old Gory's.

My 15mm Samurai collection is primarily composed of Two Dragons figures. They are great figures. I should note that the Peter Pig Samurai figures were released just as I was finishing my Samurai collection so I did not buy a lot of the Peter Pig Samurai though I think they are nice figures. You can see my Samurai armies in gallery form at warin15mm.com/page04.html

I have painted up some 15mm Peter Pig samurai, and I found them to be great. You can buy them in relatively small bags too, so you can get several different kinds of warriors for a skirmish game without breaking your bank and ending up with a ton of unused miniatures.

I don't know of any skirmish games that are specifically done with 15mm in mind, but you could probably convert a game made for 28mm by simply swapping inches for cm. I also plan to do some 15mm samurai skirmish in the future, with various manufacturers, but I'm not sure which rules I'll end up using.

I have two large 15mm samurai armies. One presents the Takeda clan, the other, Uesegi. The majority of my figures are Peter Pig with a smattering of Two Dragons, which complement them nicely, and Old Glory, which are quite a bit larger. Peter Pig, as pointed out, are very nice and, if you ask Martin nicely, are available individually but with a slight cost increase.

While I focus on large battles, I do recall there being a fair few sets of samurai skirmish rules although I can't recall any being specifically designed for 15mm.

Be warned though. The Sengoku Jidai is a fascinating period with all kinds of interesting characters and developments. What starts as a skirmish project can quickly get out of hand. But by gosh its fun. For terrain items, you can't beat Oshiro Models. Excellent guy and really nice buildings, not to mention, a fabulous 15mm samurai castle.

Caliver/Minifigs has just started selling the Dark Ages Two Dragons figures individually. Perhaps they will do the same with the Samurai.

Thank you for all the suggestions. Sounds like I might have a couple of avenues to choose from…contact Peter Pig and see if I can order individual figures, or wait until Caliver goes to individual figures for the Two Dragons line. I do like Peter Pig figures, but I think I may slowly start gathering buildings from Hovels, Kerr and King, and especially Oshiro.

Again, thank you!

I'm pretty sure that both Peter Pig and Two Dragons come in packs with a variety of poses.

2D used to sell unit-sized packs with a lot of variety, and PP usually have 2 or 3 poses per pack.

link has a list of companies who sell 15mm Samurai era figures

Of course, now that I got my head out of my arse, Eureka sells their figures individually. A bit more expensive, but considering that even if I buy smaller packs from other manufacturers I am going to have too many extra figures.

They have later period (which I take should be Sengoku) Samurai, Ashigaru, monks, and peasants. Throw in the odd geisha and buy a small village setting from Oshiro and I have a skirmish game!

Thanks all for the suggestions and help!

Old Glory is best way to go for 15mm. I have over 500 painted up and 500+ unpainted.

If you want guys with no-dachi, then you should game the Onin War. The no-dachi and naginata fell out of use and were replaced by the nagae-yari (pike) in the early 1500's.

thevikingforge.net

Ohhhh, I LIKE these Viking Forge figures!