"28mm Macedonian Pike Phillip / early Alexander" Topic

Hi.

I love the Aventine Phalangites for Successor period. What minis would you recommend for earlier period covering Phillip or early Alexander period?

UK based so that rules out Old Glory. With international postage and customs charges that means ideally looking for UK manufacturer.

I like the look of Foundry. Which Foundry packs had separate shields? They are too expensive at normal price but might be an option if usual Christmas discount.

Would the Foundry pikemen look ok next to Aventine? Not mixed within a unit but separate units side by side.

Is there any other UK ranges that would good as earlier pikemen that would match the quality of Foundry and Aventine?

Thanks

James

I've seen quite a few lines of Macedonians, but I've never seen any that differentiated Alexander's pikemen between early and later…or those of Philip. There may be differences but I'm not sure who would know, unless JJ answers in here. Clothing style might get more uniform between earlier and later, but helmets and armor I'm not sure of.

First Corps usually make fine figs but they tend to be smaller. Aventine are usually bulkier and Foundry usually in the middle.

You could try Old Glory UK.

Hi James,

Aventine and Foundry work together fine in separate units (the nearer are Aventine, and the further, deeper units Foundry).

link

The main difference is that the Aventines need to be based a little deeper than the 20mm the Foundry require, and the styles are slightly different.

I'm not aware of an earlier compatible range. You would probably want mainly un-armoured chaps in pilos; some of the Foundry Spartans might work, with an extra shield strap, as would most of the un-armoured Foundry Macedonians. I'm less familiar with the Aventines as I was already collecting Foundry when they came out.

Best, Simon

James

I have used figures from Essex, A&A and Crusader as well as Aventine. Essex is chunky 28mm while the other 2 are slimmer. In my view all fit in quite well with Aventine and Foundry. Some may prefer not to mix in the same unit.

Foundry offer a 4th pack free if you order 3 of the same – reduces their overall cost.

Quite like Essex's lighter troops as well and their foot and mounted generals are handy.

Garry

There is this from Aventine

PH20 unarmoured standing phalangites in pilos helmets

link

Regards,
Craig

I use Foundry, Aventine and Gripping Beast for my pike.I used them in different units and do not mix them. Like Mars said and I agree to me their is no great difference in the uniforms or dress IMHO. Mike Adams P.S. Hi Simon

Didn't foundry at one point sell early Phillip era pike in just rough fur rags and no helmets?

Now that would be a specialty range!

@ Simon – yes I was thinking of those units when I asked the question of any good options other than Aventine and Foundry for earlier (i.e. NOT Successor) Phalangites. I was eying up the un-armoured Foundry Macedonians – in the absence of any better options I may well wait until their next sale.

@ Garry – thanks – did you have any photos of painted pikemen from Essex, A&A and Crusader?

@ Craig – yes I really like that pack – Keith did include a couple of that pack when I bought an Aventine unit previously. My problem is that I don't have the confidence or painting ability to currently do them justice. I am waiting for my eyesight to improve and stabilise after my second eye operation last year, and I know I could n't match what you/Keith/Adam have done. I wanted something simpler to start with – the unarmoured pikemen with less ornate helmets would be more in line with my painting skills at the moment.

@ Mike – I thought the Gripping Beast pikemen were more later Successor period than for Alexander? Or am I getting them confused with 1st Corps?

Amazed that no one mentionned Warlord Games plastic Macedonian phalangites (Alexandrian period), 40 of them jewels in 1 box….

@ Belgian Ray – nope won't be using Warlord plastic Phalangites. Will happily use plastic Warlord/Victrix peltasts / Hoplites but not pikemen.

I am not going to assemble and paint several units of pikemen only to see plastic pikes snap and/or have to drill out hands to take Northstar pikes.

wargame insomniac, you can used the pike from Gripping beast. IMHO there was not much difference . Maybe plumes or something fancy. I hope this helps? Mike Adams P.S. Also I used Aventine for my Phyrus pike!

Thanks Mike

Which Foundry Macedonians have the bottlecap shields attached? Is it just the single pose packs? I am eyeing the 3 packs of unarmoured Phalanx at the ready and the 2 packs of unarmoured Phalanx characters at the ready. With the 16 pack deal they should be just about affordable at the next aale.

I think 2 units of 48 unarmoured Pikes would be good start to giveeme central core alongside flanking Victrix / Warlord plastic Hoplites / Peltasts.

I will take another look at Gripping Beast Pikes then.

James

Will see what can be done – but photography is not my thing!

Both Crusader and A&A make unarmoured pikes. Best unarmoured pikes, in my view, are the Foundry "characters". My Essex are the later Seleucids (some with trousers!!) which I used as Pontic bronze shields. I note from their web site they make 2 Alexandrian pikemen.

Garry

Thanks Garry

James

Not mine but some very nicely painted A&A pikes on this site.

link

Garry