"Help Choosing an army" Topic

So as my other thread mentions I've decided to make a start into the world of 15mm gaming through the Battle Valor line of miniatures. To that end I've joined their recent KS3 campaign (which is now over), however having spent the afternoon going through the KS2 and the facebook page its clear that there's still a decent chunk of models to come before the results from KS2 are finished and whilst BV has confirmed that they will alternate work between the two KS somewhat* that still likely means a good year before I might see something like the new Amazonian army in a finished state.

However I'm not willing to wait a full year before starting up an army, so time to pick an army for today! BV does not make it easy to choose either with all the great and varied sculpts for the different armies.

I've steadily worked down my choices to 3 armies thus far and would welcome any ideas, feedback, photos of your armies, thoughts and such:

1) Vampirians – quite a good chunk of models out so far, but a good swath to come in the KS3. Mostly specialist models, artillery and the heavy cavalry.
So this means much of their core infantry and light cavalry are already out along with a general and massive warcat beast.
I love the idea of a vampiric army and they'd certainly do a good rank and file martial appearance on the battlefield with a slight twist on roman style armour with the "skirts" that they feature (its not a skirt but I can't think of the word which describes what it really is).

2) Delvians – quite a lot of them still not yet released, however I was really struck with their double handed axemen models (which are out).
Going through the KS2 updates I've also seen their light and heavy cavalry in the form of snow tiger riding warriors and the heavy armoured versions look really fantastic! Though I noted that they appeared to have only one pose for the mounts (as opposed to the at least two alternate poses most other released cavalry appears to have – this might be a change or might just be that only one pose was made for the test castings on display).
Hawk riders, spiders and giant bears also feature in their army in specialist roles as well as a hydra in the huge creature slot. Whilst much of them isn't out yet I'm greatly tempted as they have a nice heavy-armour style of their infantry and some creative beasts as warbeasts and mounts.
Being KS2 I'd wager their sculpts to be finished and released before the Vampirians (who have their extras in KS3).

3) Wovians, almost complete (wood giants, warhawk riders and casualty markers are the only things not listed) so there is almost nothing to hold me back (save time and money) from building a fully functional army. I also have to say that they really outdid themselves with the quality of the light cavalry, the horses have a really powerful dynamic pose for models so small.
Wild beasts for mounts, some neat looking dryad type models and some solid infantry. I actually got a pack of axemen and archers (16 of each) and general from them as a test purchase to see what the quality was like and have to say they are really pleasing models.
What holds me back is I'm not quite sure if some of the bigger models are quite what I'm after in terms of style and looks. I'm also concerned that its the mounted horses that are really drawing me to them when they will only be one part of the army (and who knows the sculptor might well throw some of those great dynamic poses into some of the other army sculpts above that are yet to be released).

So this is where I'm at, one army very near finished, one getting there and one a bit further behind; all have their own style and unique appearance.
It would be interesting to hear from any who can comment on their playstyle and building style for armies as I don't have the rules for the game.

*and keeping in mind that last year BV not only moved site, which ate up a bunch of time, but also made a Samurai line and also several of the big models that featured in the KS 3 such as the heavy and medium Chariots -- so if one just focuses on the KS alone for BV models I'm sure progress will be very swift!

Are you playing solo or a group? If solo get two armies. If not, best to get feedback from them. Don't want two of the same army. If you are your group's vanguard, best to get two different armies and tell them what other armies are available. If they already have armies get ones they don't have. As for your three choices, which one do you WANT to paint.
Good Luck!!

Is this for BFs game exclusively or general gaming? Demonworld figs are similarly oversized and can be used to mix and match. Splintered light also has some good treemen and dryad types to mix in if you like the wood elf look or undead to mix in with your vampires. Their dark elves are pretty distinct but could probably mix in as delvians. Alternative armies elves are also big and heavily armored so could probably mix in pretty well.

At present solo and pretty much sticking to BV's game as a core. So right now I've not got any worries about other peoples armies nor about building up two armies at once etc….. For now its mostly a collection of an army that one day will hopefully see table time and if not finding a group that already plays – maybe convince some others to get started.

As for painting – painting is a dark art that I've yet to even attempt to master so they are all equally exciting and terrifying to contemplate painting. That said I'm interested in these new contrast paints that GW is releasing this June. My hope is that they might be very good for 15mm since giving a shade and highlight in one go might prove not only quicker but a lot easier on such small models.

Over the last couple years, I have been buying 15mm fantasy, mostly Demonworld, Splintered light, and Battle Valor. Living in a small town, in a sparsely populated state, I realise I will be most likely providing both armies, if I can find opponents other my my kids.

Make sure if you havent filled your KS order, that you buy plenty more then you originally pledged, the miniatures are a great price thru the kSer.

For paints, I mostly use, artist tube paints, a wet palette, and some decent Kolinsky Sable brushes ( Roubloff from russia brushes cheaper then Winsdor Newton). I use a pair of 6 diopter reading glasses, the glasses help a lot!

Still working on my technic, but I think just base paint, highlight and or wash seems to be enought. Dont think you need the new GW paint.

Currently my plans are DemonWorld for wood elves, using Demonworld high elves painted as wood elves to expand the range. For High Elves, I intend to use BV with a small mix of Mirliton and a couple others. For orcs/ goblins mixing all of the above Manufactures. I am using a bunch of Museum Miniatures for Crusader type knights, but need a add another range or two. Dwarfs, I have mostly BV and DW. Undead I am mixing the BV, DW, SL and a few others. Dont have any yet, but when I fill my KS order, I will definiately be adding the Vampirians, Frigians, Wyrmians, Amazons ( sure hope he doesnt Punk Rock them as shown in the KS concept art… ARGGGG…) and getting All the BV flying units.
Since I also intend to go 15mm D&D when I get back into it with my kids, I will be filling lots of arch types monsters with BV and Splintered light.

Argg… Need to start painting…

Rule…. Hmm…. Got the Rules for AD&D Battlesystem, the BV rules, picked up a copy of the Demon World rules. , Armies of Arcana, but since havent an opponent yet, not sure which rules should use. and finding info about rules other the Warhammer on the internet always ends up a dead end.. Im leaning towards the older Battle system rules.

On that note, I dont do facebook, ( and I won't) but it seems to me that Battlevalor would be better served by haveing whatever is on his FB page available to the general public.. instead of a closed FB group. It doesnt server his potential audience to be blocking access in a closed FB group. Not sure what Im missing on the FB group, but a dedicated webpage would be better, so all can see. I would love if some people who post to his FB site would do some youtube battle reports or something, to help drum up more potential customers. ( a few other companies could do the same thing)

With all the miniature ranges that BV has, it would support the large campaign setting, with lots of different factions to choose from.

Which army do you want?
I think they are all good.

If you want LotR style game,
Elvians, Orcians, Dwarvians, and one or two human race (frigians?)

The Vampirians could combine with Decians, and or Hellians against any of the others. Lots of choices. Depends on what you want to have as opposing armies.

I don't think there is a wrong answer. But if some models aren't out yet, it might come down to painting speed. Are you a fast painter? If so, you might finish everything before the whole line is available. If you aren't, then you can start painting now and buy the rest as they arrive.

If you get around to orcs, the BV orcs are fantastic.

For rules, you could use Warmaster, Dragon Rampant, hott, and others.