"Anti-Elephant/Dragon/Beast Wagon?" Topic
16 Posts
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 Sgt Slag  | 11 Sep 2025 9:26 a.m. PST |
The PSR Review is posted here. Here is a link to the box cover's artwork, which explains its functionality clearly. It is made by: Linear-A Set 029 Roman Anti-Elephant Wagon, Pyrrhic War 280-275 BC "Battle of Asculum 279 BC". If you scroll down the PSR web page, you will see that these figures are 26.5mm tall, which is close enough for use with 25mm – 28mm figures. The review gives these figures 10 out of 10 in all categories except for their mold quality, which received a 9 out of 10! For a 2e BattleSystem game, these could be a fun battle platform to add to the game. Note that:
MV 9 (it features two Oxen to move it)
AR 7 (Chain)/9 (thatch), it is armored and this could be painted as if it were chainmail or thatch.
AD 12/10 (fire pots in front, with a Ballista(!) between them; a Naginata on the left side; a Short Bowman on the right side; two handlers in the rear, one with a whip, one with a shield); Range: 5/10/15
Hits 6 (one Hit per mammal)
ML 14 I can definitely envision 3-4 of these Battle Platforms in my future. Cheers! Update… Each model set is $42 USD + S/H, being 3D printed! Crushingly disappointing for me: I hate the majority of 3D printed resin figures as they are sooo brittle, breaking sooo easily… Yikes! There are two armored crewmen manning the Ballista within the enclosure, which means 2 additional Hits, for a total of 8 Hits within 2e BattleSystem rules! I could see dropping the AR (Armor Rating) by one pip due to the Crewmen's armor (did not see it was metal armor, in the earlier photos), and they are poised behind the outer screen, providing Soft Cover, at worst: AR 6/8. I really want at least two of these bad boys for my tropical Kretan Army, but four would be better. That would cost me $160 USD+, and that is just too rich for me. Ugh! Cheers! |
 20thmaine | 11 Sep 2025 10:52 a.m. PST |
I feel your pain – I really wanted this as well until I saw the price. Linear-A have always been pricey – but they now also have a set of Roman flame pigs – 2 figures, 6 pigs, £20.00 GBP That's crazy. |
| Grelber | 11 Sep 2025 11:06 a.m. PST |
It definitely has a very high "Cool Factor!"
The firepots to ward off a direct attack from an elephant, the ballista, which could inflict a fatal wound, arrows and naginata/pike things, which could injure an elephant and cause it to swerve away.
On the other hand, oxen aren't fast beasts and would be slowed by having to push such a heavy device. It would need smooth ground over which to maneuver. Presumably there are some pieces of construction wood that could be used as pry bars to get it out of whatever hole it gets itself into. I think the British reconciled themselves to a significant loss of tanks due to malfunctions and falling in ditches as they moved up towards the front in WWI, I suspect you'd have to do that, too.
I can't say as I have any scathingly brilliant ideas as to how to get four of them while saving $160. USD For scratch building one, I do have some woven place mats, which could be used for the outer carapace. Aside from that, you'd need carts for the wheels and maybe the structural parts, a ballista (I'd go with RAFM because they make small 25mm stuff), appropriate figures and of course the oxen. I'd love to see a photo if you can make such a model, but I would seriously question my own abilities to make one. Good Luck! Grelber |
 Parzival | 11 Sep 2025 11:43 a.m. PST |
That's not a wagon, that's a tank! EVIDENCE:
Self-propelled.
Armored crew area.
Main gun (ballista).
Anti-personnel weapons. And it's got headlamps! (  ) |
| Sgt Slag | 11 Sep 2025 12:06 p.m. PST |
Thanks, Everyone, for your comments. I could scratch-build the "Tank" portion, without too much difficulty, but the figures inside the crew compartment would be challenging: I don't sculpt, 3D or otherwise, and I don't own a 3D printer -- if I did, I'd scour the Internet for appropriate STL files… Scratch-building one using bamboo skewer sticks is really tempting. I have some RAFM 25mm metal Ballistas, already, which I could fit into it. I kind of like the idea of putting Pikemen/Spearmen inside the wagon, arming them with long brass spears I already have! I have some EM-4 Dwarves I converted to Pikes, which I could use for crewmen -- I really love the idea of making a Dwarven Battle Platform, which I would upgrade to be more heavily armored. I read the PSR review of it, and they stated how, historically: Bob, here, reporting from the front lines, watching the new Battle Platform being tested in combat for the very first time… The enemy rushed the slow moving, poorly defended, crew compartment! They tore off the walls and slaughtered the men inside! Then they maimed the Oxen! Yikes! Thanks for that play-by-play, Bob, on how the Battle Platform met an ignominious end! Now back to the studio for the latest battle report. Ken, how is the General reacting to this tragic loss? It never saw battle again, after that one-time disaster. LOL! Good thing I play fantasy -- reality is crushingly demoralizing… If I make a Dwarven Battle Platform based on this concept, I will need to find an appropriate Beast to power it, in the rear of course -- so that the Beast is protected! ROFL! This is too fun. I could see such a Battle Platform being a part of an army of Undead, as well! That takes it to a another level, altogether! Thanks, Gents, for seeding the idea in my head! Cheers! |
| Parzival | 11 Sep 2025 3:01 p.m. PST |
The Hussites fielded similar ideas, but not for use against elephants— and they had great success with these, creating what were essentially mobile forts for their crossbowmen.
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| Sgt Slag | 11 Sep 2025 5:44 p.m. PST |
I remember seeing a movie, or two, where men atop a castle wall fired either X-bows or muskets, handing them back to other men behind them who reloaded the weapon, handing them another, ready-to-shoot weapon, allowing them to have an amazingly fast ROF. I could see this technique being used in a large Battle Platform as well. The issue, however, is the more crewmen, the larger the platform, the more implausible it becomes. LOL! I'm thinking of gluing sharp pointed sticks all along the outside walls to make it harder for Infantry to rush and tear down the side walls.
Ken is telling us there is a new update from Bob, on the battlefield… Hello, Bob! Can you tell us what is happening now, Bob? Thanks, Neil. Yes, there is a new player taking the battlefield by storm! The Dwarves are rolling out a massive -- what looks like a wooden fortress, on wheels! It is covered in metal plate armor, with Arrow Loops and -- OH! They're firing Heavy X-bows from the Loops! Oh, the demise of the Hobgoblins is terrible -- they're dropping like flies with the hail of Bolts flying! I've never seen such carnage before, Neil! Look out, there, Bob -- OHHH! Ken, here, back in the studio. Our live feed from Bob on the battlefield, has apparently been cut. We'll try to restore that link as soon as possible… Wheels would need to be relatively large, to minimize the divots and the irregularities of the battlefield surfaces. Still, propulsion is a big challenge. The propulsion issue is pushing me more towards Undead, or perhaps Hobgoblins who are disciplined enough to man such a Platform, while employing some mighty Beasts to propel it forward. I like the idea of Dwarves employing a steam engine, perhaps. I could see 2-4 Elephants driving such a platform for Humans (Kretans) in the tropics, though, in open, flat battlefields… I just need to keep it within the realm of something I can possibly model! LOL! That is a fun challenge, but it keeps trying to escape my capabilities to make… I love the feedback as it gives me ideas that otherwise would not occur to me! Cheers! |
| Parzival | 11 Sep 2025 8:14 p.m. PST |
3 words: Human squirrel wheel. Though you could put other creatures in the wheel. |
| Zephyr1 | 11 Sep 2025 9:05 p.m. PST |
Yes, go the scratchbuilding route. It's much cheaper, and you can improvise more… ;-)
(And hit the dollar stores. They might have some plastic critters that might be useful…) |
| 20thmaine | 12 Sep 2025 5:31 a.m. PST |
If you go the undead route Battle zone have some skeletal animals – the skeletal raptors would look cool 😎 |
| Mister Tibbles | 12 Sep 2025 9:22 a.m. PST |
Go with the flaming pigs set. $25 USD on Ebay from my plastic pusher. Ebay item #365734242751. The wagon is $45 USD |
| Parzival | 12 Sep 2025 12:44 p.m. PST |
Don't forget that Da Vinci's tank was to be propelled by hand cranks. (I don't think he had a real grasp on how heavy his tank would be.) Scroll down in this link to find a 3D printed model of the tank, with working gears.
link |
| evilgong | 12 Sep 2025 3:45 p.m. PST |
>>>Don't forget that Da Vinci's tank was to be propelled by hand cranks. >>>> Didn't he also show one version with two horses inside? |
| Parzival | 12 Sep 2025 6:53 p.m. PST |
I do recall that, but haven't done a search that deeply. |
| Parzival | 12 Sep 2025 6:55 p.m. PST |
The big problem with Da Vinci's design (aside from the weight) is who is going to crew all those cannons? |
| Sgt Slag | 13 Sep 2025 8:16 a.m. PST |
I visited Michael's Craft Store yesterday. Picked up a "Skeleton Wreath", with around six 6" Skeletons on it. I will cut these up to make a proper Lich-mobile platform frame. I am thinking of using some foamcore, textured, to make a "wooden" platform for the Lich Army Commander to stand upon. I envision it sort of like a giant-sized 'flying carpet' platform for the Lich to ride/wander around on. I plan on building the other types (Dwarven Steam-powered, Armored Platform; Kretan Army light Battle Platform; Drow, spider-decorated, Battle Platform -- just because the ides is too fun to ignore). I need to start with one, and work my way into the others. I'll start new threads for each. Cheers! |
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