Earlier this week Taff and I played BattleLore V1.
Battlelore V1.
We got to play the Battle of Burgos Scenario that introduced Goblins. We also decided to play the game with a War Council but based on a medieval game as detailed within the Scottish Wars add-on.
This basically gives you a level 1 wizard, restricted cards, maximum hand of 1 card and all spells cast as alternative caster costing an additional 3 lore token above its normal cost to cast.
Wow, I am afraid that we go so engrossed that we forgot the photos. The game was concluded in 90 mins with a overwhelming victory to Taff. In my defence I was hampered by Taff defeating my right flank units early in the game and I only had 5 command cards all for the right flank. I had no luck as even when I discarded one , moved no units and drew another, it was for the right flank.
We discussed this afterwards and came up with a house rule.
Instead of playing a command card a player may exchange any number of command cards for new. The cost is 1 lore token for each exchanged card.
Following on from my previous blog about Battlelore, I was searching ebay for any suitable reinforcements when I came across some resin figures for sell by Terrainstore.
I have to be honest, apart from fantasy miniatures I have never bought any resin miniatures. While I don’t mind spending a few pounds on a fantasy figure, I am concerned as to whether resin historical figures are worth it?
Will they hold their value if I needed to sell? Do they need to cost as much as people want for them? I have no idea but apart from saving you the carrying weight of a collection. I believe the cost of metal makes up the majority of the cost of a miniature and surely resin is not as expensive as metal. So for me resin have to be cheaper than the best metal equivilent figures.
I spotted terrainstore selling a variety of resin miniatures, napoleonics, Scottish schiltons, fantasy etc. I had spotted Scottish spearmen 2 for sell. Nothing else Scottish related.
I made an offer and it was accepted. 2 days later a set of 4 unique miniatures dropped though my letterbox. I say dropped but given the weight they probably floated to the floor.
All I can say is wow, what figures. Perfect in scale with my collection – mainly Old Glory and Foundry although I have to say the detail on the resin knocks them both for 6.
Not the best photos but hopefully you get the idea
I dropped terrainstore a line and asked if they had any others e.g. Scottish spearmen 1, 3 or command?
Within 30 minutes they replied saying that yes they had more and would put them on ebay and have plans for archers, English spearmen, knights etc.
10 mins later a regimental pack of 8 unique miniatures (4 from spearmen 2 plus 4 more) was for sale on ebay along with separate spear command. I ordered enough to make a couple of Schiltron units, purely due to the quality of the miniatures as I already have enough Schiltron units, but they are just that good.
Over the next week or so they added Edward I, Robert the Bruce both mounted and on foot as well as more foot knights.
I have not ordered any of these as I already have both commanders but I am so tempted. I wrote back and suggested they do some Scottish Galloglass/ Gallowglass as I need a few units of these and scottish archers to complete my army.
Some people have suggested Antediluvian Miniatures for my Gallglass requirements but while the miniatures look great, no idea as to scale comparisons, their postage rates for the UK are ridiculous. So I will either wait to see them at a show or find/wait for an alternative supplier. Come on terrainstore.
I know many of you will say why worry it is just one order, but I hate the feeling of being exploited. While only offering global packaging rates may make it easier for them I don’t see why I should subsidise it. Also if you visit their shop you see this on their home page, correct as of 20th June 2022. Misleading.
Postage rates not great for us in the uk
Anyway I thought about it and clicked on the Historical miniatures banner link. I added 7 packs (28men) totalling £52.50 expecting a total bill of £58.80 with £6.30 being postage.
This was my bill!
Not the 12% postage I expected but 18%
Only when I hit the back button trying to figure out what had happened, taking me back to the historical page,home did I see this alternative postage banner
A couple of weeks ago I played my first game of Battlelore version 1. I have to admit, it was an instant hit for me. Not sure why but probably for two reasons
1. While a fantasy based system it also offers a medieval opportunity. Expansions also covered off the Hundred Years War and the Scottish Wars.
2. The ability to introduce a war council gives this an extra dynamic I had recently encountered playing the original Zvesda version of Samurai Battles Command and Colors. You can accrue Lore point to cast magic or a downscaled version, for the medieval games. This war council can grow if played as a campaign.
The game fired that spark all wargamers have, to play the game with Bigger and more figures. While as a group we agreed the rule set Flower of Chivalry would be our medieval go to set I still wanted to imagine seeing what Battlelore could look like in 28mm.
Out of the cupboard I grapped my Scottish force. The bases were big 125mm x 100mm so a hex mat would need to be 6″ across the flats.
Luckily, Tiny Wargames do battle mats and make one for Command and Colors, ordered it on fleece and 6 days later it arrived and it is superb.
The 6″ hexes make this a big cloth almost 7′ x 4’6″. I also picked up a river from Tiny Wargames
This has fired me up to complete the Scottish Army to align with Battlelore Scottish Wars. More to follow.
Scottish schiltonsA few of my Scottish bases 120 x 100mm
The Think Tank 