Little review of Warmonger Pikes

[Tzar_Boris]

Hi!
I want to make a little review of the Pikemen I received couple of days ago.
At first I thought of them as kinda of an experiment for me, because I am relatively new to modelling, but, as I got to work on them, I felt more and more inspired by the sculpts. They just have that feel to them - similar to good GW models of old. You can get a lot of variations in painting on these models - simple, or complicated schemes. Plus I was pleasantly surprised that I had some strips left over and actually could make some variations of their placement on the base.
The only thing I didn't get is how to make the pikes reliably straight!) plus they will take some larger spots in the foam tray because of the size.
So go on, Dave! Your work is cool.

Here are some pictures of recently painted-drying up- ready for basing Pikemen.

[Tzar_Boris]

Couldn't get both photos in one post)

[forbes]

I like these - a very different look than what most others have gone for - it almost looks like an ECW style with the browns and muted shades. Rather than the riot of colour of Landschekt units.

[Tzar_Boris]

Thank you very much, but what is the ECW style?

[forbes]

Sorry - English Civil War, fought around 1640 to 1650.

[Tzar_Boris]

So here's a pic of finished Greatswords and the pikemen - fielded them today.

Very pleased with them. Gonna try the Greatswords rules next time.

[toadie]

Nice paintwork!  I'm getting back into painting, and my eyesight and steady hands aren't what they used to be!

Gonna try the Greatswords rules next time.

What are the "Greatswords rules" as I cannot find any rules in the army books or living rulebooks about these specifically?  In the living rulebook there is a referece under the Empire Army -> Halberdiers section:
"A few regiments carry different weapons out of tradition rather than any other reason - for example two handed great swords or a sword and shield"

I would read this as that Great Sword models can be used as Halberdiers proxies in an Empire army, or as Swordsmen in the Dogs of War army.  Have I missed something (hopefully I have!) like a Warmaster tome or set of rules somewhere?!


Also, in the Trial Armies Compendium 2009, under the Dogs or War Army -> Pikeman entry it says
"Pikemen should be based as cavalry - i.e. the models are orientated towards the narrow edge of the base."  which I noticed is different to how you have laid them out.  Is there a reason for your placement?

I ask as I've just ordered some Warmonger pikemen (just have to wait patiently for the delivery  ) and so was thinking about how to align them.  It looks like the upright pikes men are side by side and the angled pikes are men infront/behind each other, so I was going to put the Angled pikes at the front of the stand and the Upright pikes at the back.  e.g.

Back
---------
| U   U |
---------
| U   U |
---------
| U   U |
---------
| A | A |
| A | A |
---------
 Front

Not sure what to do with the standard and musician though!  Having them at the front would be a weak spot in the row of pikes IMO so I was thinking either behind the angled pikes and before the upright pikes or at the back of the stand.  Does anyone else have any photos of how they've built these Pikemen stands or ideas on how to place them?

[Ole]

What are the "Greatswords rules" as I cannot find any rules in the army books or living rulebooks about these specifically?

Do you know about these?
http://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/97gs.pdf

cheers

Ole

[Dave]

That's how they're meant to be based, toadie. The standard/musician are meant to replace the middle most strip, like you said. Right before the angled pikes. There's a few pics from the 2014 painting comp where people based them like that. I'll hopefully finish some "studio" units this year, for the website.

[toadie]

Do you know about these?
http://www.specialist-arms.com/fanatic/97gs.pdf

I do now!  Brilliant, thanks! 

How come these aren't in the Living Rulebook (even as optional rules)?  Or has the Living Rulebook died?

[toadie]

There's a few pics from the 2014 painting comp where people based them like that.

Thanks Dave for your reply.  Do you have links for these photos?

[Dave]

http://www.forum.specialist-arms.com/index.php?topic=6897.0

[Tiberius]

Just ordered my first batch of warmonger stuff, can't wait to see them in person!

[Dave]

They're packed, and will be on their way tomorrow.

[Tiberius]

Thank you much!