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Post by skalde on Apr 1, 2022 21:18:26 GMT
Hi all!
I am interested in building a II/5c Theban Army (I really like Pikes and Spears, so 8Sp got my attention  ). From what I understand, they had quite a distinctive look with the club on the shield and wearing their boitian helmets. I think the Xyston army set pretty much mails that look, and I am thinking about buying that. Anyone have any experiences?
Additionally, I'd like to have a classical I/52d Hoplite army (corinthian helmets, individual shields, etc.), specifically Museum's "Z"-Range. Did the Thebans look like that too, or were they always a bit special? I'm finding it really hard to find anything on that, most google searches about Thebes only bring up info on the Sacred Band...
Any pointers would be very much appreciated!
Cheers Skalde
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Post by jim1973 on Apr 2, 2022 2:34:56 GMT
Firstly, welcome to Fanaticus! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I think you're on the right track. In the early 4th century, more open helmets like the Spartan pilos become popular, probably because they're cheaper and easier to make. So the Boeotian helmet would seem to be more prevalent. But there would always be a mix as there were no central armouries providing weapons. So that covers army II/5. Army I/52 would vary more in look as it was more militia like. Probably a few Boeotian shields. Corinthian helmets would certainly be present.
Also look at Little Big Men Studios for shield decals for Xyston. They look amazing.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by martin on Apr 2, 2022 5:47:13 GMT
Worth checking that the Xyston pack (if it was a ready made army pack you plan to buy) has sufficient hoplites for the 8Sps. Xyston are probably ‘up to date’ but the previous version of DBA (v2.2) didn’t have the 8Sp troop type, so an army pack based on that would be short by a few figures.
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Post by jim1973 on Apr 2, 2022 6:47:38 GMT
With some strategic purchases to add to the army pack, you could get enough for a traditional opponent like Plataea or Thessaly.
Jim
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Post by skalde on Apr 2, 2022 18:34:12 GMT
Firstly, welcome to Fanaticus! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I think you're on the right track. Thanks a lot for the info! Worth checking that the Xyston pack (it it was a ready made army pack you plan to buy) has sufficient hoplites for the 8Sps. Xyston are probably ‘up to date’ but the previous version of DBA (v2.2) didn’t have the 8Sp troop type, so an army pack based on that would be short by a few figures. Yeah, I wondered about that too. Contents of the box is as follows: "4 Command (General, Officer & Musicians), 28 Hoplites (Heavy Infantry), 4 Peltasts (Loose Order Infantry), 6 Cavalry, 4 Psiloi (Skirmishers)" 28 Hoplites make 7 elements of 4Sp, so it is missing exactly the two optional 8Sp elements. So I'll add 2x8 Hoplites and 1x Commanders and then I should be good to go. The rest of the pack seems to fit.
With some strategic purchases to add to the army pack, you could get enough for a traditional opponent like Plataea or Thessaly. Not sure what you mean.. do you mean allies? Because I was thinking about getting some Thessalian cavalry.  Overall, this seems pretty straight forward. I think I'll like this army. Another question: Is it ever worth it to not take the 8Sp? I would think if the terrain is likely not favourable and there's a risk of the DBE going down early, it might be safer to just take regular Sp, right?
Regards Skalde
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Post by jim1973 on Apr 3, 2022 0:11:08 GMT
I was thinking that if you had to purchase extra packs that you could use the left overs as a good base for a second army as a matched pair.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by Les1964 on Apr 3, 2022 7:35:30 GMT
Worth checking that the Xyston pack (it it was a ready made army pack you plan to buy) has sufficient hoplites for the 8Sps. Xyston are probably ‘up to date’ but the previous version of DBA (v2.2) didn’t have the 8Sp troop type, so an army pack based on that would be short by a few figures. Yeah, I wondered about that too. Contents of the box is as follows: "4 Command (General, Officer & Musicians), 28 Hoplites (Heavy Infantry), 4 Peltasts (Loose Order Infantry), 6 Cavalry, 4 Psiloi (Skirmishers)" 28 Hoplites make 7 elements of 4Sp, so it is missing exactly the two optional 8Sp elements. So I'll add 2x8 Hoplites and 1x Commanders and then I should be good to go. The rest of the pack seems to fit.
Regards Skalde
If you are putting magnets on your bases , you could get away with buying just the 1 x 8 spears , then mount them on a thin metal base 40 x 30 mm when you want the 8Sp elements . |
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Post by skalde on Apr 3, 2022 15:11:57 GMT
Yeah, I wondered about that too. Contents of the box is as follows: "4 Command (General, Officer & Musicians), 28 Hoplites (Heavy Infantry), 4 Peltasts (Loose Order Infantry), 6 Cavalry, 4 Psiloi (Skirmishers)" 28 Hoplites make 7 elements of 4Sp, so it is missing exactly the two optional 8Sp elements. So I'll add 2x8 Hoplites and 1x Commanders and then I should be good to go. The rest of the pack seems to fit.
Regards Skalde
If you are putting magnets on your bases , you could get away with buying just the 1 x 8 spears , then mount them on a thin metal base 40 x 30 mm when you want the 8Sp elements . Yeah, I guess, but I don't like doing it that way. I've also never magnetized weapons or stuff like that. I just prefer every element to be its own entity, and I don't mind the extra cost or effort  .
Regards Skalde
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Post by skalde on Apr 3, 2022 15:15:33 GMT
I was thinking that if you had to purchase extra packs that you could use the left overs as a good base for a second army as a matched pair. Cheers Jim Aaah, gotcha. I might think about that, but I'll mostly have spare command models, I think. But definitely worth a thought.
Regards Skalde
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Post by skalde on Apr 3, 2022 21:47:36 GMT
So I just noticed that the Xyston army box has 4 peltasts in it. They are, however, classed as Psiloi, meaning 2 is the usual number of figures. Is that some carryover from earlier versions and do people usually base them as 4? Or am I better of basing them with 2 and having 2 spares?
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Post by Les1964 on Apr 3, 2022 22:02:20 GMT
So I just noticed that the Xyston army box has 4 peltasts in it. They are, however, classed as Psiloi, meaning 2 is the usual number of figures. Is that some carryover from earlier versions and do people usually base them as 4? Or am I better of basing them with 2 and having 2 spares? The V3 list has the option of a Sp or Ps (peltast) , so best base them a 2 on a base . As for the other 2 , add one figure to them and use them as a camp follower element . |
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Post by skalde on Apr 3, 2022 22:12:10 GMT
So I just noticed that the Xyston army box has 4 peltasts in it. They are, however, classed as Psiloi, meaning 2 is the usual number of figures. Is that some carryover from earlier versions and do people usually base them as 4? Or am I better of basing them with 2 and having 2 spares? The V3 list has the option of a Sp or Ps (peltast) , so best base them a 2 on a base . As for the other 2 , add one figure to them and use them as a camp follower element . That's what I thought, thank you!
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Post by paddy649 on Apr 4, 2022 20:58:08 GMT
I have a number of Greek armies using Xyston, Magister Militum and Essex figures but no Museum Z Range. My thoughts are:
From a Historical perspective, Xyston are very well researched and probably the most accurate. From a gaming perspective all are OK but the standing pose of the Xyston figures is easier to use on the table than those with sticky-out spears. From a modelling standpoint, Xyston are the most fiddly, with separate shields and you’ll have to drill out those hands for their wire spears. All this looks excellent but takes a lot of extra work. Looking at the ranges then Xyston has far more breadth - probably more than you’ll ever need.
So for Greeks, if I were starting now, I’d say go for Xyston if you are a half decent modeller and figure painter. If you are just going to bash them out and game with them then Essex or Magister are great.
I would second the recommendation for LBMS decals, especially for Athenians and more general hoplites, but the Theban club is quite simple and a half decent painter could probably freehand them. I’d also advise you to look at Baueda for camps and tents etc.
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Post by Baldie on Apr 4, 2022 21:03:20 GMT
Love my Xyston Greeks and Persians
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Post by paulisper on Apr 4, 2022 21:04:52 GMT
I love Xyston too, but they ain’t 15mm 😱
P
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). From what I understand, they had quite a distinctive look with the club on the shield and wearing their boitian helmets. I think the Xyston army set pretty much mails that look, and I am thinking about buying that. Anyone have any experiences?
.
