I've recently purchased a large amount of Legio Heroica's fantastic Muslim range for the Crusades. All the miniatures from this company are superb and probably the best 15mm I've ever seen. This is my first planned Impetus based army and I'm looking forward to doing it in between my El Cid and ACW projects.
This project idea started when two of my friends(Mixer and Jadwig) started collecting this range with Mixer collecting The Kingdom of Jerusalem Crusader army and Jadwig Fatamid Muslims. I was very interested in the miniatures, but not the rules they planned to use which was Fields of Glory which I personally find to be as much fun as watching paint dry on a damp day. So, I declined to start any armies for it until..............IMPETUS came along! These rules I found to be very exciting and this was the motivation I needed and so I set about convincing my friends to change the rules from FOG to Impetus.
Since I already own a Viking/Saxon and Norman armies for FOG(hence my experience at FOG) I blew the dust off them and invited my friends into giving Basic Impetus a try using these armies that only required a few very easy modifications to use. After two games Jadwig is on the fence and Mixer likes it and I'm very, very happy with the rules. This weekend we have a planned 300pts normal Impetus game on the blocks and with the additional rules I believe there is a good chance to swing Jadwig the rest of the way over the fence and further grab Mixer's enthusiasm.
The catch is that when they give a FOG a try I agreed to also participate so they can decide between the two systems. My fingers are crossed that they won't like FOG(Really, really hoping they don't!) and decide to remain with Impetus.
I really like Legio Herico's Crusader Kingdom range, but since I already have a Norman army that can easily be used as Crusaders I thought it more prudent to collect Saladin's Muslims first which is hardly a chore as these are just as equally superbly done and I'm also going to have fun with all the color and not to mention they can fight either of my friends armies or join Jadwigs Fatamid's and battle the Crusaders!
My approach will be to emphasize strong colors, clean painting and keep the intricate designs on clothes and such under raps as the effort doesn't pay out at 15mm. I want the army to look very vibrant and colorful on the wargames table and so I'm hoping to pull it off.
Not surprising I'm a huge fan of the film Kingdom of Heaven!
Thanks for reading
Friends can be such a burden, lets hope for Impetus.
ReplyDeleteI smell a new project! Exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to comment on the picture.... Ghassan Massoud was such a gain for The Kingdom of Heaven. Perfect casting!
ReplyDeleteThe scene between Saladin and Balian when Balian asks the Muslim leader what Jerusalem is worth is so profound. As is Saladin's walk through fallen Jerusalem.
Impetus is a pretty good game, and the Legio heroica figures are really outstanding. I have been building up a crusader army, and have just started my Muslims.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to change my basing so they can be used for Hail Caesar, and Impetus.
Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
Steve
Thanks for the feedback guys and your right Doc perfect casting!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Christopher
Christopher, you might remember me talking about different scales on my blog. You might also remember some Legio Heroica models were pictured. If they were meant for a mid to late 13th century HRE Impetus army, I would be more than happy to dig them out, get them ready for the table and field them against your Ayyubids. Why not making it a joint venture, if at a distance?
ReplyDeleteKingdom of Heaven, besides its flaws (that's, for the most part, its ridiculous German translation!) is a great movie - if you watch the Director's Cut.
Cheers
SG
Hi SG,
ReplyDeleteThe ones on your blog is from Legio Heroica's Feudal range and is intended for the late 12th to mid 13th century.
Their feudal range if you wish to use it in the crusades works best from the 3rd to the 7th crusades which does include Saladin's Ayyubids and Richards Crusaders of the 3rd Crusade.
Their Crusader Kingdom range is mainly for the 1st(some of it) and 2nd Crusades(all of it), however you could mix in the Crusader Kingdom range and the Feudal range to do the 3rd Crusade without to much of a stretch giving you a huge range to choose from!
If your looking to recreate the Kingdom of Jerusalem as depicted in the film then that's the second Crusade and you will need to start collecting from that range and not the Feudal range.
I'd be more then happy to do a joint venture for either the 2nd or 3rd Crusade with you!:-)
I agree the directors cut is the the way to go.
Looking forward to your reply.
Cheers
Christopher
Good luck with the project Chris. I'd a 1st Crusade army that was very colourful.
ReplyDeleteThe Muslim armries always look splendid an I'm sure you will do it justice in 15 mm.
Cheers,
Helen
Hi Helen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence.:-) I haven't seen this crusader army of yours on your blog. Have you sold it? If not I'd really like to see it.
Cheers
Christopher
Thanks, Christopher, for the explanation. As so often, bad language on my part: What I actually meant is that I already own a LH army (unpainted, of course). I bought them with a later 13th century theme in mind (the armies of Corradino or Rudolf of Habsburg in particular). However, they could easily be used as later Crusaders, say under Richard of Cornwall or St. Louis de France, as well. Back then, there were still the Ayyubids in charge IIRC.
ReplyDeleteSo, no sooner than 5th Crusade for me I'm afraid, since the equipment changed considerably over the time, as you've mentioned. But if you're still interesred, let's have a go.
Cheers
SG
@SG
ReplyDeleteYour English was just fine and I understood you, rather I just thought you meant different and added more then meant.
Indeed, the Ayyubids were still in charge of Jerusalem at this time. I think the Legio Heroica Muslim range will still work fine for the 5th Crusade and so yes I still would be interested in doing a joint venture.:-)
Cheers
Christopher
I've got FOG(R) - sounds like an infection - and I think they're poor rules. They don't capture the flavour of the period at all, so the same must be true for the original FOG> On the other hand, although I haven't got Impetus (pause here for joke) they're on my shopping list as a way to get me back into games with armies with pointy sticks. I can't recall a bad review of them and the potential for modelling/painting creativity is huge.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, the director's cut of KoH is the one to watch.
Gaz
This is great! Loved reading it, thanks for updating
ReplyDelete@Gaz
ReplyDeleteI've not tried FOG(R) and since I don't like the original FOG then I probably won't bother. I think you'll be happy with your switch to Impetus.
Cheers
Christopher
Yes, I have to say that the crusade period has always interested me. Loved "Kingdom of Heaven". Also been curious about Impetus, will have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteJohn