HOTT Gaming with Rick and Jackson

For the last three Fridays (and I think a Wednesday in there too…) Rick and Jackson Lowell have been coming over to play Hordes of the Things. Because I’ve been insanely busy preparing for the HOTT Campaign weekend – along with the multitude of other spring activities I just haven’thad time to write up proper battle reports… Below are a few pictures of the games I’ve taken.

In all of these games Rick played the Elves and Jackson played orcs. They have been trying out different combinations of available options for their campaign armies.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


This was a game Rick and Jackson played against each other. Rick was also trying out the new mountain stronghold as I hadn’t finished the Elf “stronghold” yet.


Jackson’s set up.


Rick sends forth the Triple-Wizard-Combo in an attempt to ensorcell Jackson’s hero General and harass the Behemoth.


The Orcs General (not liking the looks of those wizards!) and beasts peel off to flank around (or through) the woods in the center of the table.


Sparks and loud bangs scare away the Giants!


The Hero General and Wolves made it all the way behind the elves who were forced to redeploy to defend their stronghold.


I can’t remember who won… was it the Orcs taking the stronghold…? Or did the elfies get the Orc general…? I think it was the former…


The rest of the evenings I’ve been playing various armies against their forces – here I am playing the Normans against the Elves.


Slowly cantering towards their utter destruction… An army of mostly knights against an army of mostly shooters and magicians – all of which get a quick-kill against the Knights on the first turn they move into contact… lovely…


On the plus side I had more stuff and turn the ir flank and ate some blades… but that only delayed the inevitable a turn or two…


I know Rick won… I can’t remember the details of the Normans utter destruction…


That same evening I played the Vikings against Jackson’s Orcs. He had a Hero General, a Behemoth and a Cleric – I took all regular 2AP troops and so outnumbered him some and was able to use that to my advantage.


Jackson really, really wanted to try and outflank wm with his beasts… the problem is it’s not easy to outflank an opponent that outnumbers you… one beast was killed as soon as they came out of the woods (like I was going to go in their and get them…!?). The other did tie down two stands of Blade for a few turns.


The lines meet, my warband moves into the woods to draw out the lurker…


Another shot of that initial contact. The hero General and Behemoth punched a hole in the center of my line and Jackson thought he had the game… then I filled the hole with my extra guys… there was a bit of back-and-forth…


What’s wrong with this picture…?

A: the Behemoth is in a position where if it loses the combat and recoils it with crush BOTH armies Generals!? Which was a sacrifice I was willing to make as his general was a Hero (4AP) and mine was just a blade (2AP) and I think he had already lost more than me so that would have ended the game and I would have won.


WelL I didn’t push behemoth back.. in fact the trolls pushed my guys all the way back to the woods – where my Warband caught them and took them down.


I think this is a shot of what was left of his army at the end of the game… Hero General, Cleric and a shooter…?


The Next week I started off with the Saxons army against the elves. This time Allie was helping Rick command the Elves.


I took down some riders and Knights at either end of the line…


… then just started turning flanks and working my way in!


Elvish Knight about to die there…


Then Jackson and I played a little Orc on Orc action.


He killed my Blade General but had lost more stuff so we carried on – me being slightly less maneuverable..


Somehow I think I still managed to pull a victory out of my ass… Once again I think it had to do with numbers – I had all 2AP troops and therefore started with 12 stand, Jackson had 9 or 10 stands


The sole picture form last nights games… I wanted to try an orc army out… It was kind of designed to deal with a mostly blade army (who don’t fight in the woods so good), but then I ended up playing it against Rick’s elves – who, this week, had five stands of shooters (who have no trouble in the woods)… compounding this was me having a brain fart and for the duration of the battle believing for some reason that shooters quick-killed beasts and so I avoided contact with them – when in actuality it’s the other way around and I could have been eating them from the get-go out in the woods… ah well…

In the second game I played Dwarves (mostly Blades, two Shooters, Hero General) against Jackson's Orcs (Hero General, TWO Behemoths, two Warband, a Beast, a Shooter, and a pile of Hordes). He had this idea to stick close to his base line and defend - being close to his base line he figured he'd be able to replace hordes pretty quickly. Fair enough... but then he left most of the table open ground so I formed up with one great line marched across and laid a beating on them - the hordes on either side of the behemoths vapourised and I was able to turn both their flanks and delete them for the game. While the hordes just kept on coming back, they didn't do much else... So I tried to concentrate on taking out stuff that WOULDN'T come back and eventually got a warband and the beasts... I think... I only lost two blade...

We all learned a lot from the games and I know I’m a bit more prepared for the weekend because of it! I'm going to have a rumble with Mr. Miller's army on Monday. Then one week from today we will be in the middle of the campaign weekend! HUZZAH!! Stay tuned for the new and improved Campaign Map ...

Still Cranking ‘em Out!

A few more stands finished up…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


These are, I believe, Medieval Axemen from Old Glory. I didn’t really paint them because they were needed for the HOTT Campaign Weekend… I painted them because they were easy, and Chris could take them home (They’re part of the pile o’ stuff that he sent to paint…). Not sure what he’s going to use them for so I’ve left it to him to make a flag for them!


A Dwavish Druid/”Cleric” stand. The Dwarf druid and badger are Reaper Miniatures, the Irish wolfhound is from Gripping Beast, and the bear – believe it or not – is just some cheap, junk, plastic, made-in-China toy that just happen to be about the right scale….


Some Dwarf Handgunners ("Thunderers") from Games Workshop.


A stand of Shooters for my Vikings – these are actually Old Glory Dark Age Welsh archers… but I figured they were “close enough” – I even added a beard to one with green stuff to make him look just a bit more “Viking-ish”


These are also from Old Glory – Peasant Hordes! These would be for either the Anglo-Saxons or the Normans – whichever is using a Cleric stand. Clerics being 3AP – you need something else that’s either 3AP (Clerics, Artillery, Sneakers) or 1AP (Horde or lurkers). I thought a Horde would be an appropriate sort of thing to team up with a stand of religious types…

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

I still have a couple more Vikings and Orcs/goblins I’d like to finish up – but I think I’m going to concentrate on the Map and some terrain for the next couple days… ONE WEEK to the HOTT Campaign Weekend!!

A little over a week left and so many things I’d like to get done…

More Army Markers

I finished up two more Army Markers for the Hordes of the Things Campaign:

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


The two latest additions are the Elves and LOTR Orcs (in front). The Elf Wizard is a Reaper Miniatures figure that I painted some time ago and just rebased to add to this stand, the rest are from Games Workshop.

We do need one more army marker for the third Orc/Goblin Army which I may end up painting, or Mr. Miller might paintit himself as it is for his army…

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

It is only ten more sleeps (and ten more evenings of painting!!) until the Wargames Weekend!! I have a map to finish up and I’d like to finish up a few more elements as options for a couple of the armies: Dwarven Shooters and a Cleric, a Norman peasant Horde, Orc Spear, perhaps an Evil Wizard...

My Love For You is Like a Truck – BERSERKER!!!

I finished up the stand of Berserkers (Warband) for my Viking army last night – giving them the option of having TWO for the upcoming Hordes of the Things Campaign (and beyond!)

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


Two are from Old Glory, the two with the wolfskins are from Gripping Beast. Shield design inspired by Neldoreth.

Maybe I should add the option of a shooter…? I don’t have any specifically Viking archers or anything though… I do have a heap of hairy lookin’ Welsh archers that might make due…. Hmmmm.

I also picked up a Dwarven Druid yesterday to give them a “Cleric” option – to a) oppose any magic fielded against them and b) give them another 3AP (odd numbered AP) option so they don’t HAVE to take a lurker with their artillery…. Not sure if I’ll get it done in time… we shall see…

Still Chugging Away…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


These are some army markers to move around on my campaign map for the HOTT Wargame Weekend. From Left to right: Viking, Norman, Saxon, Dwarf, Orc…

I had already done the Viking and Saxon ones, and started on the Norman ones, ages ago. Originally I had a notion that I was going to do Warmaster Ancients in 28mm and they were going to be command stands. I have long since given up that idea (having too much fun with Hordes of the Things and DBA), but I still had these stands around and that’s what gave me the idea.

I’m going to also paint a big map of the campaign world and use these markers to indicate where the armies are at. I think I might give it away as the prize to the winner of the campaign - "here ya go- a map of the world you've conquered..."?

I still need to finish another Orc one (or two…) and the elves.


Another Behemoth. I’ve had this figure for very nearly 20 years. I have no idea who the manufacturer is. It has haunted various boxes in a half painted state for 99% of that time and, dammit, he’s finally finished (I think he was rebased at least three times before I ever finished him…).


Not a new paint job, but a re-base and something new to the HOTT arsenal. I think this is a RAFM figure and I’ve had him about as long as the giant – though of course this guy was painted almost immediately – and has been rebased a few times. I’m planning to make him available as a “god of death” for any HOTT army that cares to conjure him. We haven’t tried using gods just yet, but now if anyone wishes… they can do so… We seem to be a pretty conservative group around here – no on e seems to be interested in the very volatile units – gods, dragons, etc.

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

I cranked out enough figures for another stand of Berserkers for the Vikings (Warband) – I just need to finish the base. Then I need to finish the Elvish and second (and maybe third) Orc army markers… Then finish off the Uruk-hai Pike/Spearmen…?

Home of the Fey

As the Wargame Weekend rapidly approaches I’ve been working on a number of things for that. I thought I’d be getting sick of it and getting tempted to paint ontehr things and just move on to other projects. I couldn’t be farther from doing so. I feel like I could just go on playing and painting stuff for HOTT forever… Of course I won’t… but I am pretty excited about it right now…

Another “Stronghold” finished up:

(Remember: click on the picture for a bigger version)


A standing stone in a glade – a stronghold for the Elves.

The Return of Savage Saturday...?

I haven't played Savage Worlds in a while. A couple of my regular players quit and I've been... well... a little focused on other things lately (HOTT).

Last night I ran a little WW2 scenario set on the coast of Occupied France in 1942. A small group of British Glider troops landed on coast to meet up with a German professor who had been involved in Nazi Super Science projects and wished to defect! After locating the professor the party was to retreat to the coast where they were to meet with  a party of Royal Marine Commandos Who were to whisk them back across the channel.

It was a simple plan....

A full after action report with pictures can be located over at Savage Timmy's Playhouse.

Uruks and Spiders

As mentioned in the previous post I’ve finished up a pile of Uruk-hai lately. I thought I’d wait until the spears were done before posting pics… but that seems to be taking longer that I’d expected… I also finished up a couple of “Lurker” stands for HOTT. These are nominally part of one of my Orc armies (the “generic” one) but could easily find their way into others…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


The Uruk Hai. These are Lord of the Rings figures from Games Workshop. Most are plastic – except for the captain and one of the others. I got the captain off ebay, but couldn’t get a standard bearer so I converted on out of one of the spare pikemen…

I have three stands of pike/spear just about finished as well… This will complete the foot contingent of my Army of Isengard. Indeed right now I have 26AP ready to fight!

1x Magician (Sauruman)
2x Shooters (archers)
2x Warband (Uruk-hai Scouts)
1x Spear (Uruk-hai Pike)
5x Blade (Uruk-hai heavy foot – sword and shield)
1x Beast or Riders (Warg Riders)

I also have three more stands worth of Warg Riders, but they need some serious repairs – missing legs or wargs and arms or riders…


Here are a couple of Spider Lurker elements. These are also Games Workshop figures, from the Battle for Skull Pass boxed set. My other friend Tim had a few to spare and passed them on to me (Thanks Tim!). As I mentioned these are nominally destined for service my “Generic” Orc army but could easily find their way into others… While not exactly “allies” there were certainly Spiders “lurking” in the forest of Mirkwood in the Realm of the Wood Elves…


Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

An Elf “Stronghold” for HOTT and hopefully some Uruk-hai Pike… and maybe a couple quick HOTT battle reports…

Home is Where the Stronghold is…

I finished up a few Strongholds for Hordes of the Things in the last couple days. I think I need to get another one or two for the Campaign weekend.

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


The first I made was a Mountain fortress.


This will nominally be the Dwarves stronghold, though it could potentially see use as a Orc or Goblin stronghold – or maybe even for the Wood Elves of Mirkwood…?


Number two is a generic palisade fortress.


Here is the backside.


Also a versatile one that could see use with the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings or Orcs – possibly others in a pinch.

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

I think I might make a quick and simple elf one next – a stand of trees with a standing stone in the center… or a magic pool…?

I’va also finished up a couple more stands of Uruk-hai – pics of them when I finish the last three. I’ve also been working on some fun “lurker” stands…

Not Dead Yet….

It’s been a while but I am still working away at a few things here and there…

(Remember: click on the pictures for a bigger version)


I finished up a few Highland Dwarves. Most of these are Ghost Miniatures from Old Glory, but the piper on the stand is a converted Reaper Miniature.


Spares… after painting some Rohan Archers (scroll down, they're near the bottom) for a HOTT stand I had a few left over so I based them individually for skirmishing.


I did the same for a pair of Gripping Beast Norman Archers – except these are for CVT, so they went on plastic square bases to jive with the rest of his toys…


I FINALLY finished up my Saruman/Magician stand for my HOTT Isengard Army. Saruman and Grima were finished weeks ago, but it took some time to get the pointing orc for a reasonable price off of Ebay… These are all Lord of the Rings figures from Games Workshop.


In addition to paintng a couple new ones I re-based and repainted the kilts on a couple other Highland Dwarves to jive with the current scheme/standards of tartan painting. I now have 15 of the mean little bastards. A pretty decent skirmishing unit/clan/warband - be it for Savage Worlds or Mordhiem…


I now have three stands of the fiends for HOTT now as well… I have enough, currently, to make three more stands… I may just have to get a few more so I can field an entire 24AP army/command of them!!! West Wind Productions also seems to be making some highland Dwarves now… I may have to pick up a few of them… just to add some variety…!?

Coming soon on Tim’s Miniature Wargaming Blog:

STRONGHOLDS!!!