Comments on: Warlord Games 28 mm Plastic Roman Legionnaires

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:45:38 +0000

The big differences between WG and WF will be shield shape (oval republicans versus rectangular imperials) and armour (segmented imperials versus mailed republicans). If you are not too picky, there’s nothing to stop you from mixing and matching. Depending on what is released as auxiliary troops, you ought to be able to mix and match those fair well.

By: Dorb

Dorb — Sat, 03 May 2008 23:21:47 +0000

Great review. Wonder how these will match up with the Wargames Factory troops when they finally get released? Should give you lots of options and different looks in the battle line. I think they are both from different time periods in the Roman empire.

By: gavroche

gavroche — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:26:13 +0000

You can always smooth over joints using some sort of filler (putty, modelling paste…). Just as with metal miniatures.

By: altfritz

altfritz — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:42:28 +0000

I don’t mind multi-part, but the main problem is always: how do they hide the seamlines. GW space marines have convenient shoulder plates to disguise the join. The celts will not. It will be interesting to see how noticeable the join it.

By: gavroche

gavroche — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:29:15 +0000

Funny how historical gamers seem to dislike that the figures are multipart. Personally that’s one of the things I really like about Warlords new range. Even though I would’ve liked to see more parts (separate bases, separate torso’s & lower bodies, 2 separate arms…). I also love the material, plastic is so much more convenient to work with than metal. And all the detail will make them easy to drybrush & dip, which should be handy for those who want to put a half-decently painted army on the table quickly.

In themselves, the romans hold zero interest for me since I’m not a historical gamer, but I’m looking forward to the celts, which look useful as fantasy chaos barbarian conversion material.

By: briguy

briguy — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:59:06 +0000

Very interesting and timely review, thanks Bob. This is not a scale that holds interest for me, but I do think that companies like Warlords may be able to begin bringing plastics technology to be more widespread. I personally love the convertability of plastics, so I’m curious to see where else this may spread to.

By: bork da basher

bork da basher — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:42:53 +0000

at the end of the day they are plastic and there is no easier substance to convert when it comes to models. the variation isnt great i agree, especially when there is massed units of them. it can all look very samey very quickly. however the option is there to convert. the models are not that detailed that resculpting parts even for a reletive beginner would be that much of a challenge. a few respositioned arms, heads etc etc would make the differance. personnally i think they look great but im waiting for the celts to be released personnally.

By: Zac

Zac — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:52:18 +0000

A USP could be almost anything, but here it’s posability (I think) together with price compared to other 28mms.

I see what you mean now. Thanks

As much as these are aimed at mass combat gamers I think that there is probably a fairly big market for people that do ancient skirmish gaming to really go to town with these and do some conversions.

By: altfritz

altfritz — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:43:13 +0000

Quickworthy - you’re fooling yourself if you think multi-part figures can make an army of 28mm figures look more real than the traditional matal figures. In case you hadn’t noticed people come in a wide range of heights and builds that very few manufacturers seek to represent. The only one - in fact - that I can think of was the Wargames Foundry with their Street Violence and Viking ranges which had at least some variety in body types.

By: Quirkworthy

Quirkworthy — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:27:01 +0000

Just so.

Any business idea needs a USP (at least, that’s what I was taught and that’s what banks will often look for). Why are you different, why will people buy your product and not Brand X? Because of your Unique Selling Point.

A USP could be almost anything, but here it’s posability (I think) together with price compared to other 28mms. Price on its own isn’t unique as soft plastics probably still win there.

Anyway, just my 2c.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:24:01 +0000

Unique Selling Point?

By: Zac

Zac — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:18:27 +0000

USP?

By: Quirkworthy

Quirkworthy — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:50:28 +0000

Personally, seeing large armies of identical figures makes me wonder why the owner bothered. I can never understand why anyone would go through the expense and effort to make something so lifeless. Even the most drilled of humans in a unit don’t look identical, and the ability to customise models as you assemble them to make them look like they’ve got a bit of life to them is, for me at least, important. I’m very pleased to see this new series of products and will be adding them to my collection when I can get hold of them.

Of course everyone’s got their own view, but for those folk that don’t like assembly and want the army to look identical there’s loads of alternatives already out there.

I think the posability is one of the USPs for Warlord here, and gawd bless ‘em for it :o)