Counters

[shall]

I needed break from all the heavy stuff recently so had a muck around with some counter ideas over the weekend.

My personal plan is now as follows.

For each of my armies I am going to do some new bases on exactly the same base sizes as the main troops. I have done a few for my samurai. Each of these bases signifies the state without any need for a separate counter at all. I will replace and existing base with a marker base instead. I have gone for the following:

• DISR base - has 1 figure less standing
  FRAG base - has just 1 figure standing facing sideways and a body on the ground
  BRK base - has just bodies on the ground

I am expecting a fair few such bases can be multi-purpose and be used for different BGs while I build up a stock. Maybe figure manufacturers might even do us a range of FOG bodies for different periods.

So all I am going to do in game is to swap a real base for one of these each time. So there are no counters outside the bases of the BG and no need to offset either.

From a couple of hours of mucking about I think I have a solution for me that is clear and that doesn't detract at all from the look of my armies. And of course it even works for 2 base BGs as its the last base on there that ir replaces - so 2 base BG reduced to 1 base and broken will just have a pile of bodies left and moving around.....

Clearly it takes a bit of work, but for my favoruite armies I think its well worth it for me to get the look. Typically it means 1 painted figure and 3 roughly painted bodies per BG added to the figure plan. I have been looking at some of the 20mm plastics for bodies as they can be cut up really easily - a cheap way to do it. This then means you are down to just 1 extar lead figure per BG.

Si

[rogerg]

We have reverted to the 7th edition technique for disordered and shaken, the offset and the angled base. Swapping bases in and out might become a bit of a pain. Personally I do not think this is a big issue, although I know others are concerned about it. If my opponent wants to use counters, bases or whatever I will not object.

[hammy]

At the tripples earlier this year I went looking for dead and wounded ancients figures to use for markers and failed totally to find any. OK, I didn't ask at every stand but if anyone knows of a manufacturer that makes them can they let me know.

Hammy

[petedalby]

We have reverted to the 7th edition technique for disordered and shaken, the offset and the angled base.

We've done the same. After the early discussions on counters we've stuck with the existing bases and haven't had a problem so far.

But competitions are likley to be more intense and counters may be prudent.

Pete

[lawrenceg]

At the tripples earlier this year I went looking for dead and wounded ancients figures to use for markers and failed totally to find any. OK, I didn't ask at every stand but if anyone knows of a manufacturer that makes them can they let me know.

Hammy

Donnington certainly make a few. http://www.donnington-mins.co.uk/dark_a ... 20of%20WAR

[shall]

I bought some Zvevda pastics and cut them up. 48 in a box - enough for my whole army in once go. Out of scale but somehow as bodies it doesn't seem a big problem.

Si

[AlbionOak]

Yes, Donnington has quite a range. I believe Essex make a few, I think just 3 packs but don't have catalogue here.
In 25/28mm I recently bought some very nice Late Romans (if dead & dying can be so called) from Gripping Beast. I got them expressly for these rules. I like the idea of markers - if done well they can enhance the look of a game. Don't really buy the "what if you forget to move 'em theory". Fire and Fury has used markers successfully for years.

[olivier]

Peter Pig made dead and dying in each of his historic ranges and Museum miniatures has 3 or 4 ref .

Olivier

[thefrenchjester]

Hi all ,

I will paint pigs : 1 per counter for DISR and some sheeps : 2 per counter for FRAG , it's for medieval west european armies of course for muslim armies , 1 sheep for DISR and 2 for FRAG;
I prefer to use little animals instead of the manufactured killed men and horses on small counters after all the main important thing is that we need a universal and esthetic system to represent the current state of the BG .
any other idea ?
thefrenchjester "fast food on foot "

[neilhammond]

Rather than using dead figures I use an officer figure on a small coin for DISR and a standard bearer on a slightly larger coin for FRAG. Ideally the figures are appropriate for the army.

The main disadvantage is that if your opponent uses a different convention then it can get confusing. Alternatively if players agree to use one players markers to maintain consistency then they probably won't be appropriate for the opponents army.

Using pigs/sheep/cattle does have the advantage that it's fairly universal!

Using substitute bases as Simon describes is neater, but it has the disadvantage that you can't use a common marker system for both players.

What I'd like to see is a colour convention for markers which would allow players to use different styles of markers (e.g. officers+standard bearers / animals / dead figures / serving wenches / druids / oblisks / whatever) but the base colour conveys the meaning. For example yellow or green = DISR whilst red or brown = FRAG and black = ROUT.

Regards,
Neil

[shall]

Mu current counters are green, red and black

Si

[thefrenchjester]

that's why I said in an earlier message that we could use silver counter for DISR and brazen counter for FRAG around the counter or on it , what do you think about this syle of counter ?

thefrenchjester "the alchemist who change many times his silver in lead "( but gold in his eyes )

[thefrenchjester]

it could be good on on vexillum , dracos , solar disc , needing just to paint more figs for each army , we 'll try this convention in France if all the players agree it ( for the moment just to see if it works well )perhaps they can reply what they think about that ;

thefrenchjester" fresh paint "