How to package Nikephorian Byzantines?

Omar · Post by **Omar** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 7:36 am

How much and what scale would these miniatures be? I do Byzantine in the SCA, and would love to just be able to buy a full set of Byzantine models for the release of the new book.

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:10 am

They're 15mm and I'm sure you'll find prices at http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/ - if not for that range yet for other ranges that should give you a reasonable estimate.

Omar · Post by **Omar** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:27 pm

Thank you for the link.

I noticed it mentions the differences between the older Osprey book and the new one on the Byzantine troops from the period. I wonder if the models will be updated at any point?

Either way, a starter army would be great.

bahdahbum · Post by **bahdahbum** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:45 pm

There is one thing I do not understand in the army list . Varangians were already used as a "guard" unit in 980's . Ok they are cassified as varangian mercenaries . But why wait till the mythic date 1042 to give the option for a thrue varangian guard ? Why not earlier while Basil II was still alive ( he died 1025) as it was mainly his guard unit .

There are records of norsemen coming back home fully equiped before that date . It is mentionned in the osprey army book concerning the byzantine army of that area . ( men at arms 89 ).

Can someone explain that decision ?

khurasan_miniatures · Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:48 pm

Omar wrote:Thank you for the link.

I noticed it mentions the differences between the older Osprey book and the new one on the Byzantine troops from the period. I wonder if the models will be updated at any point?

Either way, a starter army would be great.

Not sure I follow your first point on updating the models -- these are brand new and there is no plan to update them as we already think they are the most up to date 10th C. Byzantine models in any scale!

We we absolutely provide a starter army as soon as we know what is in it.

By the way the models are now for sale. There are images of lots of them, though not all. Anyway, the images that are there give a good impression of the ones that aren't. My favorite model in the whole line is the cavalry unit commander, followed closely by the archers of the spear units (I love those guys to death -- all they are missing are thompson submachine guns!).

All the best,
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com

Omar · Post by **Omar** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 2:20 am

khurasan_miniatures wrote:Not sure I follow your first point on updating the models -- these are brand new and there is no plan to update them as we already think they are the most up to date 10th C. Byzantine models in any scale!

We we absolutely provide a starter army as soon as we know what is in it.

By the way the models are now for sale. There are images of lots of them, though not all. Anyway, the images that are there give a good impression of the ones that aren't. My favorite model in the whole line is the cavalry unit commander, followed closely by the archers of the spear units (I love those guys to death -- all they are missing are thompson submachine guns!).

All the best,
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com

My mistake. These do appear to be updated per the new(er) book on Byzantine infantry by Dr. Dawson. I was under the impression that they were made using the older Opsrey book on Byzantine troops. The cav look to be the older style, but the infantry do look newer.

Very glad to see that, I can barely wait to get the book so I can put together a force.

I am wondering though, how many models come in the packs? I see (X2) by some of them, is that 2 models for the price listed?

khurasan_miniatures · Post by **khurasan_miniatures** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:02 am

Omar wrote:The cav look to be the older style, but the infantry do look newer.

I am wondering though, how many models come in the packs? I see (X2) by some of them, is that 2 models for the price listed?

There's nothing wrong with the depiction of the cavalry in traditional sources, as far as I have been able to determine. Of course, we now know that kataphractoi did not use small shields and did not all have lances -- they had fluted maces. The models reflect that.

The number after the x is the number of men in the pack.

All the best,
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com

MarkSieber · Post by **MarkSieber** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:27 am

I'm in the process of re-basing and repairing a Nikephorian army I painted more years ago than seems possible, while waiting for the U.S. release of the book (it's on order at Amazon.) Will there be any stand-alone MF Bow BGs?
Thanks.

Omar · Post by **Omar** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:41 am

khurasan_miniatures wrote:There's nothing wrong with the depiction of the cavalry in traditional sources, as far as I have been able to determine. Of course, we now know that kataphractoi did not use small shields and did not all have lances -- they had fluted maces. The models reflect that.

The number after the x is the number of men in the pack.

All the best,
http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com

I was under the impression that by this time the horses no longer had the full body lamellar. I could be mistaken though, I tend to focus on the infantry.

Prices seem a little high compared to Essex?

nikgaukroger · Post by **nikgaukroger** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:52 am

Katafraktoi had full horse armour, although I seem to recall that non-metallic armour is actually mentioned in the Praecepta but I wouldn'd rule out metal.

frederic · Post by **frederic** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:03 am

Omar wrote:
Prices seem a little high compared to Essex?

I share the same opinion than you but Xyston are expensive too, £3,25 for 8 infantry when Essex is only £2,06.
For US customers, a 16 infantry BG cost
- $11.96 at Khurasan,
- $10,98 for Xyston at Warweb (current promo $9.88),
- $9.18 for Essex at WargamesMini,
- $6 at Old Glory.

It seems big companies as Essex or Old Glory could purchase their metal cheaper than the small ones.
And as their mould are already "paid" from a long time, they could make smaller prices.
Khurasan being a small and new company couldn't compete in terms of prices, but that's a good point it competes with new ranges.
Good luck to Khurasan Miniatures