Slitherine

I have Xyston Macedonian Pikemen packs that contain two different models and this results in the attached pike being at different angles depending on the model.

For asthetic reasons should I try to use the same figures on each base so that the pikes are uniform, or just mix them about? Or is there more in life to worry about

Thanks

John

I think whatever you prefer. If the castings allow there would be some artistic merit in having the front ranks with the pikes sloped forward and the back ranks with the pikes upright.

John,

I thought all Xyston pikes were vertical? All mine are. Anyhow I'll bring some in to work on monday then you can have a look.

Cheers

Mike

I just finished a pike block and tried to mix them a bit for that "realistic" look. Now, I wish I had not. I think they would look much better (and prob. more realistic) if I had kept them all at the same angle on each base.

My two cents,
GG

Mike,

They are all vertical but the base and hand positions are such that the top of the pikes are maybe 5 mm out of alignment between the two variants. And, as you know, 5mm can make quite a difference

The Xyston models are nice, but seem to have variable attention to packing detail. In particular I'm going to have to return 14 out of 48 Unarmoured Macedonian Pikemen as they are either armless or are aspiring Hoplite Spearmen! In general though they are lovely models.

The LittleBigMen transfers have also arrived and are fantastic!


John

I've been painting my Xyston Macedonian army for a few years now, on and off, and it's nearly finished .
I like to mix different models in whatever regiments and bases I am making. So I have generally mixed each pike base with 2 of each different models. My earliest bases have some funny pike angles. I fixed this by not always gluing the bottom of the pike to the base of the figure. This allows me to make all the pikes straight up.....well more or less.
The other problem with the models is that one of them faces away from his shield. At first I tried to make all of the figures face forward, but I now think they look better with their shields facing forward.
As for the packing and casting at Xyston I have to agree with a previous poster, that they are pretty variable, which lets them down. However I have phoned or emailed and they have so far replaced the missing ones without any problem.
The models however are top notch when cast right. The company though seems to be struggling to move forward. I will continue buying their figures, but I just hope they can get it together and start finishing the ranges they have and get a consistent good quality back into their casting.

I have pictures here http://littlearmies.pbwiki.com/Macedonians of my macedonians which illustrate what I have written.....I think!

Will

Fabulous models, they will be a great help to me!

Thanks

John

johnnyW wrote:Mike,

They are all vertical but the base and hand positions are such that the top of the pikes are maybe 5 mm out of alignment between the two variants. And, as you know, 5mm can make quite a difference

The Xyston models are nice, but seem to have variable attention to packing detail. In particular I'm going to have to return 14 out of 48 Unarmoured Macedonian Pikemen as they are either armless or are aspiring Hoplite Spearmen! In general though they are lovely models.

The LittleBigMen transfers have also arrived and are fantastic!


John

I think the pike positioning is a personal preference. I like mine slightly out of alignment because I just don't think everyone would have them perfectly aligned but uniformity also looks good. Depends on what you like.
As far as Xyston quality I must be lucky because I have bought 128 pike and only had one bad figure. From the cavalry, slingers, archers, peltasts, etc. I bought I have found no bad figures. I wonder if the fact that they are becoming so popular that they are maybe rushing things now and quality is suffering.

I phoned Xyston yesterday and they're replacing the models. Very good and friendly service!

John