From the workbench of the esteemed Horati0nosebl0wer

I had a discussion at my FLGS about making armies as I’m getting people into SAGA. The conversation started with how one of my friends might build his.

He thought of what models he had available and where he could go in terms of following with the warbands as given. I promoted the idea of setting that aside and create a head canon motif/story to what army the figures would fit. He addressed the problem as story craft to give models a place in his army unit by unit. Now, only later, can I give a better analogy of the approach method we both took. He was fitting square peg figures into a round hole of warband ideas. I was modeling an army idea around a warband form. In terms of hobby he was kitbashing and I was scratchbuilding/sculpting.

During our discussion I expressed how I was having problems with trying to get suitable figures for an early Hebrew army. To build from what was generally sold, it was difficult for me, to read them as anything more than Bronze Age peasants. Historically I gathered that was indeed the case as there was no formal military industry in place. Taking my general stance it really seemed pretty dull when compared to other peoples of the time/place which featured armor and notable weapons.

The pure historical would be fine for an Ancients game but not really inspired on a fantasy table. To have more re-creation versus simulation makes me think of the difference in Robin Hood as played by Errol Flynn versus Kevin Costner. Both fill the same role but visually they affect the viewer differently. With the inclusion of magic and monsters I want more Flynn. It isn’t as crunchy and granular to the exact texture of linen and homespun fabric or dirt under the fingernails. I don’t want the credibility so watered down as to be comical. I’ll keep checking on how I feel about figures.