Starting a new Saga army: Moors of Andalusian Spain (a return to LAF...)

[mikedemana]

The first eight spearmen in my new army -- the Moors of Andalusian Spain!

Hi everyone! I've begun a new painting project with the goal of fielding my first army from the Saga Age of Crusades supplement book. I went back and forth for awhile before deciding on the Moors. My figures will be mostly Foundry (or at least I think they are Foundry -- I bought them from a local guy a flea market). I chose the Moors because it is an amazing and very interesting civilization -- very urbane, sophisticated, and tolerant. I also liked its "battle board" the best from the Crusades book.


Check out my blog for lots more photos and discussion of painting this army

I haven't really fielded a lot of mounted troops in my Saga armies. Most of figures are Dark Ages Britain, so not a lot of cavalry there in that time period. The Moors can feature quite a bit of mounted troops, so it should be fun to learn how to play them effectively in Saga. One of the things I like about the rules, which are really catching on here in Ohio in the US, is the tactical puzzle each turn provides. You roll your command dice and try to figure out how to squeeze the best out of your army each turn. It's not simply advancing your troops into contact and whoever rolls the best dice winning every time.


The robes would probe to be the most challenging and rewarding part of painting these Foundry figures

Check out the discussion on my blog about the army, the miniatures, and painting the robes and shields. I also talk about how -- prior to painting this batch of eight spearmen -- I felt my painting skills were in a precipitous decline. Read how these have given me a fresh boost of confidence that I am going to need as I undertake painting this incredibly colorful army.

Would love to hear comments -- not only on the painting and miniatures, but also from those who have played the Moors in Saga, or against  them. Thanks in advance for your time!

Mike Demana

[SJWi]

Good morning, very nice. I don't play Saga but have built a 28mm Moorish Army myself for use with "To the Strongest". I think your figures are by "Gripping Beast" not Wargames Foundry. They have quite an extensive range in both metal and plastic. 

[Atheling]

First off, very nice work 

think your figures are by "Gripping Beast" not Wargames Foundry. They have quite an extensive range in both metal and plastic.

Yeah, definitely Gripping Beast.

[OSHIROmodels]

Nice 

[mikedemana]

Thanks for the info, guys! I changed my blog references from Foundry to GB. And thanks for the kind words!

Mike Demana

[happyhiker]

Love the freehand. Much better than mine...

[Aesthete]

I really love the textile patterns you've got going there. It looks really lovely. As I understand it, "the past" tended to be brighter and more colourful than people typically think.

Lovely work.

[syrinx0]

That is some very nice work on the robes.   

[Lt. Hazel]

I always liked the miniatures, and your painting suits them very well!! Nice, vibrant colours and the patterns are beautiful.

[aircav]

Cracking stuff 

[SteveBurt]

I painted up those guys as the Black Guard. Much easier :-)

[OB]

Very impressive work on those robes-they actually look like silk.  Interesting army too.

[mikedemana]

Thanks, everyone! I even went to the store to pick out a few new colors for the next set. Stay tuned!!

Mike Demana

[armchairgeneral]

Excellent painting 

Looking forward to seeing the next batch.

[juergen c. olk]

Very nice Mike..Love the variety.