My New Army - Iberians, 15mm - Heavy Cavalry

[Melnibonean]

I wanted a new ancient project/army and after long deliberation I decided on Spanish. I then had to make a second decision and settled on Iberians. I put in a order to Xyston and after waiting for a long while due to this new fangled plague, that somehow affects mail services, they finally got to me half way around the world. Here's my first lot.

But, I'm not sure I like the basing. In fact, I'm considering rebasing all of my ancients because I'm sick of those fiddly 40x20mm bases. Any suggestions welcome.

More details on my blog at: https://this28mmlife.blogspot.com/2020/11/its-iberian-thing.html

[OB]

They look good. 

I agree about the bases.  Almost all my ancient infantry were once based like that and somehow it didn't satisfy.  I shifted to 30x30mm bases and I like that better.

[mellis1644]

ADLG uses 40 x 40 or 40 x 30 bases for all but foot skirmish and warwagons - the old DBx basing still works but that removes a lot of the fiddly small bases.

[Burnin Coal]

I have never delved into 15mm but have always greatly admired them when well painted....yours look very impressive indeed - lovely job....cannot comment on the base size other than to say that IMHO 15mm lends itself to having more figures on bigger bases...I look forward to seeing more

[rumacara]

Very well painted.

[Melnibonean]

Thanks for the positive comments folks.
ABout basing: I'm thinking more towards Impetus bases but I'm unsure how to go about it. Does anyone have any advice?

[madaxeman]

Thanks for the positive comments folks.
ABout basing: I'm thinking more towards Impetus bases but I'm unsure how to go about it. Does anyone have any advice?

40x40 is a good half-way house. You will only need to move 2 of them together for a 'virtual' Impetus base, but as another poster says you can still play DBx-format games perfectly well - and there are very many systems that use a 40mm frontage.

At 40mm the extra depth means you don't have to (effectively) pose the figures in 2 ranks, which makes a big difference as well   

[meninobesta]

40x40 is a good half-way house. You will only need to move 2 of them together for a 'virtual' Impetus base, but as another poster says you can still play DBx-format games perfectly well - and there are very many systems that use a 40mm frontage.

At 40mm the extra depth means you don't have to (effectively) pose the figures in 2 ranks, which makes a big difference as well

I also agree,
latelly I have been basing my 15mm like this, for DBx style wargames (Triumph) and even using this method for playing SAGA in 15mm
and I do the folling for all periods:
* 6 infantry/3 horse per base for formed units
* 3 infantry/2 horse for light/irregular units
* 1 miniature for charriots, artillery or monsters

PS: nice painting, by the way

[Mad Doc Morris]

First off, a great looking, colourful bunch you have there. Off to a good start!

ABout basing: I'm thinking more towards Impetus bases but I'm unsure how to go about it. Does anyone have any advice?

Base sizes for (Basic) Impetus are listed here: http://www.dadiepiombo.it/basingimp.html
As you can see, officially you'd need four DBA infantry bases to make up one for Impetus. Some time ago I painted two 15mm Medieval armies and based them accordingly. Main advantage of larger basing to me is the posability of individual figures. Two ranks make any group of minis look like a unit. You even can get the impression of irregular shaped mobs in dense formations common to most premodern armies, i. e. before the rise of dedicated light infantry tactics. However, in the end I found Impetus bases too large and cumbersome for my liking. Thus I'd recommend to simply use deeper DBA bases in order to break up the boring single lines of miniatures. Of course, all due to gentlemen's agreement and your determination to stick with official measurements (e. g. for tournament play).

[Frostie]

Very nice

I base all my new ancients in the Imputvs style, 80mm frontage.  The look is great, i feel.

[Melnibonean]

Thanks guys. Plenty of advice here. I'm keen to try Imptvs basing but I'm still not sure how to do it effectively. I have some more Iberians almost ready so I'll experiment with them and see how I go.

[wmyers]

I disagree, the shields are something special.  Well done!

[Melnibonean]

After a bit of thinking and reading other peoples comments I decided to try out the larger Impetus style of basing. It looks okay and it has saved me a few figures because I can use less figures per base. More importantly - Less figures means less painting, means getting them on the table quicker. it's a win all 'round.

My blog: https://this28mmlife.blogspot.com/2020/11/more-iberians-alternative-basing.html

[duivelindoosje]

nice paint job

[Ray Rivers]

Excellent looking army! 

Well done!