Charging into the Dark Ages.... Midgard Style

[TheKing30]

Well, how to begin......

I attended Historicon and a good friend of mine (Patrick Berkebile) put on an amazing Agincourt game using Midgard rules.  The rules played smooth and everyone there had a blast.  Then I saw the author and Raglan played a wonderful game on You Tube.  So I decided to set a goal for myself...

Historicon 2026 I want to put on two battles...  Battle of Fulford and Battle of Stamford Bridge - using Midgard.

Each side will have roughly 100 figures (give or take a few).

To help keep myself on track, I'm going to use this thread to give everyone updates.  So far....

I've decided that for rank and file - I'm going to use Victrix.  Nice figures with great personality.
For Leaders I'm going with Footsore.  Since Footsore are slightly smaller, I'm going to use double bases on them to prop the figures up a bit.

I've purchased the rules (you need those if you're going to play)
I dug out my Vikings. 
I backed the Viking Kickstarter from Footsore and I have the Vikings and Rus from Victrix.

For Saxons I purchased the Victrix Harthgard, Late Saxon Armored Warriors and Unarmored Saxon Warriors.  I have a few Footsore Welsh that I'm going to throw in there.

Tomorrow I'm going to get foam trays to store everything.  During the week I'm going to start to assemble the figures, prime the figures and start painting.

Next post I'm going to share the army lists.

Let me know what you think.

Until next time, happy painting.

[Rick]

The battle of Stamford bridge might be trickier as the Vikings had left their armour at the boats (it was a hot day and they weren't expecting Harold to turn up). Viking reinforcements from the boats were exhausted having run the full distance in hot armour and weapons - some accounts mention them keeling over without even taking a hit. A few special rules may be in order if you feel so inclined.

[TheKing30]

Thank you for your response!

I read the same thing with Stamford Bridge...  I have an idea of what I'm going to do with the Vikings....  more to come.

[Ran The Cid]

I'm looking forward to how your project progresses.  I'm planning something similar for Little Wars 2026 (Chicago). 

Battle of Fulford with about 400 points per side (6 players).
Battle of the North - the same Saxon/Viking forces with Giants and Dragons added as a more fantastic battle.  500+ points and 8 players.

I'm about 2/3 of the way through the armies - you can see progress under my "Ran's Nordic Adventures" topic.

[pixelgeek]

Sounds like a fun project. Keep us posted!

[TheKing30]

Thanks to both of you for responding.  It’s encouraging to see that other people are interested.   That’ll keep me motivated for sure. 

I have the lists for both Vikings and Saxons.  Now I just have to see how they work out point wise.  Also starting to base the metal figures and assembling the plastic figures.

More to follow!!

[TheKing30]

I had to chuckle...

There is one guy in our group that prefers to play with women figures.  If it's Necromunda, he plays Escher.  He's also kit bashed his own women for his various armies.  I was wondering how we can get him to commit to playing Midgard..

I was basing my Vikings that I got from the Footsore Kickstarter.  I noticed that some of the figures didn't have beards and seemed rather slender.  Then I noticed they had slight breasts.  I must have ordered Shieldmaidens with the Kickstarter. 

I'm sure if I get the Shieldmadiens painted first, he'll play.  Problem solved!!

[Rick]

Sure - Norse shieldmaidens, late Skythian Amazons, the Lady of Mercia and Saxon women defending their homes. If you squint a little there are always opportunities to field units of women, should you wish to. Annie Norman at Bad Squiddo has quite a range of historical and fantasy miniatures.

[anton ryzbak]

Stamford Bridge could start with a Legendary Hero Viking defending the bridge with a Legendary Weapon and a couple of good Traits. He would delay the Saxons for a few turns. Then you could lower the armor to 2 for the Vikings that were in shirtsleeves and give the Vikings running in from the boats a fatigue hit (or roll a D4 as they arrive) to reflect their exhasution.

[TheKing30]

Excellent idea!  Thank you.

It's apparent that I'm going to have to adjust the saves for the lack of armor and also adjust for the reinforcements being exhausted.

I'm going to have to give this a through play testing.

Thanks!

[TheKing30]

Just a quick update..  Since I'm using a combo of Victrix and Footsore..  I have to assemble the Victrix.  So far, 68 Vikings are done and ready for paint.  When I hit the hundred mark, I'll start assembling the Saxons.  I'll be running play testing while I'm painting...

More to come!!

[TheKing30]

I'm looking for a book that speaks on Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings.  Something a bit deeper than an Osprey book - but not too deep.  I'm looking at 1066 A guide to battles and campaigns by Michael Livingston. 

Any other suggestions? 

[Schlaumeier]

1066 The battles of York, Stamford Bridge & Hastings.
By Peter Marren.
Might be an option.

[TheKing30]

I'll take a look at that...  Thank you

[TheKing30]

1066 The battles of York, Stamford Bridge & Hastings.
By Peter Marren.
Might be an option.

Update - Thank you for the recommendation.  Bought the book on my Kindle and so far, it's a fantastic read.  Just what I needed.