New Saga Warbands/Miniature Choice

[Darkoath]

I just ordered my Saga ruleset from Architects of War. I've decided to do a Viking and a Saxon warband.  First I will paint 4 point warbands then expand to 6 point warbands.  I have been looking at Artizan, Black Tree, Gripping Beast, Foundry, Newline Designs, Crusader, and Renegade miniatures.  All make both Vikings and Saxons in 28mm except Renegade who seem to only offer Saxons right now.
In skirmish style games I prefer to not have any duplicate figures.  What is your opinion about how these different miniatures will mix? I'm not as concerned about a slight difference in size since people vary quite a bit in height in real life.  Do you think the sculpting styles of these companies will mix well?  Also I have been looking at the Warlord and Wargames Factory plastics for Vikings and Saxons.  How do these mix?  I prefer metals over plastic though to be honest.  Also I've decided to use Little Big Man shield transfers and would really like to try and use the same style shields and spears.  Which shields would you recommend?  My thought is that by using the same companies shields and the same spears that it will also help to blend the different manufacturer's miniatures better.

Also is anyone playing Saga or M&T in the Southern California area?

Thanks!

David

[Dewbakuk]

Well, Artizan and Crusader were designed to go together by the sculptors and actually use the same shields already. They tend to be a little bigger than Gripping Beast but should fit well with the non 'special character' Foundry sculpts. I would expect Renegade to be bigger and Newline to be smaller.

[abu iskander]

My Vikings and Skraelings are GB, my Normans are a mix of GB and Conquest, and my Saxons are Crusader.  They all match well with respect to size, though the styles differ somewhat.  They mix just fine, IMO.

[aircav]

They all go together ok, the GB plastics are the smallest but the metals work ok

here's a pic with Foundry, Artizan, Crusader, Black Tree & GB

[LeadAsbestos]

Crusader are considerably smaller than GB.

[aircav]

Crusader are considerably smaller than GB.

I wouldn't have said so, there is 3 crusader in the unit at the front of the picture I posted & one foundry figure & directly behind them in the Levy on the right is a GB figure 7 they match perfectly.

The smallest figures that I've seen are the GB plastics

[LeadAsbestos]

My GB Scots tower over the Crusader Irish that play the role of levy skirmishers in my Scots warband. Easily a head taller and far bigger build.

[aircav]

My GB Scots tower over the Crusader Irish that play the role of levy skirmishers in my Scots warband. Easily a head taller and far bigger build.

Ahh..... well you see there's your problem, your mixing different breeds, where as mine are all Vikingr 

[Billythefish]

I've just started out to and I bought wargames foundry saxons (not the high fantasy types) albeit unpainted second hand as their crazy expensive from foundry new with some Crusader miniatures thrown in who will be the mainstay as their more affordable. Mix perfectly those two in my opinion.

Artizan I am now going to give a look after reading the above because I like variety as well!

Anybody know if conquest games normans mix with the above as for mounted troops their my favourite option their certainly alot more affordable and look canny nice for plastics.

A fine choice on period and rule sets by the way!

[fastolfrus]

My GB Scots tower over the Crusader Irish that play the role of levy skirmishers in my Scots warband. Easily a head taller and far bigger build.

That's down to the difference in diet.
Healthy haggis and porridge vs the notorious Ulster fry :~}

[Mitch K]

Renegade are pretty big, very broad, and have absolutely massive hands.

I did this a while back. Dunno if it helps or not, but here you go:
http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/size-comparisons-saxons.html



Left to right, Black Tree, Renegade, GB, Crusader

[Darkoath]

Thanks everyone for the responses...

Keith you warband looks fantastic... always enjoy whatever you paint!

Thanks for the size comparison... looks like I can mix and match.  Also
discovered Musketeers early Saxons... they are very nice too!

Darkoath

[carlos marighela]

Don't discount the Eureka Beowulf range for added variety.