Buying models for a new warband

[Tanzwut]

Hi there,

I have known about frostgrave since it came out but only starting to think about putting a warband or two together.  I am thinking of putting an order in from a company in the states.  Therefore I'd like to get most models for the progression of my warband.  I am not stuck on a wizard type, so looking for a nice general list of numbers per unit type.  Any input would be much appreciated.

Sorry if this has been asked before, did a bit of searching and going back in thread history but never came across anything fitting this question. 

Cheers

[Jennifer]

I'm in the states (US), and I placed an order from Annie in the UK  There seams to be a lack of warbands here in the USA -- much more offerings from the UK.

For the soldiers I got:

Official Frostgrave Soldiers Box Kit (20 quid):
http://thedicebaglady.net/frostgrave-solider-box-set-of-20-troops/

and a special only Annie offers:  50/50 mix of Gripping Beast Viking Hirdmen & Gripping Beast Dark Age Warriors  (23 quid):
http://thedicebaglady.net/6-point-plastic-warband/

Vikings are great for the chain mail since Frostgrave Soldiers box kit doesn't have any chainmail bodies -- Marksmen, Knight & Templar call for chainmail armor.

However, virtually all the viking heads (but 1) have helms.  This is wear the Dark Age Warrior mix comes handy:  many heads without helms.  Also you get cloth armor.  The GBP stuff is very interchangeable.  I've even heard you can make kit bashing across brands work with special care.

These two kits combined give me about 60 very customizable soldiers.  Can't wait to get it.. will be here soon.

[Tanzwut]

Yeah there is a lot of options from the UK.  I am looking to build a themed warband out of the critter kingdom models (http://www.darkswordminiatures.com/shop/index.php/miniatures/visions-in-fantasy-critters.html?limit=all), gonna make a nice change from the grim dark 40k I have been painting for a while.  So was hoping for and idea of how many models per each class like thugs, thief, etc... is good to order, so I am not going back and ordering again once the warband has progressed.

Those models you suggested will prob make my second warband, as that will be done on the cheap compared to this one.

Cheers

[Jennifer]

Yeah there is a lot of options from the UK.  I am looking to build a themed warband out of the critter kingdom models (http://www.darkswordminiatures.com/shop/index.php/miniatures/visions-in-fantasy-critters.html?limit=all), gonna make a nice change from the grim dark 40k I have been painting for a while.  So was hoping for and idea of how many models per each class like thugs, thief, etc... is good to order, so I am not going back and ordering again once the warband has progressed.

Those models you suggested will prob make my second warband, as that will be done on the cheap compared to this one.

Cheers

I understand now--I apologize. Those critters you linked look awesome!

I bought a set of Mousling Heroes along with 6 other matching mice from REaper a couple months back -- 16 mice total. The sculpts are great, but they are so tiny, so I didn't bother to paint them; I guess I am going to end up selling them.  Going for taller, easier to see and paint minis.  Hopefully the critters you linked aren't as tiny as these reaper mice -- they look like they might be taller.

[tyrionhalfman]

Most initial warbands will want the extra numbers rather than more expensive troops which is where your thugs and thieves come in. Most people take a few missile troops too.

Then upgrade as the campaign progresses.

At this point it all depends what direction you want your warband to take. Missile troops like a ranger band, armoured knights and Templars like a military order force or a mixture of the two. The possibilities are endless. Some specialists are not about combat like the apothecary with their healing potion or the mule to carry extra items to exchange with others when needed, so it depends what you need at different stages in a campaign.

You're going to want some cheap troops initially, some '50s' for the first upgrades and then whichever '100s' suit your taste.

Hope that helps

[Tanzwut]

Cheers for the reply and is helpful, but think I might not have been totally clear in what I was asking.  I am wondering how many models should you aim to have to give you some freedom as you expand.  So what is a good order to put in.

From what I am seeing:
Thugs - 3-4 models a good starting count.
Thieves - 3-4 too (some could double up as treasure hunters)
Archer - 2 (can double as ranger)
Crossbow - 1-2 (can double as marksmen)
Infantry - 3-4 (some could double as Templar/barbarian)
Men at arms - 3-4 (some could double up to be knights)
Tracker - 1
Apoth - 1
Hounds - 1-2

Are these good numbers to allow a decent range of freedom to play test warband composition and some options in terms for initial progression.  I am ordering my warband from the states so want to have some initial variability before I order more.  I know this is down to personal preference, but looking for a decent cover all ground/generalist number count).

Cheers

[Ingmar]

If your aim is a balanced collection let me introduce my undead warband. I constructed it with your basic idea in mind, adding to that with the idea that I could use them as NPC's in the Revenge of the Lich Lord Scenarios and the random encounters table. I added the following:

1 Lich
1 Necromancer
4 Cultists
2 Wights
1 Undead Dire Wolf
1 Mummy

The lich can be used as wizard and as liche lord/wraith stand in
The Necromancer can be used as wizard, apprentice, apothecary
The Cultists can be thugs, thieves, treasure hunters or cultists
The Wights can be used as Knights, Infantry Men, Men at Arms, Wraith Knights, Armoured Skeletons, Skeletons
The Dire Wolf can be used as War Hound, Bear, Animal Companion, Undead version of the previous)
The Mummy can be a zombie, a wraith, a skeleton, a liche, a light/medium construct

Ergo; you are better of with general types than strict classes. What I mean is, if you want a warband to test stuff:
Do something like the following:

2 Spellcaster types
4 Light armour types (non ranged)
4 Light armour types (ranged)
4 Armoured types
2 Beasts
2 Constructs/demons/summoned things

Those last 2 types can (and should) be anything. I added a Sabre Tusk to my druid warband because I knew I could use it as a hound, leopard or a bear

That should give you all you need to test variety

[Tanzwut]

Thanks for the input, especially for NPC stuff. 

[GumbaFish]

I found that after a few games I very quickly replaced or upgraded many of my troops.  It honestly might be worth playing 2 or 3 games with proxy miniatures and then purchasing your warband when your roster is more solidified.  I "upgraded" several of my thugs etc... to treasure hunters but depending on the models it might be more difficult to do so.  Just a thought so you don't buy a bunch of miniatures you only use for a game or two before upgrading to a different soldier type.