Please note: I do know that there are 12 stands of Landsknechts in this unit - I'm in the process of painting up the 72 Swiss replacement figures.
So, which do you think is better, looks better, etc?
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Which looks better?
At Cerignola there were about three and a half thousand Swiss pikemen. I'm currently planning on re-fighting this battle at a figure scale of about 1:20. This gives, using nice round numbers, 180 Swiss pike figures (30 stands of 6). That is a lot of figures to deploy as a block, and far more than I'm used to - so which of the following looks better?
Please note: I do know that there are 12 stands of Landsknechts in this unit - I'm in the process of painting up the 72 Swiss replacement figures.
The two shots above show them deployed in 6 ranks of 30 files - I'll call this "Linear".
The two shots above show them deployed in 10 ranks of 18 files. I'll call this "Square".
So, which do you think is better, looks better, etc?
Please note: I do know that there are 12 stands of Landsknechts in this unit - I'm in the process of painting up the 72 Swiss replacement figures.
So, which do you think is better, looks better, etc?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
29 comments:
Wow! Those look the business. I know absolutely nothing about the era but I prefer the 'linear' formation.
It's difficult to tell... Both blocks look like an fearsome mass of pikes. But I prefer the second one. It looks even more unbreakable to me.
Anyway great paint job however you'll arrange them!
Cheers
Monty
I love a long battle line so the "Linear" formation gets my vote. Great looking figs all the same.
I like the deep one.
Linear looks better. Still looks "deep", but far more sprawling.
I think the square formation looks much better. The classic tactic of the vorhut was to use a deeper formation to punch through a more linear enemy formation. I remember reading somewhere they would deliberately aim for the opposing commanders flags as they looked where to smash into the opposing side.
Linear for me.
Wow, they look great. I'd go for the second option, Pikes in a block
Square, it provides more punch and staying power. Similar to the Swiss pike blocks we deployed at Vapa
I think the deeper formation would be more accurate. The Swiss pike formations were noted for being quite rapid and linear formations don't lend themselves to this. The need to keep the integrity of the formation would be paramount: disordered pike units are just a mob of men with long poles!
;O)
"Square" looks better, and in my opinion has more resemblance to how the pikes deployed.
"Square" looks better, and in my opinion has more resemblance to how the pikes deployed.
Going to go for the 'square' formation myself.
Think it looks more like the real thing. Like what Oli says :-) punchier.
The deeper formation looks more unyielding and it still looks wide enough to have good frontage. It gives the appearance of a solid square that will roll through the enemy ranks. So, the deeper gets my vote.
Christopher
I prefer the square, it looks more like a proper kiel.
But the question to ask is this: did the Swiss in the 16th century use a deep kiel or a linear phalanx?
The answer to that is the proper answer to your connundrum.
Even for a pike block, the Deep looks too deep for me - 6 ranks deep seems like plenty. If the actual formation were 30 men deep (and that's perhaps a bit dubious by the 1500's), it would be 120 men wide.
To each their own. of course!
First of all, "WOW!" I love the layout. I would go with the square formation. Looks more menacing and allows you to place more units into the area.
The deep square formation looks like a pike block....awesome !!
Fantastic looking pikes, fabulous!
Phil.
Either!!Fantastic.. :o)
I think the Square formation looks better out of the two. Far more menacing!
Another vote for the 'Square' formation. It looks unstoppable.
'Square' all the way. All contemporary illustrations show quite vast square (or rectangular by depth) formations of pikes.
Second one for me - says a might of power and one that would be immovable if pushed against
James,
[]
Respectfully,
Gunny
It's a difficult one, because they look astounding either way, but I think I'd have to go with Square too.
Linear looks superb but the square gets my vote for your re-enactment.
Jim.
I have to say square, it looks more true to life.
Square/deep formation for me. They really look terrifying.
AndI always like your eye candy
Post a Comment