Warlord Games Landsknecht Command and Pike Blocks

Finished up the command figures for the Landsknecht pike units. Adding a drummer, flag bearer, leader, and either a two-handed swordsman or halberdier, was able to flesh out enough for six 30-man pike units. These should be enough for a core Landsknecht force - although one of the units is the Black Band that served the French. I drilled out the hands of the standard bearers and replaced the poles with plastic broom bristles. This way the flags can be held up higher as the way the ones molded into the hands were a bit low, and some of the larger flags didn't even fit on them.

There are a few more figures left from the Start Army box, including the metal command figures, but will next start on a box of Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors.

Glad to have these done, and happy with how they turned out. Also, nice to have them individually based so not only can the command figures be moved around, but also the rank and file guys too. Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all the best.

The Black Band - Warlord Games Landsknechts

Here's the band, together for one last gig, led by a leader wielding a Flammenschwert, drummer, and flag bearer that are 3D prints from ebay. The prints match up well with the Warlord Games figures; in fact, the drummer has a headswap from Warlord Games.

Even though I tried to give them an overall look with black clothing, it appears as much red was also used. White was also used, somewhat sparingly, to give them a bit of splash.

Next in the paint queue are the command figures for the rest of the pike units.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen

 Finished basing the 70 new pikemen.

There are about 50 or so more figures to go - the Black Band and command figures. Once the command figures are done, they'll be added to the pike blocks - which should end up with six 30-man units.

After spraying the figures with a flat finish, gave the faces and hands a flesh wash, and highlighted the plumes and metal areas. Since they're based as singles, I can always go back to touch the figures if needed in the future (but doubt that I will).

Four 30-man pike units so far. Of course, the renegade Black Band will not be part of Imperial army.

I may someday add Foundry or Warlord Games metal figures in advancing poses to the front ranks.

Thanks for checking out the blog, and wishing you all the best.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen - WIP +1

Finished staining 70 of the pikemen. The other 26 will be painted as the Black Band, so wanted to do them separately.

(Pike) block-painted prior to staining.

Besides the Black Band, need to finish the command figures. After these, have two bags of Old Glory Swiss Pikemen to paint up. Go them from a local store on sale for less than $1 a figures. Also have a box each of Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors and Renaissance Heavy Cavalry inbound from ebay. Thanks again for checking out the blog - wishing you all the best.

Started on a Starter Army - Landsknechts

Started on the pikemen, and as ? and the Mysterians said, there's gonna be 96...pikemen, not tears though. So far, painted up the pikes, armor, shoes, flesh/hair, and hats.

The command figures will be next - then the Zweihänders, and finally the arquebusiers. Oh, almost forgot, there's a light gun and crew too. 

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen and Arquebusiers

Finished up the pikemen and missile troops. There are now two 30-man pike units. The army starter box will add four more units if I add command and a few Zweihänders to the front ranks. I may also try to use left over Perry WotR halberd arms to a few for the front ranks too.

When I made the movement trays, I had WHFB in mind, but since the figures are based as singles, units can be formed for other scenarios/rules as needed.

I only added a few highlights after the Minwax stain - mostly white areas, plumes, and metal areas.

Pictured below are the two pike units, so far. Plan to paint up a unit as the Black Band - which should make colors choices a lot easier.

Thanks again for your kind visits and wishing you all the best.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen and Handgunners - WIP

Just Minwax stained the boxes of pikemen and handgunners. Also, got a starter army box too. Should end up with five or six 30-man pike units; depending on adding enough command figures to each unit.

And as usual, here a picture below of how they looked prior to the staining.

To simplify selection of colors, WHFB Empire colors were used. Plan to start on the pikemen from the starter box next. Until next time, wishing you all the very best.

More Warlord Games Landsknechts And Other News

Started on a box each of pikemen and missile troops. I swapped some of the bodies between the two sets, and also used a few helmeted heads from Perry Wars of the Roses sets. Both boxes come with 30 figures each, but I'm only painting up 24 of the missile troops as arquebusiers for now - two 12-man units. I'm thinking I should've just gotten the Landsknecht Army Starter set instead of the 3 boxes so far. We'll see how that goes - I may indeed get the starter set eventually.

On a more somber note, a longtime friend and fellow blogger passed away this past weekend. I think some of you may have known of him, David Sullivan, and his blog, "I Live With Cats". He was diagnosed with terminal (inoperable) pancreatic cancer in May of last year. He managed to game up until January. I regret not attending the game day he was at - if I'd known he'd be there I would've made sure to see him. As you may be able to tell from his blog posts, he was quite an accomplished painter, gamer, and all around great person. He was a mainstay in our local gaming community, and will be dearly missed. Here's a link to his blog - his last post was from July of last year.   https://ilivewithcats.blogspot.com/

A Few More Warlord Games Landsknechts

Besides the officer in full plate armor, the rest of the figures are from a Wargames Illustrated free sprue my buddy gave me a while ago. One has been converted to a drummer using the drum and arms from the pikemen kit.

I again, shamelessly, used color schemes from the Warhammer Fantasy Empire.

Also painted up a GW Powder Monkey that I've had for years; it came with their handgunner set. Plan to add him to the crows nest on a landship.

Just a quick project while waiting on a couple more boxes of Warlord Games Landsknechts - one each of pikemen and handgunners.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen Based

Finished basing them today using GW style 20mm squares so that they can match my other Empire figures. 

The new Warhammer Old World system has these type of troops on 25mm squares now, but I don't plan on using those rules, and I like the look of them on 20mm squares better.

The box is a pretty good set as you get 30 pikemen along with an officer in full plate armor as well as a drum and arms for a drummer. Haven't painted the officer yet, but it is a nice figure in the so-called Maximillian style armor

It's nice to have them based as singles so the can be formed up in different configurations.

Pictured below, they're protected on their front and flanks by GW Greatswords that I painted some years ago. The GW figures are a bit larger, but since they'll be in separate formations it'll be okay.

And finally a comparison shot with the Warlord figures flanking the earlier painted Perry pikemen. The figures and pikes are very similar in size.

I may get another box (or more) of these figures in the future. Until next time, thanks again for stopping by and hope you're all doing well.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen - WIP +1

 Stained the figures with Minwax, being careful to blot off excesses from the cuts/slashed on the clothing.

Below, block painted, prior to staining.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen - WIP

Just a quick update to show you all what I'm working on. Started block-painting the figures using references in old Warhammer Empire books for inspiration. About half are done, so far. They'll get the usual Minwax stain treatment once the initial painting is done. Hopefully, the stain won't overly obscure the details - particularly the cuts and slashes on the clothing. Interestingly, the pikes (and figures for the most part) match up very well with the Perry Mercenary ones. I may someday get a box of each and see if their heads and arms can be interchanged.

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best.