Knights, Mercenary Crossbowmen, Byzantine Skutatoi and More - Project Update - The First Crusade 08

Welcome to the latest update on my First Crusade project. I have finished off the next batch of units and some scenic elements to include in my games and i wanted to take the time to site down and showcase what i've been up to.
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[@8eos80]

Being a Greek, I can never get bored of looking at Byzantines :P. Great video as always!

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁 I have a few more Byzantines to do including a Strategos 👍

[@Kymfre01]

You never fail to impress with your skill and enthusiasm, yet another stunning project update.

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate it 👍

[@blahblah-hw3xg]

Absolutely amazing! The colours are just stunning - your minis look really realistic without looking overly laboured - can't wait for more! Wondered if we'd get to hear about your WoftRs rules any time soon - even very vague info would be really interesting as you bring a real insight into the period. Was wondering if it will include a random events table or other 'mad event' sort of element - randomness just seems sooo pivotal to the outcomes of most War of the Roses battles what with mists, rains, feuds, illness, betrayals, acts of god e.t.c. Theres something amazing in the back stabbing unpredictability that I think is really missing from a lot of WofR games at the minute. Your projects are a total inspiration and your output and quality is absolutely incredible (also can't wait for the 10mm project ;-)

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy 😁 So the rules are coming along well, been playtesting the core system alot and it seems solid. Now working on adding in all the flavour for the period. In the last game we played my forces were completely turned about by unrelenting arrows which just sewed confusion and stalled my advance on one flank while on the other pushed forward into the melee and a large fight ensued which traveled over the board, as combats shift in this game. The activation system is still in progress as adding in that unpredictability of the period without hampering or railroading can be quite hard 😁

[@andrewwilson4975]

Very nicely done!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 👍 these were all great fun to work on (except sticking the Varangians 😅)

[@Don_Juan89]

God the Scutatoi are perfect. Looking forward seeing to big blobs of them in action!

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much, should be in a battle report soon 😁

[@basement1908]

Everything looks Amazing Martin! You've got a gift my friend. Thank you for sharing 👍

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate that, thank you 👍

[@davidtofer3634]

Great video! I started my gurney three months ago 🙂 A lot of stuff needs to learn. Playing at home with my kids. I think it’s a great way for them to learn history.

[@7thson726]

Absolutely, keeps them engaged as well 😁👍

[@stompie51]

Gorgeous. I really need to paint my Byzantines.

[@7thson726]

They are alot of fun 👍

[@kevinpreston4818]

Brilliant! More Byzantines! Go big or go home!

[@7thson726]

Haha that seems to be the theme here 😅

[@MrElliptific]

Very cool presentation. I am planning a Nikephorian force for DBA in 15mm but it looks like it is a very miniatures hungry army (USD 95 just for raw figures), so I may paint first my gauls or early Hebrews... :)

[@7thson726]

That would look awesome but as you say you'll need alot of figures 👍

[@philRminiatures]

Outstanding work, amazing details on these Crusade figures... SUperb shield transfers and banners as well! 👏👏👍👍

[@7thson726]

Glad you like them 👍😁

[@bloodyswordsvids4463]

All of those figures are well done!

[@7thson726]

Glad you like them 👍

[@paulbenson9015]

Sublime!!! Those Mounted Knights are just beautiful! Love it Martin! Keep goin! Lookin forward to the next Battle report👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks, will do, looking forward to getting them all on the table 👍

[@lionheart3916]

Fantastic update Martin, all of your units look fantastic especially the Byzantine units. I like the idea of your Varangian guards not taking orders from Norman’s and also at this time the Saracens were a loose coalition of different tribes and warlords and they did not trust each other so command and control would be a bit difficult for them also, if you wanted to add that

[@7thson726]

Cheers buddy, that's exactly what I'm thinking, would cause some awesome (frustrating) moments in game 😁

[@paulspaintshed3511]

Very cool mate. Lovely painting all round. Looking forward to the campaign and batreps. As for the Byzantines go big and you can do the wars in Italy as well.

[@7thson726]

Cheers buddy, it's getting there, will have to do a force update at some point soon as well 😁👍

[@holydiver539]

Painting Greeks it never ends Awesome cavalry

[@7thson726]

Greeks only appear in large numbers, usually accompanied by many many spikey sticks. 😁 Glad you like them bud 👍

[@BootsontheTable]

Really nice units as always Martin. Love the Varangian guards especially

[@7thson726]

Cheers dude, bet they are the first unit to break in the next game 😅

[@tabletopsidekick]

Spectacular stuff.

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much 👍

[@Chrisbo123]

Lovely work as usual! The mounted knight you showed first with the open face showing (4:12) really reminds me of the grail knight in Indiana jones. Great touch if done on purpose, awesome coincidence if not!

[@7thson726]

It does, doesn't it, there may have been a quick Google to check a picture haha 👍😁

[@BorninPurple]

Hey, really good paint job! For the varangian guards, I'd recommend the Russian infantry as they come with two handed axes as well and the kit is very similar to Byzantine infantry! Also what gaming systems do you play with these?

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, I'm primarily using Hail Caesar but also plan on using Deus Vult. Thanks for the heads up, I'll check those out 👍

[@thestoicsteve]

These look really great. Not my period but fantastic stuff.

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate it, thanks 👍

[@CullodenPaintingStudio]

Super cool update. Wonderful bright colours and very characterful units.

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy 😁

[@marctitley7020]

Very nice as always.

[@7thson726]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Redmow51]

Fantastic work on the miniatures. I do indeed like them.

[@7thson726]

Glad you like them 👍😁

[@thomasbreed8270]

Absolutely fantastic! I really look forward to your videos and seeing how your projects come to life. I’m am so impressed with the way you create such personality with your figures and how they become woven into the tapestry of your games.

[@7thson726]

I really appreciate that thank you. It's part of the fun of it for me, the more I game the more I want a narrative in there 👍

[@wargameshobby]

Brilliant paint job Martin, as usual. Be great to see them in action. 👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks 👍 once the move is done and all settled in will be straight on it 😁

[@jamiem9490]

love those byzantines. given my pro byzantine leanings i'd say go heavy on them but i suppose if your main emphasis is the first crusade proper you probably only need a smallish contingent (though a separate/follow up campaign where the byzantines follow up the crusade and mop up the isolated turkish garrisons and forces in western anatolia would be cool) I keep thinking early scenarios where either the normans and saxons are trying to kill each other in a suburb of constantinople or a truculent duke is attempting to storm a gate of constantinople would be interesting (i think its the first crusade where there was the odd full on fight between normans and byzantines just outside the walls) - and give your crusaders a run out on the table. I think some of the primary sources talked about the byzantine archers aiming for the normans horses and not the knights to try and dismount them/stop their charge but not kill them (both to avoid killing fellow christians and avoid killing useful if rebellious soldiers - though i could have misinterpreted this) - even when they were occasionally getting full on attacked outside constantinople. i suppose if the normans or varangians get too torn up in the early scenarios that might mean you end up with less for the campaign/later in the crusade?

[@7thson726]

That's a really good idea and would certainly lead to a really interesting scenario. That's my feeling with the Byzantines, have a representative division for now then fill it out later, that would essentially give me 3 forces to game with 👍

[@TheRendar]

Absolutely beautiful work! Can’t wait to see them on the table. Keep up the great content

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy will do 😁👍

[@royb1966]

Inspirational work Martin, very nice indeed 👍🏻

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, sorry for the slow reply, the moving has been a bit manic 👍😁

[@richardbradley2335]

Lovingly done...really gorgeous painting.

[@7thson726]

Really pleased you like it 😁

[@leont66wargaming31]

Great update Martin. Lovely brushwork across all the minis. I can see an army of Orcs using them palisades lol.

[@7thson726]

I can see them in many armies 😅 glad you like the minis dude, you still thinking of getting a printer ?

[@leont66wargaming31]

@@7thson726 yep, still thinking about it lol. I do want to get one. Just can’t afford it right now. How’d the move go?

[@7thson726]

@@leont66wargaming31 still going mate lol 😅 won't be done until start of May, but it does come with a new hobby room, so that's the most important thing haha

[@johnmclennan7425]

Nice work Martin! Those Varangians look to have horrendous mould seams.

[@7thson726]

Yes they do 😁 have tried to hide them as best I can, ah well

[@basileusp5494]

I just saw this video and it is spectacular! I do have a question about the way that you paint the helmets on your knights and Byzantine spearmen. What paints do you use to achieve this effect? I love the look of your helmets. Thanks much!

[@7thson726]

Thank you, I think you emailed me but just in case I'm wrong I'll copy that here 👍😁 I generally paint the helmets with MIG AMMO Metal: Steel, then I use army painter strong tone over them as a wash. Occasionally I'll edge highlights with the Steel again I hope this helps 👍

[@liberator2408]

Fantastic figures and terrain, i'm loving this project mate. I even bought some reconquer figures but not painted any yet 👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks mate, they are great figures, full of character 👍

[@vitofiscale6053]

Very very nice!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 😁👍

[@Thor-Orion]

I’ve just begun working on my own crusader army and Gothic Army, in many ways Pelagius is the first crusader.

[@7thson726]

That sounds awesome, let me know how it progresses,👍

[@vonketteringham]

Great looking project Martin 👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@johnclarke9498]

Fab and best horses ive seen painted 👍Saxons look brill

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it 😁

[@MrGunnar177]

I immensely enjoy these long fort hobby vids! I gotta figure out a camera and get in on the fun. Love your stuff. Your channel convinced me to give HC a try

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, I just prefer putting it all in one longer vid than split across many that way they are all in one place 🙂

[@Coombsy17]

Lovely minis! Will you be uploading more painting videos, doesn’t necessarily have to be tutorials but just overview videos as you paint them. I love watching the painting process, and wish there were more historical/medieval hobby videos and think your minis are stunning. Nonetheless amazing video!

[@7thson726]

Thanks I really enjoyed working on these, can't wait to get them on the table 👍 I have a couple of general updates coming but I am planning (well I'm basically ready to film it) a command base build and paint for the Crusades from start to finish 👍

[@grantpavitt3198]

Great video your painting is amazing. Our clubs W.O.T.R game is in May.lf you can not make it dont worry I will send you some pics.

[@7thson726]

Awesome thanks mate 👍

[@andyshaw5378]

Great video Martin. Like the ideas for the Varangian guard. Are you going to print off the trebuchet????

[@7thson726]

Cheers mate 😁 that'll be coming at some point for sure, I have a few walls to make first 😅

[@basicminiaturepainting]

All I can say is they all look superb,I may purchase some fireforge miniatures

[@7thson726]

Cheers Justin, glad you like them mate 😁

[@oliversteell4881]

Bloody superb , they look a joy to paint with all the vibrant colours . Where is the basing system from ?

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 👍 the bases are from Big Red Bat bigredbatshop.co.uk/collections/all/bases

[@ON-ky8jw]

Hello awesome work, your really inspiring! Have a question (sry if its already asked) where do you find your metal wires for bannermen?🙂

[@7thson726]

I get them from North Star Games 👍

[@BattleMatt]

The colours are fantastic. Also making me think I need to do more highlights in future and some dry brushing. The Fireforge Byzantine archers are worth picking up, a bit more characters and poses than the spearmen. V&V Varangian Guard as well, if you need any more Varangian Guard...

[@7thson726]

I will have to grab those archers, glad you like them buddy 👍😁

[@blecao]

Good work as always

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 👍

[@michaelgriffin135]

👍 so impressive. 👍

[@7thson726]

Thank you! Cheers 🙂😁

[@robandrosehobden3344]

As usual fantastic work amazing pant work 🎖🎖♥️♥️🤠

[@7thson726]

Thank you kindly👍😁

[@chriswareing1991]

very nice love the crossbowmen they look awesome, where do you get the background image from that goes behind the models when you do the photos at the end thanks

[@7thson726]

Thanks, I actually made it, I just printed off a realistic looking skyline with a few clouds at A3 and fixed it to some card. It's now been my main backdrop for about 2 years though it is getting a bit worn. I have a larger one for the battle reports and a darker one if needed 👍

[@martinmelhoey1339]

Really good once again. What paints did you use for the tents?

[@7thson726]

Cheers 👍 the tents are just undercoated white then liberally coated in Skeleton Horde and drybrushed with a beige 👍

[@nickdawson4817]

very nice

[@7thson726]

Thanks 😁

[@norm977]

Thank you, you have set me in a certain direction 🙂 Do you use coloured washes (i.e. blue for blue) or are you relying on the zenithal (sp?) system for that shading.

[@7thson726]

Sometimes, I tend to use the Zenithal method for most. I use dark tone on the armour if I want it to be dull though 👍

[@davidcollins2648]

Might I recommend adding a bishop or a priest among the command group, perhaps carrying some holy artifact that could be additional points for capturing? Lovely work martin, all the varied poses are key to making good units.

[@7thson726]

Oooh V and V do an Orthodox Bishop, thanks for the pointer 👍😁

[@tumbleweed1970able]

@@7thson726 who are V and V

[@7thson726]

@@tumbleweed1970able vminiatures.com/

[@rudiratlos9530]

nice Paint work

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 😁👍

[@tokugawaieyasu3754]

Approved by the Tokugawa Shogunate

[@7thson726]

Awesome 😁👍

[@lesliebeilby-tipping6854]

What size table do you think you will be able to game on in the new house? Hope the move is going well.

[@7thson726]

It's getting there, lots of back and forth, we don't get the keys until the end of the month but moving as much as we can into storage before hand. I think I will still be able to do my 7 X 5, poss a 6 X 8 👍

[@michaelwelker8759]

I wish you did commissions

[@7thson726]

Maybe one day, I've done the odd one off here and there 🙂 so much of my own stuff to do haha

[@robandrosehobden3344]

P.S go with your fillings 👍👍

[@7thson726]

Haha will do, will probably mean many many more Byzantines 😅

[@JudsonMcDaniel-d4s]

How well does Reqonquer scale with Victrix?

[@7thson726]

At default they are ever so slightly smaller so I enlarge mine by a few % so they are essentially the same. If you get them from a 3rd party printing service you should be able to specify if you'd like them increased a bit 👍

[@elizabethjohnson3412]

Did they have foot stirrups on the crossbows during this period ?

[@7thson726]

Macros the sculptor of the Reconquer minis uses alot of primary references for the Reconquista so I imagine he has a reference. I know that the stirrup on crossbows was uncommon until about 1100 when it became far more prevalent 👍 so around the same time as the 1st Crusade

[@elizabethjohnson3412]

Thanks for the reply, keep up the good work 👍

[@TheGreatWolf44]

Do you play with any scales below 28mm?

[@TheGreatWolf44]

Brilliant work as always btw

[@7thson726]

I have a little 10mm project I'm working on currently (video coming soon) and I have 15mm WW2 and 30 Years War. I just tents to enjoy 28mm as I like the detail on the minis 👍

[@tumbleweed1970able]

what size are your varangian guard bases ?

[@7thson726]

They are roughly 65 X 55 mm, in the Big Red Bat shop they are code FK&P13b 👍

[@tumbleweed1970able]

@@7thson726 ok thanks just looked they are out of stock grrrr , what base sizes have yu used for you byzantine cavalry and infantry or is this the same base for all the byzantines

[@theodorosrokkos5672]

Where can I buy those bases ? Thx

[@7thson726]

No problems bigredbatshop.co.uk/collections/all/bases

[@persallnas5408]

I was enjoying your channel but then you called the Roman empire what? Unsubscribed! Joking aside the plates are beautiful.

[@7thson726]

Haha trust me, I've called the Romans way worse at work 😅 glad you like them 😁

[@persallnas5408]

@@7thson726 👍