A Fistful of Lead solo game and more 15mm Ancients painted.

January proved to be a very productive month for painting 15mm ancients for my Greek and Persian armies. Over 70 figures plus a set of Greek buildings painted added several key units/bases to my collection and makes both forces much more useable with a range of rules. It also makes a slight dent in my lead mountain!

Time for a few photo's of the Persians so far...

...and gathered around my fortified camp.

Happily I now have a broad range of figures in this collection, plus scenery ranging from buildings to trees, rocky outcrops etc...  I currently have some Assyrian levy troops and a large unit of Spartans on the painting table. Once these are painted I will call this project done for now but have plenty left to paint and my Macedonians to start later in the year. 

I enjoyed reading all about the Romans during January. My reading matter for this coming month of February is all Greek and Persian War themed as I hope to create a scenario based on Platea. This game, (when we are allowed to play) will use 'To the Strongest' rules and the two sides will be created from at least Stig's, Pete's, John's figures and of course my own collections so should be quite a spectacle. Herodotus will be a key read on Platea as he lists many of the troops that thought there. Both Opsrey's have good maps to help me create an accurate tabletop to play across. 

Whilst I have been enjoying how much painting I am getting done I decided to take a break and play a solo game of 'Fistful of Lead Reloaded'. This was my first try at this rule system and it proved quick, bloody and very easy to learn.

 I devised a simple scenario of a renegade Indian brave being hunted by the US cavalry led by Sgt. Ed Fuller. However, the heroic Indian warrior, Blue Horse was also leading his braves in an attempt to rescue their fellow warrior. 

Fistful of Lead (FFOL) is a quick playing, card driven rules system. I have invested in the specially printed and themed pack of cards and it proved well worth it as they really add to the feel of the game. Many of the cards have special rules that can be used if you activate one of your figures with one of those 'special' cards. 

Despite Sgt Fuller getting a kill with his very first shot, the cards were kinder to the Indians over the course of the game.  The Indians not only rescued their fellow warrior but managed to kill all the cavalry for a loss of just two of their own warriors. 

Overall great fun and a super set of rules which are ideally suited for fast fun club action and mini campaigns. When we can get back to gaming Chris and I will be using these rules for all sorts of times/era's.