New to Hail Caesar! What to buy and more!

[James]

Hello there!

I've been wargaming a long time (20 years or so) and have been looking at Warlords minis for a while now. I mainly play GW stuff and FoW, but after seeing Rick Priestley was involved in designing the games Warlord are making just couldn't put off getting on board any longer!

Yesterday I had my first game with a friend from my local club who gave a few of us a demo. We played the battle of hastings (with a load of his beautifully painted minis) and I have to say I LOVE the rule set for Hail Caesar. So with a love of the Roman miniatures from warlord and the possibility to use them in Hail Caesar and wfb, I have a few questions:

1: What kind of size do the units have to be? Is there a norm?

2: Do the minis come with bases, or will I need to make them?

3: Why haven't I played this game earlier, it's amazing!

Question 3 may be beyond your ability to answer, but any help with questions 1 or 2, or indeed anything else you think might be helpful for me to know would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

James.

[Big Al]

Can't help you with Q3, though it is a very good one!

If you follow this link and read the article you will find base sizes and unit sizes.

http://www.warlordgames.com/9769/hail-caesar-rick-speaks/

Hail Caesar is pretty general on unit sizes, calling them small, medium and large. The link above gives you the unit frontages for these. The minis don't come with bases, but that isn't a great issue because there are plenty of options open to you. You can use the GW bases that are used for Warhammer, normally 20mm, or you can use the plastic ones from Renedra plastics and available from the Warlord Webstore. Alternatively, you can buy the MDF type from such places as Warbases, or indeed, make your own. Most folk base up models at 4 to a base in two ranks, so a 40mmx40mm base should suffice. A unit would normally consist of 6 bases. You may adjust the base sizes for larger units to include more figures, such as 6 figures based in two ranks on a 60x40mm base.

Enjoy your games.

[James]

Some interesting reading there, thanks for the link!

I hadn't even noticed the bases on the Warlord store (probably because I was too busy drooling over minis) so that's a really great help, many thanks for your reply!

James.

[mikeland]

HI James, welcome.

Big Al has covered most of the bases (no pun intended), but HC really does give a lot of flexibility for basing.

Some people just use a single base and create almost a diorama per stand,

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3216&hilit=Alternative+basing+for+HC

(this is one example but there are a few I have seen about)

I use round 25mm separate bases and movement trays, some folk use the GW style slot-a-bases or GW LOTR Round bases and trays... so really, go with what you like and think will work.

Just thought I'd ask, have you seen this set:
http://www.warlordgames.com/store/new-r ... r-set.html

Great value of you are thinking of getting the rules.

[James]

Hey Mikeland,

Thanks for the welcome! I'm really tempted by the thought of making base dioramas for all my minis, but at the same time I really like the lotro idea too, I'm never thought of that. It means I could use them for a game of fantasy or two along the way as a counts as army, and possibly get some of our other players interested in the minis!

The set is great, but I really want the warlord exclusive Roman mini that comes with buying the book direct, and haven't seen a mention of that being included in the deal. Typical wargamer syndrome I'm afraid, one exclusive mini up for grabs and I'd rather spend the extra money, and as long as the wife never finds that out it'll all be fine!

Many thanks again for the warm welcome,

James.

[mikeland]

Fair point on the free mini. The LOTR trays do look good, one I would have used had I not already started my troops.

[Big Al]

Ask them. All they can say is no. If they let you have him, then you end up with a really great deal!

[Alan Charlesworth]

'Impetus' style basing is a great way to go for HC. Looks nicer and generally requires fewer figures. It's the route i'm taking with all my non light and skirmisher units. For those I am going with individual figures.

[James]

I think the true beauty of this game is the limitless possibilities on how you can base your minis. I'm really looking forward to ordering next week when I have made my mind up what I'm after.

I was really surprised there was no Roman army starter deal on the store, but the minis are such good quality and so well priced that I really don't mind at all!

@ Mikeland: Yeah the LOTRO trays would work really well for me, and I'm really glad you suggested it. I just need to price them, but I have a feeling it's gonna cost!

@ Big Al: You make a very good point sir! Shy bairns get nowt as they say up here!

@Alan: That sounds like a great plan for the skirmishers, I may just follow that route too!

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it's nice to sign up to a friendly forum!

James.

[Froggy the Great]

I based mine on pennies, so I can have flexibility for whatever game I use them in.