My main drive for pledging for War and Empire were the different historical factions that are just hard to find miniatures for. Thracians, Etruscans, Pontic, Skythians, etc. However, I also like the idea behind the terrain. They offered a number of forts, buildings, and encampments that I simply had not seen prior to this kickstarter.
My initial impression of the 15mm miniatures is that they are loaded with detail and VERY good sculpts. These miniatures are well worth the money invested.
So I've had a curious fascination withthe Skythians ever since reading the accounts by Herodotus and later in my researches about Mithridates and the Black Sea peoples. So when I saw War and Empire offering Skythinas, I jumped.
Above are the varying packs for my Skythians. They include 1 pack of Skythian heavy cavalry, 3 packs of light cavalry, 2 light infantry, and 2 heavy infantry.
To try and get people interested in historicals when I start doing demos later this year I also opted for two more well-known factions to use in addition to my Romans and Britons - Greek Hoplites and Achaemenid Persians.
The Persian starter comes with 1 pack of heavy cavalry, 1 pack of light cavalry, 2 packs of immortals, 2 packs of Median infantry, early greek thessalian cavalry (which often fought as mercenaries), and a Sparabara shield bearer unit.
The Greeks came with 2 units of Thessalian cavalry, 3 units of hoplites, 1 unit of light infantry, 1 unit of Thracian light infantry, and 1 unit of Thracian skirmishers.
I also pledged for a couple specials such as Roman townsfolk and the death of Leonidas (too good to pass up)
Speaking of Roman town, here is that kit.
The Roman turf fort.
The Roman fortification (I'm going to use this as a wall fort along Hadrian's wall).
A Roman marching camp.
I also ordered some MDF bases. There are actually 4 sheets here. I just forgot to put the other sheet in the shot.
Last, as a kickstarter only set, we received many "special" historical character models. Now these aren't easily distinguished but they can add character to units. These range from infantry, to cavalry, chariots, and even an elephant! List below.
Alexander the Great
King Sitalces of Thrace
Darius III
Pericles of Athens
Pyrrhius
Caesar
Vercingetorix
King Porus of Indus
Hannibal
Antigonus One-Eye
Spartacus
Skythian King
Scipio Africanus
Scipio Aemilianus
My only complaints are that some of the terrain is cast in plaster making it extremely fragile. This counts most of the escarpments and and earthen ramparts while buildings, walls, and gatehouses are resin cast.
My other small complaint, I would have liked to see some female "heroes" such as Artemesia and Boudicca. Small complaint.
Now I know the pictures in this post aren't stellar as everything is still in bags. If you want to see more detail, please just ask, I'll take out what you want and set some up for detail shots. If you are more patient, then look forward to me working on these later this year!
Overall, I'm super excited about my historical collection and I'd love to order more from Andy over at West Wind Productions once the War and Empire stuff makes it to their live catalog and not just the kickstarter order page.
Link to Kickstarter
Link to Westwind Productions catalog (War and Empire isn't up yet).