Getting Started in the 18th Century. . .

I've had a new comment posted for a January 2009 posting -- The 18th Century? What's the Fascination? -- from a relative newcomer to the hobby, who asks about getting started, figures, and so forth.  So, I'll say a few random words about my personal preferences and then turn things over to anyone else who might care to chime in here with further advice.

As far as getting started and finding inspiration, I'd suggest that you can do no better than to find and read the two books shown above: Charge! Or How to Play War Games (1967) by Peter Young and James Lawford and The War Game (1971) by Charles Grant.

Both titles are available in recent reprinted editions at reasonable prices and filled with all manner of historically-based explanation and explication.  In addition, the two books present detailed rules for fighting 18th Century battles.  They also contain a variety of inspiring photos, useful information on painting figures, building your armies, creating scenery, etc., etc.  There are, naturally, lots of other useful, more recent history and uniform books out there, but these two provide a solid starting point for anyone interested in the 18th Century in particular, or, indeed, wargaming in general.

Where figures are concerned, I prefer the 25-30mm variety by manufacturers like RSM95, Minden Miniatures, Tradition, Suren, and Holger Eriksson.  The latter produces some of the finest mounted figures around with regard to the horses themselves though they can be be a bit pricy.  Have a look at the 'Links' section of the Grand Duchy of Stollen blog (on the right of your screen) for more detailed information at the websites for these particular companies.

There are many other good 18th Century figure ranges on the market (even some in plastic), in a variety of sizes and scales, but those I mention above are especially good if you prefer realistic human proportions with understated detail.  Sadly, there are many figures on the market with strange anatomy, in overly dramatic poses. . .  A definite a no-no for the 18th century.  A few brands come to mind, but I'll keep those thoughts to myself for now.

Suffice to say, take some time examining samples from several different manufacturers before you purchase any figures in bulk.  It will save you money, disappointment, and frustration in the long run.  In any case, I'd suggest that you start small, say 150 figures or so, divided into five or six units with some supporting artillery, maybe two or three guns and crew.  This will give you enough for a small tabletop army without it taking you several years to finish painting them. 

But what about painting those figures?  Well, that's very much an individual thing that you will learn through trial and error.  There is much information on how to do it on this blog and, indeed, across the Internet, so I won't go into a tutorial this morning.  However, I will say that even if your early efforts with the brush leave something to be desired, practice and determination will have you producing units of nicely painted figures before too many months have gone by.

The main thing to remember about painting figures is that you need to give it a try, be consistent in your efforts, and don't become intimidated into inactivity by the ranks of shiny, unpainted figures lined up on your painting table.  The figures won't paint themselves after all!  Neither should you become discouraged if your first few units don't resemble the museum pieces produced by professional painters. . .  Ah, alliteration this morning!  Finally, don't be afraid to experiment a bit with your own painting, to find the method that works best for you.

What uniforms will you paint onto those figures?  Well, there are many different, good historical uniform reference books available, which will help you paint your units.  Those by Osprey are readily available and don't cost too much.  I also like Uniforms of the Seven Years War by John Mollo and Malcom McGregor, which might be hard to find now, but it is worth tracking down.  The old titles by Fred and Lillian Funken are also worth a look as are uniform books on the American War of Independence and the French and Indian War in Canada.  Lots of titles too on the earlier War of Austrian Succession, the War of Spanish Succession, the Great Northern War, and so on, depending on your precise area of historical interest.  One thing about the 18th Century is that the era provides a broad array of conflicts on which we can base our tabletop aspirations.

But back to uniforms.  Again, there are lots of other highly interesting books out there at various prices if you choose to paint your troops in historical uniforms.  Alternately, you can throw caution to the wind and paint your miniature armies in totally made-up, fictitious uniforms, which is perfectly acceptable and something that many "imagi-nations" enthusiasts do these days.  My own preference is to dig up illustrations of lesser known uniforms worn by the troops of minor combatants -- for instance the myriad of formations that comprised the Reichsarmee of the Holy Roman Empire -- and use these as models for the uniforms of my own imaginary forces.  But that's just me, and you might choose an entirely different approach, which is one of the things that makes the wargaming hobby so great.

A word of caution before I finish.  I'd strongly advise picking one project and seeing it through to completion before you head off in another direction.  There are many would-be wargamers out there who never manage to play many games, or indeed get anything finished because they are caught in an endless cycle of planning, purchasing, selling, trading, and painting a few figures half-way before they bounce off again in a different direction, looking for something else in another historical era along with the figures, books, and assorted paraphernalia that go along with it.

Multiple wargaming interests are fine, but if you ever want to get anything finished in one area, it's really worth some honest reflection and hard thinking about your most consuming interests BEFORE you purchase figures and related supplies in bulk.  Otherwise, everything will simply end up gathering dust somewhere because your time, money, and creative efforts are pulled in too many directions at once.

So, finish preparing and painting your basic 18th Century force of 150 or so figures first.  Try them on for size in a few games.  Learn some more about the different ways the actual troops of the era maneuvered and were used on the battlefield by their commanders.  And if you so choose, it's a fairly simple matter to add a few more specialty units to you basic force.  Hussars, pontoon, or engineering troops anyone?  Or, if you've still got the itch to try your hand at another wargaming era, now is the time for those ancient Greeks and Persians, Napoleonics, WWII, Warhammer, 1930s pulp gaming, and on. . .  and on. . .  and on. . .  ad infinitum.  But finish your 18th Century project first before you start something else, guys!

Ok, I'm off my soapbox for today.  I hope this information might be helpful for those of you just starting out in the hobby.  There is really a great deal to think about -- and some judicious, limited, and productive daydreaming is a lot of fun --  but these are just a few basic considerations for newcomers to the wargaming hobby to mull over.  If any of you Grand Duchy of Stollen regulars care to add to this, please do by leaving a comment of the helpful variety -- no links to nude girly sites or anything like that, please.  We're a family place after all!  ;-)