Darkshards with Shields

[Dyvim tvar]

I had a $35 gift certificate to a local gaming store and with the expiration date coming up, I picked up one of the new warrior boxes with the intent of making them into Darkshards to replace some older models that aren't up to my current standards.

I frequently give my Darkshards shields to make them a bit more durable. But the kits have left arms modeled onto the backs of the shields, and all the crossbows are held in left hands. In light of this, is there any feasible way to model my Darkshards with shields? Do I need to use shields from the old warriors box?

[direweasel]

Yeah I'm not familiar with the new warriors box, but if I were in that situation I'd either

- snip the arms if it's feasible to do so without causing problems, or if that's not an option
- find some old shields off of bits from eBay or some such and use those.

I'm like you, I put shields on my crossbowmen, and sling them over their backs. But if there's a hand on there, that makes that kinda tough to do.

[Dyvim tvar]

I have plenty of the old shields, but would prefer not to use them (they are too thick), and the arms on the backs of the new shields are not easily removed.

I just realized I have cold one knight shields that could do the trick.

[Khaleth Blackheart]

I know the new shield arms aren't easily removed but at least you don't have to remove them neatly as they will be glued on the damaged side.
I just realised I always run mine with shields, but haven't modelled any on to my newest models

[direweasel]

I know the new shield arms aren't easily removed but at least you don't have to remove them neatly as they will be glued on the damaged side.
I just realised I always run mine with shields, but haven't modelled any on to my newest models

Some people are very particular about their forces being 100% WYSIWYG, and I understand that desire, but at the same time, most reasonable opponents are just fine with "these crossbowmen have shields", and not go looking around on the model trying to find them shown there.

I am starting to think I'm about the only person left in my little area who thinks you should only field at least MOSTLY painted models. I've seen whole armies fielded with nary a scrap of paint on them anywhere. I've even seen a front row of minis and then dice behind them for how many other minis are in the unit. You put 5 witch elves on a base, with dice behind them showing 20, and that's now 25 witch elves. Now, given the price of models, I can understand that to a point, especially if you're trying out a new army or just getting started, but I've seen people using the same army for an extended period pulling that stuff.

Anyway, I guess I'm getting old enough now that I'm going for the title of "old fuddy duddy" that actually expects painted miniatures when playing a miniatures-based wargame.

Back on point, I'm the PITA in our gaming group, and even I wouldn't stress about whether you model the shields. So I would only worry about it if your gaming group is full of anal retentive blowhards like me

[Dyvim tvar]

[So I would only worry about it if your gaming group is full of anal retentive blowhards like me

Unfortunately I'm the anal-retentive one. Not about anyone else, but about my army.

[direweasel]

[So I would only worry about it if your gaming group is full of anal retentive blowhards like me

Unfortunately I'm the anal-retentive one. Not about anyone else, but about my army.

Welcome to the club then

[Payce]

I am starting to think I'm about the only person left in my little area who thinks you should only field at least MOSTLY ONLY painted models.

Fixed that for you.

And you are not alone.

[direweasel]

I was trying to be nice Payce, but yeah. And I have to admit to fielding my Manticore Beastmaster once when he was only about 90% done. I don't think anybody but me even knew it wasn't done, but I knew and it bothered me. =P

[Brad]

@Dyvim - Instead of regular shields, you could try converting the front rank to have pavises.

[Dyvim tvar]

@Dyvim - Instead of regular shields, you could try converting the front rank to have pavises.

This gets me thinking. Maybe the way to do it is to make a movement tray with pavises built into the leading edge of the movement tray. That way, you can just paint the models up without shields, then use a different movement tray depending on whether or not you bought them shields in that particular army.

[Dalamar]

That's what I did for buckeye last year... still have those shields with bottom tips cut off lying around somewhere. I've come to a conclusion that shields on crossbows is a bit of a waste since then.

[Daeron]

I'm looking into alternative solutions myself. I prefer the unit with shields, but the modelling is a .. pain..
I'm considering a unit filler with a shield logo or a filler with an overarching "smoke" (or something) that looks like a protective spell cast over the unit.

[Thetosh]

Cutting the arm off and placing them on the back of the model is probably the easiest to go (make sure you do this before gluing them to the bases though!) and imo looks pretty good (i'm biased I did it to my darkshards!)

[CitizenKhaine]

I am starting to think I'm about the only person left in my little area who thinks you should only field at least MOSTLY ONLY painted models.

Fixed that for you.

And you are not alone.

Confession time - I only put fully painted models on the battlefield too
One of my smaller darkshard units are the older models and I tried to position the shields in front so the DE is protected behind it, and if possible resting the crossbow on top.