Friday Rant - command packs

Giles · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:16 am Post subject: Friday Rant - command packs

This Friday Rant isn't an alternative to the Friday Poll Laugh!

But I can't be the only person who gets annoyed when a range includes rank-and-file in several different poses (e.g. standing, firing, advancing, charging etc) but does not have command figures to match. Most ranges will stretch to standing and advancing/marching command figures, and sometimes people like the Perries will give you "charging" command to go with the charging rank-and-file. But occasionally you come across a range that only provides command in one pose.

What's prompted this rant is the fact that neither the Bicorne nor the Renegade ECW ranges have command in a post other than standing. There are one or two figures in their command packs that could, at a stretch, be used as walking figures, but all the standard bearers and officers are standing and pretty much all the other figures. Both ranges have a large number of rank-and-file packs thyat are advancing, marching, skirmishing etc. But all the command are just standing likes cows looking over a gate. I'm particularly surprised at Bicorne - given the huge range of figures, which I'm concluded allows it to stake a claim as the definitive 25mm ECW range, why on earth not just make 8 more figures for an advancing/marching command pack?

It's officially SILLY!!

Rah!

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Duck Crusader · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

Giles, I'm behind you 110% on that one. Good Rant!
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Greystreak · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

Completely agree Giles, and my sympathies. (Welcome to the nightmare world of 'conversions', to obliviate command figure ennui!)
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valleyboy · General Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 3526 Location: NZ

nah sorry but I think its a realistic approach Coffee

Well its like this - I'm the commander right - yeah ok
(*well its my garden and my toy gun or - I've got more gold braid than you)
*delete as appropriate
Ergo-
Now you lot, go and charge them over there, yes those big mothers with all those pikes and don't forget them ye old tanks as well

Colin and I,............. err I mean the Lieutenant and I will stand over here behind this wall while you do it

Call us when the job's done (or in a modern setting it could be text me)

I rest my case M'lord Smile

No need for charging command figures Smile

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Duck Crusader · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Won't work. They might get away with that nowadays (though they'll never be loved...) but the farther back you go the more important it is as a leader to be seen out front.
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Timmo · General Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 3403

If I can rant: I wish I could buy Perrys as single figures like Minifigsâ€¦ but I can't. Rant over.

Giles

You could do some conversions â€“ pike to officers etc But it is why I have most of my pike standing and they are easier to play with that way as well.

WDP · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

Cornet · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

Next Giles will be asking for Pioneer troops that aren't leaning on their shovels like modern road construction crews. The Pioneers should be charging at the woods with bayonets fixed! ... on their axes! Hmmm?

Actually, I agree with VB's position a bit; but I agree with Giles' rant more strongly. Command figures should be engaged in an activity similar to the troops they're commanding. It should be left to the hobbyist to match a command unit at rest with an advancing battalion, if he so desires.
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simon · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Friday Rant - command packs

Stavka · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject:

Simon beat me to it, but I agree. While I share Giles' feelings, financial reality at some point rears its ugly head.

The price of producing a miniature must be the same whether it be one of the Quality or one on the Hoi Polloi, but a manufacturer will never sell command figures at the same rate as the rank-and-file.

If a company has the cash reserves to get away with a variety of command figures, then sure, but otherwise most manufacturers would- very reasonably- be hedging their bets.
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Ronan the Librarian · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject:

1) I think we need to realise that the Perrys spoil us......because, err.....they can.

2) Wouldn't standing command be appropriate for firing/loading ECW types? It's really only the marching guys where they might look marginally out of place - and even then you can usually hide their stationery-ness with good basing.
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Giles · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:05 pm Post subject:

Stavka · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

bangorstu · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 4:45 pm Post subject:

Regarding the price issue - if sold in packs command figures are always more expensive anyhow...
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ArchiducCharles · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

- But if a company is going to release a command pack of 6-8 different figures (and these two companies have done) why not have 3 standing and 3 advancing? -

I would be the one to rant, then! Most of my units are in standing poses, not only would I have no use for half the pack (as Stavka mentionned) but I'm also stuck using the same three command figs for all my units instead of being able to create variations.
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Giles · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject:

Which is why it makes sense to have a pack of standing command to go with your standing troops, and a pack of marching command to go with your marching troops...
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Timmo · General Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 3403

Jon Suth · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject:

Giles, its even more fundamental than variant command packs. WHY OH WHY don't manufacturers finish the bloody range off? How many times do you have to make do with other bodged bits and pieces to finish off an army?
Sure I understand that launching a new period or army is a big thing, risky too given I suspect that the majority of manufacturers don't do any market research to see whether anyone would buy them (aside from a handful of vocal nerdy types who pledge themselves to buy the French Ancilliary Troops of the 6 Hour War of 1822).
I know a lot of you hate them, but OG have got it right, they TEND to finish ranges and you can buy their command packs in packs of 20 figures, a nice range of poses with only some duplicate figures.

Norman D. Landings · Brigadier Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1632

Oh, dear... oh, I mean, seriously....

Call that a rant?!

'It's officially ( what was the word...?) SILLY!'?

You don't hold anything back, do you?

What's happened to us? We used to be *Trucking* disGRACEful! Now we're sitting wearing checked slippers and Man-at-C&A Actionslacks with easi-fit waistbands, calling people 'silly' while our mugs of ovaltine cool down.

ENOUGH, I tell you!
We are no mere poltroons, to be trifled with at the whim of the global miniature-producing mega-corporations!

ATTENTION BICORNE:
Giles wants runny commanders - Giles GETS runny commanders.
Or we'll grease up the diseased lab-monkeys and stuff 'em through your letterbox while you sleep!

ochoin · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:51 am Post subject:

I'm with Norman on this one. For too long manufacturers have seen as as greying, portly geezers incapable of doing more than whining.
Unfortunately, they're correct in this estimation.
However, never too late!
Rally at Hyde's Corner tomorrow at 11 00. Bring your walking frames & a flask of Horlicks.
donald

Etranger · General Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 4091 Location: e-space

valleyboy · General Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 3526 Location: NZ

ochoin · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

And, evidently, ET's a serial killer as well.
Excused duty (said with a smile).
donald

valleyboy · General Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 3526 Location: NZ

Etranger · General Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 4091 Location: e-space

You haven't seen me opening the boxes with an axe . (said with a manic glint in eye ....)
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