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I know this is old news but, with the review of the forthcoming Valdemar set of peasants on the march, I was reminded of the terrible lack of civilian figures in plastic. At least for the middle ages the set from Valdemar, 2 levy sets from Strelets and Medieval Britain (with a few others) we are getting figures that could be used or adapted to people villages, towns and fields but as things stand these will be very adult and male populations. We need women and children, not just for the Middle Ages but for other popular periods, I would have thought that an ancient set, a medieval set, 19th century and mid 20th century would be useful to a lot of people. Obviously, Strelets would be the perfect company but they do have an enormous 'to do' list so perhaps the idea might attract a number of companies to choose a set and produce it. Who else would be interested in genuine civilians - bearing in mind that the sets will have to be a bit generic, we couldn't expect manufacturers to cover every changing style and fashion that came along?
I entirely agree, but to make the set more attractive to the widest possible audience the manufacturers could theme each one. So for example do a set called 'Pompeii', which delivers Roman civilians - some of which are running but others in more ordinary poses. Perhaps 'Viking Raid' with lots of terrified villagers, 'Peasants Revolt' with generic medievals and 'Storming the Bastille' for generic Napoleonics. All could have women and children. It might be stretching the point a bit but I think they could be very popular.
Re: you guys will be playing with dolls houses soon
Non-combatants? Some Saxon women have proved to be very dangerous to Viking health in some of our games!! Just substitute victims for the owrd civilian :-)
If their retreating in 1941 then it must be the slowest retreat in history :-).
Actually did a game once where French commander was hamperd by refugees in getting to the front. Outcome of game was decided by a points system, the further the Germans got across the table the more points they got and the more the French held them back then the more they got. When dealing with civilians french commander was penalised for using force to get refugees out of his way - tough decision - shoot your own people to get at the Boche before he gets too far or hope you can gradually get through and push him back when you get there eventually.
True, graham.
There's a thread over at TMP about "adult" themes in wargames....adding rape, looting etc.
I personally find it a distateful idea.
I'm happiest just pushing my bits of plastic (& metal)
around a table without adding the worst of the 6.00 News to it.
donald
There are at least three basic civilian activities for any given period. One would be Nuetrals, like farmers, costruction workers, basic crowds etc. Another group would be victems and/or refugees for scenareos ranging from the colussium in Rome to current conflicts. Finanlly there would be fighting civilians representing everything from resistance and revolution to terrorists, gangsters and other criminals.
I'm not sure if police, fire and ambulance ciyunt as civilian or military sets. They may make up an important fourth catagory.
A fifth type may also be sets of major league sports figures in action.