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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage

@flashbangzap.bsky.social
266 followers 122 following 1.1K posts

Paul Cox's wargaming and social activities. FBZ the DGM was my D&D character's name forty years ago.

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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Primary source research for Gallic shield designs last week at the triumphal arch in Orange. I think my hand painted ones just about pass muster, but there was no evidence of the checky designs you sometimes see on commercial transfers.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Second game in our Midgard campaign sequence. It was another ambush scenario and Jon didn't enjoy clearing the traffic jam on the road! I used the Fall Back! special rule to withdraw at the start of turn five for a minor victory. Once again I got caught up in the action and took too few photos.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A unit of Lucid Eye Amazons finished. I'm enjoying returning to the Bronze Age. Next up are a unit of Myrmidons brought in the recent sale....
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
That's the major Anglo-Saxon heroes finished for our ongoing Midgard Athelney to Ethandun campaign. As ever with my Ancient and Medieval figures, Little Big Men Studios make a major contribution to their appearance!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Dwarves from Crusader Miniatures. Despite being billed as rangers, it wasn't clear to me from the website illustration that they had bows so I held off ordering. Turns out they have them slung across their backs. Nice figures!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
First of the Anglo-Saxon heroes finished for the forthcoming Midgard campaign. Little Big Men Studios doing a lot of the heavy lifting here!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I'm starting the Midgard campaign From Athelney to Ethandun this week and didn't have the single unit of Early Medieval skirmish cavalry that's required. Just finished these - the first Pulp Figures I've painted and I'm impressed with the figures.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Punic Wars Midgard at the Wycombe Warband club last night - a very close game, but ultimately the Carthaginians on the hill couldn't hold it.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Saw the Odyssey yesterday at St Albans' (perhaps the country's) most appropriate cinema! I really enjoyed it. I thought Odysseus's character could have been more nuanced, and like many critics I felt the female characters - Calypso, Circe, Athena - could have been expanded. But great overall.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Played a terrific Wars of Liberation game yesterday, hosted by the man behind Parkfield Miniatures. Sadly in yesterday's refight of the battle of Boyaca, Simon Bolivar's forces were soundly defeated, reversing history. We used Valour and Fortitude rules.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I'm finding WotR figures take me a long time to paint - but the colourful results make the effort worthwhile. These were started a couple of months ago (but some musketeers somehow sneaked ahead of them in the queue).
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Figures from Brigade Games Musketeers and Swashbucklers range. Square bases finished this week and the ones on small rounds twenty years ago. @hicksy.bsky.social says he's come on a bit since then (although I still think these are great) but it looks like my painting was better in 2006 😐
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
En Garde is flavour of the month at the moment. For tonight's game Jon fielded an elite warband and it made for a very different fight. The musketeers were defeated, but lessons have been learned. We're still really enjoying exploring this new (to us) game.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Four of @northstarfigs.bsky.social new King's Musketeers figures, finished ready for a game of En Garde on Thursday. Really enjoyable figures to paint.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Just spent a hot afternoon painting a Brigade Games swashbuckler figure. This is a @hicksy.bsky.social sculpted figure from around twenty years ago. Not sure I'm completely happy with the base. Went for a neutral tone that could work in either a rural or urban setting, but it's not quite right.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Tried En Garde rules for the first time last night and was impressed. I've been inspired by the newly released North Star 1672 Musketeers, but Jon's figures for last night were from the old, but still great, Redoubt range. We managed to get two games in during the evening.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Please please, please @roundwoodsworld.bsky.social try to get With Flashing Blades put to the front of the TFL queue!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
More Midgard at Wycombe Warband club last night. An ambush scenario from Chronicles of Midgard, reversing the roles from our last game. This time the attackers - my Carthaginians - were soundly defeated by David's Romans after the full six turns. We're now looking forward to Midgard Moot tomorrow!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
I find Lucid Eye figures make you want to spend a bit of time on them and these Amazons were no exception. The took some time to finish, but I'm pretty pleased with the result.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Ruckus at the Wycombe Warband club this evening. A great fun game! The melée system is really exciting and always enjoyable (despite this evening's loss 🤷.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Few more photos from last night's game - a Midgard ambush scenario set in the 2nd Punic War. It was tremendously good fun to play. The redeployment of the Punic traffic jam required much head scratching, but in the end I just squeaked a win at the end of the full six turns.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Just starting the first turn of a Midgard Punic Wars game at the Wycombe Warband club. I'm commanding the Carthaginians and I've been ambushed!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
I've had these Amazons from Lucid Eye in the pile for ages, but was slightly put off by the assembly (the spear arms join at the wrist). In fact they've been relatively straightforward. Looking forward to getting some paint on them now - Lucid Eye figures are always enjoyable to paint!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
A very bloody Midgard Heroic Battles game at the Wycombe Warband club last night. Steve has Normans for Saga so wanted to try this force in Midgard. He led them to a crushing victory against my Vikings in only his second game! I think he may be painting a few more Normans over the coming weeks!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Anticipating a Midgard game with a relatively new player at the club, I've been working on some better Viking command stands. Footsore and Crusader Miniatures.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
This afternoon's game was a Sharp Practice game on Rob Purbrick's beautiful table. A close game in which the French force scraped a win. With Sharpe, Harper and Ducos on the table I moved from one Bernard Cornwell-themed game to another! Congrats @joewargamer.bsky.social on another great day!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Just finished a terrific game on this table at Herts of Lard, hosted by Simon Stokes. A great scenario, but sadly Eolderman Odda's Saxons lost the day.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Played an interesting and new (to me) game of Swashbuckler at the Wycombe Warband club last night. Was nice to get out some pirate figures which haven't seen the light of day for ages.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
After a holiday in Sicily last year and anticipating the Bayeux Tapestry at the BM later this year, I've been enthused to paint Normans. Here are the latest, ready for a forthcoming Midgard game. The four in the centre have shield transfers from the LBMS banner sheet, which are particularly good.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Classic orc v. Dwarf game of Midgard at the Wycombe Warband club last night. It was an introductory game for Steve, who had clearly done a lot of homework reading the rules. I think he's another convert 🙂.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Kikuchiyo from @northstarfigs.bsky.social Seven Samurai set. The article by Kevin Dallimore in the North Star magazine nstarmagazine.com/RONIN_1_12.htm really helped with the clothing design!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Finished! I'm calling these Orcs of the Misty Mountains 🙂.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
I don't usually post WIP pics, but here's today's work. My orc army has been without a decent command stand, so I'm painting this for the coming Thursday's game. Vendel Miniatures from Thistle and Rose. Flag and base to be finished tomorrow.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Another group of Norman infantry completed. My Midgard force is currently a little cavalry-heavy, so these should give me a more adaptable warband. Lovely figures from Crusader Miniatures.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
I enjoy I'm really enjoying playing Ruckus at the moment, but I've been very tempted by Billhooks in the past. So these nine billmen can be added to the three I originally painted to make a unit of twelve for Billhooks. There are more on the painting table....
Nine medieval billmen figures painted with blue and purple livery jackets. Twelve medieval billmen figures painted with blue and purple livery jackets, mounted on a movement tray.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Apologies - posting again to correct the date. Graham Harrison has organised a Midgard game day in Aylesbury on Saturday 19th SEPTEMBER. He's planning a number of hosted games and probably a pub evening afterwards. Please sign up and spread the word. Cost is £11 and Graham is at BuckMoot@gmail.com
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
Graham Harrison has organised a Midgard game day in Aylesbury on Saturday 19th August. He's planning a number of hosted games and probably a curry or pub evening afterwards. Please sign up and do spread the word. Cost is £11 and Graham is at BuckMoot@gmail.com
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
We played a classic orc v. elf game of Midgard Heroic Battles on Thursday. It was a difficult game for the elves - at one point I replenished my reputation above zero with a successful charge against wolf riders. But only after David failed his command roll to evade three times in succession!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
A big 'kind of' Minden game today using Black Powder rules. Great to get these old figures out - the Prussians on the near side of the table were painted when I was still using gloss varnish! We didn't finish, but play will continue on Friday.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
A cavalry-heavy game of Midgard Heroic Battles at the Wycombe Warband club this evening. Jon's Kievan Rus against my Normans. It was a quick and devastating victory for the the Normans. The scenario we played - Take the High Ground - requires careful thought with these armies!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Just finished some Vendel Miniatures orcs. I fancied a bit of a change. Back to Normans next...
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
A friend brought over a Peninsular skirmish game on Saturday - Forager - which I'd not played before. I had some appropriate background music on the shelf 🙂!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Last bit of painting for 2025. Three more archers finished this morning give me a second Ruckus retinue, plus a couple of extras which may be required depending on the turn of the cards.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Members of the Wycombe Warband played a big Midgard game of Mons Graupius this afternoon - 600 pts per side. It finished up with a very narrow Roman win: -4 tokens to the Caledonians' -5 on the last turn! Was very satisfying to play such a close game!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
The Lead Mountain Boys held their annual Slay Ride game last night. Essentially a race across the table, gaining points for rescuing frozen cantinières or the eagle, or slaying wolves or cossacks, with double points if l'empereur happens to be looking your way at the time! All great seasonal fun 😀❄️
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Played Ruckus at the Wycombe Warband club on Thursday and introduced a couple of new players. It was a good game, but I definitely need to have more scenery on the table next time. Of course I would say that as my opponent's bowmen had clearly been attending regular Sunday practice at the butts!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
I might have found figures that are even easier to paint than early medievals 😀. I can't have spent more than half an hour on this sample.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
I'm pleased my wife takes an interest in my hobby, but she has high standards! She was horrified by the ill-fitting stamina loss marker on the elf cavalry in the photo of a game back in April. Hopefully these larger versions will satisfy. Finished in time for a first game with Normans on Thursday.
A base of elf cavalry wargames figures with one figure removed and replaced with a stamina loss marker which is too small to cover the vacant slot. Eight stamina loss markers for the wargame Midgard Heroic Battles, each with one or two white shields. A base of Norman cavalry wargames figures with one figure removed and replaced with a stamina loss marker that is large enough to cover the vacant slot.
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Couple more photos of this afternoon's Anglo-Sikh Wars game. We played using Black Powder rules and the game ended up as a draw, with two broken brigades each. Highlight for me was the Sikh Akalis finally (after 20 years' service!) doing what they're meant to do and charging fanatically!
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Flash Bang Zap the Dayglo Mage @flashbangzap.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Setting up for a big Anglo-Sikh Wars game.
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