Building a Saxon Army for 28mm Dark Ages
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Product Reviews
Learn how to build a Saxon army for 28mm Dark Ages wargaming, from core warriors to command and basing, with practical decision rules.
Quick Answer
For a 28mm Dark Ages Saxon army, start with a core of early Saxon armoured warriors, add a few command figures, and base them for skirmish or mass battle. Choose plastic kits for variety and value.
Why plastic kits are a smart starting point
Plastic kits offer more head and weapon options than metal figures, letting you build a varied warband without buying dozens of separate packs. They are also easier to convert and repair, which matters when you are fielding 30-60 figures.
The Early Saxon Armoured Warriors set represents the upper-class Saxons, Jutes, Angles, and Danes who migrated to Britain in the 4th to 6th centuries. That gives you a historically grounded core that can also stand in for later Viking-era troops with minor conversions.
Balancing armoured and unarmoured troops
Not every Saxon was a wealthy noble with a mail shirt. To make your army look believable, mix armoured warriors with simpler levy or fyrd figures. This also affects gameplay: armoured troops are tougher but slower, while unarmoured ones are more numerous and can screen or flank.
If your ruleset rewards unit cohesion, keep your armoured warriors in a single block and use unarmoured troops as skirmishers or support. If you prefer a more heroic scale, you can field a smaller, elite warband.
Command and basing choices
A Saxon warband needs a leader, a standard bearer, and a horn blower. These figures make the army feel alive and give you a focal point. You can build them from the same plastic set by using the extra head options and a bit of green stuff.
Basing depends on your rules. For skirmish games, individual 25mm round bases work well. For mass battle, use multi-based units on movement trays. Consider magnetic trays to switch between systems.
Decision Rules for Building Your Saxon Army
- Choose your game scale: Decide whether you are playing skirmish (10-20 figures) or mass battle (40+ figures). This determines how many boxes you need and how you base your troops. Skirmish: 1 box is enough. Mass battle: buy 2-3 boxes for a full warband.
- Select your core troops: Use armoured warriors as your main line. They represent the thegns and nobles who formed the backbone of a Saxon warband. Start with at least 24 armoured warriors for a standard warband.
- Add unarmoured support: Include a few unarmoured figures to act as skirmishers or levy. You can use the same plastic set but leave off the armour pieces, or add a separate set of unarmoured Saxons if available. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of armoured to unarmoured for a balanced force.
- Build your command: Use the extra head options to make a leader, standard bearer, and horn blower. These figures are essential for most rulesets. Set aside 3 figures from your box for command.
- Base for your rules: Check your rules for base size and unit composition. Skirmish games use individual bases; mass battle uses multi-based units. Use magnetic movement trays to switch between game systems easily.
Product Spotlight
- Early Saxon Armoured Warriors: This set contains 36 hard plastic Early Saxon armoured warriors with a real mix of head options. You get enough figures for a solid warband core and the head variety lets you create distinct warriors without buying extra packs.
Early Saxon Armoured Warriors
Who This Guide Is For
Best for
- Newcomers to Dark Ages wargaming who want a solid, historically inspired Saxon force
- Players who prefer plastic kits for their variety and ease of conversion
Not for
- Players who want a fully unarmoured levy army or a purely Viking-style force
- Those who prefer metal miniatures for their weight and detail
