Pillage vs Standard Wargames: Which Rules Fit Your Army?
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Compare Pillage and standard rank-and-flank wargames for 28mm Dark Ages armies, covering model counts, table size, basing, and where transfers fit.
Quick answer
Pillage suits small, story-driven Dark Ages warbands where each figure matters and games resolve in an hour. Standard rank-and-flank wargames suit larger battles with formed units and detailed maneuver. Choose Pillage if you want a low model count and personal heroes; choose standard rules if you already own or plan to buy massed 28mm armies.
How the two rule styles play differently
Pillage is a skirmish system: you control a warband of individual warriors, not blocks of troops. Movement, melee, and morale focus on single figures, so a named leader or a lucky warrior can swing a game. Standard wargames typically use ranked units, wheeling formations, and command ranges, which reward planning several turns ahead and keeping units in supporting distance. The practical difference is table size and model count. Pillage works on a 3x3 or 4x4 foot mat with 20 to 40 figures. Standard games often need a 6x4 table and 100 or more figures per side.
What each style demands from your collection
Because Pillage uses individual figures, you can start with a single box and add characters as you go. That makes it friendly to painters who want to finish a warband before buying more. Standard wargames reward uniformity: you need enough identical figures to fill units, and your basing must match the rule set. If you already own a large Dark Ages force, standard rules let you use it as intended. If you are starting from scratch, Pillage gets you playing sooner with less assembly and painting.
Where transfers and banners fit in
Both styles use shield designs and banners to identify units, but skirmish games often have more individual character figures, so a variety of shield patterns helps. Standard games need consistent heraldry across a unit. Un-cut transfers give you control over how many shields or banners you apply at once, but they require cutting and soaking time. The product records below show what is available in the store.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Pillage: low model count, high character: You need fewer figures and can finish a warband quickly, but individual figure quality matters more because every model is seen up close. Best if you enjoy painting heroes and telling a story.
- Standard wargames: massed units, deeper maneuver: Formation rules reward planning and unit synergy, but you need many more figures and consistent basing. Best if you already own or want to build a large army.
- Transfers: un-cut sheets give flexibility: Un-cut transfers let you apply designs as needed, but they take time to cut and soak. Pre-cut transfers are faster but less flexible. Choose un-cut if you want control over shield patterns.
Product facts that affect your choice
- ART(WF,BTD)9: ART(WF,BTD)9 is an un-cut transfer sheet in the Flags and Transfers category, priced at USD 2.80 (catalog comparison price USD 4.00). Un-cut transfers let you choose exactly how many shields or banners to apply, which suits skirmish warbands where each figure is unique.
- EIRL(WF)4: EIRL(WF)4 is an un-cut transfer sheet in the Flags and Transfers category, priced at USD 2.96 (catalog comparison price USD 4.00). A second design option helps you mark different units or factions, useful in both skirmish and standard games.
- Norman Infantry: Norman Infantry is a 60-figure set of 28mm hard plastic Normans with 14 body options and additional parts, and it is supported by a range of shield transfers and banner sheets from LBMS. This set provides enough figures for a standard army or multiple Pillage warbands, and the transfer support means you can finish the shields consistently.
Which rules should you choose?
Choose Pillage if you
- want to start playing with 20-40 figures
- prefer narrative skirmishes with individual heroes
- have limited painting time and table space
Choose standard wargames if you
- already own 100+ figures and want massed battles
- enjoy formation maneuver and command ranges
- prefer a competitive tournament scene with ranked units
