Huscarls vs Scots/Picts Warriors: 28mm Dark Ages Tactics

Two very different ways to build a Dark Ages force

The Huscarls and Scots/Picts Warriors sets both give you 36 plastic figures, but they solve different problems on the tabletop. One is a heavily equipped elite that wants to close ranks and grind through the enemy. The other is a flexible, unarmoured force that can mass as spearmen, skirmish with javelins, or form a shieldwall when needed. Choosing between them is less about which is 'better' and more about which playstyle and army background you want to commit to.

This comparison sticks to what the supplied product records confirm. Where a detail isn't given, such as exact shield dimensions or assembly options beyond the frames described, treat that as a gap to check before you buy rather than a hidden feature.

What each set actually contains

• Huscarls (Late Saxons/Anglo Danes): The Huscarls set contains 36 superbly detailed miniatures, 6 Warrior Main Frames, 2 Command Frames, 10 body options, 20 head options, 2 monks, and 7 weapon options including single-handed axes, double-handed axes, swords, clubs, spears, and javelins. This is a command-capable elite unit with enough variety to build a distinct front rank and a standardised back rank. The monks are a useful bonus for baggage or character models.

  

• Scots/Picts Warriors: The Scots/Picts Warriors set contains 36 figures on 6 sprues, representing unarmoured Pict warriors of the Late Roman period and Scots warriors of the Viking Age. You get two historical identities from one box, which stretches your spend across two popular wargaming eras. The trade-off is that the figures are unarmoured, so they rely on numbers and tactics rather than armour saves.

  

Armour, weapons, and the shieldwall question

The Huscarls are described as the Saxon warrior elite, equipped with chain mail and an assortment of helmets. They carry a double-handed Dane Axe or can use a spear. That combination points to a unit that can absorb punishment and hit hard in melee, especially when you model the front rank with Dane Axes and the rear ranks with spears. The set includes an assortment of shield shapes, including round and kite shaped, and there are enough shields to equip everybody with a round shield if you prefer. That matters for Late Saxons and Anglo Danes players who want a consistent shieldwall look but still need a few kite shields for variety.

The Scots/Picts Warriors are explicitly unarmoured. They are armed with long spears or javelins, plus swords and axes, and can be assembled as massed spear formations, skirmishers, or tight shield walls. Distinctively shaped Pict shields are included. The lack of armour is not a flaw in the set; it is the historical reality the figures represent. In game terms, you are trading durability for flexibility and numbers. A spear formation can present a wall of points, while a skirmish screen can harass and delay. The same box can do both, which is unusual and valuable if you like to switch roles between games.

How they play on the tabletop

These are general tactical implications drawn from the equipment and descriptions, not rules for a specific system. Always check your chosen ruleset for exact profiles.

• Huscarls: elite shock troops: Chain mail and helmets suggest better staying power. Dane Axes give a high-damage option, while spears offer reach or a more defensive posture. The command frames and monks let you build a leader-led unit with a strong visual identity. Best when you want a compact, hard-hitting centre that can break enemy lines.
• Scots/Picts Warriors: flexible mass: Unarmoured but numerous. Long spears can form a spearwall; javelins and swords support a skirmish or flanking role. The same figures can be Picts or Scots, so you can field them as a Late Roman-era raiding force or a Viking Age army. Best when you want to outmanoeuvre rather than outfight, or when you need to fill out multiple units on a budget.

Shields and conversion potential

• Huscarls (Late Saxons/Anglo Danes): There is an assortment of shield shapes including round and kite shaped on the frames, and enough to equip everybody with a round shield if you wish. The set is fully supported by LBMS shield transfers. Transfers save painting time and give a consistent unit look. The mix of shield shapes lets you build a Late Saxon or Anglo Dane force with the right visual cues without buying extra parts.
• Scots/Picts Warriors: Distinctively shaped Pict shields are included. The set can be assembled as massed spear formations, skirmishers, or tight shield walls. The Pict shields are a strong visual identifier. The three assembly options mean one box can fill multiple battlefield roles, which is ideal for players who like to experiment with army lists.

Historical scope and army building

The Huscarls set is aimed squarely at Late Saxons and Anglo Danes. That makes it a natural choice if you are building a 1066-era force or a Viking Age army with a Saxon elite. The inclusion of monks and a command frame supports a retinue-style force with characters and baggage elements.

The Scots/Picts Warriors set covers two distinct periods: unarmoured Pict warriors of the Late Roman period and Scots warriors of the Viking Age. The supplied notes mention that the Picts dominated northern Scotland from the 3rd century A.D., raiding by land and sea, and that from the 5th century the Scots crossed from Ireland and founded Dál Riata, eventually merging with the Picts under Kenneth MacAlpin in the 9th century. There is also a specific note to use The Picts in the New Pillage Supplement – The Fall of Rome. If you play that supplement, this set is a direct fit. If you want one box that can serve as both a Late Roman opponent and a Viking Age force, this is the more versatile purchase.

Decision rules for your next purchase

• Choose Huscarls if...: You want an elite, armoured unit with command options, you play Late Saxons or Anglo Danes, and you prefer a hard-hitting shieldwall that can anchor a battle line. The LBMS transfer support is a practical bonus.
• Choose Scots/Picts Warriors if...: You want maximum flexibility: skirmishers, spear formations, or shieldwalls from one box, and you want to cover either the Late Roman period or the Viking Age. It is also the better choice if you are building a Pict army for the Fall of Rome supplement.
• Consider both if...: You want a historical matchup between Picts/Scots and Late Saxons, or you are building two opposing forces for demo games. The two sets share the same scale and are designed to face each other across the table.

What the supplied records do not confirm

Neither set's supplied information includes preparation instructions, care guidance, or compatibility notes for specific rulesets beyond the Fall of Rome supplement mention for the Picts. If you need to know whether the figures are single-piece or multi-part beyond the frame breakdown, or whether the shields are separate components, check the product listing images or contact the store before ordering. The records also do not give figure height in millimetres or base sizes, so plan your bases according to your preferred ruleset rather than assuming a standard.