A quick update - what happened in 2023 and some plans for 2024

 In 2023 I was able to play 201 games across a lot of recorded and imagined space and time.  What particularly pleased me was that my last game of the year was my 100th based on a real historic land battle and I also did 2 similar naval engagements.

Highlights included trips with Test of Resolve to Hammerhead, Historicon, Carronade and Claymore.  I also made two trips to France to play wargames at Matt and Vanessa Williamson's delightful holiday property L'Hotel d'Herce, and visit historic sites including Mont St Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry.

Not too much off the beaten track this year but I did enjoy games at Station Gamers in Kilmarnock and the Crossfire Gaming Club in Cumbernauld.

A new venture for me was attending 3 'just for interest' courses at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow being The Hundred Years War, Caesar's Gallic Wars and the Punic Wars.

Plans for 2024?

Play 202 games, including as many refights of historic battles as I can in that total.

Visit a few new shows and clubs.  I enjoy this in its own right and it is also a good way to spread the word about Test of Resolve.  

I have another course booked at Strathclyde on the Civil Wars so some 17th Century action may be on the cards.

At least one more visit to France.

Blog at least half a dozen times as the year progresses.

A Happy New Year to you all and good gaming in 2024.

  

 

First Post in Over a Year

 Many of you will know that my wife died last September and my interest in maintaining the blog waned.

Two things have really helped me in coping.  One is my dog Beau, who has been an absolute godsend.

The other has been wargaming.  

Beau has made me get out, exercise, and his happy face on a walk or running after a ball has been a real tonic.

Wargaming has kept my brain active and also kept me in contact with my wargaming friends.

I decided to post as after being involved in 3 games of Test of Resolve at the Claymore Wargames Show in Edinburgh today my game count for 2022 passed the 100 mark.

Thanks so much to all my opponents and friends for helping me keep myself sane.

My plan is to post more in the coming weeks

Test of Resolve Scenario Book 2 now available

Now on sale on our website testofresolve.com it covers 8 battles in the latter half of the Wars of the Roses namely Hedgeley Moor, Hexham, Edgcote, Empingham, Barnet, Tewkesbury, Bosworth and Stoke Field.  Lots of fun to playtest and it is great to be able to offer it up the the wargaming public.

 

First time back at the club since February 2020

 We actually opened on the 21st but it was my first visit this Monday.  We are operating a fairly strict set of protocols in line with Scottish Government advice and a lot of members are not wanting to return just yet but it was good to see 7 of our 8 available tables with games on them.

I played 7YW Rebels and Patriots using a scenario from the Sugar Islands campaign book.  I took the French and led the defense of Madame Ducharmety's plantation on Guadeloupe.  The redoubtable lady's force was largely made up of armed slaves who provided a determined resistance to the British regulars but after a  brisk firefight a highland charge stormed the hill and she she was wounded and captured.

Thanks to Doug for the game.  Perhaps I will remember to take pictures next time.

 

Launch of Test of Resolve - Wars of the Roses

It has been quite a journey but myself and Tim have now published our first set of rules together with a scenario book and printed game cards. Some links for more information are below

We did a Youtube interview to mark the launch

EXCLUSIVE: Test of Resolve - New Wars of the Roses wargaming rules released - YouTube

 Peter, one of our playtesters, did an in depth run through of a game of Stoke Field which explains how the rule mechanisms work 

 Blunders on the Danube: Test of Resolve Playthrough - Stoke Field, June 16, 1487

If you are on Facebook you might want to join our group

Test of Resolve Wargame Rules | Facebook

 Also a link to our website for more information and to makes purchases

testofresolve.com

The softback books are available worldwide from Amazon but the PDFs and cards only direct from us 

Wargaming the Sudan in 15mm

I bought 15mm armies suitable for gaming the Sudan a few years ago and with the above volume now in my possesion I can plan some games for when the club open again I need to expand the collection a bit to do full scale battles but I will start with some scenarios for The Men Who will be Kings

Mythic Wargaming

Something for later in the year once we are gaming face to face again. I am hoping to do linked scenarios for Jason and Argonauts using Hordes of the Things which is from some Slingshot articles a few years ago. Also an Arthurian quest – dark ages vibe rather than medieval – from Songs of Arthur and Merlin. Games are relatively short so 2 a session swopping sides would be the aim. Just some painting to finish off and I need a Giant and a Witch!

2021 Plan

With Tim publish Test of Resolve - Wars of the Roses and scenario booklets covering all of the battles, earlier in the year rather than later. If things open up we hope to demo the rules at shows and clubs. Play 100 games, zoom, clubs and shows Do a bit of painting and organising, but anything over and above the above would be a bonus.

How went 2020?

Not at all as planned 17 face to face games up until March After that 70 zoom games and 2 PBEM 89 was not a bad score for games played considering. The zoom games were all run by Tim and were all Wars of the Roses battles. We have developed a set of rules titled Test of Resolve - Wars of the Roses which have been in development for most of the year and are now getting close to compeltion. More to follow on the rules and associated scenarios. It has been a huge amount of fun developing them and playing many of the historical battles to playtest them. It has pretty much kept me sane this crazy year. Not much else to report. Vapnartak was a good day out and my only show of 2020. The flea market style bring and buy is much improved but for the first time ever I did not manage to get a game which was a shame. Some painting progress but that tailed off in the second half of the year. 2021 plans to follow

2020 Plan

A little late but here we go


Playing games is always the most important part of wargaming for me and the target remains 100 games.  I think I may struggle to get up to 120 of the last couple of years year but 100 would  still be good.


I am currently expectig to do 4 campains/linked battles - Jason and the Argonauts, Wars of the Roses, Barons War and Vanguard.  Also possbly War of the Triple Alliance and the Sudan in 15mm but they may end up being more focussed towards 2021.  If the Austrians get done one or two Napoleonic battles are a possibility.  Plus of course lots of one off games in as many differnt rule sets as I can manage.


I need to have another go at tidying the attic and all my wargames stufff in there - earlier attempts have improved things but much more needs to be done.  I expect to actaully get rid of one or two things as well


Painting - more specific this year - Finish Jason and his opponents (25mm) to be able to do the campaign, tidy up and base my 15mm Napoleonic Austrians, work on the 10mm WW2 Brits and try and get some more 25mm DBA armies table ready.


In terms of new places to game I will continue to be on the lookout for shows/events/clubs/etc. to go to.  One firm plan is to get to the the Society of Ancients Conference down in Oxford.


Not sure on blogging probably just the ocassional update.


Plenty to keep me occupied

How went 2019 ?

So going down my list




Played 119 miniatures games and 2 board games so very pleased with that.



Managed 5 new places including  the medieval day in Leven in January, the new Glasgow show and an ECW day at Galashiels and got to over 100 different paces gamed overall



 Lots of differnet rules systems.  Enjoyed the Battle Companies finale and other campaigns including the Wars of the Roses and 7YW sugar islands both of which are continuing into 2020. Also good to get down to Washington Wargames Club for a couple of days of Lion Rampant



 Painting went OK - still want to do more.



 Blogging was minimal



2020 targets to follow soon!

Visit to Glasgow Phoenix

I try to get over to the Phoenix club a couple of times a year to play DBA or HOTT.

On Tuesday I had 4 games of DBA against Mark.  I normally take along a historically matched pair of armies and something to take on his Wars of the Roses army.  All 25mm of course.

The first clash was Syracuse v Later Carthaginian.  Mark had the Africans bravely charging forward against their opponents some of whom had the advantage of being on a hill.  I threw a lot of sixes and blew them away in very short time.

The first game was a typical DBA line v line clash.  I tried something different for the rematch and split the Carthaginians into two groups with a gap in the centre.  I then refused the right flank made up of my Spanish auxillia and put cavalry on the right flank.  Finally I left my cavalry general in the centre.  The plan worked pretty well with my left flank winning the game helped by the general who sneaked through the centre and was able to get to the rear of the Italians.  Rolling more sixes helped.

By this stage I was quite embarrassed at my excessive rolling of 6s.  I actually changed my dice twice but it made no difference.

Mark was to have his revenge in the second round of games.  I started using Scots Common Army but although the spear held up well losing only one element the loss of my Highland Archers, Horde and Knights (on a draw v Blades) was enough. 

Using the Tudor army for the final game I tried the split army trick again massing the missiles on my left and the rest on the right.  All that firepower only managed to take out the hordes and the death of my general hastened me to a second defeat.

We each won two games so honour was satisfied on both sides.

Games played this year 113 miniatures 2 board

Systems played 36 miniatures 2 board

Blogging again

Lets see how long I can keep this going – the intention is to try and blog after every gaming session.

Had a game of Vanguard against Kev at the club, my elves against his Northern Alliance. My games are noted for extreme dice rolls but this time we both enjoyed/suffered big ups and downs.

To be fair to Kev I had the better of the luck which started with my first set of shooting against his scout – 4 hits none saved and nerve test also failed so dead.  At one stage it looked as if it was all going to be over very quickly but then the roles were revered for a while and Kev clawed his way back into contention.  It didn’t last though and I ended up victorious having won the scenario by finding  and holding on to the spy’s missing papers.

We are intending to do a 7 game Vanguard campaign next year which I am looking forward to

Games played this year 109 miniatures 2 board

Systems played 36 miniatures 2 board

What I am working on 27/09/2019

Inspired by another blog I thought that I would post a list of what I am currently working on


WW2 British            10mm        Blitzkrieg Commander
Medieval Scots         25mm       DBA
Greek ships               large         Fleet of Battle
Austrian 19C            15mm       Field of Battle
Austrian Nap            15mm       Field of Battle
Danish 19C              15mm       Field of Battle
British Nap               15mm       Field of Battle
Wars of the Roses    25mm       Field of Battle
Beastmen                 28mm       Hostile Realms
Chaos Warriors        28mm       Hostile Realms
Elf                             28mm      Hostile Realms
Men                          28mm       Hostile Realms
Jason                         25mm       Hordes of the Things
Jason's enemies        25mm       Hordes of the Things
Fantasy Viking         28mm       Of Gods and Mortals
Carthaginian             25mm       Pulse of Battle
Republican Roman   25mm       Pulse of Battle
Late Roman              25mm       Pulse of Battle
Goth                          25m          Pulse of Battle
Ghosts of Gaia          28mm       Rogue Stars
Elf                             25mm       Vanguard


I hope to game with most of these in the next 12 months

100 Years of War - 20th Century wargames event in Scotland

This is the 7th year I have run this event and its always a fun day of wargaming.  Please comment below or send me an email if you are interested in taking part




Details are:

Date: Sunday 29th September 2018

 Timing: 10:00 – 17:00 (2 gaming sessions with a short break in between for lunch)

Venue:  Newlands Community Centre, Montgomery Street, Grangemouth, FK3 8QR

Cost: Free – tea and coffee (and possibly biscuits!) will be available without charge from the kitchen

 Notes for Those putting on games

Each game should be capable of being run in full in one of the 2 gaming sessions and will normally only run once.  The expectation is that games will be run by individuals or small groups.  Think participation game rather than demonstration game.  Any system from 1900 onwards, land, sea or air.

  Those taking part will have varying levels of experience as wargamers and might have not played the rules system before – indeed some people use this event as an opportunity to have a go at a new system so please bear this in mind when designing your scenarios.

Tables and boards are available as is some club terrain if needed

 If you put a game on hopefully you will be able to take part in another game during the other session and you will have first choice of which one you want to take part in

 Please contact Dave Knight with details of the game as soon as you can.  An initial statement of intent is helpful but please forward details of those putting the game on. period, scale, board size and number of participants as soon as you can and by mid-September at the latest if at all possible.   An example would be John Smith and Joe Brown, Normandy 1944, 15mm, Chain of Command 6 x 4 table 2 – 6 participants.  Also advise if you expect to play in the other session.

            Notes for game participants

You will have the opportunity to play 2 games during the day, although if you can only make one session this is no problem.

 You will be able to state a preference of which games you want to take part in nearer the time, but please be aware that your first choice may not be available and you may be asked to take part in a different game. If this causes you a major issue please have a quiet word on the day.

Part of the fun is to mix people from different clubs and for you to have a chance to play something new, but the primary aim is for us all to have 2 fun games so no strict rules apply other than normal sensible behaviour.

I have now played wargames in 100 different places !

I am an unashamed lister and summariser of my wargaming activities and one of the things that I track is where I play my games.


I attended the Glasgow Games Gathering at Bellahouston Leisure Centre and took part in the Falkirk Club's Boxer Rebellion game,  This got my 100 different places up.


It has taken a long time.  I wonder if I can get to 200?

Vapnartak show report

Since the 2013 show the Falkirk club has sent a bus down to Vapnartak.  It is our only club day out of the year and it is paid for by club funds.  About 20+ normally make the trip - some are perhaps put off by the early start (5am from Falkirk).  I have gone down every year but one and have always enjoyed my day out.

The trade presence is fantastic with York being as far north as some traders venture.  The flea market style bring and buy has always been pretty poor with the sellers crammed into a very tight space.  There is a bar and a café with a reasonably sized seating area – not wonderful but as good if not better than most wargames shows.

Until 2019 I have also normally been pretty impressed by the number and variety of games.  This year I was very disappointed.  Few of big set piece games attracted my attention and in fact didn’t seem to have changed much since last year.  Quite a few people have commented on the lack of engagement with the public by those taking part.  The number of games in total and participation games in particular seemed well down.

My verdict on the show

Trade – very good but not what I go for - the purchases that I made could just as easily have been done online

Games – much poorer – I was disappointed by only being able to get in to 2 participation games and I was not engaged by the demonstration games

Venue – pretty good – a bit crowded in places but no real issues

Bring and Buy – the flea market format is good but the set up is appallingly bad and this year virtually nothing tempted me (£2.50 spent)

If it was not for the fact that it is a good day out with mates from the club I am not sure that I would go in 2020.  By the way I have been involved in running a number of wargames shows myself, absolutely recognise the hard work done by the York club in putting Vapnartak on and thank them for that.  I am sure that the main attraction for the majority of the attendees is the trade element.  However for myself and other less interested in that aspect the attraction was somewhat less in 2019 compared to previous years.

2019 Plan

I hope 2019 will follow fairly seamlessly from 2018.


Target games played is still a minimum of 100, but I will try to get up to 120.  This will rely on gaming 2 weekday nights more often and perhaps getting along to the new Stirling Wargamers venue a few times


I hope to get to 3 or 4 new wargames shows/events in 2019.  With the medieval day in Leven in January, the new Glasgow show and the Waterloo event (FDWC are putting on a couple of side participation games) this should be doable. This should also let me achieve my target of 3 new places wargamed


Rules systems should be many and varied.  The Hannibal and Battle Companies campaigns should conclude and I hope to start a couple of new ones towards the latter half of the year.


My painting target will be a bit bolder - the 100 painted from scratch again but this time I am going to go for 1200 finished off.
Blogging after each game proved difficult in 2018.  I will give it another go in 2019 even if some of the posts are quite short
Wish me luck!

How went 2018??

First of all another good year in terms of number of games played, 112 miniatures and 2 board giving a total of 114.

In terms of rule systems I managed a good deal of variety with 38 miniature sets and 2 different board games.

At the club I have been involved in a Middle Earth Battle Companies campaign which whilst not as much fun as the multi player Mordhiem campaigns of the past have still been enjoyable.

Away from the club I enjoyed some good game at Tim’s (with Tim, Doug and Aiden) including most of the Jacobite rebellion battles and the start of a Hannibal campaign.  Another highlight was a trip to the Naval Wargames Society weekend at the Fleet Air Arm Museum which was well worth seeing in itself.


Following on from organising a public participation game at our local Big Roman Week I wrote up the event in an article for Slingshot which was published.

In painting terms I only managed 21 fully painted figures (target 100) but did a lot of tidying up and basing which let me claim 679 completed figures (target 600)  in the year which is a lot better than my normal output.

 

Blogging went very well with a post after every game until August when I developed a bit of a backlog and just about stopped.  

My target of playing in 5 new places to get my lifetime score up to 100 ended up being a disappointing 2, so I am now stuck at 97!

Overall a pretty good year as my main objective is as always was to play lots of enjoyable games with friends old and new and in that I very much succeeded

Miniatures games played 2018

This is what I have played this year - a good number of games (112) and selection of rules (38)

Lord of the Rings	17
DBA 3.0	14
Wings of War	12
Lion Rampant	9
What a Tanker	9
Field of Battle	6
Bandits High	4
Pulse of Battle	4
Saga 2	3
Cartouche	2
Full Thrust	2
L'art de la Guerre	2
Sharp Practice	2
War and Conquest	2
Archon 2	1
ArcWorlde	1
Ball and Chain	1
Blitzkrieg Commander 2	1
Bolt Action	1
Chain of Command	1
Check Your 6	1
Coastal Patrol	1
Din of Battle	1
Dragon Rampant	1
East Neuk Irregulars 20th Century	1
Fire and Fury	1
General Quarters	1
If the Lord Spares Us	1
In Her Majesty's Name	1
Jump or Burn	1
Kiss Me Hardie	1
Rogue Stars	1
Sails of Glory	1
Songs of Blades and Heroes	1
Strongsword	1
The Men Who Would be Kings	1
Wargaming Nineteenth Century Europe 1815 - 1878	1
Zeebrugge	1