Adventures on the Wargames Table

If you've picked up the latest Wargames Illustrated (Issue 323) then you will have probably read about the new offering from Osprey Lion Rampant , penned by one of my favourite games designers, Dan Mersey . I already have his Dux Bellorum rules, which although I've not played, do look to be superb. Therefore I have high hopes for Lion Rampant. The medieval era is one that really lights my imagination, whether it's early medieval such as Normans, Saxons, etc, or later such as the HYW or WotR. Not for nothing did I have a large Bretonnian host back in my WFB days! But ... I've never really enjoyed playing huge medieval battles. They always seem to be a bit "line up and bash each other" type games. So the idea of playing dynamic skirmish games with bold knights, trusty sergeants-at-arms is too good to pass up. This really is a classic case of a wargamer seeing the latest shiny thing, but hey it's a hobby, so let's have fun! Since I already have qui...

Chain of Command requires the use of a number of markers or 'counters' to keep track of what troops are doing. You can purchase a perfectly usable set of plastic tokens from TFL. These do the trick admirably but I prefer to create my own more scenic versions - if possible. When troops are moving 'tactically' they are moving more slowly in order to make the most of any cover. In game terms this means they have an improved cover save. To represent this I've made a small set of scenic features to place in front of the troops to indicate this 'tactical' status. First, some bullet riddled corrugated iron for when troops are moving amongst buildings. The reverse in more detail. They're just offcuts of corrugate plasticard with some bits of match stick and plastic bricks. Here are some fences - ideal if troops are moving tactically across farmland. These are meant to be either bushes or parts of a hedge for when troops are crossing more open are...

Yes I have been at it again with the brushes! After seeing Dave and Dan's lovely Viking and Irish figures at the recent Devizes show I was inpsired to paint these fellows. I have really enjoyed painting them; it's quite some time since I did any 'proper' painting. By that I mean not using the dip. For these I start from a black undercoat and apply a Foundry-esque style three colour process. Here they are with their shields (LBMS of course!). A close up. Another close up. I hope that these will be start of a Norse/Scots force. All Crusader figures apart from the chap with yellow and black 'raven' style shield - he's a GB Early Saxon!. Finally ... things on the blog will go quiet for a bit as we'll soon be off for our Summer holidays! Cheerio

At last! My first game of Chain of Command courtesy of chum Steve who was kind enough to stage the game last Sunday evening at the club. Not only did he guide me through the rules (which are truly superb!), he also provided all the miniatures and scenery! Thank you my friend :o) Anyway, here's the table, a sleepy farm somewhere in Normandy, Summer 1944... I chose to lead the Germans and Steve led the British. At this point we've completed the Patrol Phase (an igenious idea) so if you look carefully you can see my jump off points on the left, in the wood, behind the crops and behind the house, whilst Steve's are behind the barn, on the road (top right corner) and one out of shot on the right. We used basic forces with no support options. The Germans had a slight advantage in Morale, which was useful as we were playing the Patrol scenario. Here I've deployed one of my sections behind the house. To be able to move, fire, perform actions, etc, you first need to ro...