As summer slips into autumn, a young man's thoughts turn to raising the next regiment and refining the brushwork on his battalions, so here's what we've got in this issue to keep you company as you plan your next victory!.
In this issue, we have:
- Warwick Kinrade gives us a rules writer's insights in Soldiers of God, explaining his latest set of medieval wargames rules to hit the market and his reasons for writing them.
- Norm Smith returns with Containment, imagining a time when the aliens have landed and humanity needs to kick butt! With three scenarios and a complete set of rules, sci-fi fans will enjoy this all-in-one package from a wargames veteran.
- Our friendly Newark Irregular Steve Jones takes a break from beating back the nettles in the garden to bring us one of his marvelous multi-period scenarios in Threemen's Farm. So, whether you're a fan of ancients, horse-and-musket or WWII, it's time to get those toys on the table!
- Charlie M Grant is with us again, encouraging you to Pick your battles – create a campaign without campaigning. He describes how you can enhance your wargames by creating a series of linked battles, but without the hassle of a full-blown campaign. No paperwork, just fun!
- This month's issue is packed with terrain tips, and here Tony Harwood creates The Mausoleum, a magnificent centerpiece for your fantasy gaming, inspired by Frostgrave from Osprey, but of course it could be used for any period or genre.
- Andy Copestake wins 'Best Title of the Year' for When I see sausages… Despite appearances to the contrary, he's not taken a turn for the wurst – no, his mind is as keen as mustard and his senses hot, doggedly presenting wieners on a plate from the greatest military movies and TV shows to hit the screen.
Of course, we have our regular spots:
- The Editor celebrates the 30th issue of the combined magazine in his Briefing, and covers the online world and new developments in his World Wide Wargaming
- Neil Shuck ponders trends in the hobby in Forward Observer, with particular emphasis this month on card-driven gaming systems and the popularity of the Crusades.
- Diane Sutherland uses her Wargames Widow column to provide terrain-making tips, focusing on small-scale fortifications.
- Fantasy Facts columnist John Treadaway scans the worlds of fantasy and sci-fi wargaming, covering a wide range of stuff from The Hobbit to Frostgrave to Halo.
- Boardgame specialist Brad Harmer uses his Hex Encounter column to extol the virtues of the popular Shadows Over Camelot.
- Conrad Kinch considers the tricky art of writing scenarios in his Send three and fourpence
- We have an update from our continuing Battlegames Combat Stress Appeal, and our highly respected Recce section reviews all manner of books, rulesets and other stuff.
- Finally, our competition this month features a whopping great prize from Warlord Games – Beyond the Gates of Antares!
