A Victory Cry for Havoc 18

Courier Dispatch: News

by Dick Bryant

Battlegroup Boston hosted its annual historical miniatures wargame convention, HAVOC, at the Devens Sports Center in Ayer, MA on April 6 & 7. HAVOC has been sponsored by BGB each April for the past 18 years. The convention has grown over the years to become the largest wargame convention in the New England area with an attendance this year of 270 and 10 dealers. HAVOC 18 also broke a convention record of 130 pre-registered gamers, with one traveling from Georgia to attend.

The convention witnessed over 100 games over the two-day period covering all periods of military history and a few from the sci-fi future and fantasy niches. There were many ancient and medieval battles played including a re-fight of the Battle of Hastings. The Horse and Musket period had several American War of Independence, Napoleonics and American Civil War games. The W.W. II period dominated the modern era with games in all scales from micro-armor to 25mm, but there were also 3 Korean War games and 2 from the Vietnam War. The Indian Mutiny and Zulu Wars represented colonial period games. Even the Spanish Civil War and the 1920’s Irish Rebellion were re-fought over the weekend.

There were 10 dealers at HAVOC 18 providing the gaming community with a wide variety of miniatures, terrain pieces, books, rules, dice and any other item you could need for your tabletop conflict. I am constantly amazed at how many new items come out each month, both in different scales and periods. It is wonderful that the hobby supports such a wide range of manufacturers and dealers. My only wish was that I had the time to paint all that I purchased, but I guess that is why there are painting services.

HAVOC continued a policy we began last year; FREE flea market space. Starting at noon on Sunday, tables were given out to anyone who wanted to sell their previously loved wargame material. There were 8 people who took advantage of the free space turn old lead into cold cash. From the positive response we have received regarding the flea market, it will be continued at future HAVOC conventions.

Each year, BGB presents the “Dave” award to the GM’s who host the game that encompasses the best features of miniature war games. The award is in remembrance of Dave Donavan, a long time BGB member who passed away in 1994. Dave always made new players welcome and stressed that the most important part of gaming was to have fun. The award is determined based upon the games’ visual appearance, creative thought into the historical scenario, player involvement and most importantly player enjoyment. The choice of a winner this year was very difficult, as there were so many high quality games in contention.

The “Dave” for HAVOC 18 was presented to Martin Baber, Steve Smith and Sam Scott, for the “Point du Hoc D-Day Ranger Assault.” The table was a custom built 4-foot high cliff, complete with a beach at the bottom and topped by German gun casements and trench network. The players were cheering success and failure alike in a very enjoyable game. Congratulations to this year’s award winners.

There were several other notable events at HAVOC. Jim Parcella of Phoenix Hobbies was presented with a plaque from Battlegroup Boston in recognition of his years of supporting the HAVOC convention as well as the New England wargame community. A PBS film crew was on scene filming for an upcoming documentary on historical miniature war games. The print media was also at the convention with reporters and photographers to record the weekend event. The convention received front-page coverage in the Lowell Sun newspaper.

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