Greetings my wargame friends, and welcome to another column. Oh, and Happy New Year too! I must admit my sins to you dear brothers-4 have slipped to the dark side. Yes, with the publication of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition I have returned to my gaming roots of '75 and begun to run a campaign as the Dungeon Master. It's actually quite fun, and I've based it on the Dane/Swedish Vikings, which I played for years in DBM and WRG 6 & 7. My son and the other 7 players seem to be having fun. Consequently, miniature gaming (other than our fantasy skirmish) has taken a back seat, though I continue to have my 6mm Napoleonics painted.
So what's new in my mailbox this month? Dave Lowe sent me a copy of an Annati newsletter called the Phalanx Veteran, the third issue. The three-page hardcopy recapped a weekend Arena (4 round tournament) they held, as well as provided a scenario to fight he Battle oflmmae 218AD (Roman Civil War). Lowe also created an army list for Nabataen Arabs with new camel rules for folks to try out. Overall a good product, with a pretty color picture of Arabs camelry included. You can get Dave at phalanxveterangyahoo.co or call at (505) 224-2329.
Chris Pagano sent me an update on his folks the Upstate South Carolina Wargarning Society. He credits these pages with bringing in three new recruits-huzzah! They met monthly in theClemsonGreenv i lleSpartanburg area, and sponsor the annual Battle of Cowpens convention in the Spring (Mar 30-Apr 1). They play almost everything, but recent highlights are 20mm ACW, 1/1200 ACW ships, 25mm Napoleon in Spain, 15mm Franco-Prussian War, 54mm American Revolution and Wild West, 15mm Zulu, DBA, micro armor, 25mm Vikings, and Battle of Britain-whew! Grab a game with this fun group. See Chris's updated contact info below.
Hadn't heard from HMGS South in a while, but a belated July 00 issue of their Rebel Yell showed up from Hal. The highlight was a set ofNapoleonic variant rules for Fire & Fury by David Bush. There was also a detailed and balanced review of Mein Panzer rules. Their Recon and Hurricon conventions boast growing attendance-and that's a good thing.
The Northwest HMGS Citadel included an excellent expansion for Mustangs players detailing the use of bombers. All aspects are covered, with aircraft stats, changes for fighters attacking, then, ground fire, etc. Very interesting.
Bill Harting's latest offering for HMGS Mid-South included two lengthy pieces. The first was Tips for the Newcomer by Gill's fellow Lt Col David Beatty. The second was Bethany Haller's woman's perspective on wargaming. The latter offered insights into why many women avoid wargaming, and how to counter that trendplus she had an eye-catching closing line....
The Messenger of the HMGS Pacific South West contained a continuing interview with Tom Dye of Minifigs, discussing their philosophies and products. Bill Heizer wrote a piece covering Task Force Smith in Korea, and relating it to scenarios for gaming, while Steve Verdoliva continues his seven part series on the Third Silesian War.
I must compliment Bob Giglio at HMGS East on his initiative--I received a personal letter asking me to run a game at Cold Wars this March 9-11. While Bob and I have talked before, he really doesn't know me well, but he does, I'm sure thanks to Bill Gray, have a great database of former game masters that he is tapping. What a great idea! Bill Gray also penned an excellent piece discussing battle command prior to radio, and how to counter the 200-foot general syndrome of wargaming. Duncan Adams also wrote a nice piece discussing his coming to the hobby and how to recruit new folks. On a sad note, Don Featherstone informed readers that the renowned Tony Bath of many wargaming publications fame, has passed on at the age of 74 in the UK. In addition, the lovable Cleo Liebl of the Bob and & Cleo editorial team, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Our prayers go out for you Cleo.
Sounds like Heart of America HMGS's Border Wars in October went very well with a large attendance and some very colorful games. One renaissance skirmish featured a beautiful scratch-built church with a real copper roof-Rick Nance and Mark Duncan won Best Display for that. Two good articles covered the Wurttemberg Napoleonic army as well as the Battle of Bosworth Field . And Rick Nance added an excellent "how to" article for creating a foam cutter and making your own hex terrain.
Good stuff in the latest NOVAG news. First off was a good article on the "Lazy Man's Guide to Painting' insightful. Then Faron Betchley gives us two articles, one giving Viet Nam variations for use in Battleground rules, and the other sci-fi variations for the same. Well thought out. Rick Wynn created a good set of Gladiator rules for fun play too. Dave Luff finished with a thoughtful article discussing the "endangered species" called hobby stores.
Tampa Bay Gamers Association's Legends of the Spring con hits on March 24th this year in the Express Hotel, with all types of gaming events-they are seeking game masters.
The latest Big Muddy Historical Gaming Alliance newsletter, Fifth Column, was a bit thin on gaming stuff. However, the pages were full of notes on upcoming conventions, game lists for Command Con in November, and military related pieces on the USS Cole and an airshow. At their website I found a more recent newsletter, covering the results of Command Con, a net $1200+ gain for the club, as well as a few light articles including one on "Booth Babes" at cons.
The irrepressible Pete Panzeri wrote to tell of the upcoming Jodiecons-Antietain '02 to be held at the battlefield, and Borodino '02 to be held in the MDNA area. There is also a Custer/Little Big Horn Conference and 125th Anniversary to be held in Sheridan WY 21-12 June. Pete, of course, will host a battle there, as well others doing reenactments, scholars giving lectures, etc. He invites all enthusiasts to register at indianwars@aristotle.net.
Mike Demana, editor of the HMGS Great Lakes newsletter, put together another good issue. Dennis frank wrote an interesting piece concerning early wargame writing, this time highlighting the Tin Army of the Republic: A Kindergarten War by William Howe Downs, 1888. Other notable articles were two ACW refights, a review of War of 1812 Old Glory figures, a post-Kursk east front scenario for WWII. An excellent article for buildings on the cheap covered several websites for downloading paper buildings using your color printer --www.fiddlersgreen.net, www.paperparadise.com, microtactix.com/votc.htm. GL's flagship con Advance the Colors will be 14-16 Sep in the Holiday in at Springfield OH--drop in.
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© Copyright 2001 Hal Thinglum
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