As winter fast approaches, it is interesting to look at the proliferation of hobby websites, discussion groups and newsgroups. Of course, our own recent discussion groups for AW/MW (GoreAMwar@onelist.com) as well as Jeff's for Renaissance Warfare (RenWar@onelist.com) have been very well received. We have over fifty members on the AW/MW list. Now the value of these lists is that any new rules clarifications and/or additions, army lists, etc. can be immediately submitted and discussed by the group, allowing for instant feedback.

Fall In was great again this year. The MW tournament had over a dozen players, sixteen, in fact, playing in both 15mm and 25mm. At Cold Wars, we are planning on running the tournament in both scales as well as a 15mm only Ancient Warfare tournament as a "let's see about the interest" for using both scales for both rules sets at Historicon. I am tentatively planning on both rules systems being used, with AW on Friday and MW on Saturday. We will keep you posted.

In anticipation of the Historicon AW tournament, I have returned to my 1st Punic War Carthaginian army. Although I REALLY like the Punic War period Romans, both armies will be considered for play…but Carthage currently has the upper hand. This (of course) means that a certain amount of painting must be done, but with some of the new Foundry releases as well as Old Glory for good measure, both of these armies will be joys to work on.

My course for WebED on the Middle Ages is up and running, and now I'm working on a course on the Punic Wars…is there a parallel here? Obviously, when you start to research historical armies, you are drawn to them as possible wargaming forces. Some of you may recall the demos of AW where we used the same 1st Punic War Carthaginians against the Romans. These were good, fun games.

Later in this issue, you will find an article by Perry Gray on rules systems. Each set of rules has its good and bad points, and rules writers spend an inordinate amount of time striving to make them 'feel' right. There is no way any single rules system can appeal to everyone. Some players cannot abide DBM. Others hate ARMATI. Still others have nothing good to say about anything!

To these people I simply say, then write your own rules. "Oh, too much trouble…" Then quit whining. With so many systems out there, it is inconceivable that all of us cannot find at least one set we like. If I did not have my own rules, I would opt for Chris Parker's DoB or Bob Bryant's MoA (with a nod toward Phil Viverito's Hack series as well). Of course, I like my rules better!