When we gave Never Mind the Billhooks 1.0 away with the August 2020 issue of Wargames Illustrated, we never expected it to evolve into a 200-page all-singing all-dancing rulebook, with 3,500 followers on Facebook and a reputation as the most fun medieval miniatures game around. We also didn’t expect that it would sire a child in the form of the booklet we are giving away with this issue of the magazine: Never Mind the Boathooks.

Boathooks is a stand-alone set of rules – you don’t need to play Billhooks, or even like it, to play Boathooks. You will need to download some free cards, and you will need some medieval ship models, that’s about it. Your one-stop-shop for models is Sarissa Precision – they have you covered for the Warships and Support Vessels – but if you want to give the game a try before you buy; just use ship shaped card or paper until you decide you love the game as much as we do. Steve Wood has more suggestions for acquiring a medieval navy in his article on page 24.

On a completely different subject – Salute 50 was very good. Team Wi had a great time meeting readers, selling mags and subs, drinking overpriced coffee, and whizzing about the hall taking photos of the games (see page 32) and recording video interviews (see our YouTube channel). It really felt like this venerable old show was back to its best, and the UK wargames scene is all the better for it!