This issue comes with a free Never Mind the Billhooks standalone ruleset: Never Mind the Matchlocks.
I’ll begin this month’s editorial with a brief FAQ: no, you don’t need Never Mind the Billhooks to play Never Mind the Matchlocks, it’s a completely self-contained ruleset. Matchlocks is ideal for bringing small armies of around 150 figures per side to bear in tabletop battles set during the English Civil War (and thereabouts).
In utilising the mechanics of Billhooks, author Andy Callan and I hope that Matchlocks will prove to be as popular as it’s medieval forefather, enticing many of you to either brush off those roundheads and cavaliers you have somewhere at the back of your cupboard, or providing an excuse to purchase a few new boxes/packs.
The launch of Never Mind the Matchlocks has somewhat stolen the limelight from this month’s Gladiator theme. In truth, it was only ever going to be a mini theme. Inspired by the new Ridley Scott blockbuster, we have contrived to feature two gladiator themed articles in this month’s magazine, daring to go even further than Mr Scott would, by pitting Queen Victoria, Napoleon, Genghis Khan, and many more, against each other in one of our gladiator inspired articles – turn to page 36 to be enlightened.
Happy reading and rolling.
Dan Faulconbridge
Editor
OBSERVATION POST
This month’s reviews take in battles in the Mughal Empire, AWI Germans for Muskets & Tomahawks, and Border Wars figures.
RELEASE RADAR
Dom Sore’s back with more new and upcoming releases from the varied world of wargaming.
QUICK FIRE
Short, quick-read posts from Wi readers about their hobby projects, notes, news, and observations.
THEME: GO FOR THE JUGULA
Andy Lyon and Sam Catterall talk to James about their gladiatorial game of choice, Studio Tomahawk’s Jugula.
COHORS CTHULU TACTICS
James has a go at Modiphius’ new wargame, where Romans meet Lovecraftian horror, and Matt paints some of the figures.
THEME: SEMI-HISTORICAL CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH
Your chance to play an almost forgotten classic of the gladiatorial gaming genre, which we ran as a participation game at Salute 2017.
QUACKS AND WAR HAWKS
Mike Peters presents eleven new Dramatis Personae to spice up your games of Ruckus.
PUBLIC ENEMIES – PART THREE
Nick Buxey finishes his gangster trilogy with a look at the genre’s most infamous duo.
WHAT’S THAT, SKIPPY? ELEPHANT FALLEN DOWN THE OLD WELL?!
Rick Priestley, ace Game Designer, and the champion of silly article titles, provides an insight into designing Warlord’s new Scipio Battle Game.
BEWARE SMALL GREEKS BEARING GIFTS
James Morris shares his scaled-down adventures in the siege of Troy, and argues for venturing into the world of 6mm gaming.
THE VEHICLES OF VIETNAM – PART THREE
In the final part of his Vietnam trilogy, James takes to the water before browsing a handful (or two) of the War’s other vehicles.
SMALL-MINIS, SMALL TIME-INVESTMENT, BIG RESULTS!
Pirate Rich paints Grand Battle Scale Samurai and Ashigaru at a pace with Army Painter’s Warpaints Fanatic range.
DESIGNING THE DENIZENS
Graham Davey shares insider info on the design of the figures, the terrain, and the special rules for his new game, Guards of Traitor’s Toll.
