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I sincerely hope that your monthly copy of Wargames Illustrated magazine whisks you away from the stresses and strains of a Coronavirus ravaged world and into your miniature ‘happy place’ for some quality immersion, inspiration and escapism.
So, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to sample the delights of a multitude of wargaming periods and systems via this month’s ‘Holy War’ theme as well our other nontheme articles and features, which take you from the Crusades to World War Two, via the battlefields of the American Civil War and several other places in between.
Back in the present world, like all small businesses around the globe, Wi continues to be affected by the knock on effects of the pandemic. One of those being the difficulty in planning ahead – something that has become a given in 2020-21. For Wargames illustrated this means planning the next issue (and the one after that) is proving to be a big challenge.
The above pre-amble is building up to a pre-emptive apology for when, over the next few months, things don’t quite turn out the way they are supposed to e.g. cover mounts not appearing when planned, postal disruption causing subs to arrive late, themes not being ‘as advertised’ etc. The precise reasons for these things will be myriad, but all come back t Covid-19 conundrums.
Please bear with us, we guarantee the whole team, including our merry band of contributors,are constantly striving to deliver the best content and service regardless of what form it takes.
Anyways, without further ado and excuses, please dive into and enjoy this month’s content along with your free plastic Greek hoplites – ideal for the new version of Warlord Games’ SPQR but super suitable for any Classical painting and playing action.
Happy reading and rolling.
Dan Falconbridge
Editor and Owner
QUICK FIRE!
Our regular look at what your fellow readers have been up to over the last month.
OBSERVATION POST
New and forthcoming products in the wargaming world.
FULL PAPER JACKET
Our monthly look at intriguing books.
THEME:
GOD WILLS IT!
For this month’s ‘Holy War’ theme we asked Pete Brown to tell us about some of the less obvious conflicts in which humans have killed each other in the name of religion.
Wi AWARDS 2020
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, please be upstanding for the winners of the 2020 Wargames Illustrated Awards.
THEME:
THE CRUSADES AS WARS OF RELIGION: ARCHETYPE OR ANOMALY?
What if the Crusades aren’t actually the archetypal religious wars? Dr Steve Tibble puts forth his case and deals with the unusual problems this creates for wargamers.
BUILDING ST. NAZAIRE
Professional sculptor and model maker Vicente Vidal shows us how he built the port of St. Nazaire during lockdown.
THEME:
HOW TO … MAKE A COLONIAL MEETING HOUSE
In line with this month’s ‘Holy War’ theme Paul Davies demonstrates how he created a simple 15mm building inspired by the Friends Meeting House at Old Sturbridge in Massachusetts. He then explains how, by using the same basic techniques, you can adapt the building further.
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS
Following his enthusiastic introduction to playing the American Civil War at ‘epic’ (or thereabouts) scale in the last issue, this month Neil Smith talks ACW battlefield topography.
THEME:
LE CROIX DE GUERRE
Noel Williams examines the roles of churches on the wargaming table.
SPQR SLAVE REVOLT
A new scenario for SPQR Revised Edition that Warlord Games couldn’t quite fit into the new book. We also talk to Game Designer Darron Bowley about the changes to the mass-skirmish game.
THEME:
ILLUMINATING HISTORY
Geoff Griffiths reckons illuminated medieval manuscripts are the perfect inspiration for your gaming and modelling needs.
THE SUNLESS RIVER
We’ve got a riverine treat, following up on December’s 2020’s theme – a scenario for Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago (or Frostgrave itself) from the game’s designer Joseph A. McCullough.
THEME:
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES
For this month’s theme Barry Hilton returns to the Battle of Aughrim (but this time he’s examining the role of the clergy in the front line).
DESIGNER’S NOTES:
THE INTELLIGENT WARGAMES TABLE
“The Greatest innovation in tabletop gaming for 100 years”. Jon Spalding of Valkyrx Gaming has a vision for the future and he’s here to tell us more.
FRAME FOCUS:
GREEK HOPLITES
This month’s free frame is an Ancient elite. Greek hoplites, from our friends at Warlord Games, ready to fight in ranks and thrust their spears around the defence of their large Argive shields.