Hi! Everyone,
Catching up from a busy period of work, painting and gaming.
First, I went to the local wargames show that is Campaign 2016 in Milton Keynes Centre.
I would call this a small show, but it is open to all and free. Located in the shopping mall with access to all the big, and small, shops in the centre it draws none wargamers into its brace with deceptive ease. How else is wargaming to grow if it doesn't entice an audience not normally accessible in those out of centre places?
Any way.
The show is based around wargaming competitions with a few participation games and several regular trade stalls. I try not to spend too much, but you know how things are! This year, as last, my main aim was scenery/terrain to enhance the wargames table. This is something I have not gone in for a lot. I think it is due to wargaming ancients mainly. Not that it isn't possible to use it. Hills I use a lot and some trees to simulate woods but that's it really.
With moving to the 6mm scale and playing Ronin it is a different game. Literally.
There is space and it is nice to fill it with items to enhance the table and experience.
Saturday was a short visit due to work commitments in the afternoon so it was a look and see couple of hours. Some nice games set up with the Lance and Longbow Society setting up a game. As was the Society of Ancients, both regular attendees at the show. Milton Keynes Wargames Society set up the battle of Cannae with 6mm figures. Nicely done, as were the other games.
Sunday I spent time to buy things but my main aim was to see the competitions, especially the ancients DBMM. I did look at the Field of Glory competition games but they are rules I am not into. I do like to see nice armies though.
I stayed for about 4 hours in total. Spoke to a rather nice wargamer from MKWS (I think).
Perhaps the best part was speaking to the rules writer of Open Combat by secondthinder.com (https://secondthunder.com).
We went through the game and it is based in pre-gunpowder era. So, a skirmish game with added bits that seem quite interesting. I may have a look in a few months or so after I have what I consider the bulk of the Ronin figures and terrain I think I will need. On this I still need armed peasants and villagers as well as a few ashigaru. Perhaps, also, a few samurai and a Lord or two.
Well, that's it for now. More on the Ronin game and how it went next time as well as the ancients game I played in the mean time.
