Slingshot 328 is with the printers ...

... and should be posted out to you all in the next few days!  Here is the cover picture, together with a list of the contents and a short summary of each article.

On the cover, the original 8 hoof drive, all terrain Roman crusher with optional rotary drier!

Committee Report - by Roy Boss

A Wargaming Rant - by Simon Watson

Simon Watson writes a Grumpy Guide to Wargaming. Like many other historical wargamers, he has issues with some rulesets in that the marriage between historicity and playability seems ever to be an unhappy one. And all those dice throws. Rules writers, take note!

From the Ground Up - by Chris Hahn

Following on the ‘When the Going Gets Tough’ article in Slingshot 327, Chris Hahn gives an overview of terrain from the perspective of the importance wargamers attach to it, how it is treated in the major rulesets, and what the ancient writers actually had to say about it.

The Field of Cynoscephalae: Battlefield Archaeology using Google Maps - by Richard Taylor

Thanks to Google Maps and Google Earth, it is becoming easier for wargamers to form a fairly accurate idea of what the terrain actually looked like at battlefield sites. Richard Taylor runs through the use these tools with Cynoscephalae as an example.

Chances Are - by Nick Harbud

In this article, based upon a presentation given at the Society of Ancients Conference in November 2019, Nick Harbud outlines the science behind the Cosmic Cube of wargaming.

Early Mediaeval Picts - by Hugh Coleman

Many wargaming army lists have Picts suddenly change into Caledonians with substantial alterations to their clothing and weaponry. Huge Coleman makes the case that in military terms Picts and  Caledonians were pretty much the same.

Wargaming My Way - by Gordon Lawrence

Like many wargamers Gordon Lawrence plays solo, but unlike many (the Editor for example), he has a fully equipped wargaming HQ shed and over 20,000 figures. Read and envy...

Slingshot Book & Game Reviews

Covering: 'Battles and Battlefields of Ancient Greece', 'Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC-AD 106', 'The Pope’s Army. The Papacy in Diplomacy and War', 'The reign of Emperor Gallienus. The Apogee of Roman Cavalry', 'Lost Legion Rediscovered. The mystery of the Theban Legion', 'The Battle of Edgcote 1469'.

Society news & other items of (possible) interest to members as of: December 2019

There's an interesting discussion going on over at the Fanaticus Forum (where the focus is anything even vaguely to do with DBA), concerning the Plastic Soldier Company's plans to start releasing a series of 15mm ancients ranges early in the new year.  Read it here.

Some further thoughts on playing 'Commands and Colors Medieval', this time from Richard aka Doctor Phalanx.  This is beginning to sound like another game that I should get access to, the only question being how I can do that without reducing investment elsewhere?  Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

And talking of medieval (well, early Medieval, as the cognoscenti would have it now), some of Victrix' forthcoming Dark Age & Ancient ranges are previewed over at Beasts of War.  My advice is don't look, it won't end well for your wallet.

Meanwhile, at Paul´s Bods blog, here's a little something for those of a certain age (i.e. much the same age as me) - a wonderful series of conversions from the Airfix Robin Hood and Sherrif of Nottingham sets.  Looking at the picture of Paul's initial pile of figures I'm reminded that I have almost exactly the same set of figures languishing in my own spares box (right down to the Roman auxiliary archer).

Maybe that's enough about figures but what about some new rules.  Here, over at the Wargaming Miscellany blog, is a review (well, more just a mention) of Graham Evans' relatively recently published rules 'To Ur is Human', a set of rules focussed entirely on the wars of Sumerian Mesopotamia.  A topic about which even Michael Caine knows little.  So maybe one for the specialist round in your New Year quiz?

Slingshot 327 is being posted out ...

... and should land in your postboxes in the next few days!  Here is the cover picture, together with a list of the contents and a short summary of each article.

'Come any nearer and I'll throw it, I'm warning you!'

Contents

Editorial

Guardroom

Gerald the Great on Battleaxe Hill: Part 2

Mick Hession concludes his fascinating analysis of warfare in 16th century Ireland, with a focus on the battle of Knockdoe  ...

Wargaming Knockdoe

... and then gives some insights on how it can be recreated as a wargame using DBMM.

When the Going Gets Tough

A thread on the Society’s forum prompted David Kay to consider the role of terrain and its representation on the wargames table, and to suggest aspects for further investigation or discussion.

(Perhaps a timely article?  Does terrain on ancient wargames tables sometimes seem to lean towards 'sparse'?  If so, does this reflect a degree of terrain phobia among gamers or is making terrain just another job that's hard to get to the top of the lead pile?)

Paraitakene with Big Battle DBA

Paul Murgatroyd suggests that Big Battle DBA hits the sweet spot between the panorama of a large game and the playing speed of a small one, even for complex armies.  He also explains how and why.

The Chronicles of the Teutonic Knights

No, not by Dan Brown but even better, the only English translation of the little-known 'Chronicle of the Prussian Lands' (by Peter von Dusburg), which is the oldest account of the origins and spread of the Teutonic Knights.  Translation by Elaine Graham-Leigh with comments by Paul Stein.

Carthage vs Rome with Hail Caesar

What it says on the tin and illustrated with some great looking photos of a very attractive battlefield (almost an echo of points made in David Kay's article).  By the way, don't be worried by the pictures, I'm sure no Teddy bears were harmed during the making of the terrain. Article by Steven Neate.

The Continuing Story of DBM

Despite being considered old school by many, DBM remains a popular ruleset that has stood the test of time. John Graham-Leigh gives some reasons for that longevity.

The Play’s the Thing

A wonderful piece of one-to-many counselling, from Gordon Lawrence, for those of us (well me, for sure) who suffer from wargamer-modeller's catagelophobia (particularly, for wargamer's, the fear of not meeting the required standard of painting and basing).

Slingshot Book & Game Reviews

Covering 'The Last Years of the Teutonic Knights', 'The Great Illyrian Revolt', Roman Legionaries: Soldiers of Empire' and 'Ancient Dynasties: The Families that Ruled the Classical  World'.

Society news & other items of (possible) interest to members as of: November 2019

Over at the 'Ancient & Medieval Wargaming' blog there are some nicely illustrated, recent reports of a variety of battles, fought using De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA), with the odd diversion.  For those with an interest in the ancient period (you know who you are) and those who, like me, love Marmite, er sorry, DBA, Seleucid Adventures and Rise of the Celts are well worth a read.
While over at 'Steven's Balagan', Steven Thomas adds to the discussion on the pros and cons of DBA v 3 that was started by Joe Collins in Slingshot 324.

Many of you will probably already know that the Yahoo Groups system is closing, for all practical purposes, this year.  This is a shame as many wargames groups were hosted on the platform. Fortunately all is not lost.  Many of the groups are migrating to other platforms with most that I have been involved with migrating to Groups.io.  The simplest way to find where your group has gone is to visit it at its old address on Yahoo Groups and look for news of any migration in the recent conversations.  A good example is the old Tactica group (see, I don't only ever think of DBA) which was found here TACTICA Ancients Miniatures Rules  but can now be found here Tactica@groups.io .
An interesting review and playtest of Commands & Colors: Medieval over at the Palouse Wargaming Journal ..... and while you're there, take a look at this wonderful eye candy, a Celtic warband in all its glory.  Based for Impetus.  Figures by Crusader Miniatures.

Those of a literary bent, who actually do proper research and background reading (which let's me out), can find a thoughtful review of  'The Great Illyrian Revolt', written by Jason R. Abdale over at Thomo's Hole.

Finally, over at Beasts of War, a preview of some phenomenal 28mm sculpts of Persian Immortals, due for release from Footsore Miniatures & Games and some English longbowmen from Claymore Castings

Slingshot 326 is posted out ...

Slingshot 326 is posted out ...

... and should land in your postboxes shortly.  Here is a list of the contents with the cover picture.

Editorial

Guardroom

The Campaigns of Kwanggaeto the Great - by Nicholas Spratt

A fascinating dive into a very interesting period frrom early Chinese history (Han dynasty), with some great maps and material that could provide the basis for a campaign game.
 
Paraitakene in California Times Three - by William Butler

A great write up of three very big refights of Paraitekene from the Sunshine State.
 
Setting up a Painting Station - by Mark Grindlay

Some really useful tips on how to improve painting productivity by making the most effective use of whatever limited space you have. 
 
Gerald the Great on Battleaxe Hill: Part 1 - by Mick Hession

Mayhem in late medieval / early renaissance Ireland from Mick Hession.

Rue the Day - by Anthony Clipsom

An interesting, small scale Welsh Wars game from Anthony Clipsom that presents a useful scenario and good ideas about adapting Daniel Mersey's 'Dux Bellorum' Dark Ages rules set to a later period.

Revenge of the Scythians - by Chris Hahn

Chris Hahn presents some very helpful ideas on how to translate an historical scenario from it's original period to another, to provide a fresh take on a familiar battle.

Slingshot Book and Game Reviews

Slingshot 325 is posted out ...

Slingshot 325 is posted out ...

... and should land in your postboxes shortly.  Here is a list of the contents with the cover picture.

Editorial

Guardroom

(Well, actually, not this time.  Sorry again.)

The Berrovieri - by Duncan Head


Telamon in 28mm with DBMM - by Bob Robertson


Nestrocque! - by Anthony Clipsom

Not a boy left alive - the attack on the English baggage at Agincourt - by Anthony Clipsom


Wargaming Cannae - by Chris Hahn

Recruiting Agamemnon's army - by Gavin Pearson

How manoeuvrable were infantry? - by Justin Swanton

Slingshot Book & Game Reviews

Society news & other items of (possible) interest to members as of: July 2019

OK, I admit that it, this is very late for July as it's now the 8th of August.  Note to self, must do better.

Now that we have the grovelling out of the way, here are the items of possible interest.

First, over on Dale's Wargames blogspot, here's a short review of the ruleset 'Kings of War Historical', from Mantic games.

Next, over at 'Ancients on the Move', a brief but very interesting write up about the development of the Society's demo game of the Battle of Edgcote, from the Wars of the Roses.  Aptly as this year is the 550th anniversary.

For those FoG players with a competitive bent, the FoGAM rankings have been updated and are available over on the BHGS website.  Follow this link with your fingers crossed.

And not to be left out or outdone, similarly curious and courageous ADLG players can follow this link to find the equivalent for the ADLG rankings!

I've tried but I can't resist it.  Here's some eye candy to pause over.  Some (apparently old) Frei Korps 15 figures suitable for reworked as a phalanx of liberated slaves in the Pontic Army.  It's a great example of how good basing really sets of the figures.

Over at the Balkan Wargamer blogspot, Balkan Dave (aka Dave Watson) provides a short review and discussion of the book '1177BC - The year civilisation collapsed', by Eric H Cline.

Last but not least, here's a reminder that the Society of Ancients Conference is set for the 2nd - 3rd November 2019 at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth.  The Society is delighted to have author and historian Dr. Harry Sidebottom as the key note speaker for Conference.  Dr Sidebotham is Fellow and Director of Studies in Ancient History at St Benets Hall, Oxford and Lecturer in Ancient History at Lincoln College, Oxford, though he may be even better known to wargamers as the author of the Warriors of Rome novels, set in the Roman Empire during the so-called Great Crisis of the Third Century AD.  We can look forward to his address with great anticipation.  In addition there are lectures, presentations and participation games, with subjects ranging from the Battle of Adrianopolis to the Gangs of Rome and from Medieval Artillery Ballistics to the use of dice within wargames (dice not included).  Interested?  Find out more at the Society of Ancients website.