Tabletop Wargames: A Designers’ and Writers’ Handbook PDF Download

Author: Rick Priestley
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 147389008X
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
Unlike chess or backgammon, tabletop wargames have no single, accepted set of rules. Most wargamers at some point have had a go at writing their own rules and virtually all have modified commercially available sets to better suit their idea of the ideal game or to adapt favourite rules to a different historical period or setting. But many who try soon find that writing a coherent set of rules is harder than they thought, while tweaking one part of an existing set can often have unforeseen consequences for the game as a whole. Now, at last, help is at hand. Veteran gamer and rules writer John Lambshead has teamed up with the legendary Rick Priestley, creator of Games Workshop’s phenomenally successful Warhammer system, to create this essential guide for any would-be wargame designer or tinkerer. Rick and John give excellent advice on deciding what you want from a wargame and balancing ‘realism’ (be it in a historical or a fantasy/sci-fi context) with playability. They discuss the relative merits of various mechanisms (cards, dice, tables) then discuss how to select and combine these to handle the various essential game elements of turn sequences, combat resolution, morale etc to create a rewarding and playable game that suits your tastes and requirements

Author: Neil Thomas
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1473840937
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
A fun and practical new approach to wargaming that lets you complete a game in about an hour—includes rule sets and scenarios for most popular periods. One of the biggest problems facing wargamers is finding the time to actually play. Most commercially available games require several hours to set up and see to a conclusion; some can even take a whole day or weekend to complete. Apart from time, lack of space can also keep wargamers from enjoying their favorite pastime. In One-hour Wargames, veteran gamer and rule-writer Neil Thomas has addressed both problems. Now it is practical to play a satisfying game in around an hour on a normal dining table or living room floor. The book contains 8 all-new sets of very simple rules for various periods—from Ancient to WW2—and thirty stimulating scenarios which can be played using any of them. All the rules and scenarios are intended to be played on a 3ft x 3ft battlefield. The rules only require a small number of miniatures, so this really is an ideal way for new gamers, or veterans trying a new period, to get started with minimal investment of time and money. Also ideal for a quick game in the evening with a friend. Also included are sections on campaigns and solo games.

Author: H. G. Wells
Publisher: Read Books Ltd
ISBN: 1447493532
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 91

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Book Description
This delightfully unusual book by H. G. Wells is a comprehensive guide to Little War, a game invented by Wells for "boys from twelve to one hundred and fifty years old and for that more intelligent sort of girls who like boys' games and books". A fascinating look at a bygone era, when boys were boys, and most girls (except the more intelligent ones) were girls. With a history of Little War, detailed instructions to playing it, a description of an exemplary game, extensions and amplifications to the game, and a final challenge by the author to his young readers. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Author: Joseph A. McCullough
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472833058
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
Empires have fallen, and the land is broken. The great oathmarks that once stood as testaments to the allegiances and might of nations have crumbled into ruin. In this lost age, fealty and loyalty are as valuable as gold and as deadly as cold iron, and war is ever-present. Created by Joseph A. McCullough, designer of Frostgrave and Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago, Oathmark is a mass-battle fantasy wargame that puts you in command of the fantasy army you've always wanted, whether a company of stalwart dwarves or a mixed force with proud elves, noble men, and wild goblins standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the battle-line. Fight through an integrated campaign system and develop your realms from battle to battle, adding new territories, recruiting new troop types, and growing to eclipse your rivals... or lose what you fought so hard to gain and fall as so many would-be emperors before you.

Author: Iain Dickie
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 184468945X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 255

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Book Description
Wargaming can be a very expensive hobby, but it needn't be. Iain Dickie, one of the best-known names in the hobby shares dozens of hints and tips on how to cut the cost of your gaming and get 'more bang for your buck'. He offers sound practical advice on buying and building your armies (should you opt for metal, plastic, or even card, and in which scale?), gaming tables, terrain, buildings and even storage solutions. As well as purely financial constraints, Iain Dickie also recognizes the fact that available space is another major restriction for many gamers and tackles this issue too. Now you've got no excuse not to get wargaming!

Author: Bob Cordery
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 132690454X
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description
The Portable Wargame has been developed over the past ten years to meet the needs of wargamers who want a fast, easy to learn, simple to use set of wargames rules that don't require the player to purchase and paint a large collection of figures and that can be staged on a small dinner table, a large coffee table, or something even smaller. The rules are designed to be used with a gridded tabletop made up of squares or hexes.

Author: Joseph A. McCullough
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472844866
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
As the wars of Napoleon ravage Europe, chaos and fear reign and the darkness that once clung to the shadows has been emboldened. Supernatural creatures – vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and worse take advantage of the havoc, striking out at isolated farms, villages, and even military units. Whether they are pursuing some master plan or simply revelling in their newfound freedom is unknown. Most people dismiss reports of these slaughters as the rantings of madmen or the lies of deserters, but a few know better... The Silver Bayonet is a skirmish wargame of gothic horror set during the Napoleonic Wars. Each player forms an elite band of monster hunters drawn from the ranks of one of the great powers. Riflemen, swordsmen, and engineers fight side-by-side with mystics, occultists, and even those few supernatural creatures that can be controlled or reasoned with enough to make common cause. The game can be played solo, co-operatively, or competitively, with players progressing through a series of interlinked adventures with their soldiers gaining experience and suffering grievous wounds, and their units triumphing... or falling in the face of the shadows. It is a game of action and adventure, where musket and sabre meet tooth and claw.

Author: Ash Barker
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472837738
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 113

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Book Description
In the blasted, radiation-scorched, wastelands of the Earth's surface, towering mecha do battle, defending the interests of one of the few remaining arcology governments, providing security for wilderness outposts, or seeking out loot and supplies as a mercenary company. With detailed rules for designing and customizing your mecha, from size and propulsion type to payload and pilot skills, and a campaign system that allows pilots to gain experience and skills as they patrol the shattered Earth, Gamma Wolves is a fast-playing game of post-apocalyptic mecha warfare.

Author: Daniel Mersey
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782006370
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 109

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Book Description
Take Robin Hood, Richard the Lionheart, Gamelyn, William Wallace and other legends from the colourful, dangerous medieval period to the tabletop with Lion Rampant – a new set of rules designed for fighting medieval skirmish games. Ideal for players who wish to collect medieval miniatures and paint the pageantry without wanting to muster huge forces or spend time learning complex rules, this game allows players to game actual historical battles – or to delve into the archives of Hollywood to embark on more over-the-top pulp style clashes.

Author: Javier Gomez Valero
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1473852803
Category : Crafts & Hobbies
Languages : en
Pages : 587

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Book Description
The artist known as “El Mercenario” “shares the secrets of his success in this useful guide to painting miniature figures”—includes photos (Stuart Asquith, author and editor of Practical Wargamer). In this accessible “how-to” guide, Javier Gomez, a highly talented figure painter of long experience and excellent reputation, takes the reader step-by-step through the whole process, from choice of materials (unlike other available guides it is not linked to any specific figure manufacturer) and preparation of the miniatures to basing and even advice on photographing the finished item. Techniques such as dry-brushing, ink-washing, shading and highlighting are all explained clearly with the help of step-by-step photographs and color charts. Specific case studies tackle a variety of useful subjects across all periods, such as mixing realistic flesh tones for different races; painting horses; guns and limbers; Medieval heraldry; Napoleonic uniforms; WW2 and modern camouflage patterns. Javier also clearly explains how these techniques and processes can be applied to all the major wargaming scales, from 40mm down to 6mm. Whatever historical period (or Sci-fi/Fantasy) and whatever scale the reader is interested in, this book is an invaluable source of practical advice and inspiration. “Very soon after we started up Perry Miniatures we managed to acquire Javier’s outstanding painting services for our figure collections. He is a true genius with a brush, with a great sense of color that turns figures into masterpieces. His military and uniform knowledge adds a great deal to his ability to produce little painted gems.”—Michael and Alan Perry, Perry Miniatures “I have used some of the suggestions here as well as the highlights for some of my own figures and they have produced improved results.”—Mataka.org