Wargaming Recon | Longest-running tabletop wargaming podcast on the planet!

Adrian’s Gaming Requiem – Wargaming Recon #279

Adrian's Gaming Requiem - Wargaming Recon #279 Download (1243)

In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Alex Tabb. Alex is a long time friend of Adrian Benson and a fellow gamer. The two travel into old school wargaming as they swap memories of gaming with Adrian.

Adrian and Alex met at The Compleat Strategist in King Of Prussia PA, USA run by Ed Wimble (of Clash of Arms fame). They both were there for a demo of an old Western game by TSR called Boot Hill after that game they started meeting up and gaming every Saturday till they graduated high school. Adrian joined the Navy and became a submariner. Alex went to college before…well if we told you that we’d have to kill you (joking).

Alex talks about the Boot Hill game in more detail. Reminiscing about his thoughts of the system and the 20 people that were in the game. By the end of the game Alex and Adrian had bonded about their shared love of gaming and the fact that they both had just purchased a new game called Squad Leader. From then on they played pretty much every weekend through High School. They played many games beyond just Squad Leader. They played games like Yalu: Wood Ships & Iron Men: Ironclads and they even had miserable time trying to play The Longest Day.

If you would like to know more about any of the games discussed in this episode then just click on the title below and go to the corresponding BoardGame Geek page:

Boot Hill

Squad Leader

Yalu

Wooden Ships & Iron Men

Iron Clads

The Longest Day

Alex is now the owner of Paul’s Boutique Records. Check them out for your vinyl music needs.

Wargaming with LEGO – Wargaming Recon #278

Wargaming with LEGO – Wargaming Recon #278 Download (1958)

In this episode, Jonathan talks about how he is joining his loves of Star Wars, LEGO, and wargaming.

Jonathan is working on developing a convention game for the Battle of Hoth using his LEGO kits.

He covers his dilemma with either using the Star Wars Legion rules or using a homebrew set of rules based on Star Wars Legion. If you are interested you can find the free rules on the Atomic Mass Games website HERE. Jonathan knows that he will be playing the Battle of Hoth and that with such a large battle he will need to scale down and has decided to make it a skirmish sized game as part of the larger fight.

As a Star Wars wargame set at the Battle of Hoth; Jonathan already knows that he will need one side to be the Rebels and the other side to be the Imperials. Jonathan’s collection for the Rebel Alliance is going to contain regular infantry, Tauntauns, some Anti-Vehicle weapons and E-Web blasters. The Imperials are going to attack with infantry, speeder bikes, and AT-ST’s. An AT-AT might make an appearance. No Star Wars game will be complete without some hero or villains getting involved in the fight. Therefore; the likes of Luke, Leia and Han Solo will face off against Darth Vader or General Veers.

Jonathan’s goal for the Hoth game is to have it ready for the 2023 convention season. His aim is for it to be able to accommodate 4-6 players and have some aspects controlled by the GM or triggered by in game actions.

Jonathan talks about the supplies that he has and some things that still need to be resolved prior to him running his game next year. Before then there are a few items that have to get resolved. Some of the items that Jonathan mentions include the need to make sure he is comfortable with the rules and scenario he has designed and the possible need to have an assistant with him during the game.

Australian Gaming Con 2022 – Wargaming Recon #277

Australian Gaming Con 2022: Wargaming Recon #277 Download (2298)

In episode #277 I am joined by Joshua Shoobridge. Joshua is a podcaster, wargamer dad, 3D printing enthusiast and our audio editor. We start off talking about what games and hobby tasks that he is enjoying currently. We also discuss how COVID has impacted gaming.

Joshua talks about his local convention CANCON and how long it has been running. During COVID lockdowns many gaming events and conventions had to shut down or make changes. We discuss what changes CANCON made. We talk about this years convention and what sort of safety precautions were employed at the convention; and we speak on how it felt to be at a convention and he offers a few suggestions for cons during something like COVID. Joshua compares this years attendance to prior years.

The next segment is the long absent Mailbag Segment. Members of the community have responded positively to our return.

Listener Chris R. said “play with Lego! You may want to consider Star Wars Legion as your game system. I am collecting an Endor force myself…”

Listener and superstar GM Mike Paine invited me to use his beautiful layout for LEGO wargaming. Mike is a friend, one of my favorite GM’s and does a lot to grow the hobby.

Podcaster Jay Arnold did a great episode of The Veteran Wargamer with guest Owen Staton. They discussed mental health and how tabletop gaming can be helpful. Jay kindly gave us a nice shoutout in the episode. Look for Episode 75: The Time Between.

Solarian Games Rises – Wargaming Recon #276

Solarian Games Rises: Wargaming Recon #276 Download (1670)

In this episode, we are joined by games designer Peter Bryant. Peter has quite a resume, he is a game designer, former podcaster, dad, science nerd, TotalCon Industry guest and co-owner of Solarian Games.

We briefly talk about how TSR had change names to become Solarian Games. Wargaming Recon used to be part of the TSR Podcast Network, and we talk about it’s demise and why Solarian Games does not have one to replace it.

Solarian Games has a impressive collection of products under it’s banner. Peter talks about some of the games and teases a few upcoming releases. He even offers some advice for the aspriring game designer.

I mentioned earlier that Peter was a former podcaster. He was on the Mythwits podcast. For those who don’t know, it was a fun weekly video show covering games, science, technology and pop culture. We talk about why it went of the air and if it will return. We also get Peter’s thoughts on if he would ever want to host another podcast.

Grief, LEGO, and Gaming – Wargaming Recon #275

Grief, LEGO, and Gaming - Wargaming Recon #275 Download (1141)

Referencing the award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, Jonathan shares how chronic depression, anxiety, and grief caused Jonathan to feel like a sinking ship with no land in sight.

That is until Jonathan rediscovered a love of LEGO. LEGO is more than a building toy. It can even be used for tabletop gaming. Listen to this episode to hear the tale. You’ll also find out about some upcoming podcast guests and topics.

“Dear Jonathan, today is going to be a good day and here’s why…..”

If you, or someone you know, is with depression, anxiety, and/or grief please consider looking at Harvard Medical School’s “Ways to support someone who is grieving” or reach out to a friend or therapist (you can find trained therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and support groups through Psychology Today’s website). You are not alone.

Seeking help is NOT weakness. Sometimes we all need help and that is ok. IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS, PLEASE USE THE EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR THE AREA YOU ARE IN (911 IN THE US, 999 IN THE UK, ETC…)