Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy

What can wargaming teach us about Viking Age warfare?

Alongside the latest wargaming news to arrive at WSS HQ, we're joined by James Morris, author of Midgard: Heroic Battles, and Ryan Lavelle, Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Winchester. Together, they're behind Winchester Shieldwall: A Wargaming Forum on Viking Age Warfare, taking place in on the 21st of November 2026. We discuss the event, the appeal of the period and how historical research influences the way we bring the Viking Age to the tabletop.

Links: Winchester Shieldwall: A Wargaming Forum on Viking Age Warfare Drone Front: Operations Modular 28mm Trench System, Warfulcrum Games 1812 The Retreat From Moscow Baroco Miniatures

In this episode, Guy brings us the latest news from the world of wargaming before chatting to Glyn Williams about the history of the Crusade show at Penarth. They also discuss what Glyn has learned from running wargaming shows over the years, and why he has decided to step away from running them.

References: Fire & Bronze, Bad Goblin Games ACW, Shed of War Wozname, Thingiverse Clash at Kadesh Bohemian Knights

Digital Sculpting, 3D Printing and the Future of Miniatures.

Guy brings us the latest hobby news from the War Room, before chatting with Steffan Carey about digital sculpting, 3D printing and how technology is changing the way we create miniatures. Jasper then explains why you should take part in the Great Wargames Survey 2026.

Links: Flank March Miniatures Sarissa Precision Blackpowder Epic Battles, Warlord Games Fire! Modern Combat, Sen Games Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy KPMags (iOS / Android)

With Angus away, Jasper takes the hosting chair for this episode. Alongside all the latest news from the hobby, Guy sits down with Tony Reidy from Wargames Atlantic to discuss the company's strategy, how new projects come together, and what hobbyists can look forward to in the months ahead.

Links: Table Top Teasers 2, Partizan Press Daimyo, Osprey Games Snorkers, INWTS Wargames Haywire, Modiphius

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy podcast, the team discusses beating the blues and staying motivated when hobby enthusiasm begins to fade. Every wargamer experiences those periods when projects stall, inspiration dries up, and even getting figures onto the tabletop feels like hard work. The group shares ideas for staying engaged, rediscovering enthusiasm, and keeping the hobby enjoyable when the mojo disappears.

The team also looks back at Partizan, discussing some of the games, displays, and ideas that stood out from one of the highlights of the wargaming calendar.

And, of course, Guy brings along all the latest news from the world of wargaming.

Joining Angus for this episode are Guy, Chris, Jasper, and returning guest Joe Mealy.

Links:Libertadors: Wargaming The Liberation of Spanish America 1808-1833 Oathmark: Second Edition War Front Miniatures Lead Adventure Forum Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy

In this episode, we look back at this year's Salute and ask whether it still holds its place as the must-attend event in the wargaming calendar.

Guy was on the ground taking it all in, joined by Joe Mealy as his wing man, with Mark also making an appearance. Together, they share their impressions of the day, from standout games and eye-catching displays to the broader trends shaping the hobby.

What grabbed their attention? What surprised them? And how did this year's show compare to previous Salutes?

Before that, we head to the newsroom for the latest news from the world of wargaming, not all of it coming from Salute.

Links Recruit Painting Bello Ludi Warbases Warriors of Athena 7th Son Wargames Atlantic Warlord Snorkers Victrix Brunderkrieg 1 Crow Industries Flank March Bad Squiddo Games

Coming up on today's episode, we will be bringing you the latest news from the world of wargaming.

After that, Guy sits down with Ian Strickland from Warlord Games to talk about what's been happening at Warlord, their latest releases, and what's coming up next.

There is plenty to get into…

Links: The Chronicles of Midgard Brunderkrieg 1 Kepis & Bayonets Torpedoes and Tides Salute

Guy speaks to Peter Valinski, organiser of The Beachhead Tabletop Games Expo, about running one of the UK's largest tabletop gaming shows. With thousands of attendees, clubs, traders and publishers all under one roof, Beachhead has become a major fixture on the wargaming calendar. Plus the team catch up on what is new in the world of wargaming.

Links:Irregular Miniatures CYMK Old West, Sarrisa Crimean Ottoman Turks, Warlord Games 28mm Napoleonic French, Wargames Atlantic and Piano Wargames Texas & War 1839-1846, Patizan Press

In this episode of the Wargames Soldiers and Strategy podcast, Angus is joined by Guy, Jasper, Chris, and Mark for a discussion about painting.

The team talk about what they enjoy painting, how they approach it, and whether they have favourite sculpts or manufacturers that keep them coming back to the painting table.

The episode also includes the latest hobby news from Guy at Bowers Villas.

Links: Warriors of Athena: Heroes (Osprey) Warriors of Athena: Quests (Osprey) The Tales of Robin Hood (Crooked Dice) The Barons' War: King John (Wargames Atlantic) Viking Blood Feud (Edinburgh university)

In this episode of the Wargames Soldiers and Strategy podcast, the team catch up on the latest news from 'Bowers Villas', including upcoming releases and community events. Guy then talks with Andy and Charlie from Wargames Atlantic about their growing range of plastic figures and what they have in the works for the coming months.

We finish with a look at what everyone has been doing on their hobby desks, with plenty of inspiration for painters and gamers alike.

Links:Hide, Stone, and Bone: A Paleolithic Skirmish Wargame (Osprey) Into The Valley Of Death (Warlord) Armies Of Imperial Japan With 'Into The Jungle' (Warlord) Death Fields (Wargames Atlantic)

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy Podcast, the team talk all things 3D — from printing and design to how it's changing the hobby. Guy also brings us the latest news from Bowers Villas, keeping everyone up to date with what's new in the world of wargaming.

Links: Zero Hour, Gripping Beast 02 Hundred Hours, Grey For Now Games Market Stall, Victrix Frontier of Empire, Rule Breaker Games

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy Podcast, the team chat about something a little different, fantasy wargaming. How does it compare with historical gaming? Is one better than the other, or is it all just about enjoying the game, whatever the setting?

Before diving into the discussion, Guy brings us the latest news from the hobby.

Links: Dragon Rampant: Second Edition (Osprey) Wargames Atlantic Pendraken Warhost Barons' War The Liberation of South Vietnam

In this episode of the Wargames Soldiers and Strategy Podcast, Angus is joined by Guy, Mark, Chris and Jasper. After the latest updates from "Bowers Towers," Guy sits down with Martin Feller to talk about his game Kugelhagel. Originally published in German 18 years ago and now available in English, Kugelhagel offers fast-play rules for eighteenth and nineteenth-century battles, including the Napoleonic wars.

Links: Kugelhagel Bring & Battle Wargaming, Barons War Battle Report Dark Ages Army Builder, Wargames AtlanticArmies of the Soviet Union: Third Edition, Warlord GamesDragon Rampant: Second Edition, Osprey GamesRichard Sharpe 1809, Wargames AtlanticBloodybacks AK Quick Gen Paints

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy podcast, Angus, Chris, Guy and Jasper take a close look at this year's Great Wargaming Survey. They discuss some of the questions, how each of them answered, and what those answers reveal about their own approaches to the hobby. The team also places this year's responses in the wider context of previous surveys, looking at the long-term trends shaping the wargaming community.

On top of that, Guy brings us the latest news and updates from the world of wargaming.

Links: The Great Wargaming Survey Kugelhagel Weave of War

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy podcast, we're handing things over to our global correspondents for a series of reports on the wargaming scene in their regions. Find out what's popular, what's new, and what's drawing players to the tabletop from Europe to Australia and beyond.

Links:Great Wargames Survey Bolt Action, Walord Games Konflikt 47, Warlord Games Hail Caesar, Warlord Games Wargames Atlantic Frostgrave 10th Anniversary Edition, Osprey The Baron's War, Wargames Atlantic Trench CrusadeBlood Bowl, Games Workshop

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy podcast, we bring you the latest hobby news, new releases, and all the usual chatter from the wargaming world.

Then we tackle a topic that some of us (naming no names… Angus) find a bit of a slog—learning new rules. How do we approach a brand-new system without losing the will to game? From rulebook wrangling to memory mishaps, we share our thoughts, strategies, and confessions.

Links: Pillage, Victrix Chain of Command, TFL Armies of Great Britain, Warlord Games Pendraken Summer Games Day, 5th July 2025 Attack! 2025, 19-20 July 2025

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy podcast, we're delving into the heart of tabletop gaming: mechanics. What makes a ruleset feel smooth and immersive? How do designers strike the right balance between realism, fun, and playability? We explore the design choices that shape our wargaming experiences.

As always, the team begin with the latest from the world of wargaming in our regular news roundup from "Bowers Towers."

Links: De Bellis Fantasiae, Wargames Research Group Port Royal, Firelock Games Pacific Command, Osprey Stargrave: Death Vector, Osprey Space Battles: A Spacefarers Guide, Wombat Wargames

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy Podcast, it's all about the news!

Guy gives us the latest scoop on what's been arriving through the letterbox at Bowers Towers — from new releases to exciting rulebooks and shiny miniatures. Then, we take you to the show floor at Salute, where Guy caught up with a range of traders and game designers to bring you the freshest updates straight from the UK's biggest wargaming event.

Whether you're after the latest gossip, new kits, or hobby inspiration, this episode has you covered!

Links:Hairfoot Jousting (Osprey Games) Spanish Napoleonic Infantry (Perry Miniatures) Flat Caps & Truncheons (Great Escape Games) Battleground HD Bad Squiddo Games 1918: A First World War Miniatures Wargame Naval and amphibious operations in the American Civil War (Anschluss Wargames) Baron's War 2nd Ed.

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This episode of the Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy podcast is a little different. Rather than charging headlong into a pre-planned topic, the team handed the reins over to you—our loyal listeners! So, for this episode, they gathered your questions and suggestions for future show themes and tried to give you some answers.

Links: 3 men in a shed wargaming Table Ready Terrain, Warbases Monty v Rommel, Rapid Fire! The Bad and the Ugly, Dead Man's Hand Winter War, Trenchworx

In this episode of the Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy Podcast, the team explores the science of terrain placement—how to set up your tabletop for the best possible game.

Don't forget to subscribe to Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy! Visit the website to get the latest issue.

Links: The Baron's War, Warhost PBI, Peter Pig Armies of the United States, Warlord Burrows and Badgers, Oathsworn