The League of Augsburg

Saxon cavalry charge 1706

I game solo - a lot. Even pre-covid I was an inveterate solo player. I have been asked how do you begin to play solo as for some, the concept seems a little counter intuitive. I thought it might be useful in these times of health anxiety and travel expense to offer a few tips for those interested in solo gaming. 

40mm German meets Soviet vampyre!

Some may appear obvious...

When the League of Gentlemen Wargamers began, it was a fantastic, exciting, grand and much anticipated group activity to which everyone involved made active contribution. One of the most enthusiastic participants, generous of spirit and passionate about his hobby, was Robert 'Bob' Lauder. 

I knew Bob from around 1990, meeting him at Kirriemuir when he lived near Dundee and gamed with Martin Terroni...

Beneath the Lily Banners

To coincide with May Bank Holiday, there is a special offer on 4Play packs. The original idea is coming up on two years old and has been an unqualified success. There are thirty-seven titles plus five free titles. Each has three scenarios focused on a particular campaign or period. 

Donnybrook

They cover all of our rule systems - Beneath the Lily Banners, Donnybrook, Mad for...

If you don't know much about the Four Days Battle of 1666 there is a hole in your life! This epic sea battle between the Restoration English Navy and that of the Dutch Republic involved a massive number of ships - around 160, over 40,000 men and in excess of 9,000 guns. It was fought over four days (hence the name!) with some fighting also happening at night.

It is crammed full of desperate...

This took a while but it was worth it purely from a personal point of view. Having been a bit unwell I needed something to motivate me and cheer me up. I decided to play a big solo wargame but with a difference. I wanted to do it slowly, recorded everything in text and photos and produce an analysis and compendium reference work for others to learn from and enjoy. 

That meant, playing the game in...

6 x 4 table 1/4800 scale

An express taken by the yacht Zwole from Michiel de Ruyter to The States General following an action on July 24th 1666

It is my misfortune to report to the States General that in an encounter with the English fleet under His Highness and the Lord Albemarle, my own squadron was unable to impress upon the enemy that a conflict between our nations leaves no winner. With the...

Set up on a 6 x 4 table

Where to begin? The last battle was a decisive victory for the English fleet. This encounter sees de Ruyter’s large 1^stsquadron of the Dutch fleet, badly battered after a day of engaging the Duke of Albemarle off the Suffolk coast. Having broken off in the late afternoon, the Dutch are heading southeast to regroup, repair and replenish when to windward, they spot twenty-one...

I make no apologies for the time, effort and focus I have directed on the Battle of Aughrim, July 12th 1691. Wargaming resources about the battle have increased steadily over the years as I have worked my way through. 

There are eight uniform and regimental history pdfs for the entire Williamite Army available. These give detailed information of the complete order of battle for Ginckel's troops. 

A...

I had fun making this. It is a Donnybrook scenario built around the mysterious death of Colonel Charles Herbert at the Battle of Aughrim on July 12th 1691.  You can see the video here:

Herbert might be described in modern parlance as 'dangerous to know'. His death may have been at the hands of his own side. A chaotic rout provided the perfect cover for Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.

This game called K...

 I just uploaded the full  Bloody Hollow scenario on video here

Hopefully it will hit the spot

These turned into rather epic pieces and are the longest and most detailed scenario guides I have yet produced in the 4Play range. 

There was so much to cover that it took two full 36 page pdfs for the main action and I am working on the third dealing with some minor elements of the battle now.

There is a lot of detail in these and I have included battlefield pictues detailing the terrain upon which...