Timeline
Top Five solitaire wargames: 1:50
News: 10:21
Jeff Komives: 18:58
Twilight and its discontents: 35:57
Links to items mentioned
Pacific Fury by Revolution Games
Days of Ire: Budapest 1956 Kickstarter
Hex-and-counter wargame subreddit
Twilight Struggle digital edition on Steam
The funny story I promised from Boardgamegeek
Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wild-weasel/id1084588727?mt=2
As someone who is just now getting into wargaming in his late 20s, I really enjoyed the discussion about bringing new players into wargaming, especially since I’m usually trying to teach myself a new game without having a more experienced player to guide me through the process. It’s great to hear that folks like Jeff are thinking about how to introduce others to wargaming, and it makes me hopeful that I’ll be able to find a group, whether in person or online, to play these games with as I continue to get more into the hobby.
Welcome to the hobby, Tanner! VASSAL is a great way to learn a game – if there is a specific game you’re interested that you’d want to try out via play-by-email, let me know.
Thank you for your kind offer, Bruce! I would love to play a game via VASSAL.
I’m interested in trying out the more traditional hex-and-counter style games, though many of those look very intimidating! Games like Command and Colors: Ancients or Combat Commander: Europe seem a bit more approachable, and the political aspect of Unconditional Surrender has me very interested in that title despite its size.
I’ve also purchased and begun learning the COIN games, since I am very interested in the asymmetric nature of those conflicts, and in the political aspects of conflict more generally. They’re a bit intimidating at first, but having the included solitaire “bots” helps with the learning process.
Tanner, if you can find a copy, I would suggest a game called No Retreat!
Thanks Bruce, I’ll absolutely check out No Retreat!. I like the idea of a tightly-focused game, and the card-driven aspect of it also appeals. I’ve also been learning more about the Eastern front while playing Unity of Command, and I’m interested in seeing boardgame depictions of that conflict.
I realized too, after hearing your discussion of HoI4 on 3MA, that Triumph and Tragedy is the game I was thinking of earlier as interesting me due to its political element, instead of Unconditional Surrender.
No Retreat is not a beginners game. But if you like COIN games continue to explore there!
Also some older games such as The Russian Campaign (which is now under reprint), would also be a great intro to hex and counter wargaming.
The Standard Combat Series is another great intro level wargame system that has many titles and just 8-10 pages of core rules
Hi,
I was very happy to see a new episode in my podplayer app this morning!
So about Twilight Struggle. I am a wargamer since a long time back and I actually agree that TS needs a strategy introduction to become interesting. When I first played TS a couple of years ago I couldn’t understand why that game was so popular. To me it seemed completely random. It wasn’t until I had read some strategy tips that I understood how that game could eventually become interesting. I never ended up investing enough time in it, but at least now I understand how it CAN be a very strategic game.
I really enjoyed the discussion about bringing new players into wargaming. I followed the same path from euros to, well, big maps with hexes and counters.
It’s been tough to go from the really well designed, and easy to read manuals, from FFG to something like Paths of Glory. The manuals read more like a legal document instead of focusing on the path of play. If it weren’t for some Let’s Plays on BGG I probably would’ve given up.
Now my only problem is I keep buying these games faster than I can play them. Or at least try to buy them, so many of the good ones are out of stock.
Hey Casey! I’d say your experience is fairly typical! My own acquisition rate is far faster than my hit-the-table rate … something I’d like to keep on the down-low from my wife!
Glad you enjoyed the discussion. I think this is an amazing time to be a wargamer, and I hope that I can facilitate as many people discovering the hobby as possible!
Sorry to hear of your father-in-law’s passing. I watched May pass without an episode and was worried you’d abandoned the project. I enjoyed the episode and hope you can manage at least 11 episodes in 2016!
Thanks, Michael. If I need to go on an extended hiatus (for months, say) I will let everyone know. I just didn’t have time for a while, but knew everything would sort itself out, so I just waited until I could record again.
Also a magnificent solo game that I think is worth mentioning is Mage Knight. It is not a wargame, but it is really, really good solo.
Thanks for your help with Algeria, Bruce. I appreciated your input.
Curious, since you so appreciate John Butterfield’s designs, if you’ve played Enemy Action: Ardennes, which is another of his solo designs.
It’s an outstanding game, with some very interesting and innovative mechanics. Fog of war is implemented remarkably well, and there’s constant tension as you struggle to allocate limited resources, while dealing with an unpredictable enemy and your own inability to control all of your forces perfectly.
Bruce:
I just discovered last night this podcast. It’s terrific. I got up to date between yesterday and today. Wish you the best with the podcast and love your videos, too. Cheers. Joe
Hi Joe,
Thanks so much! I love your videos, please keep ’em coming!
Bruce
Greetings,
Sorry for your loss, even when expected it is still rough.
Just wanted to say I really enjoy your podcasts. I’ve also enjoyed your writing since discovering the Tom vs. Bruce articles in CGW. You are probably my favorite wargame commenter/commentator.
As a fellow older wargamer and Mark Herman fan I noticed you didn’t mention The Peloponnesian War and was wondering if you ever played it and where it might roughly rank on your list. I always enjoyed the ‘swap sides’ mechanic.
Thanks again for the entertainment.
Any information on a fourth printing of “Where There Is Discord”?
Sorry, I don’t have any info.