My convention experience is completely with board game conventions (BGG.Con, BGG.Spring, etc.) and I've found it kind of difficult as a solo attendee to find tables looking for players. While I love going to them, I'd prefer to have my schedule a bit more full.

I'm interested in board wargaming conventions (Consim World, Compass Games Expo, etc.) but want to be sure I'd be able to get in on games. Are there enough open table opportunities to meet people and get games going, or is it something attendees coordinate in advance? Any advice or tips for a first time solo attendee to get the most out of it?

Greetings fellow reddit grogs! It's a new month, so lets hear what you're getting to the table. Please post one top level comment reply with the games that you're playing. Feel free to edit and comment elsewhere as you see fit!

To help people navigate the thread, please put game names in bold. Happy Gaming!

Hi folks,

I want to get one of the Simonitch games, and currently I've narrowed it down to North Africa '41, France '40, or Holland '44. Would someone be kind enough to offer some thoughts in the context of this choice? I did some research, but a direct comparison would be fantastic.

All set up for a solo game of Rise and Decline of the Third Reich. I'm doing the 1939 scenario (Fall of '39).

Hello my fellow war game enthusiasts,
I'm a great fan of wargames, but my buddy is more on PvE games. So, knowing that there are some solo wargames, are there any "duo" ones?

I'm hoping for something that puts a lot of emphasis on issues like terrain and line of sight. Maybe something like Panzar but modern era and equally focused on infantry and tanks

Is there a list somewhere of annual conventions for tabletop/hex wargames? Anyone regularly attend any?

How many have played this classic wargame? One of the first "Columbia Block Wargames"? Did you have a specific strategy? Did you play the Avalon Hill version of it?

https://preview.redd.it/pfyedeoaoh3e1.png?width=2133&format=png&auto=webp&s=55851ea69f59cdbda60db7370816a887c3860ed1

Gamers playing Columbia Block Wargames at BottosCon 2024. They had a great time playing the new Alliance, highly rated Julius Caesar, Quebec 1759 and Napoleon. Have you ever played any of these? What other Columbia Block Wargame would you have played if not these?

https://preview.redd.it/l8t460y2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1bd07e059d95723feecc189b7aa73e18a8befed2

https://preview.redd.it/6pu1c2y2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34953074586c3af2aecb338eb7a66013b3ac4a11

https://preview.redd.it/q9v3p3y2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e63aa946b517e9a92ede24feb123b4e921dbc717

https://preview.redd.it/7rg2mby2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8ab7929b41aa29ec77d38d5799294ffbadb7bc31

https://preview.redd.it/94c1tby2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac235fe27e038764ef79d4c92174b5e95a3dcbb5

https://preview.redd.it/kn2bb1y2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9d0007a5328668f7b3c63da6bd38d2fa8b3f7a79

https://preview.redd.it/0e45w0y2t33e1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51218c93366099363aabf5ca0d2329a4daf9c576

We’ve recently been playing Triumph and Tragedy and are looking for similar war games that support 3 players.

Anywhere from 2-6 hours game length and looking for similar complexity (3 to 4 out of 5)

With Christmas coming and some sales to be found, I am assuming that some of us have purchased a few games for under the tree.

I went a little crazy this month:

- Burning Banners

- SAS Rogue Regiment

- Combat!

- Assault Sicily 43 (likely to arrive in January, 2025)

- '65 Squad Level Combat in the Jungles of Vietnam (Late pledge order - who knows when it will arrive)

What have you purchased?

I am thinking about jumping into this series. My solo wargaming started in the 1990s with B-17 Queen of the Skies. While that game was fun at the time, I have since decided that I do not like narrative dice driven games. There just aren't enough meaningful choices for me. I much prefer the solo modules for games like Conflict of Heroes, Lock 'N Load Tactical, and COIN games.

With that as a backdrop, how would you rank the D-Day series for meaningful choices? I don't want to spend several hours as a passenger while the game drives the narrative. After a game has ended, I'd like to be able to give a lot of thought to the choices that I made, and think about how I would perhaps play differently next time. At $100 for a copy, this is at a price point that I'd rather not take a risk.

Thoughts?

How many of you also own and paint miniature armies?
Choose the closest option that describes you.

View Poll

Hey there! I'm looking to expand my horizons a bit, and wanted to try a solo war game. I've very familiar with complex euros like Gaia Project or Through the Ages, but not as much with war games. The closest is probably Twilight Imperium or Eclipse?

I was kind of looking at Fire in the Lake as I've always been sort of interested in the Vietnam War and don't know much about it, but also saw People Power recommended as an easier entry point and saw Fire in the Lake was quite a behemoth for someone new to war games.

Not necessarily limiting myself to the COIN games, but got the impression it might be an easier foray into the genre given my euro background.

One solo thing I've run into before is difficult to run bots. I get a little annoyed when I forget what I was trying to do on my turn because the bot turns took too much brain to run. Not sure if that'll be an issue here or with this genre generally - especially if games are more tactical than strategic - but saw some of the flow charts that gave me pause, but also saw there's decks that are easier to run?

Michal from The Board Games Chronicle did write-up and a full playthrough vid of the Chaeronea scenario in my digital hex-and-counter game, Arete: Battles of Alexander. Check it out!

https://theboardgameschronicle.com/2024/11/20/example-of-play-for-arete-the-battles-of-alexander-the-great/

Hi all, just added a new YouTube video with some quick reviews/thoughts on:

MMP's 'A Victory Lost'

Sierra Madre's 'Pax Porfiriana'

GMT's 'Nevsky'

Nuts! 'This War Without an Enemy'

https://youtu.be/MTIcFZ7g6z4?si=ClE3CVAGwqeScAsG

Check it out, I'm always interested in comments and thoughts!

Wanted to give these folks a shout-out!

As some may know, here in Canada our postal service, Canada Post, are on a full national strike.

Well, War Diary have reached out to provide a pdf version of the magazine to print subscribers in Canada, totally unprompted. This is EXCELLENT customer service and I wanted to recognize them for it.

Well done, and thanks!

I know it sounds stupid but I've read the rules front to back no less then 3 times but at NO point does it describe board setup to start. So it's quite confusing, nor does it mention how many troops each side gets...

How many of you have tried "Stratego on Steroids", or Columbia Block Wargaming? How do feel it plays compared to traditional chits?

https://preview.redd.it/1421me2bcs1e1.png?width=3200&format=png&auto=webp&s=fb0e20d1ada876d8780dbc026a28dde380cda03d

I ordered a game from them in September when they had a sale going on but have yet to receive any shipping, updates, or communication. Even tried email and calling to no avail

Hello everyone!

I’ve been playing on and off, and I really love operational-level games. One of the main reasons I enjoy them is that they feel like the closest thing to being an actual army commander.

For example, in a game, I might think: “To launch this offensive, I need to set up supply lines using the rail network and hit the enemy near this river, which limits their retreat options. Then, I’ll cut them off with a tank group.” I’m mostly into the WWII and post-WWII periods.

So my question is: What game have you played that really captures that feeling? Was it entertaining? Do you think it’s possible to balance realism with fun? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

I’m currently trying myself in game design a bit, focusing on optimizing counter management and other mechanics in board games, so I don’t mind complex mechanics. I’m looking for that pure feeling of command—something close to reality but still playable (or maybe not, so I can tweak it with house rules).

I enjoy the flow and simplicity of most Mark Simonitch games, but titles lacking logistics feel a bit off to me. I’ve tried OCS (Tunisia II, Korea) and like the logistics and the system overall. But it’s much harder to get them Simonitch stuff. Right now, I’m learning Barbarossa: Army Group Center, which looks promising on paper.

I’d love to hear any suggestions for games that make you feel like a “real war commander.”

Thanks!