Solo DBA – New Frontiers!

I was really chuffed to discover recently that there’s a new Yahoo Group dedicated to revising and expanding the rules for solo DBA. Richard and Dale, who started the group up, are putting some serious thought and work into producing a powerful successor to the rather rudimentary solo options for DBA that have been available to date. In fact their two contrasting approaches are likely to produce two rather different end products, which can only be a good thing! If DBA or ancient solo play in general is your bag then check out the group and take part in the project: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/soloDBAdevelopment/

Featherstone Classic Back In Print

I’ve recently received my copy of the new edition of Don Featherstone’s classic ‘Solo Wargaming’. Originally published way back in 1973, this book was long available only via eBay and specialist outlets at the sort of prices that would make your eyes water. This shiny new edition has been edited and produced by John Curry of John Curry Events, and can be had for the very reasonable sum of £12.95 plus shipping. It includes all sixty original illustrations, and is well worth the cover price. Although very much ‘of its time’, it’s an essential addition to the solo wargamer’s bookshelf.

John Curry is in the process of publishing new editions of many classic books and rule sets by Don Featherstone and other early pioneers. Check out his website for full details.

Welcome to Solo Wargamer

Welcome to my solo wargames blog. As well as being a personal journal of my solo battles and campaigns, I’m aiming to gradually build this into a modest online resource for other solo wargamers. Solo play has been neglected in recent years, but for a number of reasons – some a matter of choice, others a matter of necessity – it remains for many people a viable and fun alternative to wargames clubs and tournaments. There is a thriving Yahoo discussion group which I can warmly recommend if you haven’t already found it – click here to check it out. As for this blog, I would welcome any feedback you’d care to post, and any ideas you’d care to contribute.

So, why solo wargaming? Up until now my wargaming career has been one of dipping a toe gingerly into the water, checking out local clubs and the friendlier sorts of tournament. But I don’t find that either is really quite to my taste, nor do they satisfy my need for ongoing wargames or quick one-off battles that can be fought whenever I feel the urge for a game. Being in the happy position of having the space for a permanent games table means that I don’t have to worry about setting up and clearing away games, and that I can leave battles in situ and return to them either for a few short minutes or for longer periods during my spare time. That has made it a lot easier to opt for the choice of focusing primarily on solo gaming.

Solo wargaming appeals to me because of this capacity for playing at my own pace just when it suits me. And it enables me to follow up ideas, investigate the periods of my choice, and use my own favourite rulesets without having to worry about whether they fit in with someone else’s preferences.

At the moment my tendency is to play small scale battles using the DBA and Hordes Of The Things rulesets, and the blog is initially likely to reflect something of a bias in that direction. On the other hand as my ‘career’ as a solo wargamer develops I hope to expand the scale of my operations…

Happy Gaming!