King of the Battlefield

Wargames Rules: King of the Battlefield King of the Battlefield, written by Ian Godwin, offers an engaging set of eighteenth-century wargames rules designed specifically to reflect the tactical nuances of warfare during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. The rules place a strong emphasis on grand tactical command, formation control, and the devastating effect of disciplined line infantry fire. The mechanics manage linear tactics and cavalry charges with precision while keeping gameplay fluid and accessible. It serves as an excellent system for refighting historical engagements, allowing players to recreate the complex drill and command friction typical of mid-18th-century battlefields without getting bogged down in overly complex tables. Published by: Ian Godwin What do you think? I would love to hear your opinion on these rules! Do you use them for the Seven Years War? How do you find they handle the 6mm scale? Please leave your thoughts in...
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about

"History, High Command, and the Grand Scale of 6mm"

Welcome to Muskets & Magnification—a wargaming journal dedicated to the grand spectacle of 18th-century warfare, operational campaign tracking, and the art of independent, solo play.

My name is Andrew, a lifelong military history enthusiast, miniature modeller, and historical wargamer. This blog serves as the central headquarters for my ongoing 6mm wargaming projects, chronicling the conflicts of the Enlightenment—from the disciplined ranks of Frederick the Great's infantry during the Silesian Wars to the dense wilderness ambushes of the French & Indian War.

A Background in the Hobby & Industry

My journey to 6mm Enlightenment wargaming has been shaped by years of active involvement in community publishing, web development, and miniature manufacturing:

  • 10mm Wargaming (News & Personal Hubs): For many years, I ran 10mm-wargaming.com (no longer active), as a dedicated news hub for all things 10mm scale, alongside my personal project site, 10mm-wargaming.co.uk (no longer active), which documented my own 10mm painting, terrain, and battles.
  • Wargames Directory: To help bridge the gap between manufacturers and the community, I launched Wargames Directory—a central platform for hosting company press releases, new product announcements, and trade news across the hobby.
  • East Front Miniatures: Together with my wife, we acquired and operated East Front Miniatures, managing the casting, commercial distribution, and range management of historical metal miniatures.

The Vision: Why 6mm?

Wargaming in 6mm (specifically using figures from Baccus 6mm) provides a perspective that larger scales simply cannot match. At this scale, a battlefield truly feels like a theatre of war. Battalions stand in rigid, two-deep lines of musketry, full army corps manoeuvre across realistic landscapes, and artillery batteries deploy with authentic grand-tactical frontages.

Every unit in my collection is painted and based to strict universal standards, brought to life through the incredible brushwork of Robert Jackson (Mersey Wargames).

The Table & The Approach

  • Tactical Battles: Standard line engagements are fought using Black Powder / Last Argument of Kings (adapted with A Dark and Bloody Ground for North American skirmishing).
  • Operational Campaigns: Strategic movement, supply, and fog-of-war are managed on the campaign map using GDW's classic 1982 game Soldier King.
  • Solo Focus: Operating from a permanent workshop table, my games run on an asynchronous, solo schedule. This setup allows for deep narrative exploration, historical accuracy, and flexible play that accommodates daily energy levels without the pressure of fixed club dates.

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