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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Solo Wargaming

"Adapting the Hobby to Health and Finding Focus"

Wargaming is often celebrated as a highly social hobby, filled with crowded club nights and strict weekend tournament schedules. However, when navigating ongoing health challenges, those traditional environments can quickly turn from an enjoyable escape into an exhausting physical burden. For me, shifting the focus to solo wargaming wasn’t just a random choice; it was a necessary and incredibly rewarding adaptation that allowed me to keep my passion for the tabletop alive.

Managing chronic health issues means living with unpredictable energy levels and sudden flares. Committing to fixed club nights or lengthy travel is often impossible, and there is an undeniable anxiety in potentially letting down an opponent at the last minute. The solo table completely removes that friction. My 6mm Bohemian battlefield sits quietly in the workshop, completely running on my own clock. If a bad day hits, the lines of battle wait patiently without a single complaint. On good days, I can dive deep into the grand-tactical mechanics for hours.

Operating as a lone general also transforms the game into a deeply immersive, narrative puzzle. By taking up the mantle of both the Prussian and Austrian high commands, I am not fighting to win, but rather exploring the historical friction of the campaign. Guided by the brilliant literature of solo pioneers like Donald Featherstone and William Silvester, the lack of a live opponent ceases to be a limitation. Instead, it becomes a peaceful, therapeutic retreat—a quiet space where I can command massive armies, test tactical theories, and enjoy the craft entirely on my own terms.

The Solo Arsenal: Books & Tools

This section serves as a running log where I will add foundational volumes, solo campaign engines, and gaming utilities as they clear the workshop desk and prove their value to the project.

Foundational Literature

Current core references proving indispensable to Independent Tabletop play:

  • William Silvester: The Solo Wargaming Guide — An excellent, comprehensive framework for campaign management and AI movement matrix design.
  • Donald Featherstone: Classic tactical blueprints that laid the groundwork for managing asymmetrical scenarios single-handedly.
  • Lone Warrior Journal: Essential quarterly intelligence, scenario designs, and solo command mechanics from the Solo Wargamers Association.

Solo Wargaming Archive Labels

[Solo Wargaming] [Solo Campaigns] [Solo Books]

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