Battlegames magazine issue 21

The PDF version is identical to the original printed version other than minor alterations to update subscription information and indicate the new format. The file is 144dpi, sufficient to enable you to 'zoom in' on pictures and achieve a pleasing print-out at home.

Diane Sutherland explores the possibilities of "Blissful bocage". You'd be amazed at what can be done with rubberised horsehair and hamster bedding when it comes to recreating the scenery of Normandy and you can be sure that your WW2 games will look a lot more like the real thing if you follow her advice.

Mike Siggins begins by giving us some sage advice about brushes in "Forward observer", then delves into the worlds of Lego (yes, Lego!) and the opportunities for gaming offered by Pocket Battles. But he's most excited about pre-game systems and positively bursting to tell you about his recent Marlburian gaming.

Veteran Canadian gamers Bob Barnetson and Bruce MacFarlane enthuse about using "Boardgames as campaign engines" for American War of Independence campaigns. Naturally, what they say can apply equally to other periods of history, and this piece is stuffed with good ideas. As well as offering in-depth appraisals of We the People, 1776 and Liberty, the authors go on to give a full set of charts for battle generation arising from the boardgames.

Wargamer and historian Chris Scott continues his thought-provoking series, "Talking wargaming", with "Line versus line", which is essentially an intriguing set of rules for a specific scenario: one battalion taking on another in the grandest possible style! A great project for a club, this one.

The Table Top Teaser this time is a classic. "Night moves" tests your ability to make best use of your reconnaissance forces as they probe through the hours of darkness and await the enemy, whilst also guarding the approach of their own main force. Don't underestimate this challenge!

Well-known gamer and writer Arthur Harman got so excited about the possibilities offered by Neil Thomas' Napoleonic Wargaming book that his review assumed epic proportions, so his kindly Editor gave him the privilege of this "Recce special: Thomas the game engine". Here, as well as reviewing the book in some depth, Arthur also outlines the possibilities of really grand, army-level games by tweaking Neil Thomas' rules.

New contributor Gary Pready keeps things short and sweet in "Whiling away the hours", his suggestions for things to listen to and watch whilst you're labouring away at the painting table. I'll be trying some of his suggestions myself!

Our headline piece, "Keep your powder dry", is the result of a mammoth interview I conducted with Black Powder author Rick Priestley and Warlord Games supremo John Stallard. Be warned — it's a big piece! But I hope that you will be as entertained and informed as I was, with all sorts of insights from Rick about the process of writing wargames rules, including the books and games that provided his earliest inspiration. I think you may well be surprised!

Recce is more squeezed for space this time, but there's still a healthy leavening of book, rule and miniature reviews.

Then of course we have the calendar of events supplied by Tricks of the Newark Irregulars; an exciting update for our Battlegames Combat Stress Appeal; and, to round things off, messages from your favourite advertisers.

This PDF version is priced at 50% of the original printed version, making it affordable for gamers everywhere.