Origins 2004 is set for this weekend in Columbus, Ohio, and with it comes one of the most spectacular miniature events that I have ever seen. First seen at last summer's Historicon, “Uncle Duke” Seifried's Lord of the Rings games will be run this year by Duke, Frank Chadwick and the Origins LotR Miniatures team. Known for his spectacular convention games, Duke will showcase Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, The Lonely Mountain and The Black Gate with literally thousands of wargaming miniatures. These pictures were taken at last year's Historicon.
For fans of playing miniature wargames set during the reign of Queen Victoria, here is a quick online game, called "Secrets of the Empire." It really doesn't have anything to do with miniatures, but it is fun.
This comprehensive site has invaluable information on the Russo-Japanese War. I've played in several Russo-Japanese War games at local miniature wargames conventions, and have always enjoyed them. The gamemasters used Old Glory Boxer Rebellion figures for their troops. If anyone out there knows of a line of figures specifically for this war, I'd like to know about them. Click on the comments line below and leave a message.
Gary James has some instructions on building a half-timbered house for 25mm - 28mm scale miniature wargames. Like many of these older-style European houses, this one would be a great piece of wargaming terrain for any European war from medieval to the modern day.
The Jackson Gamers' have published the "Continuous Fire Fight Rules for the American Civil War. They write:
Robert Whitfield and Larry Brom developed these in 1984 after we refought the battle of Fredericksburg in 25mm scale, and the Confederates were unable to stop the Yankees by firepower. In these rules there is a “deadly ground” in front of an Infantry regiment (and to a lesser degree, in front of an artillery battery). Any enemy unit in that ground WILL be fired at until it is destroyed, or falls back voluntarily or involuntarily, or forces the units that are firing on it to withdraw.
Here's a personal question: What brand of black primer are you using on your miniature wargaming figures? In the past, I've used Games Workshop's Smelly Primer, but it's pretty expensive. Following some advice, I tried a basic auto primer that I found at Murray's and I'm not particularly happy with the way it covers the figure. The brand I tried was Brite Touch. There also was a "sandable" type there, but that didn't sound good to me. I've also heard that Wal Mart has a good primer, but my local Wal Mart has several different types. If someone could give me a specific brand, I'd appreciate it. You can click on the comments link below to respond.
Thanks in Advance.
- The Editor
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
For pictures, visit the gallery.
Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
Origins 2004 is set for this weekend in Columbus, Ohio, and with it comes one of the most spectacular miniature events that I have ever seen. First seen at last summer's Historicon, “Uncle Duke” Seifried's Lord of the Rings games will be run this year by Duke, Frank Chadwick and the Origins LotR Miniatures team. Known for his spectacular convention games, Duke will showcase Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, The Lonely Mountain and The Black Gate with literally thousands of wargaming miniatures. These pictures were taken at last year's Historicon.
