Warfare 2021

After a couple years break, I was fortunate to be able to travel to a Wargames Show again - just before the Omicron variant of Covid messed things up again! So we dared beyond the borders of EU, all the way to the misty and far far away Island of Britain! Warfare was now arranged in a new location, I guess to make it safer. My experience from 2017 was very good, so I was really looking forward to this!

THE People

We set on the road (or air) with a mate from our Nopat Club: Ludde. He was heading to Warfare to play in the Flames of War -tournament. One of the best things in visiting Wargames shows is to meet fellow wargamers, many of whom I've already become familiar with online, or during my previous visits.

We had to wait for a bus for an hour or so at the airport, but finally reached Bracknell and headed 

for a pint and something to eat.

Many Warfare goers stayed in the same hotel in Bracknell. These two gents (Ian and Barry, if I remember correctly) I met in the breakfast table and they were kind enough to give me a lift to the show (Ludde had gone earlier, as his tournament started before the show opened).

First stop was to visit Andy and Martin from Gripping Beast at the 

Swordpoint tournament

Chris and Brian from Liverpool gave me a demo on Conquest, Last Argument of Kings

Ludde's tournament was in full swing, as were many other tournaments. I also 

followed the Saga Grand Melee (and even got the GT miniature from Richard) 

and had a chat with Andy Lyon.

This fellow from Oxford and his mate gave me a ride to the venue on the second day. They also played in the Flames tournament. On Saturday evening we had a very nice dinner with a group of Ludde's Flames -tournament mates; in our table there were us two Finns, one Swede, one Dane (whom flew in from Island, where he lives), one Canadian and one Brit.

The Venue

Ascot racing course as a venue was as pompous, as one would expect. One certainly did not expect to visit a Wargames Show in such surroundings. There was just one major problem with it: it was darn cold all the time! Traders downstairs were wearing their winter clothing and went around in my winter jacket too. It was a very cold and windy weekend. Another issue was, that one couldn't get a taxi after the show to get back to Bracknell!

Tables and demo games

Many MESBG tables were very nice!

The most awesome table was this one presenting a scene from the French & Indian wars with the Muskets & Tomahawks rule set.

Conquest: Last Argument of the Kings

So I one of the two games I played over the weekend. 

Quite nice miniatures, but at least in the skirmish mode, with just three units, I was not

blown away by it.

Blood Red Skies

On Sunday I played a game of Blood Red Skies. I really enjoyed it! I have the game, but playing it

hasn't really taken off at our club... should do something about it!

The Loot

I didn't have a prepared shopping list, so I bought only very necessary things! WOuld there have been more ASOIAF stuff on sale, I would probably had bought more...

Saga, mostly bought during my third day in UK, visiting Gripping Beast, will be using

them in Mortal Gods and in the future also in SAGA, when ever "Alexander the Great" universe is released.

Persian Cavalry from Victrix

Winter War 1939 reinforcements from Parkfield Miniatures, now I have 

more complete forces for my Finns and Soviets

Beautiful 1937 Japanese in Manchuria and China troops from Empress Miniatures

Robin Hood & Sheriff of Nottingham from Conquest Games, because childhood 

(and will use them in Saga) 

Turcopoles from Perry for Saga and other Crusades games

Few Japanese terrain pieces from Blotz, because they looked very nice

Some animals from Warbases for ASOIAF activation tokens and terrain / diorama

After all was seen and done on Sunday, a new acquaintance Scot (the Canadian) gave me a lift to Reading station and it was time to travel to Evesham, where my adventure continued. Read all about it here.