There was a time in my development as a Wargamer, that the more "down in the weeds" detail, the better. No longer. I have concluded that our most precious commodity is time. We don't know how much of it we have... or when we'll run out of it. Therefore the more time I am wargaming... the more fun I will get to experience. Simple rules that still are challenging and provide the "flavor" of whatever era I am trying out on the Ol' Tabletop, hit the "Sweet Spot" between Playability and Reality! I recommend having both books in your collection and refer to them as needed. Great review contrasting and comparing these two volumes that cover a complicated subject in their own way! Well Done Mr, Joy Of Wargaming!
Funny thing about this hobby: you never know when you might strike a new fancy. The sea campaign would have been as useless to me three years ago as the air campaign is to me today. Who is to say, but that three years from now I might be glad to have that chapter handy?
I agree. I have come to find that books that get you playing are more helpful than ones filled with detail. I remember reading "An Introduction To Wargaming" once, and the author literally spends 4-6 pages tops on what wargames even are, before he gives you rules to just play them. Actual play will always yield better games down the road.
Thanks for taking the time to talk about these books. This is great, exactly the kind of review that I needed! It also clarifies for me some of the information that I will need to include in the final draft of the Campaign Carnival zine.
While Henry Hyde’s book has received accolades I unfortunately found it chatty rather than prescriptive. It is certainly not the book I would point someone to who had never campaigned before and wanted to start up a campaign. It is more of interest I think to the experienced campaigner who can understand the underlying concepts being alluded to. The 2 books I would recommend for anyone staring wargame campaigning would be - “The Solo Wargaming Guide” by William Silvester “Wargame Campaigns” by C. S. Grant. When I first created the Berthier Campaign Manager software the design was most inspired by the Grant (father and son) approach as a practical means of getting a campaign up and running. I am however very grateful to Henry for listing Berthier as a campaigning resource in his book.
I'm pleased to hear that Berthier got a mention in Henry's new book. Berthier is just what I was looking for and more folks need to know about it! I see there's a new version available and I've missed a couple of updates. Have you thought about doing a Mailchimp mailout or something to let people know when there's a new version, and maybe including a changelog on the website so folks get a headsup about any new features etc? Keep up the great work!
@@donjondo Thanks for that. I maintain an email list for updates. Drop me a email if you'd like to be on it (my email is in the Berthier readme file). On your advice I have updated the web site to make the current version more obvious.
One rule system that integrates many forms of combat (air, sea, land, and space) and also does campaigns: Battletech. Most people just play one off games however, I've never really seen people play with the other miniatures besides the mechs. Oh well, it's an option that exists.
I bought both of those books recently and was pretty unimpressed with the Wargaming Campaigns book. It has some nice ideas, but there is SOOO MUCH FLUFF. Half the book is the author recounting his campaigns.
Wanted to say that I love these videos you have been making. I learned about 2mm armies thanks to this channel. I have a question though. Which is your favorite size to game with? 2mm, 6mm or larger? Just curious, I don't have a lot of space and the 2mm and 6mm sound great but I'm not sure what rules or mini's to get. I have a 3d printer so I am able to print my own but I've gone down a rabbit hole and not sure which way is up any more. I'm more family with Warhammer fantasy that used regiments and block units to fight. Have never touched a historical game. Just curious what thoughts you might have on this. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more solo wargaming adventures!
You have to use the right tool for the job. If I'm doing mast battles where the maneuver element is a regiment, 2 mm is the way to go. For skirmish or rank and flank battles? I like 15mm figs. They have more personality and you can store more of them in a smaller space.
You indirectly alluded to it, but I think it’s worth drawing attention to: HHWC, while it does have campaign rules, it’s not a rulebook. While the SWG has the rules as a primary focus.
always a fruitful approach. take the best elements of more than one approach. Looking for sympathy ... unconnected to vid ... painted for Britain last week, tidied up after, cannot find my glasses or ANY of the dice I've spent decades slowly adding to. Thanks for indulging me.
Great Video though I would argue for players who want a more engaging campaign layer Hyde's book is superior. The solo wargaming guide is great for getting battles with a campaign in the background but what holds it back is is lackluster management of sieges. Henry Hydes rules require more work on characters to provide a more engaging campaign. I like the character system especially for high ranking officers as it allows me to better roleplay and I would argue it is more interesting than the normal 3 plans and Roll a d6. I think it boils down to if you want to focus on the Tabletop battle Solo Wargaming Guide is all you need. Wargaming Campaigns is nice but is a luxury. If you want a Campaign where the map movements are just as interesting as the Tabletop where sieges, supply, or commander personalities are a significant factor Wargaming Campaigns is the way to go. More importantly they complement each other like you said. I personally love having commander personalities as it allows me to be frustrated that Leeronius Jenkonus Charged into battle against a vastly superior foe or McClellan refusing to attack an army that is likely half his size.
Great review, about 3 weeks too late. Could’ve saved me some coin had I seen this a few weeks ago, but as you rightly say, if you can afford WGCs, you can probably afford both.
There was a time in my development as a Wargamer, that the more "down in the weeds" detail, the better. No longer. I have concluded that our most precious commodity is time. We don't know how much of it we have... or when we'll run out of it. Therefore the more time I am wargaming... the more fun I will get to experience. Simple rules that still are challenging and provide the "flavor" of whatever era I am trying out on the Ol' Tabletop, hit the "Sweet Spot" between Playability and Reality! I recommend having both books in your collection and refer to them as needed. Great review contrasting and comparing these two volumes that cover a complicated subject in their own way! Well Done Mr, Joy Of Wargaming!
Funny thing about this hobby: you never know when you might strike a new fancy.
The sea campaign would have been as useless to me three years ago as the air campaign is to me today. Who is to say, but that three years from now I might be glad to have that chapter handy?
I agree. I have come to find that books that get you playing are more helpful than ones filled with detail. I remember reading "An Introduction To Wargaming" once, and the author literally spends 4-6 pages tops on what wargames even are, before he gives you rules to just play them. Actual play will always yield better games down the road.
Thanks for taking the time to talk about these books. This is great, exactly the kind of review that I needed!
It also clarifies for me some of the information that I will need to include in the final draft of the Campaign Carnival zine.
While Henry Hyde’s book has received accolades I unfortunately found it chatty rather than prescriptive. It is certainly not the book I would point someone to who had never campaigned before and wanted to start up a campaign. It is more of interest I think to the experienced campaigner who can understand the underlying concepts being alluded to.
The 2 books I would recommend for anyone staring wargame campaigning would be -
“The Solo Wargaming Guide” by William Silvester
“Wargame Campaigns” by C. S. Grant.
When I first created the Berthier Campaign Manager software the design was most inspired by the Grant (father and son) approach as a practical means of getting a campaign up and running. I am however very grateful to Henry for listing Berthier as a campaigning resource in his book.
👍
I'm pleased to hear that Berthier got a mention in Henry's new book. Berthier is just what I was looking for and more folks need to know about it! I see there's a new version available and I've missed a couple of updates. Have you thought about doing a Mailchimp mailout or something to let people know when there's a new version, and maybe including a changelog on the website so folks get a headsup about any new features etc? Keep up the great work!
@@donjondo Thanks for that. I maintain an email list for updates. Drop me a email if you'd like to be on it (my email is in the Berthier readme file). On your advice I have updated the web site to make the current version more obvious.
@@berthiercampaignmanager4453 Aha! Ok great, will do. Many thanks!
Star charts! Could that work for a Blackraven campaign?
One rule system that integrates many forms of combat (air, sea, land, and space) and also does campaigns: Battletech. Most people just play one off games however, I've never really seen people play with the other miniatures besides the mechs. Oh well, it's an option that exists.
I bought both of those books recently and was pretty unimpressed with the Wargaming Campaigns book. It has some nice ideas, but there is SOOO MUCH FLUFF. Half the book is the author recounting his campaigns.
That’s why I got the book, because I wanted to see how he put his ideas into practice.
Great video. Hyde's book is a "bit" too much info for me. I'll be fine with the Solo Wargaming Guide... I'm old and I like simple.
Wanted to say that I love these videos you have been making. I learned about 2mm armies thanks to this channel. I have a question though. Which is your favorite size to game with? 2mm, 6mm or larger? Just curious, I don't have a lot of space and the 2mm and 6mm sound great but I'm not sure what rules or mini's to get. I have a 3d printer so I am able to print my own but I've gone down a rabbit hole and not sure which way is up any more. I'm more family with Warhammer fantasy that used regiments and block units to fight. Have never touched a historical game. Just curious what thoughts you might have on this. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more solo wargaming adventures!
You have to use the right tool for the job.
If I'm doing mast battles where the maneuver element is a regiment, 2 mm is the way to go. For skirmish or rank and flank battles? I like 15mm figs. They have more personality and you can store more of them in a smaller space.
All things being equal the hyde is a better value for stopping a bullet. Dense paper.
You indirectly alluded to it, but I think it’s worth drawing attention to: HHWC, while it does have campaign rules, it’s not a rulebook. While the SWG has the rules as a primary focus.
always a fruitful approach. take the best elements of more than one approach.
Looking for sympathy ... unconnected to vid ... painted for Britain last week, tidied up after, cannot find my glasses or ANY of the dice I've spent decades slowly adding to. Thanks for indulging me.
Oof.
Getting old is not a young man's game, is it?
Great Video though I would argue for players who want a more engaging campaign layer Hyde's book is superior. The solo wargaming guide is great for getting battles with a campaign in the background but what holds it back is is lackluster management of sieges. Henry Hydes rules require more work on characters to provide a more engaging campaign. I like the character system especially for high ranking officers as it allows me to better roleplay and I would argue it is more interesting than the normal 3 plans and Roll a d6.
I think it boils down to if you want to focus on the Tabletop battle Solo Wargaming Guide is all you need. Wargaming Campaigns is nice but is a luxury. If you want a Campaign where the map movements are just as interesting as the Tabletop where sieges, supply, or commander personalities are a significant factor Wargaming Campaigns is the way to go.
More importantly they complement each other like you said. I personally love having commander personalities as it allows me to be frustrated that Leeronius Jenkonus Charged into battle against a vastly superior foe or McClellan refusing to attack an army that is likely half his size.
Very well said.
Great review, about 3 weeks too late. Could’ve saved me some coin had I seen this a few weeks ago, but as you rightly say, if you can afford WGCs, you can probably afford both.