By Mitch Reed

I always wanted to get into playing with American Civil War Ironclads, however I was never motivated by any of the existing rules to start collecting and playing this period. This changed last year when I saw a sneak preview from Mike Haught (Yes, the one from Battlefront) which featured a set of rules he was working on.

Mike started with a desire to tackle very underrepresented genres of gaming in way that focuses on a more complete story of the period. His first title, The Dawn of Iron (DOI) really changes the landscape of ACW naval combat, and it is a game that I feel many gamers will love.

I sit down with Mike Haught from and we talk about his new ACW naval game; Dawn of Iron.

By  Doc Wohlrab

Back in 1988 prolific game designer Frank Chadwick and GDW came out with a new science-fiction based game called This game became a cult classic and is anyone recalls our two-part “Final-Four” , it was one of my favorite all-time games. Sky Galleons is a steam-punk era sci-fi game that plays like a lot of naval games out on the market today and it is a game I have been playing for years and drew me deeper into wargaming.

By Tom Burgess

The new Bulge American Book gives us a new take on US Rifles in Version 4 Flames of War.  This new list represent the forces that had been heavily engaged in combat throughout much of 1944. These units had been relocated to the “quiet” Ardennes area for a chance to rest and recuperate. They had no idea that they were about to be at the front facing off against Hitler’s last major offensive to try to turn back the tide in the west.

Expecting easy duty, but ending up in the most intense sector, combined with the higher HQ confusion about what was going on, negatively affected these troops’ enthusiasm for the renewed battle against the German divisions. Thus the 2^nd, 4^th, and 28^th Divisions have been offered in Bulge American as examples of “Battle Weary” units.

By Troy A. Hill

A couple of weekends ago, I had the pleasure of returning to the world of gaming conventions. After a year and a half of avoiding people that weren’t in my family’s inner circle, returning to events was sure to be a shock to the system.

Fortunately, the shock was minor, with some growing pains (return pains?), Events look to be back in most of the world. Here in the USA, we’re facing challenges of Freedom v. Responsibility, as our medical/scientific communities try to move our population from Pandemic stage to Endemic stage. We’ll get there. Maybe a few hiccups, but we are well on the way now.

However, one thing I noticed at the Advance The Colors (ATC) event near Springfield Ohio in early October is that Covid has left its imprint on the gaming event industry.

By NDNG Ben

Bot War is an 8mm scale game created by Anthony Mallet, owner of Traders Galaxy, and is heavily influenced by Transformers, G.I. Joe, and other 80’s franchises. The game is set in an alternate 1980’s Earth, where the kingdom of Atlantica rises up to conquer the surface world.

The Democracy, which is the world’s leading superpower, suffers continuing losses against the superior Atlanticans.

Then one day, a spaceship crash lands on Earth. This ship was crewed by the Valiants, a race of noble Bots led by Ducal, later nicknamed General Duke. The Valiants team up with the Democracy and successfully defeat the Atlanticans. A time of peace and recovery followed, however Bot tech had been secretly acquired by the Atlanticans, as well as other nefarious organizations. Furthermore, various other Bot factions have begun arriving on Earth, causing the Bot War to begin in earnest.

By Tom Gall

The tide of Late War books for Flames of War continues with the Bulge American book by Battlefront. This pushes American lists further into 1944-1945 offering American players lots of good options. In this article we’re going to focus on Tank oriented lists contained in the book and command cards. By this I mean lists where the core units (ie black box) are armored.

List wise, the book and command cards introduce the following tank formations.

1. Veteran M4 Sherman (Late)
2. Veteran M24 Chaffee
3. M4 Sherman (Late)
4. M24 Chaffee
5. M18 Tank Destroyer
6. M36 Tank Destroyer
7. M24 Chaffee Cavalry – Command card
8. M5 Stuart Cavalry – Command card
9. Cavalry Recon – Command card

By Scott Roach

Before I begin my experience, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr John Stallard, the Managing Director and his excellent staff at Warlord Games for making this first experience a memorable one (Oh and no, I don’t get any kickbacks or benefits from Warlord Games). It was also great to catch up with Jon Russell (That’s us together at the top) who I met (virtually) during a Podcast hosted by my “Valhal Brother” Mitch Reed.

I have, where possible tried to capture the names and responsibilities of the staff in my pictures. Apologies for any I get wrong!

NDNG BattleVault Episode 21 – US Bugle Review

By Tom “Cap’n Chairborne” Mullane

As the leaves turn, and the winds grow chilly, Historicon will soon be upon us. This coming November 11 through 14 many of us are coming together for the first time in a long time to get some gaming in. Glenn Van Meter, Tyler Stone, and Tom Mullane (the Tails of the Sail gentlemen) have quite a bit planned in terms of Firelock Games this time around. Tom will also be wearing a Spanish Conquistador outfit, because he lost a bet.

Signups are happening now on the Community Page for under events. So please sign up soon. We have available slots, and loaner armies, but those spots won’t wait forever. Check below for the specifics of each tournament. (Blood and Plunder, Oak and Iron, Blood and Valor). And remember, Firelock is providing a special prize to anyone brave enough to play in all three events.