March of the Idiots: Paul Goes to War

Hi, I’m Paul, and welcome to The Asylum.

Today I bring you a further episode of our March of the Idiots series, in which I detail Asylum Wargaming's misadventures in various tournaments across the country. As part of our commitment to organised and community play, we’re proud to both promote and to engage in these tournaments.

I am, therefore, thrilled to announce my friend—and the man even Warlord Games calls Mr. Bolt Action—Jamie Tranter has invited me to be his partner at a forthcoming event. Entitled Peak Offensive, this doubles tournament sees teams of two players—each fielding 500 points of Bolt Action goodness—competing for prizes and the adulation of their peer group. Lacking a partner (and being desperate) Jamie asked me to be his Wing Man. Once he told me the really cool theme for our entry, I just couldn’t say no…

Jamie’s pitch? An actual WWII action called Operation Varsity. Launched by the Allies against Nazi Germany in March, 1945, Operation Varsity saw Allied airborne forces from the U.S., Canada and Great Britain dropped on the village of Hamminkeln and the town of Wesel (both on the banks of the Rhine River). Their intention was to capture key territories and disrupt German defences in the face of the oncoming Allied ground forces.

Due to a mistake by a pilot, however, U.S. Paratroopers from the 513^th Parachute Infantry Regiment missed their designated drop zone and instead landed in one held by the British 6^th Airlanding Brigade. Not to be deterred, both divisions worked shoulder-to-shoulder to secure the town of Hamminkeln.

So, after a brief discussion (i.e, Jamie told me to), we decided we’d create two 500 point forces which reflected this joint operation. Jamie chose to field the British Airborne of the 6^th, and I the U.S. Airborne of the 513^th. Being Mr. Bolt Action, Jamie already knew the best way to start his force: the venerable Bolt Action British Airborne WWII Allied Paratroopers boxed set.

I, meanwhile, needed some Airborne, and fast. But, as a Bolt Action newb (I’ve played one game against our man Spud Tate!) neither did I own any Bolt Action miniatures, or have any idea where to start. Fortunately, Warlord’s excellent Bolt Action US Airborne set proved to be an ideal place to start. Why so…?

…Here so:

With five sprues each with six Airborne, this set had more than enough grunts for my 500 point force. Assembling the paratroopers was a scream, and I haven’t had as much fun gluing plastic together since the very first plastic Space Marines boxed set. Yeah, that long ago. And this time I didn’t even glue anything to my face.

So, you're bang up to date. As of today, Jamie and I have an idea, fists full of plastic, and a deadline. Said deadline is a month away and neither of us are known for being quick painters. Can we complete our miniatures in time and do justice to the brave men of Operation Varsity…?

…Watch this space.


Peak Offensive will be held at the Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale, Matlock, on Sunday 23^rd July. Jamie and I will hold a victory parade in Nottingham on Monday 25^th.* No, really.**


*This may not be true.

** It’s really not true.

Bolt Action, Konflikt '47 and all manner of other Warlord Games goodies are available at our webstore

Anyaral: The World of Twilight; Spud Tate Unboxes The Dhogo Raiders!

Hi, I'm Paul, and welcome to The Asylum.


As you may have noticed, we at Asylum Wargaming are just mad about Anyaral: The World of Twilight. We like it so much our very own Wargaming Viking, Spud Tate, has recorded the first in a series of Anyaral unboxing videos. So sit back and relax as Spud unveils the hidden treaures of Anyaral's Dhogo Raiders Starter Set.

That's all for now, Inmates. But fear not, for we'll be unboxing more wargaming goodness in the very near future, including more Anyaral: The World of Twilight.

Until then...

...Stay crazy.



What are you waiting for? Anyaral: The World of Twilight is available from our webstore.

March of the Idiots: Asylum Wargaming Get S.L.A.yed.

Hi, I'm Paul, and welcome to The Asylum.



Today I bring you a further episode of March of the Idiots, in which I detail Asylum Wargaming's misadventures in various tournaments across the country. And, as promised, Steve, Spud and I have been misbehavin' again...


Not content with getting out asses handed to us at the recent Beers of War tournament, we decided we'd quite like to get our collective butts kicked in another event. As luck would have it those nice people at Daruma Productions were happy to oblige...

The event in full swing

With the release of their S.L.A. Industries: CS1 skirmish game on the horizon, Daruma hosted a CS1 tournament on Sunday 26th February in Doncaster. Designed to stress-test both the beta version of the SC1 and the tournament rules, it not only more than fulfilled its promise of a knock 'em down, shoot 'em up event, but also underlined just how good the CS1 rules really are. Better yet, not only were some juicy new releases on offer, but lunch was also provided. Result!


All this ... and cake!

So how did Spud, Steve and I do? Well, not so good...


Whilst Spud and I started the day off with victory over Steve and Daruma's Brad (who was on hand to teach us the rules!), things then went down hill rapidly. I lost in my second game, and poor Spud's new favourite faction, the Carrien, were decimated by Steve's Shivers. But that doesn't really tell the whole story...


The 9th versus a pack of Carrien

Shivers

The most important thing is we had a cracking time. So good, in fact, that Steve and Spudly are now S.L.A. Industries converts. I already knew it was cool ('cos I'm old enough to remember it form the first time 'round), but now my colleagues have caught the bug. This illustrates the strengths of S.L.A. Industries: CS1: it's a really neat, elegant system supported by great miniatures. With its evocative setting, lovely art (thank you, Dave Allsop!) and a great line of merchandise, this is another addition to the U.K.'s pantheon of excellent indie games. And CS1 is only going to get better. With more releases in the pipeline (including the truly gruesome Cannibal faction!), S.L.A. Industries: CS1 is going from strength to strength ... and we at Asylum Wargaming can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeve.



A big thank you to the mighty Matt Birdsall for his excellent photography.

S.L.A. Industries: CS1 is available at our webstore. Go get 'em, tiger!





Merch-entice!

Spudly do right.

Hi, I'm Paul, and welcome to The Asylum


Tonight I have a little more ChillCon '17 goodness for you. Now, for those of you who are unaware of ChillCon, it's Chilling Wargamers and Asylum Wargaming's very own wargaming show, and it debuts on 27th May at Ecclesfield School in Sheffield (full address below). Believe me, it's going to be all the awesome. How do I know? 'Cos I know all the stuff we've got lined up for you, that's how do I know.


One of the things we've got is merchandise, so feast your eyes on our model and media superstar Spud Tate as he models the limited edition ChillCon'17 tote bag and mug!


These precious gems have been supplied by our co-sponser Daruma Productions, publisher of the fabulous cyberpunk skirmish game S.L.A. Industries: SC1. How can you get your grubby hands on some? Easy. The first one hundred lucky blighters through the door will receive some awesome loot (as supplied by our lovely lovely traders); the first fifty of those punters, however, will get said loot inside one of these stylish ChillCon '17 tote bags (Spud not included). A-maze-balls!

Spud's bag, everyone. Remain calm.

We're also producing a very limited run of fab ChillCon '17 mugs. Whilst I'm not at liberty to say exactly how limited they are, suffice it say they're restricted to a number between eleven and fifteen. Yes, that limited. If you're really lucky you might even get one of the clean ones.


ChillCon '17 will be hosted at Ecclesfield School, Chapeltown Road, Sheffield, S35 9WD on Saturday 27th May, 2017.  Click here for a useful guide on how to find us. You can also find a full and up-to-date list of traders here.


So what are you waiting for? Start queuing now!

Missed his mouth again.

Tickets are available here. You can also save £1.00 by buying your tickets in advance. For every ticket sold we will donate £1.00 to the following charities:

The three of us involved in the organisation of ChillCon—Steve, Spud and myself—have picked these charities as they all mean something to us on a personal level. Please take a moment to visit their sites and consider making a donation. Thank you.




ChillCon '17 is sponsored by Daruma Productions' S.L.A. Industries: CS1...

...And Word Forge Games.
 

March of the Idiots: Asylum Wargaming at Beers of War, part two

Hi, I'm Paul, and I'm here to tell you all about Asylum Wargaming's misadventures at Beers of War...

If you're joining is us for the first time and don't know your Beers of War from your beer goggles, then let me fill you in. Beers of War is a Kings of War tournament organised by the mighty Luke Fellows of Luke's APS (if you don't know what Luke's APS is either, then why not check out my interview with Luke?) with combines organised play with free beer. Winner. Entrants form teams of two, with each fielding 750 points each, so quick yet challenging games are guaranteed.

As promised, Asylum Wargaming were in attendance. Our very own media star and host of Chilling Wargamers, Spud Tate, joined forces with Mr. Nick Williams to form the team Nick Marine Sunday. Meanwhile Asylum Wargaming's very own angry hobbit, Steve JohnSnow, had the misfortune of forming Kings of Phwoar! with yours truly. I use the word 'misfortune' advisedly, as I played my first game of Kings of War on the evening of 10th February. Beers of War was held on 11th February...



Spud Tate: king of war!

Luke and his brother (and co-organiser) Lee were a lot better organised. Not only were all the tables adorned with excellent gaming mats, but they also sported a wide variety of top-quality scenery, all created by Luke himself.

Suffice to say Spud's day went a lot better than mine and Steve's. With two wins and one draw, he and Nick finished third in the rankings, AND his force of Abyssal Dwarves was voted third best painted. Bravo, Brother Spudly, Bravo!



Mr. Nick Williams, everybody.

And Kings of Phwoar!? Well, we won something too ... even if it was only the Worse Team award.


Yep, with a record and two loses and one draw out of three games, we didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory. But no matter, we were there and we enjoyed ourselves, so job done. S'only a game, right?

Rumour has it Beers of War 2 is heading our way July. Rumour has it Kings of Phwoar! and Nick Marine Sunday will be competing once again. Rumour also has it the only way is up for Steve and I, right...?

In full swig ... sorry, swing.