By the Power of Gamefound! My MOTU Battleground Haul Arrives

Italians Somewhere in Spain

The Italian 6th Regiment on Campaign

Both battalions of the Italian 6th Regiment stand ready for battle, resplendent in their white coats with green facings and red cuff highlights. Whether marching in column or forming up for a desperate defense, they bring a distinct Napoleonic flair to the tabletop. From the Voltigeurs in bearskin colpacks to the wounded drummer keeping pace, each miniature captures the character of these French-allied soldiers.

French Allies: Italy’s Soldiers in Spain

Progress continues on my French Corp up next the  Italian 6th Regiment,  Somewhere in Spain...

Marshal Soult

Marshal Jean-de-Dieu Soult surveyed the battered remnants of his corps from the heights above Oporto, the morning mist still clinging to the Douro like a ghostly shroud. The retreat from Portugal had been an unrelenting test of endurance, a march through rain-soaked valleys and mountain passes where every step was dogged by relentless British pursuit and the merciless bite of starvation.

Sturmtrupp Falke: Falschirmjagers finished

Sturmtrupp Falke was once the pride of the Fallschirmjäger, their name whispered with both awe and fear across the battlefields of Europe. Forged in the fires of Crete, where they earned their reputation as elite shock troops, they were the spearhead of the German airborne forces. But the victory on that sun-scorched island came at a steep cost. The toll of Crete is evident in their ranks—men who once moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine now bear the weight of their losses, both in comrades and in spirit.

Duchy of Warsaw Regimental Foot Artillery

"Somewhere in Spain, 1811—The rhythmic thunder of cannon fire echoes through the valley, sending plumes of smoke curling into the dry Iberian air. The Polish gunners, their czapkas adorned with the white eagle of their homeland, work with the precision of veteran soldiers. Exiled from their own country, they now fight for France—knowing that every shot fired against Wellington’s forces brings them one step closer to reclaiming Poland."

Greek Heroes

Ancient Sparta, renowned for its discipline and martial prowess, was not without its quirks. Among the ranks of its fearsome hoplites, stories and nicknames often carried an edge of humor—a reprieve from the hardships of the agoge and the blood-soaked fields of battle. These tales, while entertaining, offer glimpses into the humanity behind the bronze shields and crimson cloaks.

 

 

French Cavalry for Spain

Somewhere in Spain, 1810…

The war in Spain was a brutal and grueling conflict for the cavalry of Napoleon’s Grande Armée. Unlike the sweeping charges of the open battlefields of Central Europe, the jagged sierras and winding roads of the Iberian Peninsula offered little room for grand maneuver. The Spanish and their British and Portuguese allies harassed French columns at every turn, and guerrillas made the countryside a graveyard for the unwary. Yet, in this chaos, the horsemen of Girard’s reinforced division—a fictitious but plausible formation in Marshal Soult’s 5th Corps—carved out a name for themselves with steel and fire.

Small is Beautiful: Adrian Wood

In the world of Warhammer 40,000, the size of a game has long been a topic of debate, with many players assuming that larger battles are inherently better. However, the article Small is Beautiful by Adrian Wood challenges this assumption by exploring the joys and benefits of smaller-scale games. While large 2,000-point battles with sprawling armies are the standard for many, Adrian and his gaming companions found that smaller battles—sometimes as low as 500 points—offered more excitement and focus. These smaller skirmishes encourage quicker, more tactical decision-making, where even a single die roll can drastically change the course of the game.

Discovering Warhammer: Adrian Wood

In his article Discovering Warhammer, Adrian Wood offers an insightful and personal account of his entry into the world of Warhammer. A veteran of Warhammer 40,000, Wood had long been a fan of the futuristic battles but had never ventured into the fantasy realm of Warhammer. His initial disinterest in the game stemmed from its slower pace and different focus, particularly in comparison to the fast-moving action of 40K. However, during a meeting with the White Dwarf team, he was encouraged to dive into Warhammer after expressing his newfound interest in trying it out for himself. This moment of excitement led to a memorable experience in which Wood participated in his first major Warhammer battle, the Gathering of Might battle report, which included all four armies on a massive 12'x4' table.

Incorporating "Better Than the Rest" into Black Vasken’s Development

When crafting Black Vasken, the Tattered Prince, I drew inspiration from Gav Thorpe's "Better Than the Rest" hero creation article to deepen his abilities and narrative. Thorpe’s approach to hero creation emphasizes not only power and stats but also the integration of a character's history, motivations, and evolving path to greatness. For Black Vasken, this philosophy helped elevate his transformation from a mere statline to a symbol of Khorne's bloody might, illustrating how a hero's trials and growth shape their narrative within the Chaos pantheon.

Return to Thorskinson's Island an Extensive Exploration

The editorial entries by Jake Thornton in White Dwarf issues 196, 197, and 198 provide an interesting glimpse into the early stages of what would become Thorskinson's Island. These articles hint at the beginning of a larger campaign being planned at the White Dwarf studio, capturing a sense of excitement and creative energy within the Games Workshop team. The editorials reveal the internal discussions and challenges that come with designing a massive campaign—choices about which armies to field, how to structure the rules, and the inevitable distractions that arise in a busy studio environment.

Dawn of the Restless Dead by Jonathan Green

1. The Importance of Narrative

Jonathan Green’s Dawn of the Restless Dead serves as a vibrant blend of storytelling and gaming inspiration for Warhammer Fantasy Battle (WFB) enthusiasts. It reflects Green's dual role as a storyteller and game designer, showcasing how narrative "colour text" enhances the gaming experience. Through his discussion of the creative process, character development, and scenario building, Green provides readers with an insightful guide for integrating compelling lore into tabletop gaming.

Black Vasken: The Knightmare Begins

His eternal slumber disturbed…resurrected in blood…they brought back the wrong knight…and he is going to make them pay…the eternal knightmare begins…

Better than the Rest: Creating Heroes in WFB

Personalizing Heroes: Beyond Special Characters

The Appeal of Customization

In wargaming, part of the joy of creating a narrative and immersive experience is the ability to shape your army’s leaders to reflect your own strategic preferences and creative vision. While special characters like Teclis, Nagash, or Archaon bring iconic flavor to battles, they may not always fit the vision players have for their army. Many players desire the option to create their own unique heroes, with subtle stat tweaks or minor abilities that suit their playstyle. This concept of character customization has been explored in a variety of articles, from Citadel Journal to White Dwarf, and has seen increasing popularity in modern wargaming circles. This article will explore how small, meaningful tweaks to a hero’s stat line can create a more personalized and dynamic gaming experience.

Somehwere in Spain: The Siege of Salamanca Comic

J-Files: Multi Table Games

Epic Campaigns for Warhammer Fantasy Battle: Multi-Table Madness

What if your Warhammer Fantasy battles didn’t stop at the table’s edge? Imagine commanding armies that traverse sprawling battlefields, reinforce allies in desperate clashes, and skirmish across an entire kingdom. Multi-table campaigns offer players an opportunity to transcend traditional tabletop games, transforming isolated battles into a living, breathing war. Inspired by Jervis Johnson’s ideas for large-scale, multi-table campaigns, this format is a natural fit for Warhammer Fantasy Battle 4th Edition, bringing its epic scale and rich narrative to the forefront.

Building an army the Stillmania Way

Creating an army in the world of tabletop wargaming is about more than just assembling models—it's about crafting a narrative, an identity, and a theme that resonates with the lore and aesthetics of the army. Combining Nigel Stillman’s philosophy with the distinctive character of a Chaos Army led by General Black Vasken and his mounted Chaos Dwarfs on tiny, barded ponies offers a unique opportunity to blend deep, lore-driven world-building with a touch of whimsy and creativity.

Fallschirmjager Pack Mules

Duchy of Warsaw Brigade Somewhere in Spain

The Polish Brigade: The 4th and 7th Regiments of the Duchy of Warsaw in the Peninsular War and Beyond

The soldiers of the Duchy of Warsaw were among Napoleon’s most loyal and determined allies, their ranks filled with veterans yearning for Poland’s rebirth. Though their contributions are often overshadowed by the exploits of French and other allied troops, the 4th and 7th Regiments of the Duchy of Warsaw played a significant role in the 5th Corps under Marshal Édouard Mortier during the brutal Peninsular War campaigns. Associated closely with General Jean-Baptiste Girard's 1st Division, these regiments endured the grueling conditions of Spain and left their mark on key battles and campaigns from 1809 to 1811. Their service would later continue on the frozen fields of Russia, further cementing their legacy.

Brigade Commanders and Colonels of the Duchy of Warsaw in Spain

Leaders of Valor: The Brigade Commanders and Colonels of the Duchy of Warsaw in Spain

The 4th and 7th Regiments of the Duchy of Warsaw, famed for their unwavering loyalty to Napoleon, owed much of their success in Spain to the exemplary leadership of their brigade commanders and regimental colonels. These men not only carried the weight of tactical decisions but also inspired their troops with personal acts of courage and resilience.

Duchy of Warsaw Battalion Command

Leadership and Legacy

The 4th and 7th Regiments of the Duchy of Warsaw carried not just muskets into battle, but also the hopes of a nation striving for independence. Key to their success in the Peninsular War and on the Eastern Front were the officers, drummers, and standard bearers who forged order and unity amid chaos.