I was considering these three sitting on the shelf in my game room and it struck me how wide the historical wargaming hobby actually is. Same fundamental urge — push toy soldiers around and reenact history — but the experience changes completely depending on the period:

🛡️ Barons' War 2nd Ed. — 13th-century medieval skirmish, knights and serjeants, narrative-driven. You're running a retinue, not an army. Castle sieges and raids feel personal.

🦅 Battle Commander Vol. I (Napoleon's Italian Campaigns) — Carl Paradis design, no dice, cube-pull activation, card-enhanced combat. You're operating at army commander level — bold decisions, fog of war, your subordinates handle the grind. Solitaire rating is genuinely solid (7/10) which is rare for a 2-player block wargame.

🌵 Bolt Action 3rd Ed. Starter (A Gentleman's War) — North Africa, 8th Army vs. Afrika Korps. Combined arms, fast and cinematic, full A5 rulebook in the box. Probably the cleanest on-ramp to 3rd Ed. I've seen.

Genuinely curious where folks here land — are you a single-period purist, or do you bounce between eras like I do? Medieval skirmish hits a totally different itch than Napoleonic grand tactical, and both are different from WWII combined arms. I can't pick a favorite.

What's drawing you in lately?

(Full disclosure: I run Gator Games and Books — gatorgameswayx.com — and we stock all three. Happy to answer any questions on rules, components, or scale.)

🆕 BRAND NEW RELEASES:

📕 The Barons' War: King John (Hardcover Sourcebook) — The first major supplement for the new edition of The Barons' War. A 246-page hardcover tome covering the chaotic reign of King John (1199–1216). Expands the Feudal European retinue list and introduces six new historical retinue lists — Welsh, Scottish, Poitevins, Flemish, Mercenaries, and Outlaws (with Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and the Merry Men returning). Includes ten historical scenarios covering everything from the Welsh Marches to Bouvines and the climactic Battle of Lincoln, plus rules for larger battles using combined retinues. If you've been playing The Barons' War, this is a must-have.

Partisans (2): French Resistance Women (World Ablaze) — VIVE LA FRANCE! 1940. France is occupied, the Vichy government does Hitler's bidding, but in the cities and across the countryside, the Resistance fights back. 30 multi-part hard plastic 28mm figures of French Resistance women — Bolt Action ready, perfect for SOE operations, partisan ambushes, and any WWII occupied-Europe scenario. A long-awaited follow-up to the Partisans (1) box.

🔄 RESTOCKED & READY:

🐎 Death Fields: Les Grognards Cavalry — Multi-part hard plastic Napoleonic-flavored sci-fi cavalry. The greatest sport IS war. 🔫 Death Fields: Les Grognards Command and Heavy Support — 6 multi-part figures to anchor your Grognards force. 🕵️ Pulp Adventure: Operators — 20 multi-part hard plastic 28mm figures. Modern military pulp action. 🕴️ Pulp Adventure: Agents — 24 multi-part figures. Suit-and-shades pulp espionage at its finest. 🦘 This Quar's War: Fidwog Command — 14 multi-part 28mm Quar figures. 🦘 This Quar's War: Fidwog Specialists — 12 multi-part 28mm Quar figures. ⚙️ General Accoutrements: 25mm Dual Use Bases — 60 hard plastic bases. ⚙️ General Accoutrements: 25mm × 50mm Pill Bases — 24 hard plastic dual-use pill bases.

⚙️ Why Wargames Atlantic?

• 🛠️ Hard plastic 28mm — multi-part, build-it-your-way kits
• 💵 Outstanding value vs. metal or resin equivalents
• 📜 Wide range across historical, sci-fi, fantasy, and pulp
• 🌍 Made on both sides of the pond (USA + UK)

🔗 In stock now at gatorgameswayx.com 📦 Online-only — fast US shipping.

Mike & the Gator Games and Books crew

Veteran-made. Made in the USA. Designed with real military input.

The mil-spec sci-fi tabletop wargame everyone's talking about. Fast, lethal, and built for tactical play by people who've actually been there.

🆕 New: Handlers Alpha (Helmet) + Local Miners 🔄 Restocked: 2-Player Starter Kit, Manticor Borz Group, BLKLST Expansion, Handler Team Bravo, Handler Unit Bravo

Support veteran-led indie wargaming. Online only. Link HERE. 🔗

Mike & the Gator Games and Books crew

New releases (Italian Paracadutisti wave for Bolt Action 3rd Ed):

• Armies of Italy: Third Edition (just dropped — main Italian, Co-Belligerent, and RSI lists)
• Lions of the Folgore Starter Army
• Paracadutisti Platoon, Heavy Weapons Platoon, Support Group, HQ, Platoon Commanders
• Desert Lightning book miniature
• Carro Armato / Semovente plastic kit
• Italian Order Dice (sky blue)

Restocked:

• Band of Brothers Starter Set
• British Airborne Starter Army
• Panzer IV F1/G/H, Panzer III, M4 Sherman, M3A1 Half-Track (x2)

Site: gatorgameswayx.com — online-only, ships from US.

Happy to answer questions on what's in any of the boxes or what would pair well with each.

— Mike B.

📦 NEW IN STOCK: Wargames Illustrated #461 — May 2026 (Armoured Warfare Issue)

The latest issue of Wargames Illustrated has landed at Gator Games and Books — and every copy in our stock comes with the French Somua S35 Freebie Frame. 🇫🇷🛡️

That's a FREE 15mm Battlefront Miniatures Somua S35 with every magazine — perfect for your Early War Flames of War French force (worth £10/$16 on its own).

Inside Issue 461:

• 🔧 Assembly guide for the Somua (p.20)
• 📜 Early War tank history feature (p.28)
• 🎨 Painting guide to get it tabletop-ready (p.42)
• ⚔️ Salute 53 Force & Valor free figure spotlight
• 🎲 What a Tanker! feature game
• 🏆 Hammerhead Painting Competition coverage
• 🏛️ A 'Crusader' temple build, plus Peninsular War content

Building French armour for Early War? This is the easiest way to add a Somua to your force AND get one of the best monthly mags in the hobby in the same package.

🔗 In stock now at gatorgameswayx.com

Mike & the Gator Games and Books crew

#WargamesIllustrated #FlamesOfWar #SomuaS35 #EarlyWar #FrenchArmy #Wargaming #TabletopGaming #MiniatureWargaming #GatorGamesAndBooks

🐎 Ranger Cavalry WINS the Tournament! | US Army Bolt Action AAR from Summer Rush

Ranger Cavalry "literally won me every game." That's the verdict from tournament champion Randy Yon, fresh off his victory at the Summer Rush at the Toy Bunker in Opelika, Alabama! 🇺🇸 Randy sits down with Mike "the Gator" Baker for a full game-by-game After Action Report of his championship run with a US Army list built around something you almost NEVER see on a Bolt Action table — Ranger Cavalry and Philippine Scouts.

In this video, we walk through every tournament matchup, break down the key tactical moments, and find out how horses on the battlefield carried Randy to the top of the podium. Plus — Randy shares the list tweaks he made after the preview episode (spoiler: the bazookas had to go) and explains why the M16 Quad .50 earned its keep all weekend long.

🔍 What we cover:

• Why Ranger Cavalry was the MVP of every single game
• Full tournament AAR — game-by-game breakdown of every matchup
• Philippine Scouts as the perfect charge partner for mortar teams and officers
• List changes from the preview episode — what worked, what didn't
• The Weasel + Company Commander morale bubble dominating the table
• M16 Quad .50 vs. air power — why Randy skipped the air observer
• Facing Germans, Finns, Italians, and other US Army lists in tournament play
• How the new Army Books are reshaping competitive Bolt Action
• Randy's advice for anyone building a Cavalry or Mechanized force

🎯 Looking ahead: Randy's already gearing up for Recon, with Warzone at MomoCon and Fall Offensive on the horizon — plus a shout-out to David Sarah Camp for those beautiful custom patches.

Whether you're building your first tournament list or you're a seasoned grognard, this AAR is packed with practical lessons on running a Cavalry-led US Army force in competitive Bolt Action.

🙏 Big thanks to the Toy Bunker in Opelika, AL for hosting a fantastic event!

📍 Based in Savannah, Georgia | Covering historical & sci-fi tabletop wargaming 🛒 Support the channel — shop at Gator Games and Books! www.gatorgameswayx.com 👍 Like | Subscribe | Share — help us hit the next milestone!

Follow us on Socials Facebook / gatorgamesandbooks Instagram / gatorgameswayx Pinterest / mikebakerservices Reddit / gatorgamesandbooks Website https://gatorgameswayx.com/

Hey everyone — just wanted to share a small milestone. The Gator Games and Books YouTube channel just crossed 400 subscribers, and I'm genuinely grateful for the support from hobby communities like this one.

The channel covers tabletop wargaming (historical and sci-fi), miniatures, and board games. Still a small operation but growing, and it's been a blast connecting with fellow hobbyists along the way.

If you're curious, the channel is at u/GatorGamesandBooks. No pressure — just sharing the win. Thanks for being part of what makes this hobby great. 🐊🎲

Quar Fidwog Force Bundle

📦 What's in the Bundle:

🔹 Quar Fidwog Infantry — 12 hard-plastic infantry figures + 2 Fynrydhad "Centipede" Squad Tractors. Options for Sketych Basic Rifle, Bensa F6 Auto Rifle, and M-8c HMG. Multiple head variants. 25mm bases.

🔹 Fidwog Specialists — 12 hard-plastic multi-part figures. Build Lancers (anti-tractor shock troops), Marksquar (precision eliminators), or Miners (trench raiders and sappers). 25mm bases.

🔹 Fidwog Command — 14 hard-plastic figures including Officers, Command Staff, Standard Bearers, Signal/Musician Quar, mounted rhyflers on Cadiers, and pack Cadiers. 25mm bases + pill bases included.

38 figures · 2 tractors · 3 boxes · One complete Fidwog force.

Marcher USA Starter Kit

 Get your force on the table fast!

Three boxes. 36 figures. One complete combined-arms army ready to fight across every front the Great War can throw at them.

Whether you're jumping into Marcher: Empires at War for the first time or expanding an existing collection, this bundle gives you everything you need — rank-and-file GIs, battle-hardened veterans with command options, and the iron fist of the X19A2 Badger Hardsuits to punch through anything in your way.

👉 Also a perfect proxy force for Konflikt '47! The Badger Hardsuits slot right in as walkers, and the infantry pair beautifully with US Konflikt '47 lists. Dieselpunk aesthetic, hard plastic quality, and a complete starter force all in one box.

Bundle Contents:

• ✦ 20 Hard-Plastic G.I. Infantry · 25mm bases
• ✦ 12 Hard-Plastic Veterans & Command · 25mm bases
• ✦ 4 Hard-Plastic Badger Hardsuits · 40mm bases + decals
• ✦ Mfg. by Wargames Atlantic · Made on Both Sides of the Pond

Operators

Get em here: https://gatorgameswayx.com/shop/ols/products/operators

 **STACK UP! Build Your Elite Force.**Whether you need disciplined corporate security, hardened private military contractors, special operations forces, a local militia, or a dangerous band of criminals, this highly versatile hard plastic box set does it all!This set provides the components necessary to assemble 20 highly detailed, 28mm scale figures, perfect for modern or near-future wargaming scenarios.

Inside the Box:

• 20 Bodies (5 unique sculpts)
• Modern Arsenal: A comprehensive mix of modern weaponry including combat knives, pistols, AR and M-model rifles, AK model rifles, G-model rifles, sniper rifles, light machine guns/squad automatic rifles, and more!
• Extensive Customization: A total of 108 heads across 27 unique sculpts are included to ensure diverse character creation.

Important Details:

• Models require assembly and painting.
• Bases are not included.
• Sculpting: Thieu Duong with an assist from Rob Macfarlane
• Figure Painting: Chris Hindmarsh
• Illustration: Mark Stacey
• "Made on Both Sides of the Pond" - Produced in the USA for the US market and the UK for the rest of the world.

What do you get when you cross Bolt Action with a treasure hunt scenario inspired by Stargrave? Apparently, one of the most fun afternoons we've had at the table in a while. Here's the full breakdown.

The idea

The inspiration came from the treasure hunt mechanics in Stargrave — but Stargrave can be a bit crunchy for our Saturday crowd. Several players had been wanting to try Bolt Action, so this scenario was born as a compromise: familiar enough for the regulars, accessible enough for the newcomers, and just enough chaos to keep everyone engaged.

The format was simple. Twelve objective markers were scattered across a densely-packed urban ruin. Grab them, carry them off the board, score points. But with six players and two sides trying to do the same thing — nothing stayed simple for long.

"We treated it as an adventure rather than just a hard-bitten battle. The non-wargamers enjoyed moving miniatures and grabbing goodies while the wargamers hammered away at everyone."

The forces

Six players split into Axis and Allied commands, each controlling 4 maneuver elements. Here's how the table lined up:

Axis

• German Fallschirmjäger (Veteran)
• German Wehrmacht (Regular)
• Hungarian Infantry (Regular)

Allies

• USMC (Regular)
• Soviets (Regular)
• British Airborne (Veteran)

Each player drew their own order dice independently, which gave the game a wonderfully chaotic feel — no single commander could coordinate everything, and that unpredictability drove some of the best moments of the day.

How scoring worked

10 pts per objective off the board

1 pt per enemy figure eliminated

3 pts for eliminating an officer

5 pts for a special weapons team

Units carrying objectives could only move at advance speed, which made them tempting targets. Close combat could steal objectives — the winner keeps the prize, the loser falls back 1d6+6 inches. No permanent casualties: we're all friends here, after all.

How it played out

Both sides came on from the long table edges on Turn 1 and the fighting kicked off immediately. Highlights from the five turns we played:

• The British Paras and German Fallschirmjäger found each other at close range early — a fierce veteran-on-veteran firefight that the Paras narrowly won.
• A well-placed Soviet mortar took out the Hungarian Anti-Tank Rifle team, denying the Axis their main long-range threat.
• The German MMG dominated its sector and kept the table clear — but was too static to push forward and contest objectives.
• The Soviets ran a disciplined grab-and-run game that nobody quite stopped in time.

Final result — Turn 5

Allied victory — objectives held + Soviets lead individually

Top scorer

Soviets — 45 pts

Why it works for a mixed group

One of the best things about this format is that it gives everyone something to engage with at their own level. Experienced wargamers can optimize their shooting, positioning, and order dice timing. Newer players can focus on the treasure hunt element — move toward an objective, pick it up, get it off the table — and still feel like they're contributing meaningfully to the outcome.

We had players at this table who had never touched a wargame before, and they were completely dialed in by Turn 2. That's the real win.

Want to run this yourself?

The scenario is easy to adapt to any WWII or even sci-fi skirmish game that uses order dice or activation mechanics. Key things to get right: dense terrain so everyone is in the fight by Turn 1, enough objectives that multiple players can score, and the close combat steal rule — it creates the most dramatic moments of the game.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes in the comments below!

Randy's BACK at Gator's Garage — and he's bringing the full firepower of the US Army to a competitive Bolt Action tournament in Opelika, Alabama! 🇺🇸

In this video, we break down Randy's complete tournament list, including why the mighty 76mm Sherman is the centerpiece, how Ranger cavalry can cover nearly the entire board on Turn 1, and the sneaky Weasel + Company Commander combo that's been dominating at the top table.