Solo Wargaming: A Practitioner's Guide

A Practitioner's Guide to the Fascinating World of Solo Wargaming

This comprehensive book delves into the captivating realm of solo wargaming, offering a wealth of tips and tricks to both novice enthusiasts and seasoned veterans alike. With over four decades of personal experience, the author, David Heading, guides readers through the various advantages and disadvantages of engaging in this unique gaming pursuit.

At the heart of this guide lies the fundamental question of why individuals are drawn to solo wargaming. The author explores the allure of this solitary endeavor, which can serve as a complement to social gaming or become a full-fledged hobby in its own right. Whether your interests lie in land, sea, or air-based conflicts, across any historical period or imagined setting, this book integrates ideas from across the gaming spectrum to provide a thorough understanding of the solo wargaming experience.

One of the key considerations addressed is the decision of whether to "play both sides" or to command a single army against an "automatic" opponent. The author offers a variety of innovative ideas on how to control or program the responses of the opposing force, utilizing dice, cards, or other means to create a challenging and dynamic solo experience.

Constructing engaging scenarios is a crucial aspect of solo wargaming, and the book provides valuable advice on how to design one-off engagements, whether they are skirmishes or major battles, historical events or more generic ones. Readers will also learn how to combine these tactical actions into broader campaigns, incorporating grand strategy, logistics, and other factors to create a rich and immersive gaming environment.

Maintaining interest and enthusiasm is essential for solo wargamers, and the author shares practical tips on how to enrich the hobby through activities such as recording results, writing campaign diaries, and engaging with online blogs. These suggestions help players cultivate a deeper connection with their gaming experiences and foster a sense of community, even in the solitary realm of solo wargaming.

Packed with common-sense advice and inspiration, this practitioner's guide offers something for everyone, from the beginner taking their first steps into the world of solo wargaming to the seasoned veteran seeking new insights and strategies. Whether you're looking to explore the tactical intricacies of battles long past or to immerse yourself in imagined conflicts of the future, this book is your essential companion on the journey of solo wargaming.

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