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Find Gaming Opponents!

Another new feature for Grognard.com, "Opponents Wanted" provides a quick and easy way to locate gaming opponents with similar gaming preferences. Requires site registration.

Spotlight Articles

Outstanding articles that are not necessarily linked to one particular game, but may have broad appeal to gamers.

My Top Travel Wargames for 2026 Holidays

"...the newest edition of my flagship article – the guide to Top Travel-Friendly Wargames." Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, updates us on great options to avoid wargame withdrawal when traveling. Check out which one earned this praise: "It is honestly surprising how much Napoleonic flavor the designers managed to pack into such a tiny container."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 7/6/2026

“Ecosystem” From YAAH! Magazine #16

"...this is less about 'how did we get here' than it is about 'where are we compared to that “golden age” of long ago..." Brant, in Armchair Dragoons, shares a column he has authored in YAAH! Magazine, looking at where our hobby is now compared to the early days. Check out the various trends he has identified as he leads up to the question of "Where do you land on the overall health of the wargaming hobby?"

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 7/3/2026

Phalanx Wargame show (UK) 2026

"...it was just a case of seeing what temptations I would come across...". Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, takes us along on a visit to this big show. Lots of great pictures! And check out what was "...an important table for me."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/22/2026

Flying Pig Games goes into the breach

"We should all get ready for a porcine power play." Robert Peterson, in A Wargamers Needful Things, hosts an upcoming games announcement from Flying Pig Games. See if you agree: "Whether you love historical conflict simulations, fantasy battles, tactical warfare, horror, or science fiction, the future at Flying Pig Games has never looked bigger."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/14/2026

A Wargaming Visit to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

"We 'warned' him that we would like to come out and see how the Army is wargaming with officers." Aaron Danis, in Armchair Dragoons, tells the tale of his visit to the College and what they got to see and do. "All-in-all, experiencing wargaming with seasoned professionals has enticed Lance and I to return to Leavenworth at some point (we still need to take that last class!)."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/13/2026

Wargame HQ at Origins Game Fair 2026

Armchair Dragoons is hosting the Wargame HQ at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio, June 17th-21st. One room will be dedicated for playing SPI Games.

Poster: Pat L.
Post Date: 6/2/2026

The Partizan May 2026 Wargame Show.

"As soon as you enter this space, the senses are assaulted (in a good way), for a hobbyist to be immersed in their hobby environment is just a thing of joy and long may these calendar highlights continue, we must never take them for granted." Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, lets us join him for this premier show, with lots of great photos!

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/1/2026

Gaming Conventions

Another new feature for Grognard.com, the Gaming Convention calendar will make it a snap to keep up with all the latest gaming conventions in your area. But we need your gaming convention information, so please contribute.

Grognard News

Grognard Challenge - Expanded Room for Comments! (6/25/2023)

The Comments entry area has been resized to 512 characters.

Grognard Originals

In addition to our links to great content all around the internet, expect to see more Grognard.com "originals" in the future.

Strategy and After Action Report

Using the Beginner's Scenario, Pat La Pella demonstrates most of the features within John Tiller's Squad Battles Series of war games. Can the Japanese break through?

Malaya (v2.5) War Game Review

Pat La Pella reviews this post-card sized game and its computer editions. Can the UK Commonwealth prevent the Japanese from occupying Singapore in 1941?

Malaya Player Aid (pdf)

Pat La Pella created this player aid to clarify special movement rules for the Japanese player for Amphibious Movement and Reinforcement beach landing hexes. Computer versions of the game show eligible hexes automatically when the Japanese player selects a unit for movement.

PE TANG 1900 Q&A with Marco Campari

Some Q & A between myself and Marco Campari, designer of Pe Tang 1900 from Lumaca Games.

More Grognard Originals...

Grognard Challenge

Latest Challenge

Have a look at the graphics for the latest Challenge and see past solutions and contest winners.

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Game: Battle Hymn Vol. 1: Gettysburg and Pea Ridge

(X10001)		Publisher: Compass Games Series: Battle Hymn Game Type: Board Designer(s): Eric Lee Smith Search for this and related games with Noble Knight

Description:

Battle Hymn Vol. One includes two games: Gettysburg: The Tide Turns and Pea Ridge: The Struggle for Missouri. Battle Hymn is a new brigade-level game system that simulates the chaos of the America Civil War using a simple activation system combined with a detailed combat system. The system’s designer, Eric Lee Smith, originated the “chit-pull” activation system in his game “Panzer Command” and later used it in “Across Five Aprils,” Battle Hymn’s forerunner, both published by Victory Games. Units are organized by command, usually divisions, and activate for movement when the command’s activation marker is picked from the cup. The system uses traditional mechanics for movement, with units differentiated by type, but adds a level of detail to combat that feels almost miniatures like. In fact, the system is designed for easy conversion to miniatures. When one side has the initiative they decide when their combat phase occurs, without it, you don’t know when it will happen. Units have strength point steps, which are either “formed” or demoralized, and losses are taken point by point. Based upon the latest research into Civil War combat and tactics, units suffer attrition in both losses and demoralizations until they finally shatter and are removed from the map. There are two combat phases, each of which consists of two rounds of combat. Engagements are fluid, with retreats and advances setting up unexpected confrontations during the second round of combat. Battle Hymn is a “player’s game” designed to play fast and provide lots of fun and historical insight. With scenarios taking as little as an hour, up to eight hours for the full campaign, there is plenty of variety. The system is streamlined and does not have the complications seen in other games, such as logistics and leadership hierarchy. Here, it's all about strategy, movement, and fighting. Gettysburg: The Tide Turns needs no introduction as to subject, but the treatment is noteworthy. Using a graphics approach based upon the maps produced by the US Government after the war, the map is a pleasure to behold. There are six scenarios in the game, some of which have alternatives for additional variety. Pea Ridge: The Struggle for Missouri simulates the decisive battle of Pea Ridge, which determined that Missouri would stay in the Union. It could have gone the other way. This is a classic meeting engagement with the Confederates on the offensive and outnumbering the Union for once.

Articles

Article ID	Pub Date	Article Description	Source
3	Date: 7/15/2026 Poster: Doug Holt	July 1st "As all wargamers know, there is only one thing to do on July 1st. In my case the game is Battle Hymn Vol 1: Gettysburg and Pea Ridge." Prufrock, in Here's no great matter, begins his historical observance, with part two at: July 1st continued, 8:15 am - 3:45pm. "For some reason Gettysburg is one of those battles that just send chills down my spine. Frankly, I blame Ronald F Maxwell, Michael Shaara, Ken Burns, Shelby Foote and Bruce Catton!"	Web Link
2	Date: 10/31/2022 Poster: Doug Holt	The Beautiful Boards of Wargaming! – Battle Hymn Volume 1: Gettysburg and Pea Ridge from Compass Games "The board is a thing of beauty and is one of the most well done American Civil War boards that I have played on." Grant Kleinhenz, in The Players' Aid, continues his series on great game boards, this time looking at Compass Games' Battle Hymn Vol. 1 - Gettysburg and Pea Ridge. Check out the features that Grant points out are "…very period appropriate and just feel very American Civil War."	Web Link
1	Date: 6/30/2022 Poster: Harvey M.	My Own Worst Enemy ~ Battle Hymn Volume One – Pea Ridge Part 6 The Armchair Dragoons provides part 6 of an after-action report of Battle Hymn Vol. 1: Gettysburg and Pea Ridge playing the Pea Ridge game teaching the game system and providing some advice on tactics in this first Compass Games Civil War system.	Web Link

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