2026 Fall Assembly ~ Game Reports

Armchair Dragons posted photos from their Fall Assembly 2026 convention.

Poster: Pat L.
Post Date: 10/31/2026

NAVCON 26 - naval wargaming convention in Picton

"I have just returned from the second NAVCON annual naval wargaming convention, organised by the indefatigable Paul Dalley, in the (usually) peaceful, scenic town of Picton." Prufrock, in Here's no great matter, recounts the convention and the games he enjoyed there. Check out why he is pleased to comment that "It was for all of us the first opportunity to get Littoral Commander: Australia to the table and I look forward to exploring it further."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 10/27/2026

Spiel Essen 2026 – Wargames Preview

"While SPIEL is not primarily focused on conflict games – historical, political or simply wargames – every year more Europe-based publishers bring such titles to Essen." Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, discusses a batch of titles he wants to look into. Which one has him enthusing "Small box, around 45 minutes of play and plenty of tough decisions..."!

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 10/19/2026

Kriegsspiel Field Trip – Shiloh 2026

"Traveling to a battlefield, organizing a walk and a wargame, is achievable and cost effective. Here are a few lessons I learned." Paul LaFontaine, in Armchair Dragoons, offers an insightful guide to preparing, and the Kriegsspiel AAR itself. Along with some useful lessons learned: "If you solve for these first, everything begins to take care of itself."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 10/19/2026

The ACDC 2027 ~ Operations Order

Check out the Armchair Dragoons Digital Convention for 2027! "The Armchair Dragoons plan to offer a mixture of larger events, quick/casual games, opportunities to learn from/play with designers, a robust seminar program, and a variety of industry-focused talk shows...with the only required travel being the trip to the computer desk."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 10/16/2026

My Favorite Boardgames Mechanics – Chit-Pull System

"Yes, sometimes the cup is cruel, but I would not trade that uncertainty for anything...". Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, has some interesting insights on chit-pull systems, and then takes a look at some games using them. Which game "...proves that the chit-pull is not reserved for battlefields."?

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 10/10/2026

Rediscovering wargame magazines from 1989 / 90

"I have just come across the magazines again today as I sort through boxes of treasure and they are being enjoyed as old friends!" Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, has some then and now thoughts about the hobby, perhaps positive and negative, and just different. "Overall, I always had an impression that this magazine was written for wargamers by wargamers...".

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 9/30/2026

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.