This is another deluxe type publication by GMT in which two previous games have been brought back in one package.

We have the original English Civil War module with a couple of extra battles added in and The Sweden Fights on module, giving us some 30 Years War action.

There is a bit more complexity to this series than the other games shown on this page, but the rules do convey a good period feel and visually there is a connect as large formations are represented by a double sized counter that sits in two adjacent hexes.

Part of the Epic series of miniatures that Warlord Games are rolling out. The box set is intended to serve for English Civil War and 30 Years War and the figure size is probably best described as small 15mm.

The game uses the familiar 60m bases, with four bases (80 packed figures) to a regiment.

The Pike & Shotte rulebook has been condensed into an A5 format and given a narrow focus, just on this period, including scenarios.

Already in existence was a supplement book called ‘To Kill a King’, which is a very good resource, with a lot of scenarios and is notable for including some of the smaller actions that are not particularly widely covered, such as the cavalry action at Ormskirk.

The latest edition of the Wargames Illustrated magazine hits the UK high street today and as a freebie they have included a rather nicely set out 32 page set of rules called Never Mind the Matchlocks.

From the pen of Andy Callan and obviously inspired by his Never Mind the Billhooks rules, this Pike & Shot set serve us well for English Civil War and 30 Years War.

Rather than me drone on about the detail, here is a short YouTube from the man himself to explain all;

LINK

https://youtu.be/a3UejPa1ji4?si=GvimEvQuir5krlXFn

I have an uncut / unpainted army box of Epic Pike & Shotte figures from Warlord Games, which I am thinking will work perfectly for this, especially when applying the ethos of 'Pocket Armies'.

I have been contemplating this box for a while and have been thinking that I will probably cut some of the strips and base them up in a slightly different way than that 'officialy' suggested in the Epic rules.

It is probably too early for me to properly open up another project front, there is already too much in the painting queue, but these rules do tempt me to cut the strips from their sprues and place on temporary bases to have a little dabble in the raw plastic - some fun lays ahead with these rules.

I have the Warlord Games Pike & Shotte supplement 'To Kill a King' and there are some rather nice smaller scenarios in there ..... the planets are aligning!