A Rough Guide to Solo Wargaming | Storm of Steel Wargaming

[@SpringfieldFatts]

Platoon Forward! is a Lardie supplement that works really well for this. It's WW2 themed, but not tied to any specific game system so it could be easily modded to suit your needs. Also Tabletop Simulator is a great alternative as well for either distance gaming or even solo.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

I wasn't aware of the Lardie supplement, but it's a good call. Yes, I mentioned both TSS and Vassal in the blog article.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Love to see Lion Rampant represented out here, too! Good shout on the basics, and those card soldiers are definitely the way forward if you just want to give a shot to a system you might never have picked up due to prohibitive cost of initial entry.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thank you, I wanted to give a wide idea of the kind of games you can play solo. Most of my stuff is 20th Century but I do occasionally stray... And yeah, paper soldiers are cheap, simple and most people have a printer, so very accessible.

[@timcater5042]

This is a really good introduction to Solo war gaming with useful suggestions for how to get into this area. Also, some interesting and imaginative ideas that could be practically used to enhance a solo gaming experience. I'm glad I came across this video and keep up the good content.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks Tim, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I am working on a follow up showing some of these ideas in play. Stay tuned for that!

[@WayOutGaming]

That link to the Paper figured was immensely helpful! I enjoy the hobby but it can be quite expensive. Paper figures was an option but I was a bit skeptical about how they'd look. But wow those paper models look really good!

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Glad to hear it was useful!

[@michaeldonohue8563]

I have enjoyed this video. My reaction at home is always to hit the computer and go to organised evenings. I hope u have inspired me to get off the computer

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the video, I hope you do try out some solo gaming. If you look at my other videos you'll find many that are solo games so it will give you an idea of how they work.

[@ryan.1990]

You've earned a sub, great ideas

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thank you!

[@Agent_Pumpkin]

A very handy start for gamers planning solo games. Thanks! Myself I use some of similar ideas along with bits from Stuart Asquith's Military Modelling Guide to Solo Wargaming. Perhaps you could go more in depth with these ideas and examples? Maybe an actual solo play through with miniatures like your Chain of Command StarWars game?

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks buddy, I am glad you enjoyed the video. To answer your second question, I was thinking of doing something along those lines this weekend! Great minds think alike, ay?

[@pauls3585]

Have you played NUTS? I bought it to solo play WW2 and it is a hard read. I regret my purchase and will now try to solo Bolt Action. Thanks for sharing this video series, it's awesome.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

No, but I am aware of it as a solo system. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@robfrank1130]

Very useful. Thankfully I now play a lot of hex and counter wargames which are perfect for solo. I feel for you miniatures wargamers though.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Yeah, board games are perfect for solo gaming, but with a bit of thought mini gaming can easily be adapted.

[@PatGilliland]

@@StormofSteelWargaming I find it is easier. Each unit or even each figure is distinct, and has an element of personality. I find that this helps generate the narrative. Cpl Jones might be predisposed to impetuously charge the enemy - it's written right on the face of his miniature. The same cannot be said for a 6-2-2 armoured unit.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

@@PatGilliland I agree with you, boardgames are better if you want to play a straight up game. There are others with a narrative, but a lot of hex based wargames are more for pure gaming. Each to their own, though, innit?

[@howarddavies3011]

Thanks for posting. Some Nice ideas to be tested out.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks for watching. I'll be playing a solo game this weekend which I will film and post up. It will cover a couple of the things I mention in this video.

[@robertmorton38]

Hi Alex, A very informative video. I had to stop and play back several times in order to take notes. You break down the solo war game systems into manageable bolt-on components that make sense. Thank you,

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers Robert, I am glad you found the video and ideas useful!

[@TechnologyEP]

Great video! thank you for the information! i would recommend as well to take a look to Nuts! - by Two Hour Wargames. Actually all of the games created by the company are made for solo/coop in mind and have a reaction system which is also a refreshing approach different to the Igo - Ugo.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers, glad you liked the video. Yep, I'm aware of the Nuts system, but I've never played it, sounds good though!

[@thegamesninja3119]

Liked and subscribed. I am seeking ways of evaluating competency of playing all sides in a multiplayer wargame as solitaire.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Cheers! Welcome aboard!

[@thegamesninja3119]

@@StormofSteelWargaming welcome. I am looking at various design approaches. Another is nullitaire, which is bots/scripts battling one another as the player runs the game and watches support. I am thinking of getting an app developed to help with this under a working title "Battleplans". It might end up being a Vassel add on or for phones/tablets. Or both. It could also enable solitaire play against bots, taking the grunt work out of doing this. Likely open source so people can modify and actually develop it. It would be suitable for cardboard and miniatures ideally. I need to something under my 6 Feet Games label.

[@johnvacher4225]

Great video. Ive been watching many of your videos, the ones with the lardie games. Ive never played wargames before, but want to get into them. I would be playing solo, and have just ordered What a Tanker. I have built many Normandy themed 1/72 tanks over the last year, and have US and German airfix soldiers painted too. Also, Ive built some terrain. Would you recommend Chain of Command or I Aint Been Shot Mum as the best, considering what Ive said above, Lardie game to play for me please?

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Thanks, I am glad you're enjoying the videos. As a new starter I would recommend Chain of Command as it only needs a few figures to get going. However, the learning curve is a little steep as there are many nuances in the game, but I have made a few videos about them here on the channel, with more to come!

[@johnvacher4225]

@@StormofSteelWargaming Thank you for the quick response. I feel that I would prefer more armour on the table in my games, Ive got a dozen or so tanks for each side. From the games Ive seen on video, it looks like Chain of Command has fewer tanks than IABSM. Or can you just adjust the force structure to have tank heavy forces in CoC? Thanks

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

@@johnvacher4225 Yes, COC only usually has a handful of vehicles. You can add more in Big COC, which you can get for free from the TFL website. IABSM is a higher level of command, so naturally there are larger numbers of vehicles

[@billd.iniowa2263]

My trouble with solo is that I have a tendency to over analyze things. That and I cant help but play favorites. I'm thinking an egg timer or chess clock might be helpful. It would put pressure on the "commander" of his forces just like real life. More experienced forces would get more time to finish their turn.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

The more you play solo games the more you train your brain not to play favourites. You soon discover that allowing one side to always triumph gets a bit boring.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

@@StormofSteelWargaming I'll try to remember that, lol. I could also rule that any benefit of the doubt goes to the "defender".

[@RememberTheRegs]

Can you recommend any cheap and easy solo wargames for beginners? I'm looking to get into basic table top wargaming but have no one (willing) to play with me and I'm skint, so don't want to waste money on something my silly brain will possibly end up getting bored with.

[@StormofSteelWargaming]

Well, most wargames can be played solo really, so I'd look on ebay for various second hand rules. Bolt Action is a pretty simple system and would work as an intro game. I'd also suggest looking in the local area for a wargaming club, there's usually one in every town and that's a good way of getting introduced to the hobby without an initial layout, apart from club subs.

[@RememberTheRegs]

@@StormofSteelWargaming thank you, that's much appreciated 😀