Tales & Tactics

In this episode of Tales & Tactics, our Rules as Written series covers Talon from GMT Games, a tactical sci-fi fleet combat game pitting the human Terran Confederation against the alien Talon Empire across a series of ship to ship engagements. We discuss how the game’s impulse based turn structure creates a tense and interleaved flow of action that will feel familiar to veterans of Starfleet Battles, while remaining accessible enough to bring new players into the fold. We also highlight one of Talon’s smartest design decisions in placing all essential game information directly on the counters themselves, keeping the action on the table and the rulebook on the shelf. Clean, tactical, and rewarding, Talon earns its place as one of the more elegant entries in the space combat wargame genre.

In this episode of Rules as Written, we step up to the plate with Deadball by W.M. Akers, a fast, elegant tabletop baseball game that turns statistics, scorekeeping, and a handful of dice into a tense pennant race drama. We dig into the history behind the term Deadball, explore the real life Deadball Era of baseball, and look at how Akers translates that low scoring, small ball style into tabletop form. Along the way, we break down the game’s core mechanics, its evolving editions, the charm of the fictional Southern Circuit, and how it compares to other tabletop baseball classics. If you love sports history, clever design, or games that capture the feeling of their subject with surprising precision, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Tales & Tactics, we take a close look at Modern Tactics: Afghanistan from VUCA Simulations, a hex and counter wargame designed by Shayne Logan covering Coalition operations in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. We walk through the game’s core systems, including its alternating impulse structure, terrain and movement rules, and the unique challenges of fighting through walled compounds, grape fields, and wadis. We also break down the game’s asymmetric unit roster, examining how fanatics through to recruits force coalition players to approach each scenario very differently than a conventional wargame. With 20 scenarios spanning Canadian and American operations, and a design philosophy built around snap decisions, civilian presence, and rules of engagement, Modern Tactics: Afghanistan makes a compelling case for being one of the most tactically authentic modern warfare games on the market.

This week on Tales & Tactics: Rules as Written, we dive into the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game to examine how Marvel built its own superhero RPG from the ground up and shaped it into a system focused on accessibility, structure, and brand consistency; we break down the d616 resolution system and explore Rank based power scaling, character creation through Powers and Traits. All while asking a central question: does this system truly deliver comic book action at the table, or does its tightly controlled design limit player agency in favor of maintaining the integrity of the Marvel universe?

In this episode of Tales & Tactics: Rules as Written, we turn our attention to Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles, focusing on the second printing of this feudal Japan themed entry in the long running Commands & Colors system designed by Richard Borg. Drawing on several playthroughs, we discuss how the game captures the feel of battlefield command while remaining approachable and fast to learn. Its streamlined mechanics, distinctive unit abilities, and strong thematic focus on the wars of feudal Japan create an experience that is both tactically engaging and welcoming to newcomers. In our review we reflect on why Samurai Battles stands out as one of the most accessible entry points into the series, offering a lightweight yet elegant system that still delivers meaningful battlefield decisions.

In this episode of Rules as Written, we dive into James Bond 007: Role Playing In Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Victory Games and examine how a 1983 licensed RPG mechanically captures cinematic espionage without relying on GM improvisation or narrative hand waving. We break down the Quality Rating system and its graded success structure, explore why the chase rules are the true engine of tension in the game, and analyze how Hero Points function as a controlled survival mechanic rather than a storytelling override. Is Bond cinematic because the GM is told to be cinematic, or because the procedures enforce competence, escalation, and consequence? Join us as we explore the text and see how this early espionage classic builds genre through rules rather than vibe.

In this Rules as Written episode, we take a close look at Dragon Rampant 2nd Edition by Daniel Mersey, examining how the updated rules build on the strengths of the original while refining clarity, balance, and flexibility. Designed for fast playing fantasy battles with a strong narrative slant, Dragon Rampant continues to offer an accessible entry point into mass fantasy wargaming without sacrificing tactical interest.We discuss core mechanics, unit profiles, activation, and how the game encourages creative army building across a wide range of fantasy settings. Drawing on tabletop experience alongside the read through, we reflect on how the second edition tightens the system while preserving its easygoing, toolkit style approach.

In this episode of Tales & Tactics, we take a close look at Pillage, the 2025 tabletop wargame release from Victrix. Designed for fast, aggressive play with a strong historical flavour, Pillage delivers decisive clashes, clear battlefield roles, and a ruleset that rewards momentum and bold decision making. We break down the rules as written, examining how the core mechanics function at the table and how the game balances accessibility with tactical depth. Drawing on multiple games played prior to recording, we discuss what Pillage does particularly well, how it flows in practice, and why it succeeds as a pick up and play system without feeling shallow. From command decisions to combat resolution, this episode reflects on why Pillage has quickly earned a regular place on the tabletop.

In this Rules as Written episode we take a deep dive into Star Fleet Battles, one of the most detailed tactical starship combat games ever published. Using the Cadet Training Handbook and Captain’s Edition Basic Set as our primary sources, we break down how secret energy allocation, simultaneous action, and subsystem level damage create a tense, simulation driven experience. From disruptors and drones to impulse movement and shield collapse, this episode explores why Star Fleet Battles rewards foresight, discipline, and mastery, and why it remains a cornerstone of tactical sci-fi gaming decades after its release.

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we jump to hyperspace as we take a close look at West End Games’ Star Wars D6 Second Edition Revised & Expanded, the legendary RPG that defined an era of galaxy spanning adventure. We break down the rules as written from the elegant attribute skill dice system to the iconic Wild Die and explore why this edition remains one of the most beloved and influential RPGs ever published.

In this episode we head back to 1984 to explore the original edition of Twilight: 2000, GDW’s legendary Cold War survival RPG. First Edition presents a world where World War Three has burned itself out, governments have collapsed, and the remnants of the U.S. Players are left stranded in the ruins with one final message: you are on your own. We break down how this game blends gritty realism with a percentile task system, how skills, attributes, and hit locations define the tone of play, and why scarcity, attrition, and constant change are at the heart of its design. From the brutal combat engine to the open world survival sandbox, this episode examines what makes First Edition one of the most influential military role playing games ever published and why its vision of collapse still resonates today.

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we dig into the 2012 sci-fi company level wargame Quadrant 13 by TooFatLardies. Built on the robust framework of I Ain’t Been Shot Mum, this ruleset brings granular, historical style mechanics into a future battlefield filled with drones, grav tanks, and alien infantry. After a demo game and a detailed read through, we offer our thoughts on what this game does well, who it’s best for, and where it fits within the broader Lardies library. If you’re a fan of narrative sci-fi gaming with historical roots, or just looking to try something with more crunch and command tension, this episode is for you.

In this episode we dive into the mechanical heart of Chronicles of Darkness 2nd edition, and its expansion Hurt Locker, the modern horror engine that rebuilt the Storytelling System from the ground up. From exploding d10s and Integrity checks to the Conditions and Beats that turn emotion into math, we break down how the system makes fear, guilt, and consequence playable.