I have spent the better part of 3 months reading through BGG trying to find a super-lightweight, solo, grid-based wargame. Gloomhaven looks fun and all, but I have a half hour here and there to play, not hours to track counters and check rulebooks. I actually started my own 'homebrew' game system just to scratch this itch. And now I have found your books, which are EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I just ordered several. You have very clever solutions for the exact problems I was coming across when making my game. Thanks for making these games, I am very excited to try them.
I braught this with me today on vacation for a relaxing day of bloody medievil battles on the beach. In a word; brilliant. This game is deceptively challenging and just loads of tactical fun. I'm a heritic and mark my moves ( lightly) in the book with a soft pencil and use a dice app for the rolls. Its not difficult to come up with a simple convention of symbols to denote the different units. I look forward to checking out the rest of the games Mike has to offer. I'm nerdy and would love to see a dungeon crawl fantasy themed game along these lines.
Exactly what I was looking for. I may add a chart that uses the weapon type to add variety to each battle. For example: Roll 1d6 during setup. 1. All sword wielding units rec a -1 2. All axe wielding units rec a +1 Etc... Not initially of course, but after a few playthroughs on a single map.
Thanks. The first couple of battles are not easy, but don't have much unit variety to help ease you into the rules and tactics required. Things get more interesting as you go on. Cheers.
I have seen some concern expressed on BGG where players are concerned with dice rolls making it hard to move or attack. I don't think this is such a big deal because I would think that leaders only had limited influence over their units in that era. I would imagine that troops didn't always perform like automatons and that there was probably a lot of confusion at times. I just think of bad action dice rolls simulating various factors causing troops to delay in executing orders (maybe orders are delayed, battle confusion, disorganization, etc.). It's not like the leaders could radio orders to their subordinates.
Absolutely - and appreciating that fact is part of the strategy behind the game. Sometimes you have to move your troops forward, even when you might not want to, because it might be difficult to get them to move later!
I under estimated King Harold's Spearmen. I will take them more serious this time. Hoping a diversion will free up the Horsemen for a flanking charge on King Harold himself. e's left a flank exposed.
I recently just found out about these games, and ordered "Fields of Normandy", "Battles of Normandy", and this one, "Battles of Medieval Britain". I watched a couple play throughs of you playing "Fields of Normandy", then just realized as I was watching this video that you are the game designer! Thank you for making these wonderful games. I am just getting started, but am really enjoying them so far. I look forward to buying your other two books, and hope you have plans to make more. The more solitaire games we get to enjoy the better! Well done, Mike!
I recently ordered and received all 4 games from Amazon. I wanted to say that I really appreciate the game design and play. Having a number of TH-cam videos here and on other channels really helps with the playthroughs! Did I read somewhere that you might have another game in the pipeline? Thanks!!!!!!!!!
Yes, they'll certainly be more. Hopefully I'll be in a position to release another one or two in the next few weeks or so. They're still in development at the moment. Thanks for your purchases and the question.
hello mike, I bought your medieval book at amazon here in Deutschland. really easy and fantastic. Mike, another books for fantasy, lord of the rings and the ancient time.
Should the archer support only once as he already have acted ? I would even have been more mean with myself and only use support if the archer roll a attack. Yes he did as you have used it against the spearman. But only 1 attack, so only one support. ;)
Support can be given at any time and does not count as that supporting unit's activation, so they can themselves then activate before or after they support. The game is pretty tricky as it is to be honest!
Mike, we're greatly enjoying "Battles of Medieval Britain." We have a question, however, about your presentation of the Battle of Brunanburh. Your direction diagram seems to suggest that King Aethelstan marched south to meet his three adversaries, but did he not instead march north? I just want to make sure I have my proper bearings the next time we undertake the battle.
Thanks. I did my research on these battles quite some time ago now so haven't got my notes to hand but yes, from memory I think you might be right. I'm not sure why I have the direction indicator arrow inverted on the map. It may be that I swapped the player's side quite late in the day. I'll change it for future prints. Obviously, it doesn't affect game play in any way, but it should be corrected. Thanks for highlighting. Mike
Hi Mike, just bought a couple of your books, thanks for the cool job there, and carry on with it! What aboout a cooperative two players variant for the times when we're not completely alone?
Thanks Luca - I appreciate your support. My focus has always been on solo play. If I get any spare time I might revisit some of my games and think about two-player variants, although my primary focus will always be solo games. Thanks!
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Sure, you should follow your focus, given the results! That was just a thought I got from the two players variants of Pavlov's house, wich you probably know well. One more thought: a Mike Lambo french-german WWI front solitaire wargame book would be an istant buy for me.
I thought you gave up too soon. There was surely still a slim chance. After failing to hit Harold, you could move your horsemen one hex to the right (due to their disengage rule) and potentially, with a lucky 3d6, bring up your warriors with two moves and an attack. The horsemen would have been there to support for a 9+ attack roll. (I've just made the attempt on your behalf, but me rolling 4-5-6 didn't give the required two moves.)
Still waiting for the game to arrive, but at time stamp 37:44, you discuss planning to move the grey cube to the orange cube and attack. You mention 3 purple cubes (spears) can attack the grey cube next turn if the grey cube moves adjacent to the orange cube. The 2 purple cubes on the hill boxes I understand can support/attack, but the 3rd on the top left is on even ground with the grey cube. Wouldn't the hill between them block LOS or have the 3rd purple cube be at a disadvantage?
Thanks for your question. There is no line of sight in this game. If a unit is in range then it can attack. I do this as part of the "keeping it simple" theme that runs through all my games. I certainly did not want players to have to start getting out pieces of string or lasers to see whether line of sight might just clip the edge of a hex etc. View "hills" more as higher ground and the spearmen can either just see or hear the enemy on the other side. 500 spears launched over the top is likely to do damage even if attackers cannot see the white's of their enemies' eyes!
A little extra in the check this week, just ordered. Don't have any English Civil War games. Any recommendations for books? These battles in many ways are tied to the New World wars. Also wifes maiden name is Hastings, and she can trace her ancestry to England. Were names in the past, location or Lord based?
Thank you for the support. These battles are pre-ECW of course (1642-51) but yes, the battles with the French certainly led, in the long term, to the French and Indian War in the US. Not sure where Hastings comes from, but many places are named after their location (near rivers, hills, valleys etc) or after people, especially more locally. The village I live in was named after a guy who built a bridge across the river hundreds of years ago.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Played my first game this morning before heading to work. The Battle of Brunanburh, King Æthelstan did not fair well, his line got split and the reinforcements just kept coming. Was very impressed with the simple yet effective orders system and the fog of war it created.
@@neeleyfolk Glad you enjoyed your thrashing!! Yes, those orders can be frustrating but you usually get something which is at least helpful. The good news is, you can play it again...😁
Thank you! I bought them on Amazon. They’re about 8mm wooden cubes: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09MXJQ18Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I have a few on the go, but not all will make it to publishing. Too early to give details to be honest, but more will come through. I'm also venturing into other solo games too, not just war, although there will be more wargames. Thanks for your interest.
Thank you. Amazon provide the self-publishing facility and so they are my only outlet (it's a "print on demand" service). Your option would be to buy from Amazon at retail prices and then mark up a little in store, but I appreciate that is not ideal, although I guess customers would be saving on P&P. I'm certainly no retail expert!
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames yeah wouldnt really work for retail you need at least 40 to 45% off to make it worth it, and even that is tight, so bummer, but understand.
I’m no expert in binding but they really do take some hammer very well. I just push the spine down until they flatten. For videos I clip them to a board or hard backed book, but it isn’t necessary.
Mike a question, only a few scenerios into the game (loving it, actions roll adds a great fog of war) but I see hexes marked "1", but I'm rolling two dice for placement. Is that a typo or am I missing something?
Hopefully not! Have you checked the reinforcement chart? It is likely that one of those will only be rolling one die for placement and so can of course roll a 1.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Thanks, probably further into the scenerios. As you you know, getting pinned is not helpful, especially reinforcements appearing and pinning in archers. All looked great until then....
I have spent the better part of 3 months reading through BGG trying to find a super-lightweight, solo, grid-based wargame. Gloomhaven looks fun and all, but I have a half hour here and there to play, not hours to track counters and check rulebooks. I actually started my own 'homebrew' game system just to scratch this itch.
And now I have found your books, which are EXACTLY what I've been looking for. I just ordered several. You have very clever solutions for the exact problems I was coming across when making my game. Thanks for making these games, I am very excited to try them.
Thank you. You sound like just the type of player I designed them for. I hope you enjoy them.
I braught this with me today on vacation for a relaxing day of bloody medievil battles on the beach.
In a word; brilliant.
This game is deceptively challenging and just loads of tactical fun.
I'm a heritic and mark my moves ( lightly) in the book with a soft pencil and use a dice app for the rolls. Its not difficult to come up with a simple convention of symbols to denote the different units.
I look forward to checking out the rest of the games Mike has to offer.
I'm nerdy and would love to see a dungeon crawl fantasy themed game along these lines.
Loved the playthrough. Like to see more. Unfortunate you could not get the guys in place. Loved the ending.
Exactly what I was looking for. I may add a chart that uses the weapon type to add variety to each battle. For example: Roll 1d6 during setup.
1. All sword wielding units rec a -1
2. All axe wielding units rec a +1
Etc...
Not initially of course, but after a few playthroughs on a single map.
Good idea, and that's the beauty of solo games of course!
Just got this one in the mail. Looking forward to trying it out.
Thanks. The first couple of battles are not easy, but don't have much unit variety to help ease you into the rules and tactics required. Things get more interesting as you go on. Cheers.
Brilliant, Even in defeat, looks to be a joy to play. Just ordered a copy.
Thank you ☺
Loved the end lol I groaned with you when you rolled that 7
😄
Loved the ending. Great little game and great walk through. Thanks
Thanks
Very enjoyable playthrough! Subscribed.
I have seen some concern expressed on BGG where players are concerned with dice rolls making it hard to move or attack. I don't think this is such a big deal because I would think that leaders only had limited influence over their units in that era. I would imagine that troops didn't always perform like automatons and that there was probably a lot of confusion at times. I just think of bad action dice rolls simulating various factors causing troops to delay in executing orders (maybe orders are delayed, battle confusion, disorganization, etc.). It's not like the leaders could radio orders to their subordinates.
Absolutely - and appreciating that fact is part of the strategy behind the game. Sometimes you have to move your troops forward, even when you might not want to, because it might be difficult to get them to move later!
I under estimated King Harold's Spearmen. I will take them more serious this time. Hoping a diversion will free up the Horsemen for a flanking charge on King Harold himself. e's left a flank exposed.
I recently just found out about these games, and ordered "Fields of Normandy", "Battles of Normandy", and this one, "Battles of Medieval Britain". I watched a couple play throughs of you playing "Fields of Normandy", then just realized as I was watching this video that you are the game designer!
Thank you for making these wonderful games. I am just getting started, but am really enjoying them so far. I look forward to buying your other two books, and hope you have plans to make more. The more solitaire games we get to enjoy the better!
Well done, Mike!
Thank you for your support and your kind words. More games on the way…😊
Tough to lose on the last turn and last die roll. Just recently discovered your games and have 4 now with another on the way. Brilliant stuff!
Thanks!
Happened to me more times than I care to remember with Mike's games. Always exciting.
I recently ordered and received all 4 games from Amazon. I wanted to say that I really appreciate the game design and play. Having a number of TH-cam videos here and on other channels really helps with the playthroughs!
Did I read somewhere that you might have another game in the pipeline?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!
Yes, they'll certainly be more. Hopefully I'll be in a position to release another one or two in the next few weeks or so. They're still in development at the moment. Thanks for your purchases and the question.
Are there no line of sight rules? The archer attack that killed the English unit at 22:30 is more of less through the woods.
Not in this one, no. I wanted to keep the game play quick and easy here.
"Last time I'll ever play this game" LOL. Great playthrough, thanks.
Thanks
Loved it. I bought all four books and i am working my way through them. Thanks these are great fun
Thank you, much appreciated. I hope you enjoy them all.
Very interesting mechanics. Definitely worth a buy.
hello mike, I bought your medieval book at amazon here in Deutschland. really easy and fantastic. Mike, another books for fantasy, lord of the rings and the ancient time.
Fantasy - that's a good idea!
"I need an eight"
Rolls a 7...
"That's the last time I ever play this game."
Lol, perfect anti-climax. Great rundown, loved it!
Thanks!
Should the archer support only once as he already have acted ? I would even have been more mean with myself and only use support if the archer roll a attack. Yes he did as you have used it against the spearman. But only 1 attack, so only one support. ;)
Support can be given at any time and does not count as that supporting unit's activation, so they can themselves then activate before or after they support. The game is pretty tricky as it is to be honest!
Mike, we're greatly enjoying "Battles of Medieval Britain." We have a question, however, about your presentation of the Battle of Brunanburh. Your direction diagram seems to suggest that King Aethelstan marched south to meet his three adversaries, but did he not instead march north? I just want to make sure I have my proper bearings the next time we undertake the battle.
Thanks. I did my research on these battles quite some time ago now so haven't got my notes to hand but yes, from memory I think you might be right. I'm not sure why I have the direction indicator arrow inverted on the map. It may be that I swapped the player's side quite late in the day. I'll change it for future prints. Obviously, it doesn't affect game play in any way, but it should be corrected. Thanks for highlighting. Mike
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Thank you, Mike. The game is an absolute pleasure, and the rules are impeccably written. Much appreciated.
Hi Mike, just bought a couple of your books, thanks for the cool job there, and carry on with it!
What aboout a cooperative two players variant for the times when we're not completely alone?
Thanks Luca - I appreciate your support. My focus has always been on solo play. If I get any spare time I might revisit some of my games and think about two-player variants, although my primary focus will always be solo games. Thanks!
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames
Sure, you should follow your focus, given the results! That was just a thought I got from the two players variants of Pavlov's house, wich you probably know well.
One more thought: a Mike Lambo french-german WWI front solitaire wargame book would be an istant buy for me.
@@vandrik77 I'm sure I'll get to WWI again, but I did one recently so maybe not for a while. Idea noted though!
Great video, thanks. I enjoy the paperback book. Is there any PDF version of the book available?
No, it’s only available in book format. Thanks.
I thought you gave up too soon. There was surely still a slim chance. After failing to hit Harold, you could move your horsemen one hex to the right (due to their disengage rule) and potentially, with a lucky 3d6, bring up your warriors with two moves and an attack. The horsemen would have been there to support for a 9+ attack roll.
(I've just made the attempt on your behalf, but me rolling 4-5-6 didn't give the required two moves.)
Yes, you're probably right. Thanks for finishing it for me!
Still waiting for the game to arrive, but at time stamp 37:44, you discuss planning to move the grey cube to the orange cube and attack. You mention 3 purple cubes (spears) can attack the grey cube next turn if the grey cube moves adjacent to the orange cube. The 2 purple cubes on the hill boxes I understand can support/attack, but the 3rd on the top left is on even ground with the grey cube. Wouldn't the hill between them block LOS or have the 3rd purple cube be at a disadvantage?
Thanks for your question. There is no line of sight in this game. If a unit is in range then it can attack. I do this as part of the "keeping it simple" theme that runs through all my games. I certainly did not want players to have to start getting out pieces of string or lasers to see whether line of sight might just clip the edge of a hex etc. View "hills" more as higher ground and the spearmen can either just see or hear the enemy on the other side. 500 spears launched over the top is likely to do damage even if attackers cannot see the white's of their enemies' eyes!
Would you consider this style of game covering the Revolutionary War and/ or the US Civil War??
I would certainly never say no. Being UK based, they are subjects I would need to research more thoroughly but I'm sure I'll get there one day!
I'll second that RevWar book, don't see enough coverage of our best war!
Very nice playthrough ! Loved the system, very streamlined... bit petulant at the end but that was part of the charm :)
Haha, yeah just kidding; I’m very used to losing at solitaire games - part of the fun!
A little extra in the check this week, just ordered. Don't have any English Civil War games. Any recommendations for books? These battles in many ways are tied to the New World wars. Also wifes maiden name is Hastings, and she can trace her ancestry to England. Were names in the past, location or Lord based?
Thank you for the support. These battles are pre-ECW of course (1642-51) but yes, the battles with the French certainly led, in the long term, to the French and Indian War in the US. Not sure where Hastings comes from, but many places are named after their location (near rivers, hills, valleys etc) or after people, especially more locally. The village I live in was named after a guy who built a bridge across the river hundreds of years ago.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Played my first game this morning before heading to work. The Battle of Brunanburh, King Æthelstan did not fair well, his line got split and the reinforcements just kept coming. Was very impressed with the simple yet effective orders system and the fog of war it created.
@@neeleyfolk Glad you enjoyed your thrashing!! Yes, those orders can be frustrating but you usually get something which is at least helpful. The good news is, you can play it again...😁
Thank you for this! Are any more medieval books in the works by any chance?
Not yet but I’m sure there will be at some point 👍🏻
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Excellent, thank you for the response!
Hi Mike , I’ve just bought ghosts of the jungle and was wondering where you get your counters / cubes from?
Thank you! I bought them on Amazon. They’re about 8mm wooden cubes: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09MXJQ18Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Mike Lambo - what are your plans for future games?
I have a few on the go, but not all will make it to publishing. Too early to give details to be honest, but more will come through. I'm also venturing into other solo games too, not just war, although there will be more wargames. Thanks for your interest.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Thank You fo your games. I ve got FoN and I ordered GoJ today. Looking forward to see your future projects.
Pretty cool, do you have any way a store like mine in Fargo ND could buy wholesale and resell in my store? Would love to carry these in store.
Thank you. Amazon provide the self-publishing facility and so they are my only outlet (it's a "print on demand" service). Your option would be to buy from Amazon at retail prices and then mark up a little in store, but I appreciate that is not ideal, although I guess customers would be saving on P&P. I'm certainly no retail expert!
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames yeah wouldnt really work for retail you need at least 40 to 45% off to make it worth it, and even that is tight, so bummer, but understand.
Perhaps offer a packaged price with dice and counters?
Hi Mike! How do these lay so flat, are they saddle stitched?
I’m no expert in binding but they really do take some hammer very well. I just push the spine down until they flatten. For videos I clip them to a board or hard backed book, but it isn’t necessary.
Excellent!
fantastic rules. can i buy this book in great britain too?
Yes, just search me or the title on Amazon.co.uk. Thanks!
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames I found it. Thank You very much for Your help Mike. Many greetings from Deutschland.
Mike a question, only a few scenerios into the game (loving it, actions roll adds a great fog of war) but I see hexes marked "1", but I'm rolling two dice for placement. Is that a typo or am I missing something?
Hopefully not! Have you checked the reinforcement chart? It is likely that one of those will only be rolling one die for placement and so can of course roll a 1.
@@mikelambosolitairebookgames Thanks, probably further into the scenerios. As you you know, getting pinned is not helpful, especially reinforcements appearing and pinning in archers. All looked great until then....
Great - but you need a padded dice tray.
Love the sound of rolling dice. But yeah, you’re probably right!
Mike, how big are Your wooden cubes?
About 8mm. I got them on Amazon.
Comparing the scale of the terrain and the unit size to the combat range of 2 for speermen, isnt this a bit implausible?
Yeah, probably, but it's not a simulation, just a fun wargame 😁