IN DEO VERITAS

◗ Philip Garton ◗ Helion (2020) ◗ £19.95 ◗ 112 pages (softback) ◗ ISBN:9781913336097 ◗ helion.co.uk

Helion are renowned for a fine range of titles on 17th Century warfare, and this book of wargame rules is an attractive adjunct to those. It is nicely produced, combining the rules with photos of 10mm figures, clear tables, a playsheet and markers, and around 40 pages of scenarios mainly based around six battles of the period.

The core rules on movement, shooting and melee are brief but seem reasonable. The author emphasises the issues of command and control, morale (Unit and Army), troop quality, fatigue, disorder, and other factors that are sometimes difficult to quantify. Many of his concepts will be applicable across other periods, and you are in effect getting ‘added value’. He has also set out deliberately to make base sizes, scenarios, and table sizes suitable for 10mm and 15mm armies, giving an economical design in terms of wargame budgets and time.

An attractive volume, with potential well beyond the formal sub-title of‘Fast Play Rules for Exciting 17th Century Battles’. (Reviewer’s note: this ruleset has been read but not played).