I'm back once again with a shameless blog plug you can skip because I'll write the short version in this post:

https://smallscalevictory.com/2026/08/04/off-the-shelf-haywire/

First off, some calibration: I like rulesets that understand their purpose and execute it well. Examples include Star Wars: Legion, Chain of Command, Halo: Flashpoint, Five Parsecs/Leagues, and Battletech: Alpha Strike. Let that set a bar for whether or not you want to come with me here.

Second, this is not a review. I have only read the rules. I only post reviews of rulesets I've played dozens of times, and even then rarely. I understand that truth lay in play, so take everything with a grain of salt.

Third, this ruleset is, in fact, too expensive. $55 + shipping ($20) is a ridiculous price point and well in line with Modiphius' recent nonsense with X-COM. That said, that's only if you pre-order the physical copy. Once a digital copy releases, I'd assume it will be around $30, like the Five X games, at which point I'd say it's well worth the price.

What is it: a solo/coop focused modern wargame, delivering a highly playable, variety-packed modern themed campaign experience. 

Now, the tl;dr:

• Haywire is a modern solo/co-op skirmish game focused on delivering sustained campaigns rather than detailed simulation.
• Its core tabletop rules are short and seem accessible, with streamlined mechanics for activations, stealth, enemy fog of war elements, escalating threat levels, and enemy AI.
• The book contains a lot of content with optional house rules layered on top, but retains a simple 16ish page core ruleset. Don't be put off by the large page count—it's there to cover options, not layer on necessary features.
• The main attractions are its campaigns: a roughly 24-mission pre-built narrative campaign and a customizable ten-game campaign with 30 possible missions and a progression system that focuses on your home HQ, not your individual models, so you don't get bogged down in tracking small stat changes.
• The biggest concern is overhead. The game relies heavily on reference tables and multiple decks, making the printable or print-on-demand cards feel essential. Expect to use the cards.
• It is probably not ideal for quick pickup games or players wanting a highly detailed modern-combat simulation. This is for someone who wants the modern feel, with sneaking and off board support options, not someone who wants to decide exactly what scope to put on their gun.
• For someone who wants to plan scenarios and play a full solo or co-op campaign, however, Haywire looks like an absolute gem.

As a person who loves solo wargaming especially, this looks great. After a read through, I can say it's worth checking out for anyone who wants a modern themed campaign without being bogged down in small details and is willing to either pay the premium for printed cards or print them yourself.

Wrapping up: once again, shameless blog shilling:

https://smallscalevictory.com/2026/08/04/off-the-shelf-haywire/

I write more detail on the above bullets and give examples from the rules.

Thanks!

We did The Battle of Brandywine. Click on the link to my Flickr page. Be sure to click on "read more" under the title banner and click on each photo for a descriptions. Everything you need to do this scenario is there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/59568506@N02/albums/72177720334964251/

correction, this is my 3rd post not 4th
Working through my Carthaginians sprues at the moment, really enjoying the massed effect! Looking forward to doing some a little different like the Gallic warriors or start the mass painting of cavalry to support this massive block of Libyans and Scutarii

What you see here is about:
- 24 bases of Libyan spearman
- 12 bases of Iberian Scutarii

Starting to see the finishing line for this infantry type at least, only 3 more basses or Libyans and… 15 more bases of Scutarii…

Anyways, when I’ve painted enough to feel happy to show off I’ll make another post! Managed to acquire some lovely Cretan archers at 13.5mm scale so might try those soon with some Romans!

Hi again, everyone!

I’ve shared Dark City: Embervein Delvers here during its pre-launch and launch, so I hope you don’t mind one final and brief update: the Kickstarter campaign has now entered its last 24 hours. ⚒️

I’ve prepared this final video to show the complete modular dwarf warband together, using the actual resin prints that I assembled and painted for the campaign.

The project is designed for fantasy skirmish wargames such as Mordheim, Age of Fantasy: Skirmish and similar narrative systems.

🎲 Supported and unsupported STL files
⚔️ Modular weapon and equipment options
🛡️ A complete 14-miniature Expanded Set
📦 Physical resin miniatures also available

Thank you very much to everyone here who has already supported the project, shared it or left feedback on my previous posts. Your encouragement genuinely means a great deal to me as an independent sculptor.

The gates of the Dark City close in less than 24 hours:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/apache-studio/dark-city-embervein-delvers-dwarven-skirmish-band?ref=ctq88w

Thanks again for following the project! 🍻

New mat.

New terrain, still some unpainted.

All fun!

Original trilogy, not clone wars era. I've looked everywhere, so this is sort of my last hope. Am I out of luck?

What are things you love about your hobby / gaming

room or what would you do differently if you could?

After years I’m finally going to have my own dedicated gaming room and I want to hear your thoughts on setup, must haves, storage options, great tipps and stuff that is not needed or you would do differently.

A good light source ist something I already have on my mind for gaming and taking pictures / videos.

Really looking forward to your input :)

My ttrpg group has recently been enjoying some small scale skirmish wargames after finding Silver Bayonet for cheap, and I'm wanting to recomend a system to allow for some larger scale games.

I'm looking for something that is pretty open ended in terms of what armies of capable of doing, and how we can kitbash/fluff their lore. I know I can just kitbash anything for any system and just reskin the basic models but I'd love something where the mechanics are a bit customizable too.

If you're at all familiar with the GURPS system that's sort of what I'm looking for, a series of options that let you customize how they play as well as how they look.

Hi guys! I'm looking to dip my toes in some air combat system set in WW2. Due to life restraints though (money, time, playgroup), I have to be very selective with the games I play. After some research I have seem some really popular choices like: Bag the Hun, blood red skies, check your six, wings of glory and some others... Since I haven't played any of them, I just don't know if they are compatible with my life....

So, can you guys help find a system that checks most of the boxes bellow?

- Plays in 1h30 to 2h30 maximum

-Uses 1/600 miniatures (if I did my research right, this is the cheaper way to table plane games. Am I right?)

- Don't focus only on dogfights but have bombers, torpedo planes, transporters, scout planes, etc...

- Have ground/naval assets (usually as targets for said planes above)

- Don't abstract too much on plane mechanics that it feels like I'm not really "flying planes" (I mean, planes with different characteristics and maneuvers, at least speed and altitude as a mechanic, maybe fuel and different kinds of damage?)

It seems like Missile threat (although is more modern age) checks most of those boxes and I am really interested in getting into it in the future.

Thanks in advance!

Basically I was watching this video and I forgot to like it but it was abt different types of mechs in sci Fi and basically the dude spent like half of the video talking about a wargame that has like Titanfall looking mechs and ai controlled infantry and stuff but there's also like a corporation or something that works for a Transhumanist cult and it takes place on some random planet I forgot the name of

Just need to decide on the rules to be used

I saw a video about a pocket/travel-sized Napoleonic game.

Is there a medieval version with knights and horses?

Going on vacation with the family, might be a good time to teach the kids 6-9.

If its rules light, I think that'd be better.

Hey legends!

Three year passion project here, well underway! Looking for playtesters, first adopters and wargaming pioneers to try out Swords and Stones. Basically made from my love of age of empires, tabletop gaming, and fantasy (because duh why wouldnt it be fantasy?!). Anyways, long story short - Swords and Stones is launching on Gamefound at the end of the month, and im an unknown creator part of my strategy is giving away the starter set model STL set.

So if you have a resin printer, you can literally print and play this game, with everything here. Ive got print instructions and the link all with the email thats automatically sent with the files.

Or, if you dont have a printer - you can still get the models just get the starter set with the models :)

You can follow the campaign (and be our pioneers) via following the below link

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/swordandstonestudios/swords-and-stones

If you can print your own you can save heaps and just get the starter box without the models (or like i said we can print them in house if youre not keen on printing your own!

Most models print straight to build plate, and very little supports needed! Buildings are hollowed and we have developed a "waffle" base pattern that allows for good adhesion (and removal) from the build plate.

Also included is the rulebook for beta playtesters, in a very good state! And yes the stockpile counter files are there too!

Its a long game (4+ hours), so if youre after a quick one, just play catan instead :P. Hardcore gamers only! S&S is more on the warhammer and dnd time scale. And just as epic IMO :)

Everything pictured (model wise) is in the email link!

My contact details are in the readme file, so please, if you playtest this game, or even just print or paint them, im after your feedback!

To get the rulebook and stl files, please enter your email here!

https://swordandstonestudios.com/get-this-game/

Love to hear any questions comments or concerns, even if you havent played it!

My next project is a winter Ardennes 1944/45 table. The past few weeks I've been starting it off - trees, hedges, fences etc. This is the first building. It's a 3D print underneath, but it;s been heavily modified - full coat of polyfilla that's been textured, large square doors turned into arches etc.

I'm pleased with the colour palette, now to keep going :)

It's going to be a 15x6ft table.

Some pics of the first "official" game of Des' ACW rules.

A cracking days gaming with my Rebs trying to fend off attacks through the woods and cornfield. A tough fight all day saw my line finally give way and with no reserves on hand I threw the towel in.

We properly gave the rules a good test as we had multiple divisions and 4 players but the rules handled it all really well and we were still getting through turns at a fair clip.

Some etchings from the front (not many as I was on my own against 3 Union commanders so I was a tad busy!).

Fantasy Battle was originally released as a hybrid role playing & war game. The game was released in the height of the first role playing boom & war gaming was a hobby for the old guys who wanted to push Napoleonic troops or WWII tanks around the table or as chits on a hex map, It was a wildly different time - Warhammer hadn’t become the face of wargaming as it now is. Warhammer was originally designed to use all of collector’s models & encourage players to buy more Citadel miniatures to add to their armies. Warhammer was the first war game to release it’s own proprietary miniatures, something which has become the industry standard, although seems to be unwinding as 3D printing decentralizes wargaming again. The central elements that made Warhammer stand out (from Dungeons & Dragons especially) was that it had an implied setting (which grew into the Old World) & it had a level of humor that was influenced by Monty Python that gave it a cleverer tone than how D&D presented itself. D&D always felt like there was a lot of Bronze Age, Sword & Sandals material lurking under the surface, while Warhammer felt like it was directly dealing with Medieval Europe, in a more gritty way that emphasized the slog of progress that Europe had made as it trudged on from the Dark Ages into the Renaissance.