Never Hurts To Ask!

I have a weakness for operational wargames of the hex-and-counter type.  While WWII miniatures games do not often get a showing out on my gaming table, my favorite boardgames tend to cluster within the WWII operational genre focusing on a single campaign.  With this apparent vulnerability, I am regularly on the lookout for some of my favorite series.  One such series is Clash of Arms' Winter Storm.  The third volume in this series is the 1989 game, Edelweiss, which provides a study of the third phase of Case Blue in the June 1942 offensive into the Caucasus.

Now, I already have a copy of Edelweiss.  Still, when an unpunched copy popped up on eBay last year with a very low opening bid, my interest was piqued.  Why such a low opening bid?  Well, the game has some damage listed of the slight mildew variety.  The photos illustrated the mildew on one of the counter sheets, but the other counter sheets looked unblemished.  Figuring I could, at least, use most of the parts from the game, I committed to the opening bid.  Besides, there was a chance that I could mitigate the damage to that one counter sheet.  When the auction ended with no other bids, my opening bid turned out to be the winner.

Damaged counter sheet

When the game arrived, sure enough, there was damage to the German counter sheet.  There was no musty smell, though.  That was a good sign.  I tried treating the mildew, but my efforts proved unsuccessful.  Not all of the counters showed damage so this could still provide a player's copy as a spare.  I boxed it up and set in on the shelf.

New, shrinkwrapped counter sheet

On a whim and something of a Hail Mary attempt, I sent an email to Clash of Arms last month stating my situation and wondered if there was any chance that a spare German counter sheet was tucked away somewhere in the warehouse.  Next day, I received an email from the company saying that it was my lucky day as there was, indeed, an extra counter sheet in the warehouse.  The new counter sheet could be on its way for $8 plus nominal shipping.  Hooray!  That was my lucky day!  Although the game is more than 35 years old, it never hurts to ask.

What about last week's scheduled run out of the Salem Church scenario as an introduction to both remote gaming and the rules?  Well, I was forced to cancel Monday's session as I was involved in a minor car crash that afternoon.  I escaped unscathed but the car is somewhat banged up.  We rescheduled our session for Friday evening.  Guess what?  We never managed to play a single turn or even turn the cameras toward the table.  We spent the entire two-and-a-half hours discussing the potential for a new, joint miniatures project.  I know, some are probably laughing at the thought of me tackling yet another project.  Don't I have too many as it is?  Yes, but the sales pitch was convincing.  Could I squeeze in one more?  Almost certainly.  We will see where this goes.

Kiwix and Zimit!

 

Kiwix and Zimit?  What the heck are those?  Well, I have discovered these to be very useful tools first brought to my attention by Martin at The Waving Flag blog back in December 2025.

What are they, really?

Kiwix is the application used to read web content offline while Zimit is a tool used to create offline archives of websites for Kiwix to read.  Together, they provide a package for preserving and accessing useful online information without a need for having a live internet connection.  I use these tools as a way to archive the Palouse Wargaming Journal.

Zimit
Zimit is an automated website scraper and archiving tool.  Given a starting URL, it uses a browser-based crawler to visit pages, capture their HTML, stylesheets, scripts, images, fonts, and other resources, and follow additional links according to specified exploration rules.

After crawling, Zimit converts the captured material into a single ZIM file archive.  That archive can then be opened in Kiwix and browsed offline in a way that attempts to preserve the structure and appearance of the original site.  The process does more than simply save a page.  It preserves the links embedded within the "seed" URL to drill down into the structure of the actual website.  For me, Zimit is especially useful for creating a snapshot of reference sites.  I am likely not alone to discover a useful reference site only later to find that the website and all of its content have vanished.  

Kiwix
Kiwix is free, open-source software for browsing downloaded collections of websites offline.  This is especially associated with offline versions of Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Wikibooks, Project Gutenberg, TED content, medical references, educational materials, and other resources.  The Kiwix reader opens content packaged in ZIM files created by Zimit.  These archives can then be searched and browsed locally.

How They Work Together

Briefly, Zimit is the archiver or publisher, the ZIM file is the offline package, and Kiwix is the reader.

The basic workflow is:

1. Choose a website.
2. Use Zimit to crawl and package it into a ZIM file.
3. Transfer or download the ZIM file.
4. Open it in Kiwix.
5. Browse the archived content without requiring internet access.

For example, the website illustrating the history of Sardinian/Piedmontese uniforms often cannot be displayed in my desktop browser.  The website can be displayed on tablet or phone but Windows refuses.  To prevent the loss of such an interesting and valuable resource, I created a ZIM file from Zimit to build an offline archive.  Then using Kiwix, that archive can be opened anytime and anywhere.  All of the tabs and hyperlinks work and there is no difference from browsing through the website with an internet connection.  Now, this website will always be available!

Reading ZIM file in Kiwix

I recommend it!

Maybe I will Zimit Kronoskaf's Project Seven Years War just for safe keeping?

3rd Dragoon Regiment

Even with work continuing to bring a new ACW battle to the table, the painting desk remains active.  I plan to play the first couple of turns later this evening as a trial.  With help from the recent batch of painted 10mm Confederate infantry, August looks to be a good month on the "Painted" side of the ledger.  Painting seasonality begins to kick in (see Painting Seasonality)!  A variety of units is working its way through the painting queue in a variety of sizes.

First out of the gate sees a return to the 18mm WAS/SYW project with the addition of a British dragoon regiment. These twelve figures muster out as squadrons 1 and 2 of Dragoon Regiment #3.  Figures are Eureka Miniatures.

While the British and Hanoverian armies have been slowly growing in size over time, they have yet to see battle.  Perhaps I ought to consider bringing these untested armies out for a battle in the fall?  Which battle would be an interesting baptism of fire?  I need to give this topic some thought.  Suggestions welcome!

Up next on the gaming is the 1863 Battle of Salem Church.  As seen in the game photo above, the armies are deployed and ready for a fight.  From this angle, the Rebels look vastly outnumbered, but most are hiding in the trees!  The photo below shows that the Confederates are only slightly outnumbered and they hold the good ground.

Armies at Salem Church

On deck this evening is a test for a new player to both rules and remote gaming.  Hopefully, we can run through a few turns to provide a cursory grounding in both.

Rebasing and a Parade

In a few recent posts, I have dropped a hint or two that I planned to rebase my growing Wars of the Roses collection. True, and the work is completed.

Why consider rebasing a relatively new collection in the first place?  That is a good question.  When I first dived into the project, my mind and sensibilities were set on building armies for a set of rules that were in playtests a few years ago.  I figured that I would follow that lead.  Each archer and melee line was based on three bases.  Since I primarily play on a hex grid for remote games, each three-base unit spanned two, four-inch hexes.  Now, this was fine, but I prefer moving fewer stands to more.  Perhaps my initial sensibilities were not so sensible?  I also thought that having one stand in each hex might simplify a few features of the rules that I am developing myself.  The "before" basing is illustrated in the photo below.  

Old basing scheme

This basing scheme did the job, but I wanted something different.  As mentioned, above, I wanted fewer bases and a single stand fitting into a four-inch hex.  Since these are all Perry plastics, I wanted the bases to have a little more heft and certainty when picking stands up and moving them around the gaming table.

That brings me to the current iteration of my basing scheme. 

Now each BMU consists of two stands, each element of which fits into the four-inch hex.  A supported unit is still identified by having two units in the same two hexes.  Having two stands fitting in two hexes opens up some possibilities for play and facing that were not so easily accomplished with three bases spanning those same two hexes.  The photos below show the new basing scheme. 

New basing scheme with each BMU in its own hex pair.

New basing scheme with two BMUs in support.

How was the weight issue addressed?  Adding some weight and heft to each base was accomplished by affixing a heavy-duty magnetic piece onto the bottom of each base.  Magnetic base bottoms are from Litko Aerosystems.

Magnetic bases stuck to the bottom of each base.

Both of these changes make a big difference in both the heft of each stand and the ease of movement.  For me, moving two, heavier stands per BMU is much easier (and more satisfying) than moving three smaller, lighter weight stands.

So, where does the WotR collection stand today?  Well, a brief parade will help assess my progress.  By the way, one more Battle is in work and soon to join the armies, here, on display.

As a reminder, the Great Wargaming Survey, 2026 Edition closes on 31 August.  If you have yet to complete this year's survey, please consider doing so.  Details can be found at Palouse Wargaming Journal: If it is August...

Next time, more painted figures marching out from the painting desk.

Reb Infantry and the Next Game

Having played in Matt's Pitzer Woods skirmish last week (see Action at Pitzer Woods), I figured that it was well past time that I bring my own ACW collection onto the gaming table.  Looking back through the archives, I was shocked to see that the last the 10mm ACW collection saw action was nearly two years ago at Shiloh (see Shiloh: Walking a Tightrope) back in NOV 2024!  I still remember those Shiloh battles vividly.

Not only did Matt's game and my wander through the archives and memory lane spur me to consider bringing an ACW battle to the table, but the archive meanderings motivated me to push some more CSA figures into and through the production line with some determination.

Mustering out from the painting desk today are four, 30-figure CSA infantry regiments.  That is 120 figures providing a big jolt to the painting totals for the year.  I needed that!  Figures are from Old Glory.  With these Rebels marching out, the collection now stands at more than 3,600 figures.  Although a number of Rebel command stands remain in The Lead Pile, I have exhausted the stockpile of marching infantrymen.  At least a a couple of bags will be needed to fill out the remaining command stands.  That situation is not likely to happen any time soon.  There are enough Federal infantry to field another four or five regiments but I am in no hurry to paint those either.  I could get cracking on more cavalry as my numbers are quite small for that arm of service.

What battle is under consideration?  Well, after some research, I have landed on Sedgwick's attempt to outflank Lee at Chancellorsville after having broken out at Fredericksburg.  Sedgwick's VI Corps meets Wilcox and McLaws at Salem Church.  More details are forthcoming as I work through creating a scenario and building the battlefield.  Early work suggests that about half of the 3,600 figures will see action at Salem Church.  I have reread Sears’ brief account of the battle and have a scenario that George (Musings on Wargaming and Life) kindly forwarded to me.  Both provide some good ideas.

Action at Pitzer Woods

After having restarted remote gaming with Matt (see Battle of Germantown) after a seemingly long hiatus, Matt hosted a second game without hesitation.  On Wednesday, Matt brought his 28mm ACW collection to the table for a Rebels & Patriots game to refight the action at Pitzer Wood at Gettysburg on Day 2. 

Federal OB
photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon

Matt sent a scenario briefing and my Federal command for the day.  Rebel troops were unknown, but Matt hinted that opposing forces were about equal in size.  Notice that the Federals field two units of Berdan Sharpshooters.  Sharpshooters are powerful having +1 DRM to fire and a longer, 24-inch range.  All Federal infantry are veterans.  This is a far cry from the American rabble I see in our long-running AWI campaign.  You will see how the sharpshooters controlled the narrative.  

Battlefield and Federal objectives
photo courtesy wargamesinthedungeon

The Federal objective is to scout the woods and pick off as many of the objectives (yellow circles) as possible.  The Federals need to scout three such objectives for victory without seeing their command broken.  Federals arrive at the bottom of the table while Rebels come onto the table at the top.

Now, I know that Matt will provide a BatRep with in-house photos, but for now, I provide my brief impression of the action from a remote viewer's perspective. 

Federals approach Pitzer Wood
 but the US Cavalry fails to move.

Federals continue their advance into the woods.
Rebels are seen in the distance.
Federal Left is having trouble getting started!

All Federals are now on the field with
 two of the five objectives reached.

Rebels come within range of the US Sharpshooters
and Federals open up on the enemy at long range.
Two objectives successfully scouted.
Keep an eye on the Rebel Dead Pile in the top left corner.

Taking fire from Rebels on the left,
US cavalry retires as more Rebels move up to contest the ground.
Sharpshooters in center retire to keep the enemy at arms' length.

Reb casualties mount as US Regulars in the woods open fire
in coordination with sharpshooters. 

More Rebels fall as Federal fire concentrates. 

Sharpshooters continuing picking off the enemy from a distance.
Federal concentration of fire is beginning to tell
as Federals gain fire superiority.

US Cavalry takes losses, but the enemy Dead Pile continues to grow.
Constant sharpshooter covering fire disorders the enemy
as the Federals advance into the woods. 

US cavalry advances to the objective on the left
while Federal skirmishers press on into the woods.
Federals dominate the firefight!

Fire from the Rebs forces the US Cavalry to withdraw
 from the objective before it can successfully be scouted.
Taking much fire in the open field,
 Rebels are forced to seek cover.

Having pushed up into the woods,
concentrated Federal fire causes much disorder among the Rebs.
Are the Rebs nearing their breaking point?

Yes!
Having to take morale tests, the Rebels withdraw from battle!

Victory to the Federals!  With the collapse of the Confederate positions in this part of the line, there may be no Day 3 of Gettysburg!

This was a short and sharp action in which the US Sharpshooters dominated the field of battle.  The Federals kept the sharpshooters back so that they could reach the enemy, but the enemy could not reach them.  With their +1DRM to fire they were expected to cause six hits with every volley.  Sometimes they managed even better than expectations.  The Rebels were being ground down with each volley.  Compound that with Matt's uncanny ability to roll poorly on almost every morale test and the Rebels did not stand much of a chance. 

Good fun (for me!) and a nice change of pace from the AWI fighting.

Thanks, Matt, for a very entertaining game!

Has AI Killed the Blogger Star?

Not that every wargaming blogger is a star, but the title of this post is a nod to The Buggles’ 1979 song, Video Killed the Radio Star.  Who, among us, still remembers the first time we saw this music video on MTV?  I knew right then that I wanted to subscribe to MTV.  Unfortunately, cable was not available in my area.  Much like MTV did for music, AI search is changing the landscape for bloggers.  Is this the next step in media evolution with no turning back?

Having experienced pageviews climbing to unbelievable heights of up to 100,000 views a day, and keyword searches dropping to near zero, something has definitely changed in the search environment.  In my own search for answers, the article, Search Engines Are Dead: How AI is taking Over the Internet, from March of 2026 popped up in the results.  Briefly, the article points out that AI is changing search, its process, and results.  One problem for bloggers wanting increased visibility to their writings is that AI search often does not convert search results into visits.  Directed traffic from search engines is falling by the wayside.  Today, readers must be given a reason to click through directly to a post.  While AI search may reduce clicks, your name, blog link, and unique perspective could still come through in the summaries and citations.  At least most AI summaries still provide citations of works used.  Reduced traffic often leads to reduced reader engagement.  Reductions in visits and engagement support the conclusion of many that blogging is a dying media art form.  Compounding this dilemma is the recent feature of seeing large delays in posts appearing in blogrolls.  If no one reads your contributions, is the effort worthwhile?  Of course, visits and reader engagement may not be a driving reason for why one blogs.

In today's rapidly evolving environment, search engines increasingly try to answer questions without sending anyone back to the original sources.  Gathering and synthesizing the collective wisdom of the internet, AI generates summaries to answer the question posed.  Type in a wargaming question and the search result may now return a brief answer without requiring the researcher to visit a single blog site.  For people who have relied upon Google search engine to send strangers to their posts, this new state can be somewhat troubling.  Are wargame bloggers doomed by AI's interventions?  Lately, I have been thinking about the gloomy claim that AI may be killing blogging and, with it, the motivation to blog.

Wargaming blogs are vulnerable to the rise of AI search because many of the most common topics are searchable in a way that suits AI.  Rules clarifications, historical overviews, army organization, paint choices, figure choices, and beginner advice are all useful, but they are also highly compressible into summaries.  If a post offers little more than the expected answer, then it can be flattened into a summary with almost no loss of content.  On the other hand, a blog post does not necessarily have to be merely an answer to a search.  It can be an argument, a battle account, a project record, a warning, an opinion, or simply an enjoyable report from somebody else’s tabletop.  Nobody really needs an AI summary of the fact that I painted another twelve figures.  Readers visiting the blog, however, may enjoy seeing how the figures came out once painted and based, learning which paint scheme was used, how this unit fits into the project plan, or reading why I abandoned the original basing plan halfway through.

By offering more than a simple answer to a query, wargaming blogs hold an advantage over AI.  Wargaming blogs are built on things that AI cannot (yet!) convincingly fake or manipulate at scale.  Some of the tasks that AI has yet to master include photographs of actual miniatures, handmade terrain, battle reports emphasizing different tactics and decision-making choices, and historical research as seen through the eyes of a particular hobbyist’s judgment.  A good wargaming blog does not solely rely on delivering information.  It also provides evidence of ongoing practice, planning, commitment, point of view, thoughtful commentary, persistence, and accomplishment.  That distinction matters.  Readers can find generic advice anywhere from search, but they come to a "real" hobbyist's blog for the thing that only a real, practicing wargamer can provide.  A practicing wargamer can offer a sense that the writer has actually moved figures across a table, given thought to the exercise, and, perhaps, learned something in the process.

The risk for the blogger is not that an AI system will suddenly make a reader lose interest in painted armies, historical scenarios, or reports from a remote game. The risk is more subtle.  Much more subtle.  AI is making it easier for readers to obtain a quick, generic answer without ever visiting the source that did the interesting (and often considerable) effort in the first place.  AI is killing "Lazy discoverability."

What is “Lazy discoverability?” It encompasses the habit of writing for search engines instead of writing for readers.  This technique produces posts that are technically discoverable but not especially memorable.  Bloggers may operate under the misguided assumption that one can put a reasonably competent post on the internet, include a few likely search terms, and expect search engines to do the rest.  Even before AI algorithms came to dominate search, that model was always rather fragile and suspect.  AI simply makes the weakness harder to ignore.

For hobby blogging, especially wargaming, lazy discoverability offers the possibility of entrapment because the work can become optimized toward being found instead of being worth reading.  AI search systems are very good at compressing those posts into a summary, which means the original blog gets less of the reward while the reader has less reason to click through.

A blog post ought to offer more than a summarized answer to a question.  Bloggers should emphasize depth and personal experience that no summary can replicate.  A good wargaming blog provides an archive of accumulated effort.  This is an asset and body of work that cannot be replaced by an AI summary.

If the wargaming blogger wants to avoid being crushed under the jackboot of the Machine, is there anything we can do to connect into this rapidly evolving situation?  The post linked to above offers some suggestions for adapting to AI.  I explore some of these options using my humble perspective of the PWJ and my nearly fourteen years of tapping out posts.  Where does PWJ succeed?  Where can improvements be made?  The answers may depend upon reader engagement!

AI has not killed the blogger star.  As with radio, there is still a place for blogging, at least for me, and I am no star.