Havoc is one of the longest-running historical wargaming conventions in New England, 2017 is its 33rd continuous year. This year we record LIVE from Havoc! The best thing about it – it went smoothly!

The longest-running tabletop wargaming podcast on the planet

History of Havoc

Havoc began in 1985 in Waltham’s South Middle School, a small gathering in a cafeteria.

Slowly growing to break 250 attendees in 1994 at the Framingham Sheraton.

In 1995 The Dave Award for best in show was created by way of honouring the late Dave Donovan, a key player in the creation of Havoc.

2004 is when Havoc moved to Maironis Park in Shrewsbury.

In 2010 the Al Award born for most visually appealing game in honor of Al Garnache.

2013 is when Best of Timeslot awards began sponsored by The Hobby Bunker in Malden. Co-host Mike Paine won in 2014 for his Hanghai Raiders – A now staple game to be seen at most New England conventions.

 

Dealers

This year saw fewer dealers than usual at the con, it is free to come and shop if you choose to not play games. Adrian and Jonathan used to come and shop.

Silver Eagle Wargame Supplies – They have a variety of wargaming goodies

Games

Adrian and I are signed up for The Battle of Legnano May 29, 1176, GMed by Chris Parker using his Day of Battle medieval rules but it was canceled

There’s Bolt Action

Mike Paine is running Hanghai

Some Lion Rampant GMed by Richard Wareing

Timothy Kesling had to cancel his Mighty Monsters by Ganesha Games

Dave Valentine had to cancel his Deerfield Raid 1704 using Osprey’s En Garde rules.  He ran it at TotalCon.

Dan Eustace is doing some Axis & Allies minis for A Bridge Too Far (like the film)

Black Powder and Pulp Alley also being run

Michael Johns is running Frostgrave

Pros

It is an affordable con, being only $40 for a weekend of playing. GMs are free or $10 if they play games. Or you can come and shop for free.

Kids age 14 and under are heavily discounted

Easy to get to this con.  Centrally located right off Route 9 in central Massachusetts.

Nice mix of games, periods, and styles of game.  Same is true for vendors.

The hall is cozy but a good size for the con.

Adults are allowed to use the bar at any point during their gaming. Not all cons allow this.

Mailbag

From Twitter

Listener @hddbstephen said of Ep 178 TotalCon 2017 “It was good, but too much a review of the hotel… Earlier shows have more on games”

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Read the Episode Guide for sneak peeks at future episodes.

Next Episode is 181 releasing on April 24 2017

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Credits

“Downtown” by Matthew Ebel is our theme song. Please give his other music a listen at www.matthewebel.com.

Joshua Shoobridge edited the audio for th[...]