Saga Ohio

Host Mike Demana welcomes experienced UK Saga Tourney player Mark Birch in this episode which is all about Age of Hannibal. Mark recounts his plans, outcomes, and takeaways from participating in the Northern Tempest Age of Hannibal tournament on July 4, 2021. If you are interested in building an army from Age of Hannibal, THIS is the episode for you! Mark analyzes the Iberian army he took and its strengths and weaknesses against the armies he faced (Gauls, Romans, Carthaginians). In addition, Mike and Mark discuss the other armies in the book, too, and how they stack up against each other. Mark has been playing Saga since version 1 was released, so his analysis is insightful and helpful to both novice and experienced players. Mark then looks ahead to Age of Alexander and gives some of his predictions on what we may see from that release. 

Host Mike Demana welcomes Andy Lyon, one of the top Saga players in tournaments in the UK and abroad. Andy describes his recent victory in the Northern Tempest Age of Hannibal tournament (July 4, 2021). He gives details about how he took a different approach to playing the Gauls, and shares some of the tricks of the trade for a Gaulish warlord. Andy gives a rundown on each of his battles, picking out key moments that led ot his victories. Mike compares some of what happened in Andy's games to his own recent Saga weekend, taking his Moors to Minneapolis to play with Monty Luhmann's "Saga Storm" group. Mike gets Andy's input on the best way to set up a Saga tournament, soliciting his opinion on the planned setup for the Oct. 2 Advance the Colors Saga tournament. Andy also gives advice to players on how to prepare for and compete in a Saga tournament. Check out Episode 16 for insights from one of the UK's most prolific and successful Saga players!

Host Mike Demana welcomes his old friend, Saga enthusiast Jason Mirosavich onto the podcast. The two talk about Jason's all-time favorite Saga army, the Scots. Jason gives some historical background of the army, and then talks about his warband's composition. Mike compares his build that he used in his 8-0 run with the Scots (he prefers to call them to Viking-age Picts) jn Saga Ohio games to Jason's army. The two analyze the strengths of the Scot's battle board and each compare the combinations of advanced abilities that they preferred to use against their enemies. Jason talks about what he is painting now, and how he plans to sell some Saga armies (see Jason's gaming blog: http://mirosgames.blogspot.com/). He also gives some advice on how he prepares for a Saga tournament, which will hopefully include Jason flying up from South Carolina to Ohio for Cincycon 2021!

Host Mike Demana welcomes Rodge from the Saga Thorsday video blog. The two talk about how Rodge made the jump to playing Saga about six years ago, and what inspired him to begin recording his blog about the game. Rodge tells listeners a little about his group in Wisconsin and then begins our discussion on his latest army -- the Pagan Peoples from Age of Crusades. Rodge talks about the build he uses (which produce NINE Saga dice!), and the modifications he's done to it after playing his games. The two analyze the battle board and Rodge reveals some of the "tricks" from these Baltic peoples' Santa Claus-sized bag of tricks. He goes into detail which advanced Saga abilities pair best with which others, and how to best do the "teleporting Pagans" stratagem. The two talk more about their upcoming meeting at a Saga game day in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and ponder what lies ahead in the future for the game of Saga. Join us for an hour or so of good Saga discussion and learn from Rodge, one of the masters of the game!

In this episode host Mike Demana interviews his inspiration for starting the Saga Ohio podcast: Joe Messenger from the Northern Tempest Saga Podcast. Joe and his friends Jim and Chris have recorded more than 30 episodes of their Saga podcast since February of 2017. Joe tells his amazing story about how he got into Saga gaming, and what led he and his friends to start their podcast. The two talk about favorite episodes and how podcasts can help grow the community. Next, Joe talks about his newest army, the Iberians from Age of Hannibal. Joe talks about how he fields his army, its strengths, and explains the tactics behind the Iberian's guerrilla markers. The two analyze which battle board abilities bring out the strengths of the army best. Click to listen to the most recent episodes of Northern Tempest Saga Podcast, find the links on their Facebook page.

Host Mike Demana welcomes Monty Luhmann from Saga Thorsday as his special guest for this podcast. They talk about Monty's Saga Storm group in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and some plans Monty has for getting gaming going again in the area and building enthusiasm. Next, Monty details his Baltic Crusaders list, talking listeners through how he sets up and deploys his army. The two talk about terrain selection and what battle board abilities best augment the Baltic version of the Crusader list, and which are less useful. Next, Mike unveils how he would "attack" Monty's army using his Moors faction from Age of Crusades. Monty returns the favor and says how he would try to turn the tables on the Moors and attack Mike's army. He then goes on to give some tips for the Saga Ohio folks on ideas to end the Moors' winning streak in Saga Ohio game days. The two then sketch out plans for Mike to visit the twin cities area for some Saga during his summer off from teaching. Be sure to check out Monty and Rodge on Saga Thorsday (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHu09rW_Wgkd7TG7F0hcgUOF0sm6bzjQL). And for more on Mike's Moors, visit his Lead Legionaries blog: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/

The more the merrier! Host Mike Demana welcomes the "Next Generation" -- Jason Stelzer and his cousins, Daniel & Thomas Moehn. All are 29-year-old Saga players introduced to the game through the Saga Ohio group. Mike and the trio discuss their battles against each other from the latest Saga game day at the Guardtower East. Jason goes into depth about the tactics he uses for his Age of Invasions Romans. Thomas talks about the Levantine Crusaders, with much of the conversation revolving around the effectiveness of Fanatic pilgrims. Daniel talks about his forays with the Norse-Irish, recounting what went wrong in his games with Thomas and Jason. All share their excitement about Saga, and their plans for future armies or how they'll possibly change up the compositions of their warbands.

Springfield, OH, area ancients gamer Bob Boggs joins host Mike Demana for a conversation about a variety of Saga topics. The two discuss Bob's Baltic Crusader army that he has been playing with good success, lately. Bob shares his ideas on army composition and why he chooses Henry the Lion as a legendary leader. He uses his game at the recent Saga game day to discuss tactics and how he uses a mobile army. Naturally, the conversation turns to Bob's first love, Rome and Roman armies. Bob talks about his current painting projects and Mike reveals a new Saga army purchase he's very tempted to pull the trigger on. The two also talk about how much fun they have at Ancient tournaments and getting together with the Saga Ohio community. Bob makes Mike's day when he reveals that he is foregoing participating in Flames or War or Bolt Action in favor of the Saga tournament (sponsored by Gripping Beast) at this October's Advance the Colors convention in Springfield, OH. Listen in on an hour of good Saga conversation in the 10th episode of this podcast.

Host Mike Demana is joined by long-time friend Mike Stelzer, and the two chat about a variety of topics revolving around Saga. Mr. Stelzer talks about the gaming he's been able to get in during COVID, including with his son and nephews (aka the "Next Generation"). They ponder how the effect of troop types vary widely depending on their army's battle board. They also debate relative balance of each of the "Age" books vs. each other. The two talk about the painting projects they have underway, and some good by historical fiction and Hollywood inspiration. Both Mikes compare Saga to their previous Ancient's fascination, DBA (De Bellis Antiquitatis rules). They discuss similarities and differences and whether Saga tournaments can be the "next" DBA at conventions in their area. Both talk about how they are looking forward to the return of their twice-monthly Saga Ohio game days -- see the group FB page for info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/898250580194501.

Host Mike Demana is joined by two Saga players from the Toledo area, Keith Hammack and Brian Burchett. They talk about their very active group that meets weekly at the Toledo Game Room. They are just starting to get back together again after the COVID lockdown, and give a nice rundown of the armies players field regularly -- including quite a few Age of Hannibal armies. Keith talks in detail about the Carthaginians, analyzing and breaking down their battle board. Brian chimes in with a good conversation about the Gauls, covering their strengths and weaknesses. He also makes a short pitch for the Graeculi board in Age of Hannibal, as well. If you are in the Toledo area, join Brian and Keith for some great Saga gaming. They are on Facebook as "Toledo Historical Miniature Gaming." If you are in Central Ohio or the Dayton area, the Saga Ohio players will begin meeting again in April & May.