The Art of Wargaming

Continuing right along with our study of the Maxims, Malark pulls up a mic to chat about the next installment of Napoleon's battle wisdom Support our Patreon! www.patreon.com/theartofwargaming Email: artofwargamingpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: @theartofwargamingpodcast Instagram: @artofwargamingpodcast Check out more of The Art of Wargaming at www.taowargaming.com Check out more earVVyrm podcasts at...

Continue with us as we continue to unlock the wisdom of Napoleon through his maxims. Direct and concise, Napoleon simplifies the art of war into easily digested sections, very much different than the hyper detailed approach of Clausewitz. Malark treks on throught the next set of Napoleonic Maxims Support our Patreon! www.patreon.com/theartofwargaming Email: artofwargamingpodcast@gmail.com Facebook...

As a contemporary of Clausewitz, Napoleon provides a unique perspective on the wars they fought together. His Maxims have been time honored as solid approaches to war. Malark examines the first twelve of these Maxims to find the wisdom in their words. Support our Patreon! www.patreon.com/theartofwargaming Email: artofwargamingpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: @theartofwargamingpodcast Instagram: @artofw...

An event is a tough thing to pull off successfully, and the difficulty increases exponentially the larger the numbers being accounted for. As a event coordinator, there are infinite variables to prepare for, and more that arise once the event is underway. Adaptability in this role is key. When it comes to preparing food for large numbers, there are likewise complications that one doesnt have when...

The path to becoming a Knight is one of great importance to Belegarth. Those granted this title are expected to serve the community with steadfast diligence, before and after attaining this honor. They are also tasked with raising others to the challenge, preparing the next generation for their faithful service. But how does one get started on this path? What challenges and obstacles can one expec...

Most of what we study in the art of war concerns wide open spaces. One of the big reasons for this is that many of our authors wrote at a time when open warfare was the expected norm. During the time of Clausewitz, however, the rules were changing rapidly. As technology shaped the newly emerging battlefield, it also brought changes to tactics and strategy. Nowhere is this more evident than in...

What are the differences between a defensive and a strong position? The short answer is that one is made to receive the enemy, whereas the other is designed to deny them entirely. This intent shapes the way we want our position to look and function. In either case the advantages sought, like the preservation of the lines of communication, are similar and well defined. Join us as we shore up o...

Any battle where we are attempting to preserve a point rather than passing through it may be considered a defensive battle. There are advantages to be gained by proper knowledge of terrain and strategic placement of various earthworks and entrenchments. Join us as Malark examines the nature of a defensive battle in the age of Clausewitz and what lessons can be learned from it. Support our Patreon!...

For us to mount a successful defense, many things must be in our favor. These means of defense can and should be nurtured before war commences, but after the conflict has begun in earnest, then these means become paramount to victory. Of course, as Clausewitz has said before, no tactical victory can be called positive without offensive action taken to follow up. Through this interplay of forc...

The principles of offense and defense are similar in tactics and warfare, sharing the same basic objectives. The main difference is that strategy cannot accomplish victory without the tactical successes to back it up. Strategy's take on principles such as advantage of ground and surprise have more to do with setting the stage for the most efficient tactical victory we can achieve. We also continue...

Moving now into the portion of "On War" concerned directly with tactics and military strategy, Clausewitz begins by defining defense within his concept of war. There are many reasons to fight/play defensively, and Clausewitz attests that the defense is the superior of the two when compared to offense. There are many advantages conferred to the defender, like usually having the advantage of terrain...

As we have been studying, one of the most important aspects of war or wargaming is practice. We speak of meaningful practice that gives us the best chance to adapt to changing conditions, practice that promotes utmost familiarity with our weapons, army, or team. How we approach the field physically and mentally, with our team or by ourselves, can determine victory before the match even begins. Sir...

When we look at the field, whether in our games or in history, we can see three distinct elements that make up the whole. The long range element, the staying power, and the mobile forces all have roles to play, and those roles relate to each other in complicated ways. The ratio of these three elements changes the tactics that can be employed effectively. Artillery heavy armies conduct war in a muc...

Battle has many uses, but only one guiding principle: the destruction of the enemy. The whole point of military science is to develop a reliable system by which to achieve victory. But what happens when we attain it? How best can we capitalize on our successes? Clausewitz offers very helpful advice in this section concerning the factors that influence the quality and usefulness of our victory. Onc...

No battle can take place unless by mutual consent. By and large, this decision is left up to the defenders. Patience, then, is called for to give us the best chance at victory. A clear vision as well, because while there may be many minor and secondary objectives, there is only one primary objective that must be kept at the forefront of our plans. Our choices in battle lead to one defining and dec...

Going into a battle, we know our priorities. However, much like with our plan itself, it is best that we assume they will change in importance. Preparing for this helps us manage the shifting battlefield conditions. Of course it is best to have our priorities obscured as to move indirectly against our opponent, turning the odds in our favor. Knowing this will help us decide whether we seek a quick...

The first section of this book dealt with the many factors and conditions which can feed into and dictate the course of combat. Now, finally, we begin to delve into the crux of the matter. Understanding the nature of modern war, or "meta" as it is called, is key to effective tactics, which are forever dependent on present forms. The influence of technology on this concept cannot be overstated. Alo...

When it comes to war, all we most often see are the battles. In these dramatic clashes of armies, it is easy to forget all of the contributing factors to that conflict. One of the largest among these is how to maneuver our forces to the right place at the right time with the right plan. For this, we must consider our movements in time and space. Once that force is assembled, it then falls to us to...

There are many factors that contribute to victory in very real ways. We have discussed how weather, privation, and low morale can wear at an army's fighting spirit. We have examined how culture and training shape the abilities of the forces on the field. But when we look at history as a whole, three main considerations are at play. The consequences from either the favor or disdain of these influen...

At every level of command, boldness is required to carry the day. Whether its a frontline soldier summoning the will to take a hill, or a general dedicating themselves to a daring plan, boldness is the most important of the military virtues. With it, we can fight timidity and move in a way that accomplishes our objectives swiftly and effectively. Soren joins Malark to look into the idea of boldnes...

Those of you on our Instagram will have no doubt seen some of the epic footage from the fight night Malark attended. The energy in the room was electric, the excitement of the crowd was palpable. After the fights, a dear friend of the show arranged for Malark to interview some of the spectacular fighters. These are those interviews. Support our Patreon! www.patreon.com/theartofwargaming Email: art...

In our first series of field interviews, much was learned about the process and challenges of recording outside of the studio. Some of the first interview with Rizo and Maverick, for instance, was distorted by wind. This is unfortunate, as the interview was very interesting to Malark. We salvaged what we could. The second interview was with long time veteran and experienced tournament winner, Retn...

Among the Chief Moral Powers discussed in the previous episode, Military Virtue is a trait of both the army and the individual that contributes to a precise and efficient force on the battlefield. Separate from bravery or enthusiasm, it measures more the discipline and spirit. Keeping our cool under pressure, withstanding the disappointment of defeat, knowing our purpose and function within the ov...

There are many conditions which contribute to the conduct of combat. Some of these are related to moral forces, others are on physical forces. Regardless of the cause, we must look at all elements separately to understand the whole. Moral forces, of course, and the most powerful and the quickest to form. With spirit, talent, military virtue, and physics on our side, the conditions of victory might...

Clausewitz defines strategy as the employment of the battle as the means towards the attainment of the object of war. For our games, we obviously do the same, stringing together our isolated wins into one overall victory of the tournament or event. We all understand how to do this because it doesnt take a genius to recognize good tactics or winning plans. The real trick is knowing how to combine a...