Wargames Illustrated, October 2026 (Is. 466)

OBSERVATION POST

This month’s reviews look at a tome of old-school goodies and some great new Roman releases.

RELEASE RADAR

Dom Sore’s back with his monthly look at new hobby releases for your consideration.

QUICK FIRE

Short, quick-read posts from WI readers about their hobby projects, notes, news, and observations.

INSIDER INSIGHT: EPIC WARLORD ZULU

Warlord main man and Anglo-Zulu War afficionado John Stallard shares his passion for the period, and how that is reflected in the new Black Powder Epic Battles: Zulu range.

THE SILVER BAYONET VENICE: THE ALCHEMIST’S LEGACY

James quizzes T. C. Stephen about his epic expansion to the Napoleonic horror skirmish game.

THE BATTLE OF MANGENI

Zulu War expert and author Chris Peers presents an alternative-history scenario in which the Zulus attack Lord Chelmsford at Mangeni, rather than the British camp at Isandlwana.

THE BATTLE OF LUGDUNUM REFIGHT

Four enthusiastic wargamers, one scribe, hundreds of great-looking 28mm Romans, one big wargames table, and the fate of the Roman Empire: welcome to Lugdunum!

FRAME FOCUS: ZULU DIORAMA

Matt Parkes builds and paints a diorama using this issue’s British and Zulu freebie frames.

CONTROLLED LAYERING ON WWII ITALIANS

Rubén Torregrosa ensures his Empress Miniatures Italians shine with some careful layer painting.

ADVENTURES ON THE RIVER IDLE

Pete Jenkins reports on the wargaming that he and the Mogsymakes crew got up to at the Sutton Hoo burial ground.

DISCOVERING (AND PAINTING) A TRULY ANCIENT MINIATURE

Louise Sugden, of Rogue Hobbies, shares her quest to learn about and paint the archeological find the internet dubbed ‘the world’s oldest Warhammer miniature’.

DESIGNER’S NOTES: COMITATUS: WARFARE IN THE DARK AGES AD 250 - 1100

Simon MacDowall gives an insight into the newly released edition of his Comitatus Dark Age rules, and describes how some of the features play out on the tabletop.

DESIGNER’S NOTES: BLACK SMOKE AND SAILS

Dr. Adrian Mandzy, Professor of History at Morehead State University, describes his American Civil War naval rules.