It’s been over two years since we gave away a free rules supplement called Never mind the Billhooks with Wi393. Since then, this ‘big skirmish, small battle’ set of Wars of the Roses rules has grown legs, donned armour, and run off to recruit a loyal army of followers.

Not supporting figure ranges or rulesets is a recognised ‘crime’ in the hobby. When we were approached by Billhooks enthusiasts who suggested expanding the free rules by including more ‘theatres and conflicts’, we sat down with the game’s author Andy Callan, discussed the idea, and hey presto, 14 months, one pandemic, and a cost of living crisis later, Never Mind the Billhooks Deluxe has just been published; the all-singing, all-dancing, 180-page version of the rules. The big difference this time around is we aren’t giving it away for free.

Never Mind the Billhooks Deluxe is the first set of rules published by Wargames Illustrated Ltd, and we’ve made it the theme of this month’s magazine; think of that decision as either shameless commercialism or a neat introduction to a revamped ruleset we gave you gratis in September 2020. Or don’t think about it at all and enjoy the theme content as generic medieval fare, with plenty more in the form of non-Billhooks, non-medieval action: our tour around two great wargames shows, a look at Hail Caesar second edition, mine head-making, and Silver Bayonet playing.