Lead Pursuit Podcast

Episode 72 - Spitfire - Aircraft Spotlight

If you want to hear about aircraft history, why are you listening to THIS podcast?  You should know by now that the guys aren’t historical experts!  So that’s why they’ve invited Roger Gerrish onto the podcast for this episode to discuss the history of the Spitfire, along with how it plays in Blood Red Skies. Books reference in this episode: Spitfire the History by Eric B. Morgan, Edward Shacklady https://www.amazon.com/Spitfire-History-Eric-B-Morgan/dp/0946219109 Upcoming Events: Siege...

Episode 71 - Cold War Combat: ACM

If you’re like the LPP team, then you can’t get enough jet air combat games! Since Blood Red Skies: Vietnam isn’t progressing - Doug turns to an outsider for his jet fix. The game’s creator Matt Brachi discusses his project Cold War Combat:ACM, the first game in a series that is really more of an ecosystem. The Beta rules and several 3D Models are available for download on the Cold War Combat Patreon, or you can be a cheap-ass and just listen to this podcast to get the details on the gam...

Episode 70 - Midway Fleet Breaks Cover!

That Warlord Games video has you back on the BRS train, huh? Okay, so maybe they could have straightened a few wings, but at least we saw some models, right? Brett, Doug and Steve talk about what they have seen from Warlord for the upcoming Midway set, and hopefully leak some good info that you haven’t already heard re-hashed a thousand times… while you’ve been waiting for the starter set to release… for over a year!

Episode 69 - Life After GoE 2021

So where the heck has the Lead Pursuit Podcast been? Do you remember we said we were moving? Yeah, no, you didn’t really listen to us… But we’re back! Wait, please, someone applaud that we’re not dead by the side of the road like a raccoon with a balloon! For this episode, the team catches up, brings Chris back on, and tries to act like they actually are participating in the hobby - even though they aren’t!

Episode 68 - LPP Campaign System

Digging back into the episodes from before Gathering of Eagles - the team gets together to talk about the work that Brett and Steve have done to bring their Campaign system together. Covering the various phases and interactions in the new system, Brett gives a detailed look at how it will influence the play of your Blood Red Skies game.

Episode 67 - CY6 Crisis in Kashmir

Running off the rails again, Doug and Steve talk to CB Stevens, the author of the Crisis in Kashmir campaign book for Check Your 6. If you’ve taken a look at the Lead Pursuit scenario pack for the 1965 India-Pakistan crisis, then this interview will give you some valuable insight in how scenarios can be modeled for this conflict. That or you could just listen for the random stupid comments from Doug and inevitable ripostes from Steve! Get the BRS Scenario pack at: https://www.leadpursuit....

Episode 66 - List Building - Part 2

Are we still talking about tournaments? You bet! In this episode, Brett, Steve and Trevor talk more about list building, discussing Aces and equipment cards. Of course there is the usual banter, stupidity and recording glitches! (See what happens when Doug isn’t around to herd the cats?) Register for Gathering of Eagles at: https://www.leadpursuit.net/goe-2021 Keep track of upcoming events at: https://tabletop.events/ Signup for DieCon 21: https://www.diecon.com/Main/ Signup for Twist...

Episode 65 - Gathering of Eagles 2021

Still wondering what goes on at a Gathering of Eagles? On the fence about if you should attend? Steve, Brett and Doug talk about everything GoE and threaten to shame those other podcasters who might not show up. Register for Gathering of Eagles at: https://www.leadpursuit.net/goe-2021 Keep track of upcoming events at: https://tabletop.events/ Signup for DieCon 21: https://www.diecon.com/Main/ Signup for Twisted Lords 23-25 Jul 2021: https://tabletop.events/conventions/twisted-lords...

Episode 64 - List Building - Part 1

So these dummies think they can build a winning tournament list - listen to Trevor, Steve and Brett talk about what their choices for aircraft, cards and pilots would be. And feel sorry for Doug trying to moderate it all!

Episode 63 - Black Tulip

Not being ones to shy away from tough topics, the team dives headlong into Erik Schmidt’s book Black Tulip that discusses the life and historical impact of German Ace, Erich Hartmann. Far from being a glowing fanboy fireside chat, this week’s episode confronts the hard questions of how we re-tell the history of our enemies, and the compromises made during the Cold War. Black Tulip Available from Casemate at: https://www.casematepublishers.com/black-tulip.html#.YFpC_q9KhEY Available...

Episode 62 - Bf.109 - Aircraft Spotlight

Thank goodness Doug is too busy moving to host this episode! Brett and Steve take on talking about the BF.109 and how it fits in historically into the game. Of course they talk about aircraft traits, doctrines and theater cards and how to maximize your Bf.109s in a competitive situation. Of course, Brett as master of the Blue Falcon list discusses how to find the most dastardly combination of traits, doctrines and ace skills that make the BF.109 a frustrating opponent to fight. The Unoffic...

Episode 61 - Blood Red Skies Digital Edition-Pt 2

Looking for some info on the Digital Edition from an actual expert? Brett and Doug chat with Ash from Diecast Digital, someone who actually knows how the game works! Instead of listening to the team pontificate about the prototype they have played, get the straight scoop from the team that is mucking around in the code on a daily basis. Plus we’ve got some details on the Kickstarter dates, and if you listen closely you might hear some juicy details - or just hear the background noise a...

Episode 60 - Blood Red Skies Digital Edition-Pt 1

Blood Red Skies Digital? What the heck is Warlord thinking? Listen to Doug, Brett and Steve discuss the past few months of work with the team at Diecast Digital on the Blood Red Skies Digital Edition project. The team talks about how the game has developed so far, why it is on Kickstarter, and of course -the usual banter between these idiots in search of a village!

Episode 59 - X-Planes!

What is the most controversial, non-political topic on social media today? Hypothetical aircraft in Blood Red Skies, of course! Okay, maybe not THAT controversial, but certainly a hot topic of discussion in the Ready Room. Brett and Doug talk with Roger Gerrish about the work that has been done to integrate some of these hypothetical aircraft into the Blood Red Skies rules. Check out the links below to the “Alternative” Ready Room for BRS Hypotheticals and the cards available for your ...

Episode 58 - Movies for Aerial wargamers

Please don’t hold it against Doug that he temporarily turned the podcast microphone over to Brett! The team gets together to discuss movies that inspire their Aerial Wargaming, along with the usual banter. Maybe you’ll learn more about the members of the team than you wanted to know via their choices for favorite aerial movies!

Episode 57 - Jayhawk

What could go wrong with two Marines from the Lead Pursuit team interviewing another retired Marine? Listen to Chris and Doug talk with Jay Stout about his latest book “Jayhawk”, covering the experiences of a B-25 pilot in the Pacific during WW2. The fascinating tale starts as he grows up in the pre-war Philippines and covers his flight training and combat flying, and then follows his return when American forces liberate the islands, thus giving a first-hand picture of the destruction wro...

Episode 56 - Playin’ Cards - Part II

More talk of cards, decks and tactics? What is this a podcast about Magic? Even with Brett’s misspeaks, the team covers a lot of ground about Theater, Doctrine and Equipment Cards. (No Brett, there are no “deployment” cards, just cards played at deployment!)

Episode 55 - Raven One and Check Your Six!

If you enjoyed Kevin Miller’s book Raven One, and just happen to be a wargamer who plays Check Your Six - then the team over at Fight’s On has something for you. A series of Check Your Six scenarios, with some new rules, that covers the events in the Raven One Book. If you want to find their scenario pack, it is here: https://www.fightsonstore.com/product-page/raven-one-campaign They also have a 25% off discount code - Flip - that runs until the end of Nov 2020.

Episode 54 - 8th AF / 20th AF Kickstarter

Episode 53 - Texas:BROADSIDE

Not getting your Boardgame fix due to COVID? Tired of just playing solitaire games against the AI? Check out the event that the Houston Beer and Pretzels Wargaming club is hosting in association with Board Game Geek’s BGG@Home event. The team chats with Andy Bouffard about his group’s background and previous events, along with this year’s plans for their 10th annual Texas:BROADSIDE. Houston Beer and Pretzel Wargaming: http://www.beerandpretzelwargaming.com/ Texas:BROADSIDE: http://ww...

Episode 52 - Playin’ Cards - Part 1

Tired of being a try-hard? Want to learn the difference between Open Deck and Standard Deck play? Well wait no longer - sit down and listen to Brett, Doug and the rest of the team pontificate about card decks and how to manage them. Not that these guys know what they are doing, anyway!

Episode 51 - Mythic Americas

Indigenous warriors, great beasts, and a rule system based on Warlords of Erehwon - what’s not to like about the upcoming release Mythic Americas? The team sits down and talks with the game’s designer, Nelson Martinez, about the pitfalls and peaks of making a fantasy game grounded in indigenous culture.

Episode 50 - 50 Shades of Blood Red Skies

Celebrating the 50th episode of the Lead Pursuit Podcast with Warlord's Jon Russell only seems right as he's the one who started this whole train wreck! Listen to the team make excuses and blame each other for the terrible idea that has become the Lead Pursuit Podcast - and hopefully you'll have some laughs along the way.

Episode 49 - Clean up your Wargame! - Game Design Editing

Fancy yourself a game designer? Want to know how simple and easy it is to put the project together? Want someone to tell you how great your mastery of the English language is? Then you WON’T want to listen to this episode where we talk to Benjamin Chee, Editor-in-Chief of at DVG. Benjamin talks about both the trials and the excitement of working as an editor, helping to turn the crazy ideas at DVG into playable games. Get some insight into the perspiration that goes with the game desi...

Episode 48 - GoE Debrief

Aren’t you tired of hearing about Gathering of Eagles? Do you wish you had attended? If you want to get all of the information about GoE, just listen to this episode, and you haven’t missed a thing. Well other than the beer. And playing your opponents in-person. And Doug’s terrible performance as a TO!

Episode 47 - Inside ROC Works

Who wouldn’t want to hear about more models? Fancy yourself a 3D printing expert? ROC Works may just be your creative outlet to acquire ALL of the planes! Doug takes some time to sit outside, enjoy the cicadas and chirping birds, all while interviewing Richard Carlisle about his ROC Works project and where it is going over the next few months. go check out their website at http://roc-works.co.uk

Episode 46 - Gathering of Eagles - Indy

Want to know what the upcoming Gathering of Eagles in Indianapolis is going to be like? Well just imagine this podcast, but in person - and with some gaming thrown in! Brett, Doug and Chris all get together this week to give a little bit of the behind the scenes as to what is going to happen at GoE and why you should want to be there.

Episode 45 - New Projects with Steve Toth

Brett and Doug talk to Steve Toth about a variety of topics - all related to cool, new Blood Red Skies content. 3D Models in Tabletop Simulator and model printing via Roc-Works are discussed, along with the usual rules and banter from the team. Of course Brett and Steve blather on about their upcoming campaign system - so if you like Dungeons and Dragons with airplanes, you won’t want to miss it!

Episode 44 - Pandemic Conventions?

Somebody had a convention in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic? HOW DARE THEY!! Doug and Brett debrief Jon Russell about the Twisted Lords convention that his team just put on in Oklahoma City. Lots of good discussions about how gaming can go forward in-person with the right risk mitigations and the right attitudes. Plus they talk about Big Red Skies, the 1/72nd scale version of the game, and the latest releases (supposedly) on the schedule from Warlord.

Episode 43 - Zero Leader!

The team talks to Chuck Seegert about the upcoming Zero Leader game from DVG. Of course there are the usual off topic rants, side discussions, and poking fun at other players. At least we edited out all of the Magic jokes for you, already!

Episode 42 - Midway!

Turning their focus to the Battle of Midway, the team talks with Kevin Miller, the author of Silver Waterfall, a historical fiction account of the battle. The team even lets Rob from Fight’s On join them in the interview in an amazing act of generosity! Kevin’s books can be found at https://kevinmillerauthor.com/ and also on Amazon Kindle.

Episode 41 - Off-topic with Trevor

Tournament scene? What Tournament Scene? The LPP team talks with Trevor about the BRS tournament series that his game store is running and his work as a commission painter. Of course he and the team start talking about veteran experiences and boring those of you who came looking for BRS content!

Episode 40 - A Year of Lead Pursuit

A year of the Lead Pursuit Podcast? What better way to celebrate than for the three members of the team to get together and play their big Malta map with tons of aircraft! The guys debrief the event, what they learned and what they see coming up soon.

Episode 38 - Inside a Gaming Family

Doug continues to run further afield and chats with Kevin and Sarah Verssen, the next generation of the team that is Dan Verssen Games. Between sidebars about cat memes, mac and cheese photos and the usual silliness, they discuss what it is like to build a team of designers and playtesters into a gaming family. Plus there is plenty of information about upcoming games (aviation and otherwise) that are on the DVG release calendar.

Episode 37 - TOPGUN Air Combat

Tired of hearing the guys talk about dusty old wargames in people’s basements? Want to hear about what a real Naval Aviator had to deal with in air combat? On this episode, the team interviews Dave “Bio” Baranek about his time flying as a Radar Intercept Officer in US Navy F-14s and working as an instructor at the elite Navy Fighter Weapons School - called TOPGUN. To learn more about TOPGUN and Bio’s carrer, check out the books on his website: www.topgunbio.com Look for his books “Topgun Da...

Episode 36 - Andy on the Campaign Trail

Oh look, an interview with Andy Chambers! Do you even care what the guys talk about? We didn't think so...

Episode 35 - Fight's On!

As the lockdown extends, the team manages to find some hobbying to do, even as Brett ditches out on his podcast buddies to play Tabletop Simulator. Doug interviews the team from Fight’s On, producers of aerial gaming terrain and game aids. Rob and Sandy from their team talk about how they started in wargaming, and why an otherwise cool cat who flew fighters (Sandy) would become such a dork as to push tiny model airplanes around a table!

Episode 34 - Campaign Mode

Tired of being beat by different gamers in the same old scenario 1? Try running a Blood Red Skies campaign, so that the SAME gamer can beat you over and over in a bunch of different scenarios! Listen to our guest, Steve Toth share about the campaign that he and Brett are playing using the Tabletop Simulator mod for Blood Red Skies.

Episode 33 - Game Design and Business

Desperate times make for desperate measures. While Brett searches for love on the internet via Tabletop Sim, Doug and Chris are continuing to play alone. In the midst of this they discover that there is more to designing and selling a game than saying “All of these other games suck!” Dan Verssen returns to help the guys understand what goes into game design and production at DVG.

Episode 32 - There are other games?

Are some of you Blood Red Skies players secretly cheating on Andy Chambers? Do some of you dabble in solo-play games in the darkness of your wargaming rooms? If so, you’ll be interested to hear the team talk with Dan Verssen about his series of Leader games along with the Warfighter titles and the rest of his wargaming goodness.

Episode 31 - Gaming nostalgia

Will Chris, Doug and Brett ever shut up? Will they actually talk about Blood Red Skies again, or simply wax nostalgic about classic boardgames, waxing and the top searches on Pornhub. Yes, really, they talk about that last topic. We can’t believe you’re still listening!

Episode 30 - WTF are people doing?

What the F is everyone up to? With Adepticon being cancelled, the team is a bit confused! Listen to Doug, Brett and Chris ramble on and even talk about Blood Red Skies!

Episode 29 - Mourning Adepticon

Want to hear the crew cry in their beer about Adpeticon and talk about Game-gasms? No? Well good for you, they have a guest to pick them up out of their Pit of Despair and get them talking about future plans and how Lead Pursuit Podcast is trying to assist gamers during this time.

Episode 28 - Tactics 101

Tired of being beaten at the game by your 14 year-old kid? Are you a “try hard” and aren’t getting any better? Well maybe you just don’t understand the tactical nuances of the game! In this episode Brett and Chris interview Doug about some of the tactical lessons he has learned and how they can improve their ability to lose fewer games!

Episode 27 - Social Distancing Gaming

COVID-19 crushing your gaming plans? Finding yourself neededing some interpersonal interaction during social distancing? Listen to these three idiots and feel better about your decision to self isolate away from them.

Episode 26 - Air Combat over Vietnam

Who let Brett run the podcast this week? Listen as he discussues air combat during the Vietnam war with Doug and Chris. They talk about aircraft, tactics and even some hints about the possibility of an upcoming Blood Red Skies release covering Vietnam.

Episode 25 - 2020 Gaming Update

Did the guys really all get back on the podcast together? At the same time? Will wonders never cease! The team talks about miniatures gaming in Asia and their recent experiences at CoastalCon in South Carolina. Plus the usual rambling on, abusing of WH40K players and making fun of each other!

Episode 24 - Our Man on the Inside.

Who is responsible for the Blood Red Skies Ready Room? Well in this episode, Doug interviews Ken Natt, the chief orchestrator and cat-herder for the Ready Room. They talk about BRS competitions, where the meta is going, and a bit of everything else. Want some more insight into what goes on behind the scenes? Well pull up a chair and give this episode a listen!

Episode 23 - More Decals!

Hobby information? Who wants to talk about that? Oh wait - you the listeners have asked for it! We take the time to talk with Kevin Hammond from Misc Minis again and discuss some of the latest decal work he has done, along with the specific work he has done to support Lead Pursuit Podcast scenarios and aircraft.

Episode 22 - Andy Chambers and Airstrike!

Andy Chambers? Who wants to hear from that guy? Okay, so the podcast team does - and we're throwing him a bunch of listener questions as well. Of course the discussion roams away from Airstrike to talk about upcoming Blood Red Skies projects, and things we can wish for!