Blog — Content — Boards & Swords

Can You Enjoy The Elder Scrolls Board Game Without Playing The Video Games?

Today I take a look at The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era board game from Chip Theory Games and give my thoughts as someone who hasn’t played any of the video games.

BlogChris RenshawNovember 4, 2025board games, board game, the elder scrolls, betrayal of the second era, chip theory games, video games, too many bonesComment

5 Monsters Inspiring my Next Adventures in the New Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual

Well it’s 2025, and we’ve now finished getting all the 2024 Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks, most of which came out in 2025. Confused yet? I pick out my 5 favorite monsters in the Monster Manual from Wizards of the Coast

BlogChris RenshawMarch 25, 2025dungeons and dragons, dungeons & dragons, dnd, dnd5e, d&d5e, ttrpg, rpg, roleplaying games, monster manual, 2024 monster manual, 5.5eComment

Never Skip Mandatory Books And Think You'll Understand The New Battletech Book

I really had my “eyes opened” looking at my first BattleTech sourcebook. I review the BattleTech “ilKhan’s Eyes Only” book from Catalyst Game Labs

BlogChris RenshawMarch 18, 2025battletech, ilkhan eyes only, miniatures game, catalyst game labs, sourcebook, lore, ilkhan era, mechwarrior, alpha strike, classic battletechComment

Deadly, Yet Exciting? 3/8/25 Warhammer Pre-Orders SMASH or PASS

Gloomspite Gitz from Age of Sigmar are the big pre-orders coming up this week. I'm just proud of myself for writing this whole article and not mentioning "goblin mode" or "furries" once (aw crap now I did).

BlogChris RenshawMarch 7, 2025warhammer, warhammer age of sigmar, warhammer 40k, warhammer aos, tabletop games, tabletop gaming, age of sigmar, preorders, smash or pass, gloomspite gitzComment

Feeling The Vibrations? 3/1/2025 Warhammer Pre-Orders SMASH or PASS

It was slaanes-cessary for me to rate these minis this week. Time to see what the smash or pass is for this week's preorders:

BlogChris RenshawFebruary 28, 2025warhammer 40000, warhammer, warhammer 40k, emperor's children, games workshop, warhammer prereleases, smash or pass, tabletop games, miniaturesComment

Why In The World Would I Want To Move? BattleTech Battle Report

Sometimes it’s hard IIC if you are making the right call tactically. For everything else, there’s MasterCard (also, here’s a BattleTech battle report:)

BlogChris RenshawFebruary 11, 2025board games, battletech, catalyst game labs, miniatures game, miniatures, timber wolf, marauder, tabletop games, tabletop gamingComment

A Book That Actually Guides People? 2024 Dungeon Master's Review (D&D5e)

DMG? More like OMG, this book is actually useful. My thoughts on the new Dungeon Masters Guide for Dungeons & Dragons, published by Wizards of the Coast.

BlogChris RenshawNovember 19, 2024dungeon masters guide, dmg, dungeons & dragons, d&d5e, dnd5e, dungeons and dragons, wizards of the coast, 2024 dungeon masters guide, d&d, dnd, ttrpg, rpg, roleplaying gamesComment

I Am The Dragon That Flaps In The Night? Dragonbane Core Set Review

Let's get dangerous and take a look at the huge amount of stuff that comes in the Dragonbane Core Set from Free League Publishing.

BlogChris RenshawSeptember 24, 2024ttrpg, rpg, roleplaying games, dungeons and dragons, dungeons & dragons, free league publishing, dragonbane, dragonbane core set, drakar och demonerComment

A Shining Beacon On An Inferior Version? 2024 Player's Handbook Review (D&D5e)

You've got to "Hand" it to Wizards of the Coast, this new book is going to generate a lot of talk. My review of the 2024 Player's Handbook for D&D

BlogChris RenshawAugust 20, 2024dnd, dnd5e, dungeons and dragons, dungeons & dragons, wizards of the coast, players handbook, 2024 player's handbook, ttrpg, rpg, roleplaying games Comments

Rapid Fire Dice Chucking & Tiny Tabletop RPGs? August 15th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

There’s a lot of “buzz” surrounding these campaigns, so you’d better “rapid fire” click your mouse, as you’ve only got “One Shot” to grab them before you’re “locked out”!

BlogChris RenshawAugust 15, 2024kickstarter, James D'Amato, One Shot, Hyve, cadia stands, locked out, rapid fire dicebox, dice, miniatures game, ttrpg, rpg, roleplaying game, rpgs, board gamesComment

A Beloved Universe Now Available In Tabletop Form? August 8th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

Once again I'm here to "fish" around Kickstarter to find some juicy tabletop campaigns for you to "crate" around. Will you "Master" your urges and jump on these, or will you "shuffle" on by…

BlogChris RenshawAugust 8, 2024kickstarter, brandon sanderson, shuffle dungeons, stormlight, deckmaster, fish blade, ttrpg, rpg, role playing game, board games Comments

Am I A Bit Wary Of Too Many Critical Hits? Stargrave Battle Report

Hopefully I didn’t make a “grave” mistake in this game. Check out my second battle report for Stargrave, a miniatures game by Osprey Games

BlogChris RenshawJuly 30, 2024tabletop games, stargrave, osprey games, battle report, miniature gameComment

Terrific Table Topping Terrain? July 25th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

There may be no "topping" this week's campaigns, as there's a "bastion" of good products. I really didn't have to go on a "D-Quest" to find them - it must have been "Providence".

BlogChris RenshawJuly 25, 2024kickstarter, game topper, game toppers, gearstone tower, dnd, d&d, rpg, ttrpg, dungeons & dragons, board game bag, game bag, old school essentialsComment

Massive Robots vs. Droves of Space Marines? Horus Heresy Battle Report

With those thick legs, my Imperial Knights should be able to just stomp on all the Space Marines they want right? Ehhh maybe not so, but see how well I tried in this battle report for Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, a miniatures game from Games Workshop.

BlogChris RenshawJuly 23, 2024warhammer, warhammer 40k, warhammer 40000, warhammer horus heresy, horus heresy, games workshop, tabletop games, miniaturesComment

A Thrilling Warhammer Game That Doesn't Use GW Rules? Stargrave Battle Report

You can have fun with Warhammer models without playing Warhammer? That’s Heresy speak, but today I take a look at Stargrave, the miniature game ruleset from Osprey Games

BlogChris RenshawJuly 16, 2024tabletop games, wargaming, miniatures, warhammer 40000, warhammer 40k, games workshop, stargrave, osprey games, frostgrave, warhammer, miniatures gameComment

Create A Compelling Crew Or Devastate Enemy Tanks? July 11th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

I "Wandered" around Kickstarter looking for campaigns. Looking at the "Starscape" of games, when suddenly "BOOM" - I found these contenders. Don't be "Yellow", take a look

BlogChris RenshawJuly 11, 2024kickstarter, boom patrol, 5 acts, the king in yellow, cosmic horror, ttrpg, roleplaying game, smirk and dagger, fantasy map maker, crossroads game, wandering galaxy, plaid hat games, starscape, golden lasso games, rpg, role playing gameComment

Scarf Down Some Delightful Dice? June 27th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

This week has a few campaigns that I’m seriously considering backing, so this is your last chance to look away before you get tempted as well. Still here? Ok, then let’s get started:

BlogChris RenshawJune 27, 2024kickstarter, crowdfunding, board games, board gaming, tabletop games, tabletop gaming, blood bowl, games workshop, kobolds, kobolds on strike, blood bowl mania, monster gaming, piri piri summonersComment

An Epic Conclusion To A Must Watch Series? June 13th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

From Crazy Crawfish to making great gaming movies, there’s a lot going on this week in crowdfunding. Just in case “Pass the Box” doesn’t seem appealing to you this week, here’s 5 other campaigns you should check out

Warhammer Inspired Quality Minis? May 29th, 2024 Crowdfunding Roundup

It’s not Warhammer, it’s HBO! Wait, does anyone still understand that reference? Either way, check out some tabletop gaming campaigns looking for your dollar this week.

A Haunted House To Terrify Players In Any Game System? The Darkest House Review

Monte really “Cook”-ed up a horrific adventure with The Darkest House, a haunted house “megadungeon”-style game published from Monte Cook Games.

BlogChris RenshawMay 14, 2024rpg, ttrpg, monte cook games, horror games, the darkest house, roleplaying games, dnd, dnd5e, d&d, dungeons & dragons, dungeons and dragonsComment