Saga Ohio, Episode 36

Saga Ohio is back after a 9-month layoff. In this episode, Mike brings on Dan Neal, Joe Dihrkop, Lee Parker, and Rusty Parker to preview the upcoming Origins Game Fair 2024 Saga events. The four talk about what they will be running at June 19-23 at this huge, all-genre convention in Columbus, Ohio. The gang go over their process for choosing the scenarios they'll use for the tournies and also why Origins is a great place to showcase the game. Mike the guys then talk about other upcoming events in Saga Ohio territory, and each updates everyone on what they've been painting or fielding recently for the game.

News flash - the Britons from Age of Invasions are actually a powerful army! Listen to host Mike Demana interview veteran Saga warlord D.J. Andrews talk about how tournament victory at Nashcon 2023 with the Britons. D.J. gives a blow by blow, round by round description of his three victories and Nashcon triumph. The Saga Indiana player explains how players are approaching the Britons wrong, and give tips and tactics on how to command this faction to victory.

After a 3-month layoff, Saga Ohio returns with a report from the small Historicon 2023 tournament. The winner was Saga Ohio's very own Jenny Torbett. Jenny talks about the unusual format for the tournament and how she planned on using her Eastern Princes army for each scenario. Mike and Jenny analyze the scenarios and then turn their attention to the Eastern Princes battle board. Jenny talks about the abilities she uses regularly on the board, and those she uses less often. Jenny talks a little about her next project, as well, and the two discuss upcoming Saga tournaments in Saga Ohio territory.

Host Mike Demana welcomes back the conquering heroes, Bob Boggs and Jim Randall, from Adepticon 2023. Bob and Jim report on the Saga tournaments they entered. Bob and Jim talk about how they chose the armies they played, and what their preparation looked like. The duo give a game-by-game rundown on their games in the doubles tournament. Bob and Jim are probably the most experienced Saga Ohio players, and they impart a lot of good "Saga wisdom" in this fun conversation.

Host Mike Demana welcomes Rusty Parker, a Saga player from northern Ohio, to talk about his experiences at Adepticon with his Greek Cities: Athenian army. Known as the Jarl on Discord, Rusty is a long-time Saga player who has also helped create a group in northern Ohio called Firelands Games Group. They have a group page on both Facebook and Discord, and will be hosting a Saga tournament in September, 2023. Rusty and Mike talk about how he chose to play the Athenians, his practice sessions, and his games in the Saga Ancients tournament. Rusty talks about the basic and advanced abilities that make the Greeks a surprisingly fast-moving foot army with a punch.

Host Mike Demana welcomes Joe Dihrkop, winner of the first-ever Ft. Wagne, IN, Saga tournament. Joe talks his decision to field his Mongols and what he did to make them more competitive in three scenario games. Mike, who considered taking the Mongols to the same tourney, discusses the army's strengths and weaknesses in the three scenarios. "Genghis Joe" then recounts how his army performed in each of the three games. Afterwards, the two analyze what makes the Mongols an effective and how they enjoy how the army's battle board allows them to perform as the Mongols did historically. Joe then talks about his upcoming painting projects.

Host Mike Demana welcomes Saga Ohio aficionado Dan Neal to break down the most recent 2022 FAQ from Studio Tomahawk. Dan and Mike go through each of the changes, giving examples, and breaking down the changes or clarifications. This episode should prove useful to those who either haven't had a chance to analyze the changes themselves, or who need examples and rephrasing into simple English. Dan and Mike are fans of the new changes, but don't back away from pointing out controversy or identifying armies that may be negatively impacted by the rules. They also point out troop types or armies that may get a bump from 2022 Saga FAQ and might warrant a second look for a new warband for players to field. Enjoy!

Here's the second part of host Mike Demana's chat with Saga Ohio player Dan Neal. In the first half, Dan analyzed his tournament victory at Shore Wars 2022. In this half, he talks to Mike about the Polish list he's been playing for most of the year. Dan goes over the "neither fish nor fowl" composition of the Poles, and talk about how to effectively use that to your advantage. He also goes over the challenges you will face using one of the least commonly played armies from Age of Crusades. Dan details some of the very unique advanced Saga abilities on the Polish battle board. With this episode, Mike completes his 30th Saga Ohio and enters his fourth year of the podcast.

Host Mike Demana welcomes Saga Ohio player Dan Neal to talk about his victory in the Shore Wars 2022 Saga Tournament. Dan brought Baltic Crusaders to this 3-round tournament on Dec. 3 in Mentor, OH. He talks about why he passed on playing his usual Polish list and instead went with Baltic Crusaders (and why he feels it is a more competitive list in a tourney). This episode is actually part one of our interview -- the second half (#30) will feature Dan talking about his experiences over the last year of Saga playing the Polish army. 

Host Mike Demana welcomes Advance the Colors 2022 Tournament co-champion Daniel Broaddus. Brodi talks about his victory with his Vandal faction from the Old Friends, New Enemies section of the Age of Invasions book. He goes over why he chose this variant of the Carolingian battle board, and how he sets up his army. Mike and Brodi talk about the key differences between the Carolingians and Vandals. Brodi goes on to recount his three victories in detail, explaining his tactics and the keys to his success in each game. The two then analyze the abilities on the battle board, pointing out how they work for the Vandals and Carolingians.