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James Buckley

@jsbuckley.bsky.social
730 followers 102 following 568 posts

Founder of Sapper Studio - a tabletop game design and development studio. www.sapperstudio.com Interested in all things wargamey - both professional and hobby fields.

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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Just played this as OFJH. The play experience is like reading polemical long form journalism. The target is the drug companies. The twist is you play as the drug company. The activist is your enemy, the corrupt doctor your friend. It's very well done.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Just booked my tickets and accommodation for Circle DC 2027! I'll also take the opportunity to go watch the Washington Nationals lose with the fine gents from @fortcircle.bsky.social
static.klipy.com
Dr. Fauci's First Pitch at Nationals Park
ALT: Dr. Fauci's First Pitch at Nationals Park
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I just backed By Order of the King on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/loo...
kickstarter.com
By Order of the King
Gallows humor, social deduction, and ruthless lies. One player executes their friends while the rest bluff, lie, and try to survive.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The 2nd printing of Battlegroup Clash is now available to pre-order at a large early-bird discount on the MSRP. Click below to order: www.sapperstudio.com/product-page...
sapperstudio.com
Battlegroup Clash: Baltics (2nd printing) | Sapper Studio
Battlegroup Clash: Baltics (BC:B) is a two- to six-player platoon-level tactical combat game. It simulates a series of hypothetical near future battles in the Baltics between NATO and Russian forces.   The game emphasises the importance of planning and modern day combined armed techniques. Drones and tactical electronic warfare are key features of the game.    BC:B can be used to support learning and development as a PME tool. It will also appeal to commercial gamers interested in learning more about the modern battlefield and how a NATO Battlegroup would respond and perform against equivalent sized Russian forces in the river and forest-rich terrain of the Baltics. This 2nd printing updates the rulebook and scenario book to incorporate the minor errata from the first printing, but is otherwise identical to the first printing.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Got to learn about and look at the new Race to Rabul game from @volko.bsky.social and @phalanxgames.bsky.social, with art for @domhnallh.bsky.social. It looks amazing, excellent iteration of the system. I will be pre-ordering it tonight!
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
My company Sapper Studio has the same problem. I think I now need to stop all direct sales to the EU 😕. The EU's PPWR is much worse than the new US tariffs for us.
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Lee Brimmicombe-Wood @leebwood.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Work-in-progress map for @jsbuckley.bsky.social's 'Razor's Edge' board game, on the 1982 Falklands War. We're getting close to complete on this, but still some tweaking to do.
Map for the Razor's Edge board game on the Falklands War.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“Like Next War in scope, and Littoral Commander in style.” That's the sub-heading for the second designer diary I've just published for Razor's Edge. Curious to read more, click here: www.sapperstudio.com/post/razor-s...
sapperstudio.com
Razor’s Edge: The Falklands War 1982 - Designer Diary #2
“Like Next War in scope, and Littoral Commander in style.” An extremely short elevator pitch I have come up with to describe Razor’s Edge is that it’s like Next War in scope, and Littoral Commander in...
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Timely, my forthcoming game Razor's Edge: The Falklands War 1982 has a 'hypothetical' 2028 re-invasion scenario. Arg SOF launch an Operation Spiderweb type-attack, taking out British air defences. Land forces follow. A threadbare British Task Force responds... www.sapperstudio.com/razorsedge1982
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I just backed Outside the Wire on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/133...
kickstarter.com
Outside the Wire
A tactical sandbox tabletop RPG about modern military operations, solo or group play, and a decision-making campaign ecosystem
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Sebastian Bae @sebastianbae.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"Guerre Eclair" by Yasushi Nakaguro is such a brilliant compact #wargame. Despite very few components, the decision space is incredibly rich and engaging. I love getting it on the table and introducing #wargaming to people with it. 🎲
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Battlegroup Clash Baltics now has a Vassal mod. Download it here 👇 Battlegroup Clash: Baltics - Module Library - Vassal share.google/kEUr2btd4M7M...
share.google
Battlegroup Clash: Baltics - Module Library - Vassal
Vassal is an open-source game engine for building and playing online adaptations of board games and card games.
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Zilla Blitz @zillablitz.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Another BIG and beautiful one! Urban Operations 2nd Edition, a game of modern tactical combat from @nutspublishing.bsky.social. #boardwargames #boardgames
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Catastrophe Games @catastrophegames.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
And now we have a cover for the game! Thanks @ilyakudr.bsky.social
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Wargaming Weekly @wargamingweekly.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
About to play "Battlegroup Clash: Baltics" by @jsbuckley.bsky.social at @sapperstudio.bsky.social 🎲 I'm going to try Scenario 2 (The Battle for Purtse Bridge) ⚔️ 🔗 The game is currently sold out, sign up to the Sapper Studio mailing list for updates on a reprint: sapperstudio.com/battlegr
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Lee Brimmicombe-Wood @leebwood.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Today's a heavy day of working on prototype game components for the next 'Air & Armor' and 'Razor's Edge', our Falklands wargame.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
"Of course, it takes two to tango, and the Argentines may not want to dance." No, not football, another type of game. Find out more in the first designer diary for Razor's Edge: The Falklands War 1982, a new wargame coming from Sapper Studio. www.sapperstudio.com/post/razor-s...
sapperstudio.com
Razor’s Edge: The Falklands War 1982 - Designer Diary #1
What is the razor's edge?I was wee when the Falklands War happened. Except for the headlines, I knew little about it. That changed a few summers ago when I participated in a professional wargame run f...
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Nico Roblin @nicoroblin.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
#portfolioday Hi, i'm Nicolas, a freelance graphic designer in France. I work mainly in board games. Always open for new work. 👍 👉https://www.behance.net/nicolasroblin1
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
I suppose I should be flattered that Battlegroup Clash has now been pirated by a Chinese publisher? I wasn't going to license it in China but now I think I should just to counter this. Anyone experienced something similar?
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Today is the first public test of Razor's Edge: The Falklands War 1982, the next game to be published by Sapper Studio. The British Carrier Task Force is playing it safe, keeping far from the Exocets. The British subs have the Argentine fleets in their sights. Neither side has the advantage, so far.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
So it begins: game one of the Queen's Dilemma.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
US-based and want a copy of Battlegroup Clash? The last available copies are now with Catastrophe Games. Live anywhere else? You'll have to wait for the reprint, as the game has proven very popular and is now SOLD OUT.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Monday night at the Cardboard Emperors club in London town: Hubris and People Power by @gmtgames.bsky.social, Napoleon's Fateful March by @vucasimulations.bsky.social and Danger Forward by @multimanpublishing.bsky.social
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Mark @smarkg52.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Morning #Wargaming Fight Club session trying out BattleGroup Clash Baltics at CGSC. @jsbuckley.bsky.social @fight-club-intl.bsky.social
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Leading French wargame mag Vae Victis just reviewed Battlegroup Clash: Baltics. The summary: "Undoubtedly one of the most stimulating offerings currently available in the modern battlefield genre: a serious, intelligent game that genuinely gives you something to think about." Only 10 copies left!
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Nobody said an amphibious assault 8,000 miles away would be easy... Forthcoming later this year from Sapper Studio and @leebwood.bsky.social
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Fred Serval @fredserval.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
PunchedCon 2026 was a delight. We debrief the games we played there with bean farmer @candidrum.bsky.social, solo mom @joedewhurst.bsky.social, babyface @pierrevj.bsky.social, radicalised @ericvulgaris.bsky.social and ASMR voice @blinks.itch.io youtu.be/8177PhxrJCE?...
youtu.be
PunchedCon 26 - Wargame Convention Debrief
YouTube video by Homo Ludens
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statto99 @statto99.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
@joedewhurst.bsky.social @wargamestogo.bsky.social @volko.bsky.social @armchairdragoons.bsky.social @jsbuckley.bsky.social @fredserval.bsky.social @lukeevison.bsky.social The PunchedCon '26 Geeklist of Games Played is now available at the following link: boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/377...
boardgamegeek.com
PunchedCon '26 - games played
A list of the games played at PunchedCon '26, held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry (UK) from (officially, at least) Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd May. The list has been created based on games that I pers...
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Final day of PunchedCON. Lots of bling going on.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
PunchedCON day 2!
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
PunchedCON Day 1 in full swing
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Nice AAR of a first play through of Battlegroup Clash Baltics. Just literally a handful of copies remaining if you want to pick one up: share.google/F5fzO7h4Os2d...
share.google
Games | Sapper Studio
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
A couple of last minute tickets have become for PunchedCON in Coventry, UK, this weekend. PM me if you are free this weekend and can make it along. It's an epic wargaming experience. punchedcon.com
punchedcon.com
PunchedCON – The UK's war and strategy board gaming convention
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Where the Gimpy Gamer totally digs the uniqueness of Battlegroup Clash Baltics. youtu.be/1em1DBdHSt8?...
youtu.be
Battlegroup Clash Baltics Review
YouTube video by TheGimpyGamer
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Good extensive discussion of A Gest of Robin Hood on this week's @thesecretcabal.bsky.social for your ears @fredserval.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/3tt7...
open.spotify.com
Spotify – Web Player
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Semper Fi hits the table for the first time. I absolutely love the Tactical Combat Series. It generates excellent emergent narrative and rewards realistic tactics. The juice is definitely worth the (considerable) squeeze IMO.
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Neva Game Press @nevagamepress.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Ready to help us finish Spartacus: Rome under Threat? The game is nearly complete, and we need playtesters to provide crucial feedback on this game. Help us to get it to your table sooner! f.mtr.cool/dzhyikirdf
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Not the biggest fan of escape room stuff. But DS9. With Quark. Instabuy. Are you with me @djackthompson.bsky.social @thesecretcabal.bsky.social ? www.kickstarter.com/projects/bea...
kickstarter.com
Coming soon: Star Trek Mystery and Escape Room Games: DS9 & Lower Decks
Officially licensed murder mystery and escape room games set in the Star Trek worlds of Deep Space Nine and Lower Decks
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Just discovered the Tactical Combat Series by MMP (Goose Green, pictured). If you enjoy games with operational planning mechanics, that reward 'actual' infantry tactics based on terrain and positioning, you gotta check it out. So so good. Now to scour BGG marketplace for other games in the system.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
And drones. Don't forget the drones!
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
The first review of Battlegroup Clash: Baltics is in. "One of the most compelling modern battlefield designs on the marker... a truly amazing design.". I'll take that! www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCRV...
youtube.com
Battlegroup Clash: Baltics REVIEW | Wargame Board Game
YouTube video by The Dice Treasures
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Battlegroup Clash: Baltics now has a Cube4Me tray solution 🤓🎲. Purchase link below. cube4me.com/product/batt...
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Battlegroup Clash touches down in the USA!
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Neva Game Press @nevagamepress.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
📢Big news from Neva Game Press! Our 2nd Pre-order Campaign starts on March 15th! 🔥 Reformation: Fire and Faith 🏮 Peking: 55 Days of Fury Early Bird discounts for the first week or first 50 orders! Don't miss out: f.mtr.cool/fhjgtbvqgv
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Sons of Anarchy back on the table tonight. Hello old friend 👋
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Tom Egan @tomjmegan.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
So this arrived this morning. Delighted to have my copy Battlegroup Clash: Baltics by @sapperstudio.bsky.social land and am looking forward to getting stuck into it! #Wargaming
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Professional wargaming on the front page of BGG. A first?
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
It's taken some time to grok but now I have, I'm very much appreciating the risk-reward solitaire mechanics of Operation Bollebank. Original. Good emergent narrative too. Thanks for bringing it to my attention @letsplayhistory.bsky.social
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NUTS! PUBLISHING @nutspublishing.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Check out our latest production schedule below. Of particular interest to wargamers is the news that Guerre Eclair will arrive at our warehouse next month, and in May we'll launch the Kickstarter for our new edition of Sword of Rome. More details on that to come.
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James Buckley @jsbuckley.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Day 2 & 3 of Napoleonics @ SquareBASH with Congress of Vienna and 1812 Napoleon's Fateful March. French victories in both. Excellent games. It's been a great excursion in the world of Napoleonics, but now it's back to my main interest of modern warfare with these three new purchases.
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