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Neil Shuck

@neilthedwarf.bsky.social
577 followers 114 following 161 posts

Player of all types of tabletop miniatures games, boardgames and RPGs. Avid collector of miniatures, which will get painted to an average standard...eventually. Sometime blogger and host of the (now retired) Meeples & Miniatures Podcast

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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Played Terraforming Mars today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Terraforming Mars
Compete with rival CEOs to make Mars habitable and build your corporate empire.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Played Thunderbirds today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/16... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Thunderbirds
Never give in, at any cost! Coordinate your efforts to foil vile plots.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Played Undaunted: Normandy today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/26... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Played Space Hulk (Third Edition) today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/54... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Space Hulk (Third Edition)
Space Marines combat Genestealers in the cramped corridors of a derelict spaceship.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Played Sharp Practice: Wargame Rules for Large Skirmishes in the Era of Black Powder, 1700 to 1865 today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Sharp Practice: Wargame Rules for Large Skirmishes in the Era of Black Powder, 1700 to 1865
Sharp Practice are large scale skirmish rules, designed for between 30 and 120 figures a side, with players taking the roles of heroic leaders of the black powder age. Hornblower, Flashman, Sharpe, Bo...
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Played Commands & Colors: Ancients today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/14... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Played Dominion today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Dominion
Acquire the most valuable lands by building your deck with treasure and power cards.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Played Legendary Encounters: The Matrix today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Legendary Encounters: The Matrix
Do you know kung fu? Download a winning deck to save humanity.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Played Magic: The Gathering today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/463 #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Magic: The Gathering
Cast spells and summon fantasy monsters in the original collectible card game.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Played Dominion today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Dominion
Acquire the most valuable lands by building your deck with treasure and power cards.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Played Viticulture today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Viticulture
Seasons pass as you develop your vineyard, harvest grapes, make wine and fill orders.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Played Everdell Duo today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Everdell Duo
Use resources to play cards and create your own woodland city.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Miniature Wargaming The Movie appeared on YouTube over the weekend. I remember interviewing the filmmaker, Joe Piddleton, about it for my podcast. I've written a brief blog post about it meeples.wordpress.com/2026/06/15/m...
meeples.wordpress.com
Miniature Wargaming The Movie – now free on YouTube
Over the weekend, a new video popped up in my YouTube feed which proved to be an immediate blast from the past. Evolutionary Films published Miniature Wargames – The Movie. Long-time listener…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Just published a report from last weekends Operation Market Larden gaming day, which includes lots of pictures of the games from the day. meeples.wordpress.com/2026/06/11/o...
meeples.wordpress.com
Operation Market Larden XII: Battles, Bees and Bad Vodka
Last Saturday, the 6th of June, whilst across the English Channel Europe was commemorating the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, a very different gathering took place in the market town of Evesham. There,…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The last part of my Journey to Midgard Moot II has now been published... Thoughts on what happened on the actual event day. meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/29/j...
meeples.wordpress.com
Journey to Midgard Moot II – Part V – Let Battle Commence
The day of the Midgard Moot finally arrived, and as I began setting up the battlefield for the day’s games, I was struck by a genuine sense of satisfaction. After weeks of scenario design and playt…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Played The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game 4 times today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game
Travel from the Shire and overcome every obstacle as a team.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Finally got around to writing the fourth installment about creating my scenario for Midgard Moot II In this part, I talk about playtesting the scenario meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/26/j...
meeples.wordpress.com
Journey to Midgard Moot II – Part IV – Playtesting
With the armies painted and the scenario designed, it was finally time to begin running some playtest games in order to see how all the various elements worked together. More importantly, it was a …
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Played Heat: Pedal to the Metal today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Push your car to the limit in the pursuit of victory, but don’t overheat!
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Played Heat: Pedal to the Metal today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Push your car to the limit in the pursuit of victory, but don’t overheat!
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Having painted my armies and created my scenario, it was now time to work on all the terrain I needed for the battle meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/14/j...
meeples.wordpress.com
Journey to Midgard Moot II – Part III – Setting the Scene
With the forces assembled and the scenario finalised, it was now time to create the battlefield itself. The Take the High Ground scenario from the Midgard Heroic Battles rulebook features a line of…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
In the second part of my blog series about my game for Midgard Moot II, I consider the scenario design and special rules meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/13/j...
meeples.wordpress.com
Journey to Midgard Moot II – Part II – The Scenario
Having assembled the armies, the next challenge was designing a scenario that would not only provide an entertaining game for the players taking part, but also capture the sort of cinematic fantasy…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
It's been a couple of weeks since Midgard Moot II - I've finally got around to writing a series of blog posts on how I put my game together for the day. Here's Part I meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/12/j...
meeples.wordpress.com
Journey to Migard Moot II – Part I – Mustering The Forces
Back in April 2025, the inaugural Midgard Moot was held at Boards & Swords Hobbies in Derby (details of the day can be found here). At the time, I mentioned to James Morris that I would be more…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
I've just registered for Flank — a new app to help tabletop players find local opponents and games. If you're into Warhammer, 40K, AoS, Kill Team or tabletop gaming, register your area here: www.flanktt.com
flanktt.com
FLANK | Join the Waitlist
Flank connects tabletop wargamers with opponents nearby. Launching globally — join the waitlist and be first to know when we deploy in your region.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
I recently painted the Mantic Games Giant to add to my Orc & Goblin army. I've written a blog post about how a near painting disaster became a happy accident... meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/07/a...
meeples.wordpress.com
A Giant Mistake… Or a Happy Accident?
I had thought that my Orc & Goblin army, painted a couple of years ago, was complete. However, as I found myself flicking back through the Warhammer Fantasy Battle 6th Edition Army Book, it bec…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Just written a blog post about my first attempt at painting a miniature for display, rather than just for gaming meeples.wordpress.com/2026/05/06/t...
meeples.wordpress.com
The Birth of an Amethyst Dragon
There I was, quietly browsing along the rows of vendors at The Partizan wargaming show last year. I was already carrying bags, the contents of which had exceeded my intended budget for the day, whe…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Played Heat: Pedal to the Metal today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/36... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Push your car to the limit in the pursuit of victory, but don’t overheat!
040
Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
It's hard to believe, but it's been five years since Mike Hobbs passed away. I think of him often, miss him mightily. Great times, great fun. Wish he was still here. He was the best of friends, and an all together great bloke. Rest In Peace Hobbsy... Mike Hobbs 11/04/66 - 20/04/21
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Played Lost Ruins of Arnak today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/31... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Explore an island to find resources and discover the lost ruins of Arnak.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Had a fun day playtesting my scenario for Midgard Moot in a couple of weeks.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Played Midgard: Heroic Battles today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Midgard: Heroic Battles
Tabletop battles and heroes from ancient to medieval times.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Played Midgard: Heroic Battles today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Midgard: Heroic Battles
Tabletop battles and heroes from ancient to medieval times.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Played Everdell Duo today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Everdell Duo
Use resources to play cards and create your own woodland city.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Played Mansions of Madness: Second Edition today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
Cling to your sanity as you investigate Lovecraftian horrors.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Played The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game 3 times today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game
Travel from the Shire and overcome every obstacle as a team.
010
Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Played Tiny Epic Pirates today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/30... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Tiny Epic Pirates
Pirates take to the high-seas for fame and fortune!
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Finished painting my Elf Army Commander over the weekend - wrote a blog post on how I did it and why this is the inspiration of my Elf Army colour scheme meeples.wordpress.com/2026/03/04/w...
meeples.wordpress.com
Well… It Had to Be a Dragon
If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know that I’ve been building a High Elf army, primarily based around the Oathmark Elf range, since August 2024. While there have been several interruptions…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Played Kreel Manor: The Dungeon Crawl Card Game today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Kreel Manor: The Dungeon Crawl Card Game
Manage your abilities to defeat threats and hunt the source of the Gloom of Kilforth
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Finished these Great Eagles from GW. Lovely models that were really nice to paint. meeples.wordpress.com/2026/02/21/t...
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Finished painting my latest unit for my Elf Army. I've written a blog post about them - meeples.wordpress.com/2026/02/19/c...
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Played The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game 5 times today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game
Travel from the Shire and overcome every obstacle as a team.
000
Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Played Everdell Duo today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Everdell Duo
Use resources to play cards and create your own woodland city.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Spent a couple of weeks at the start of the year reorganising my paint collection and my hobby desk. Hopefully this makes it more conducive to getting more hobby done this year meeples.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/r...
meeples.wordpress.com
Reorganising my hobby desk
In my previous post about having too many paints (which can be found here) I mentioned that I’d started to rethink how my hobby paint collection was organised. Since then, I’ve gone on to reorganis…
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Just posted a blog update detailing my painting progress for January - 44 infantry and two artillery pieces! meeples.wordpress.com/2026/02/01/p...
meeples.wordpress.com
Painting Progress for My Elf Army in January 2026
January 2026 has been, from a UK weather point of view, decidedly cold and wet — perfect weather for staying indoors and huddling around a warm painting table. It’s fortunate, then, that the start …
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Played Aliens: Bug Hunt today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/31... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Aliens: Bug Hunt
Work together with your fellow marines to dice your way past the xenomorphs.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Played Star Wars: The Clone Wars today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Use your Jedi powers to fight off the Separatist threat — Pandemic-style.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Played The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/26... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
Heroes explore Middle-earth, working together to combat evil in an epic campaign.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Played Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/18... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game
Roll dice, pick skills, & smash vermin in a grim & dark narrative adventure.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Played Veilwraith: A Veil Odyssey Game today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/28... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Veilwraith: A Veil Odyssey Game
Use your abilities to defeat threats while hunting for keys in the seared lands.
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Played Istanbul: The Dice Game 2 times today boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23... #bggplay via @boardgamegeek.com
boardgamegeek.com
Istanbul: The Dice Game
Roll worker dice to collect and trade resources to acquire shiny rubies!
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Neil Shuck @neilthedwarf.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
A fashionably late look at the games I played last year meeples.wordpress.com/2026/01/08/g...
meeples.wordpress.com
Games I Played in 2025 (and What I Hope to Play in 2026)
I know that this blog post is a little late, given that we’re already into the second week of the new year and it’s traditional for the typical “review of the year” post to appear just before the s…
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