Wargamers gather to test battle skills

Replica battles were played out on tabletop during a wargaming tournament in Whanganui on Saturday.

Organised by Julian Emmett, the event saw about 17 players from as far away as Hamilton and Wellington gathering at Whanganui Intermediate School for the weekend's contest.

"We've got several clubs throughout the country and we have several tournaments that we hold," Mr Emmett said.

Wargaming is a military-based strategy based game.

The game played on Saturday was a World War II-based game with the war split into three periods.

"Depending on what period you are representing it will determine what nations are available and what equipment there is," Mr Emmett said.

He said dice were used to determine how far different pieces were moved but there were more intricate factors too.

"And everyone needs a measuring tape because certain pieces were moved certain distances," he said.

"Terrain will be a factor as well."

Mr Emmett has been interested in wargaming since the 1990s and reckons there's about a dozen regular players in Whanganui.

"There's several things involved but the best thing I like about it is meeting up with other people who have similar interests and hobbies to what I do," he said.

"The camaraderie between us is quite strong."

Mr Emmett said there was a chance Whanganui could play host to the North Island Championships in two years.