Welcome to the Lead Pursuit Podcast! We are a wargaming podcast specializing in aerial combat wargames, such as Blood Red Skies. We also talk about other miniatures-based wargames, boardgames and aviation, along with our general rambling about military topics. Thanks for taking time to visit us, and please let us know how you like the podcast!
Merged is an aerial combat game focused on the close-in fight at what is referred to as Within Visual Range (WVR). Streamlined mechanics allow players of all skill levels to quickly maneuver their aircraft without detailed knowledge of aerial combat physics or tactics. Air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and surface-to-air defenses are all included as part of the rules.
The Design Team is headed by Doug Glover, host of the Lead Pursuit Podcast. After co-designing several systems including Beyond MiG Alley and Fulcrum Leader, he decided it was time to branch out and head a design team himself. Many of the players that contributed to the rules for Beyond MiG Alley have returned to help with the playtesting of Merged.
Merged is currently in playtest and more details will be released in late 2026.
Merged is designed to be scale-agnostic, but the designers play with the Squadron Commander line of aircraft in 1:200th scale for the visual appeal. These miniatures are available here in the Lead Pursuit Store