Now that I ordered some new miniatures, I need a set of rules for them. Over the past few days I have been perusing various fast-play big battle horse and musket rules.
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| From https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BattleofLongisland.jpg |
- Simple, intuitive mechanics without too much math
- Uses or can be adapted to a grid - I'll be using an 8x10 gridded battlemat
- 1 unit = 1 stand - I don't want to deal with stand removal
- Minimal record-keeping - I don't mind using markers but I don't want to track a large number of hits per unit. I'm thinking of 2 hits per unit.
- For horse & musket but potentially adaptable to ancients/medieval - I like using the same framework across eras
- Free or not too expensive - I don't want to spend too much (preferably under $10)
- Available in PDF - I prefer my rules in PDF form
- Roll multiple dice but not too many
- Designed for solo play
I've been searching on Wargames Vault, Free Wargames Rules, TMP, Google, etc. What have I found?
One Hour Wargames - I have the book already. However, the combat system violated requirement # 4 as each unit can take 15 hits.
Simplicity in Practice - Another Neil Thomas set. Found a copy and read through it. I found the combat system to be a bit fiddly. First you rolled a number of dice; the number to score a hit varied depending on type of unit. Then you rolled saves if the target is in cover. Finally, you roll one more time to determine if the target gains a demoralization point; the necessary roll depends on the number of hits. I don't mind a roll to hit followed by a save, but this system was too much. Simplicity in practice it wasn't.
DBA/HoTT - A definite possibility, but I go back and forth on the opposed die roll mechanic. Sometimes it feels like it violates requirement # 1 (I have to divide?!). For now, I am looking for something different.
Portable Wargames - I've dabbled with them before but haven't given them a full trial. I need to revisit them. I am concerned that reducing hits to 2 (from 4) will harm the game.
I'm increasingly of the mind that I will end up writing my own rules. However, I like perusing other rules for ideas. I'll keep this blog posted with my research.
I almost always develop my own rules ... I usually start from some mechanic or idea I really want to see in the rules, then build everything around that. And I only add things which I think are really necessary, then add some more during the first few games. Thus, things which my playing group don;t think should be in the rules, do not get added in. That way, you get a really slick design, without too many whistles and bells.
ReplyDeleteI am leaning towards doing just that. As a solo gamer, I only have to worry about pleasing myself.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few One Hour Wargame variants that have reduced the tracking of hits to 6 or less. The Stronghold Rebuilt blog has some of these variants along with Numbers, Wargames and Arsing About blog. Although writing your own rules provide the most enjoyment.
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