"Genpei Wars period Samurai-Best Rules?" Topic

What are the best rules for tis period of samurai warfare. I have a few for 16th century warfare like Killer Katanas. Are there any for this earlier period?

Medieval Warfare by Terry Gore. Not Samurai specific but I use them for this period.

If you do a search in here there are several reviews.

Skirmish or big battle ?

None specific for mass battles that I know of, probably because this era is thought of mainly as "skirmish" but try the free download set called "Bushi" by RJ Rockefeller:

link

It claims to cover the whole samurai period from 1100 – 1600 however the complex army formations in the rules are only appropriate for the 16th Century (and even then it's dubious how long these could be maintained).

There's evidence that early period individual clan bands/units sometimes used wedge or "crane-wing" (inverted V) but nothing at a higher level as "armies" were temporary loose gatherings of forces and did not drill together.

Barry Lovell's "The Age of the Country at War" also has many features suitable for early samurai battle despite being nominally intended for the 16th Century. Taiko! similarly. Neither of these sets bother with complex army formations. Just make sure to avoid late-period weaponry as in the 12th Century it's pretty much just bow, naginata and tachi (plus some exotic/rare extras such as kumades and a few surviving o-yumi crossbows and hoko spears).

Maybe someone should write a specific "Way of Horse and Bow" set?

I adapt either Peter Pigs Samurai set or Impetus – depending on the type of game I want.

Skirmish then WHaA from Two Hour Wargames will soon have a dedicated Genpei supplement :-) which handles bigger battles as well (really very large skirmish).

Also Songs of Blades and Heroes also has a free, fan done (me) samurai supplement although you'd have to do the other participants until I get round to it.