"LotOW supplements" Topic

Hi,

My group are just about to start playing this (they don't all know it yet, but they are ), and I wondered if anyone out there thought that any of the supplements added so much to the game (apart from extra numbers – not interested in that) that it was worth getting them from the beginning?

Cheers,
Rab

I've got all four booklets and each bring a little something extra to the game.

Frontier introduces Indians, Cavalry and mounted charges. Indians are not in the core rules so this one was a no brainer to me.

The second book for the Alamo takes the system up to company and army level so you push formations instead of individuals. Now leaders are still important and continue to have Fame and Fortune but the effects are different. I actually like this book because it opens the door to using the rules with other periods.

The last book adds more gangs like the Chinese and includes a campaign system and a map to use it with. It also has a ton of suggestions on how to convert the LotOW rules to pretty much any period from 1920's gangsters to World War II, even Napoleonics. I personally use the rules for French and Indian War in this regard and it is a lot of fun. It fits the bill perfectly between fiddly super detailed skirmish rules and mass battle rules.

So I picked up all three as each gave a little more use or expansion to the core system. I have not tried the campaign game so I can't comment on it. Overall, I can safely say I am glad I got them.
Larry

Go on the yahoo group & there is a file listing what's in each book. Might help you decide. They're all good, depends how badly you want the extra posses

Thanks, chaps – I'll head over to the yahoo site.

I think the alamo and plains war books had a lot in them of use. The alamo might not be as useful if you are just planning on doing cowboys as the thing it most adds is mass combat rules. The fourth book, the one that "modifies" for other things, is not as useful and I would recommend not getting that one.

For straight posse reasons …

Core Book: (MUST HAVE)
Cowboys
Lawmen
Outlaws

Frontier: (Other than Rangers – could pass)
Texas Rangers
(US Infantry & Cavalry & Indians)

Alamo: (I consider this a MUST HAVE)
Mountain Men
Comancheros
Mexican Bandidos
(Texican & Mexican troops)

Showdown: (could pass)
Chinese Tong

So for me, the core book and The Alamo offer you the best options. Frontier is mostly about Troopers and Indians. Showdown is mostly about a bunch of things, with one new posse added.

You are good to go with just the main rules. But if you can afford one other expansion, I would recommend Alamo. Next would be Frontier, last would be Showdown. IMHO.

And that PDF you are going to find on the Yahoo group, listing the contents in detail, is mine : D

Put that together because I wanted to know what came in each book (the PDF is a more detailed listing that what I just rambled off above).

@SeattleGamer – good work, that man! That has answered my questions exactly. I shall consider that Alamo book very carefully.

Yes seattlegamer but i put you up to it!

Happy to help!

Not that you can't have plenty of fun games with just the core gangs, but especially if you are going to rope in some unsuspecting types to join in, its nice to have a few more than three options. The Alamo book could double your gang mix potentially.

Also, remember the list above was all (and only) about the gangs. Those other books also add new scenarios, and new hired guns, a few new weapon options, etc. But initially, the core book for the main stuff, and the Alamo book for the extra gangs, and I think you are set.

And yes … CooperSteve … : D

Though I confess to being a list-maker from way back. I get it in my mind something needs to be catalogued and away I go. EVEN IF I DON'T WANT TO … I can't help myself.

At least with LotOW I actually wanted such a list.

ALAMO's posses are worth having. Plus i love 1836 & plan to game it Il Grande Style one day