" TRICORNE rules ?" Topic

I know Im a bit old school but does anyone else still use Tricorne rules by Ken Bunger ? While there are a number of period rules out there, I find most are long on flashy photos ,expensive binding etc.. and short on substance .What do you all think ?

Cheers, Mark

I probably still have my book(let) somewhere, but I don't play them… :)

Where can we get those rules? Are they still available?

Wait… Maybe I'm thinking of Tricolor? Sorry… lol

I have them. I played them at Ken's house a few month's ago. I think he is planning to update and republish them, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I like them. Ken knows a tremendous amount about the SYW and it shows in the rules. Since there is no figure removal or need for markers, the table stays " clean". Also, you can start each battle with historically correct numbers of men in each battalion, if you so desire.

I saw a copy in the Abraham Lincoln Bookshop in Chicago.

Tricorn is an awesome set of rules. I liked the balance of luck and skill. I liked the realistic casualty effects and morale. There wasn't anything about them I didn't like. I for one would welcome a reprint. I think Ken would be surprised at how well they would be received. Definitely old school but not quite ever imitated.

I must agree with JSchutt on this . I have been prepairing for a AWI game I will be running at Hurricon and thought I would look at other period correct rules. After reading thru eight or nine sets of rules both in print and out have found most wanting . Im not saying some of the othere rules are not any good ,just I prefer Tricorne at this point .

I game with Ken regularly, so I will let him know there is an interest in seeing Tricorne re-printed.

Another vote for Tricorne. Although I now tend to prefer simpler game systems (read very fast game systems), I can't shake my love for the old Tricorne rules. They are not "fast." But by gosh, you will feel like you've fought an 18th century encounter when you're done. We used them extensively for AWI and War of 1812. They can handle the small battles perfectly. The rules for woods fighting make sense. Movement rates are very generous so things do get moving. The morale rules are the back bone of the system and really make the games. There are some quirks to which modern gamers might have to adjust. The rules use a casualty roster -and you track casualties by the man! Heck, I was sold on the rules when I set up a solo game ages ago and one shot from a British 3lb killed one militia man….and the whole unit routed away. The artillery rules have always been obscure and we fudged our way through them.
If anyone remembers Hal Thinglum's MWAN, I wrote an article years ago about mythical battles that a friend and I fought using Tricorne. If you can find that article, you can glean all sorts of tidbits about how the rules worked for us. If that holds any interest for you, I think I have a copy of the article and could find a way to send.
…And if Bill Protz ever reads reads this…how can I get a color photo of His Majesty's 12th Foot?? I always loved your photo of that unit in the original rules :)

Brian

I had worn out my orig. copy to the point where I had to search (and got lucky!), and found a mint copy to purchase from a 2nd hand dealer.

'Would love to see a reprint!

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Looks like there are 6 of us who play these rules (or at least played them and liked them). Does that mean we have to forma Yahoo group? :)
Are any of you on the Old School Yahoo group? Perhaps we could get Ken to answer occasional Tricorne questions there?
I just emailed my oldest wargaming buddy and practically begged him to play a Tricorne game. The memories just come rushing back!
Thanks for starting the thread Mark.

Brian

Brian,

I belong to the Old School Yahoo Group.

I think a Yahoo 'Tricorn' Group is an excellent idea; our group still plays it on a regular basis.

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

Wow ! I would have never guessed we had so many Tricourne groupies . I have to thank my friend Mr.Schutt for getting me hooked on them . A Yahoo group ! why not .

Cheers, Mark Coolidge

P.S. Please let Mr. Bunger know of our intrest and I do indeed think he might do quite well with a re-print .

Hi fellow Tricorne Groupies:
On reflection, I'm reluctant to start a separate group simply because I know how lazy I can be. And it's always frustrating to go to a Yahoo group that is empty. I think Ken posts to the Old School site so I will ask around there if he reachable – and let him know that his adoring fans want to hear more about the game.
I met him years ago at a Historicon and he did say he wanted to publish an updated version. Maybe if he knows that he will have at least 6 buyers…he'll take the plunge :)

Brian

I still have a copy of Tricorne! Used it and after using it for years still often refer to it for ideas etc. An enjoyable set of rules, but the play system is rather dated these days.

At the SYW Convention, I will be hosting a 25-28-30mm!! game of Tricorne (with all the latest amendments). Dean West will be doing the same scenario in 15m using his rules.

Ken Bunger (I am still alive, sort of)

After many years of not playing these rules, we did just play a game the other night. It was a load of fun. Just a couple of comments. The complexity of the combat results, the die role computations, and the requirement for legal council to interpret draws away from them a little. On the plus side it does cause the player to think like a commander and not a gamer and if used in conjunction with a campaign adds a flavor of reality. I'm looking forward to playing a few more of these games.