"Why do you play the rules you play?" Topic

Here's a thought. What is it that causes you to play the rule sets you do ? Maybe pick more than 1 reason, say 3 ?

1. They are realistic rules which allow me to play what I beleive to be a reasonably historically accurate game.
2. they are quick – I only have a couple of hours to game in.
3. They are slow, and, I think, more accurate in their results because of the extra detail.
4. I've always played them, they seem to work ok.
5. They are the latest new set that all the cool kids are migrating to.
6. I wrote them – they give the perfect game and I know the correct interpretation of anything that's unclear.
7. I play tournaments and play whatever the tournament rules are.
8. I am searching for the perfect rules et – one day I'll find it but until then I try everything that comes my way.

Must be other reasons too. Discuss !

2 & 8…

1 & 6

Although where the rules I wrote thing goes, most of the people that play them regularly know them better than I. You see, if you write rules, you go through all kinds of permutations before you settle on a particular way of doing things. Trouble is, you cannot 'flush' your brain of all that went before. So I spend just as much time with my nose in my own rules as others -- probably more.

Simple rules quickly become boring and lack the depth I often desire. I like a game that is intellectually challenging -- but also a game that moves right along.

So if I may, add the following:

Elegant rules that capture the flavor of the period and create a good 'game'.

mjc

6,7,8

6

10) (maybe a re-write of 7) I don't choose the rules but play what ever is on offer at the club.

1,2, and 6

Easy to learn and teach.

11) They are not that great, but its that or play by myself.

also 2 & 8

Huh! My main reason for playing the rules that I play is because they are fun.

You know – I loooked at the list and I knew I'd forgotten something.

Fun – very important.

1 & 8 plus fun. Which also applies to the gaming group. If either the games are rewarding or the people are fun, I'll keep coming back, if neither is true…

I reason I play is for a combination of fun, ability to find opponents, and being simple enough for me to understand.

1&2

Because they're fun….

4. I just like them. That's all.

How about 'I like the full color illustrated rulebook!'

Jake

1

fun and real tactics work in the game.

Honestly, most people are going to vote some combination of the above, so better make the poll multiple choice, if you're going to run it at all.

What Terrement said, and 'because it fits my available time'

1 & 2…I prefer my games to represent some aspect of historical reality, realizing that ANY game compromises something. But I'm constrained by the need to have a game that can finish in 3-4 hours, given the demands of family and work.

All but the last 4… I don't care what's popular or about 'tournaments'… and no set of rules is ever going to be 'perfect'.
I also find I'm attracted to rules that are a bit less 'commercial'… less flashy in their presentation and marketing. There is usually more real meat on their bones than the ones with hardback books and full color glossy photos/illustrations.

12 fun (21maine, Iclapp, Ouzel)
13 internally self-consistent
14 elegant (JJ & Quidvertas)

Yes.
I like Warmaster.

4 is a close fit for me. Too much trouble to switch rulesets when you only get to play 5-6 times a year. I've managed to borrow elements from other rulesets to keep it interesting, too.

Like 21eReg, 1 & 8 & fun

2 and 6. our own rules are fun and help sell more of our products. we try others too from time to time.

15. Tehey provide for a good game. For me, this is sort of the opposite of 1 and a combination of 12, 13 & 14.

and 2.

7) I don't choose the rules but play what ever is on offer at the club
11) They are not that great, but its that or play by myself

Similar to consectari…I do not play often so for me it is important that rules work for multiple eras rather than trying to remember specifics of a set that only gets used once or twice a year.

so 16: Same rules can be used for multiple periods/eras.

I use Impetus variants for Fantasy and Historicals from Biblical up to 17th Century, Volley & Bayonet (1st ed) from there up to WW1 and Spearhead from there to Modern. The entire history of warfare in 3 rule sets.

2 & 6.

1,2 and 4, and they are fun!

Because I and my gaming companions like them well enough.
-Kle.

2, 6 & 8. Abd of course, world peace urr I mean they are fun
Of course, I am sure I have played rulessets for virtually every reason listed.

I think they are fun and model things that I like to see modelled in combat. They are also easy to read and understand.

Pictor took the words out of my mouth.

1 and 2, also Pictors and whitemanticore and I all seem to be on exactly the same wavelength.

Number 9: They're fun.
Weaselhoffen.