"black powder rules" Topic

just bought a set of the above rules but was quite disappointed that it didn't have a quick reference page of all the rules so i can photo copy anyone help your am i being stupid

link

Warlord site
PDF link

thanks to both off you

Also check the yahoo group it has a better and much more easily read QRS of 2 pages

Played these a couple of times and find them to be severely lacking. Just an underwhelming set of rules.

Rules that can do 3 hundred years of war, with very few changes, gotta be lacking somewhere.

I agree that where game designers have devoted time and energy to developing dedicated, period-specific rules, BP is not the best choice, however, there are countless less-studied campaigns that will never receive the same level of ludic attention. This, I think, is where BP's strength lies: as an historical gap filler. I have a personal interest in many of the more obscure H & M conflicts for which BP's adaptability makes it the go-to rules set.

Not surprised it didn't have a quick reference page. This book is so full of fluff it is hard to pull out the rules in it.

If you'll allow a dissenting view.

Played these a couple of times and find them to be severely lacking. Just an underwhelming set of rules.

I'll respectfully disagree, but that is a matter of taste. I'm not aware of any rules set that players find 100% wonderful.

But I will address:

Rules that can do 3 hundred years of war, with very few changes, gotta be lacking somewhere.

I don't know where this comes from. In describing what falls under the Black Powder rules, my copy of BP clearly states, "….we place the War of the Spanish Succession at the beginning and the Second Afghan War at the end of our era…..". My math shows that to be under 200 years (1701 to 1898 inclusively). And there are changes and special rules for the various conflicts, as shown in the example games. I guess it depends on what ones definition of "very few" is.

With the new Nappy supplement, this brings the total of BP supplements to 8.

Not surprised it didn't have a quick reference page. This book is so full of fluff it is hard to pull out the rules in it.

Uhhh. The book is 184 pages big. The first 100 pages is rules. Then there is a 7 page section named, " The Age of the Musket" which may be considered fluff by some. The rest is sample games illustrating different rules and troop lists for various battles over the 200 year black powder area. The final chapters are useful info such a as unit sizes, basing, using different sized figures and costing out troops on your own. The very last two pages are the Quick Reference Sheet. This can also be downloaded on the Warlord website, which is recommended.

I don't mind people not liking the rules, but keep the criticisms accurate and consistent.

In response to your thoughts on my criticism of BP rules.

"Played these a couple of times and find them to be severely lacking. Just an underwhelming set of rules."

I did not find them to my taste and thought the saving throw mechanism following hits being inflicted on a unit was essentially more time consuming than beneficial. It is something that could easily be handled by adjusting the initial hit percentage by the firing unit and reduce the steps (and dice rolling) in the turn sequence allowing play to move along more quickly. The Morale is likewise overly cumbersome and I found it to be not well delineated. The lack of a quick reference sheet for players to use is simply poor design and I find it to mean that the rules have not been play tested and made ready for market.

"I don't mind people not liking the rules, but keep the criticisms accurate and consistent."

I hope that clarifies my thoughts on what I believe to be an underwhelming set of rules and that you find it to be both accurate and consistent.

I hope that clarifies my thoughts on what I believe to be an underwhelming set of rules and that you find it to be both accurate and consistent.

I have no problem with you finding that the rules are not for you. To each their own. As for the inaccuracies and inconsistencies, they were addressed to the comments I quoted above, which I do not believe were from you. I believe I answered them accurately.

But, with that in mind, your comment of:

The lack of a quick reference sheet for players…….

seems a bit off as my copy of BP does contain a QRS as explained above. Also, as described above, they can be downloaded from the Warlord website.