"Science vs. Pluck For Plains Wars" Topic

I haven't bought these rules yet but they interest me. Would they work for Plains Wars as well as other colonial wargaming?

I have never seen the rules. However, I have studied the Plains Indian wars for my whole life. Fighting Sioux and Cheyenne was totally different than Zulus and Fuzzy Wuzzies. If they had some special rules to reflect how the Plains Indians fought they might work. Otherwise, I would guess not.

Tom

No, SvP is quite 'period-specific' in its approach – designed for the Sudan Wars, somewhat adaptable for other theatres (such as Zulu Wars and NWF) but I think, as Garryowen says, it's a step too far to model the Plains Wars with them.

If you're looking for suitable rules, try "Yellow Ribbon" or sign up to test the planned 'big battle' supplement to 'Sharp Practice' advertsied on other posts and sites.

Alright, thanks for the info. I didn't realize there was a Sharp Practice supplement coming out.

I kind of disagree with the "period specific" stuff.
90% of the game is the role playing aspect, and you can do that with the "rules" ignored.
SVP (and I do not mean Scott Van Pelt) is meant to have the players advance their own personal agendas, with the GM running the Bad Guys.
You can easily use your favorite Plains Wars rules set, but using SVP to introduce that idiotic correspondent for the Times (New York), Custer, Reno, Benteen, Wind Breaker, Frank Grouard. etc.

In fact, given the personalities, I think SVP is IDEAL for the Plains War. Read Flashman and the Redskins…

I think the mechanics could be adapted to the plains.

Thanks also for the input, John. Sounds like a few tweaks here and there, it's doable.

Ahh.. I should've read this first. TMP link

"The system works in many periods where limited intelligence and a cunning enemy are the keynotes; I've done Romans versus Britons, US cavalry versus Apaches, Napoleonic French verusus guerillas."

I've done plains wars with the rules – they do work well with the Indians as bogeymen which takes some rule modifications.

Once upon a time I wrote some modifications to the rules for the Plains Wars – I called 'em "Custer's Luck" – but that was a very long time, and three computers ago. Published in 'The Heliograph' in the 1990s.

I'll see if I can find them.

But, basically, if you treat the plains tribes as cunning savages determined to lurk silently until the players make an inevitable mistake due to being hopelessly incompetent (as we all are) you won't go far wrong.

Try "Pony Wars" rules, on whose Indian reaction charts the SVP charts were modelled.

That's what I like about this forum – it opens your eyes to new opportunities – fingers crossed that Howard can find a copy of "Custer's Luck" which would be really helpful, rather than start from scratch.

And the more you think of it, the more similarities there are – plenty of lunatics on the Plains (on both sides) to rival Hicks, Burnaby, Buller and Kitchener, I guess.

Thanks, Howard I'd love to see those rules. BTW is Science vs. Pluck going to be in print soon. On TVAG's website it was going to be pdf only until May 1st. Just wondering.

Daghan, I'd love to check out Pony Wars but Unfortunately they seem to be OOP and hard to find.