"Rules for starting in the Great War" Topic

As it says in the heading, I am looking for suggestions for returning to this period after a long hiatus.

I have a collection of 6mm Irregular Miniatures and, many years ago, played using Command Decision Over the Top rules. I very much disliked the counters and markers on the table, by the way.

I am sure that things have moved along a lot since then and would welcome comments/suggestions on the current runners and riders. From searching about, I have seen mention of Crush the Kaiser, Bloody Picnic and now GWSHII and these seem to be the main contenders. However, they may be pitched at differing levels of play and I would very much appreciate any comments and suggestions.

My preference is for the large battles (hence the choice of 6mm), more so in 1914 so I can field the nice French uniforms! Also, the rules must not be overly complicated and give a game that 2 players could complete in a couple of evenings.

Thanks,

Alan

I play Square Bashing by Peter Pig, they are abstract and the smallest unit is a Battalion, made up of sixteen figures in 15mm. You could make a battalion much bigger with 6mm and have a real sense of the grand battles of 1914. They are pretty simple rules, games will last about two hours and there's very few counters to clutter up the board.

Very recommended.

If I remember right Over the Top had each standas a platoon. GWSH has each stand as a company. I would highly recommend the GWSH rules they are great for large actions.

I like the GWSH rules, and played the previous version a bit when the rules were in vogue.

I thought over the top were ok and not particularly chit heavy.

I don't think bloody picnic would work very well for 6mm. I had a set of rules some years ago that were similar to Blenheim to balaclava (A5 booklet – orange cover?) that covered mass combat with irregular miniature sized blocks in a free kriegspiel manner – only about 16 pages long but remarkable in the feel of the rules – I think there were rules for early, middle and late (pre 1915, 1915-17 and 1917 on)