"Favorite rules system for Colonials" Topic

I am sure we have had this discussion before but with all the other silliness going on I thought pushing more miniature and miniature rules related topics would be, …well a unique option.

I like the old favorite The Sword and The Flame but lately have been adapting the adaptation of the Brother against Brother rules Valor&Steel&Flesh. I like the fact that it allows for smaller units and therefore fewer figures but has various levels of chrome that one can chose to use or not depending on how you would like to run your Colonial game. Plus there is plenty of detail for characters while not bogging the game mechanics down.

What is your rule system of choice for Colonials? Is is Darkest Africa, Rampant Colonialism, home rules, what is it and why do you like it?

I play TSATF, but I also really enjoy Colonial Adventures by Two Hour Wargames, especially solo. It even has a separate, imaginary background island if you care to mix and match your colonials.

Oh that is a cool idea, the imaginary island thing that is.

Well, I should caveat my response by reluctantly admitting I have not played Colonial era games since I was wearing shorts and a school cap, using the late, great Donald Featherstone's rules.

But if I were, and I do intend to get into the Soudan Campaign one day, I intend to use Black Powder rules. Not just because I am familiar with them, but also because their whole tone and vernacular absolutely drips of the era!

The Sword and The Flame.

Accept no substitutes. You can make any mods yerself.

Eric

For Darkest Africa, I'm currently using Mars Needs Steam. For Northwest Frontier, my rules of choice are Volley and Bayonet , usually at the wing scale.

I like Hank Martin's old 'Soldiers of the Queen' which I'm pretty sure were inspired by and modelled after TSATF. One of the biggest differences between the rules is the elimination of wounded figures and the necessity to turn over cards. Seems to work a bit faster for us.

Mark Fastoso, in his three excellent colonial scenario booklets, includes brief rules adjustments for TSATF that reduce unit size to 8 figures. I've played in a couple of his convention games they work great. I've seen other folks just halve the size of TSATF units. We usually don't do that because we like to be able to subdivide a 20-man platoon into 2 10-man sections for certain tactical situations. It at least lends the appearance of greater flexibility for the Imperial player. Don't know if itdoes but we have fun with it and that's all that counts.

I also just bought a copy of 'A Good Dusting' and it looks like it would be great set of rules for games set in the Sudan. Can't wait to give them a try.

Hey Ragbones,

Yea I am familar with Mark and the gang up Maryland way and their adjustment to TSATF. In many respects it plays like the Sword in Africa variant which is in the back section of the 20th anniversary edition of TSATF. V&S&F uses 9 figure units which also works well. I will be running a V&S&F game at Historicon set in German East Africa with a few pulp elements tossed in. If you are at Historicon the game is titled Jungle Gods.

TSATF

Rick

TSATF. Killing little metal men since 1979…
Peter

Another vote for TSATF. Really fun rules real simple. Plenty of scope for feats of daring do.

Our crowd at Berkeley Vale enjoy Battles For Empire, which I quite like. I also use my own "Don't Throw Bloody Spears At Me"** rules which are a fun, home grown set.

** title to be spoken in a Michael Caine accent :)

TSATF by far followed by Battles For Empire II for larger units and games.

Having said that I've played a few games of Colonial Adventures and enjoyed those too.

Battles for Empire looks good for big battles. My biggest problem with TSATF is that people overload the rule system with too many units (and no modification to the movement process), so you sit around with your thumb up your ass for 45 minutes to an hour waiting for your ten minutes to roll back around again.

What epturner said.

Battles for Empire II is definitely an outstanding set of "big battle" rules for colonial actions, but I think the poster was more interested in skirmish actions, so I would choose TSATF.

Yes aegiscg47 I think I am more into trying for small skirmish to larger skirmish like battles. The game I am running at Historicon is a bit more pulp-like in nature which is why I am using Valor&Steel&Flesh. I do like TSATF and I know it is popular with a number of the folks in the larger area Charlotte gaming group. That is mostly thanks to folks like Chuck Turnitsa when he lived in our area putting on some fantastic games. I would agree that you have to be careful not to overburden what the game is designed to carry.

TSATF

Because it's the best.

TSATF and the many variants…

TSATF--and for those who want to add more units (and defeat the games original, best purpose), get the Battalion Variant, "800 Fighting Englishmen," available from "Sergeants 3," the publishers of everything TSATF.

MUCH faster and cleaner play, and still the same astonishingly flexible game system.

TVAG

If I had to pick one, it would be TSATF. It might be "more Hollywood than history" – but it's also a fine blend of just enough history with just enough of the romantic fiction that fuels our interest. The mechanics somehow seem to fit the period well, but you *really* have to stick to the recommended force size!

For another take on the same general scale of game, Frank Chadwick's old "Soldier's Companion" rules from the Space 1889 series is actually a very fine set of colonial era large skirmish rules, and has a pretty solid skills and traits system. If you like TSATF but want to try something a little different, or if something about TSATF rubs you a little wrong, they're worth a look.

Battles for Empire gives a different sort of game, aimed at higher level battles, and is an excellent compliment to TSATF. I think those two sets are the classics of the period.

Of course, I also rather like my own house rules for large scale Zulu actions! ;)
PDF link

Cheers,

Christopher

@whitemanticore – if you're going a little more on the pulp skirmish side, Soldier's Companion might fit pretty well.