"On the Seven Seas Review" Topic

I was lucky enough to get a copy of the pirate rules On the Seven Seas by Osprey/North Star at Historicon, But learn why I'm not recommending these rules:

link

Steve

I preordered mine, and was really anxious to get them, but haven't found the time to really sit down and read them well. And while I've obviously not played them, I could foretell of some of the issues you brought up. Given the standardized Osprey formats, if nothing else, it was a bit overambitious to include ship actions as well.

Mr Peers' rules have long been a bit of a bugbear for me. He has authored a lot of in my areas of interest, and while I really like a lot of his overarching ideas, his nuts and bolts mechanics have always left me cold.

I admit, my first reaction was to the photos. While North Star OBVIOUSLY sponsored the book to some degree, and their shiny, new pirate minis are great (and very well painted), they are featured in virtually all of the many photos. So we get to see the same, what, two dozen miniatures, over and over again. It would have been nice to see some representation of some other of the many lines (even if they didn't foot the bill), especially considering their is NO representation of minis from the 16th century. Because they are not among NS's fledgling pirate line. I'd have sooner they used some public domain images instead.

That alone makes it a poor choice, and if I had the opportunity to peruse this ruleset at any length before buying (not really an option for me), I wouldn't have made a purchase due to these (admittedly knee-jerk) reactions.

Thank you for your review, Steve!

Having checked out so many different rule sets why not take what you like from them and add what you felt was missing or not handled properly to create your own set of rules for you and your friends?

Disco Joe-

We have actually started that, but put it on hold when this rulest was announced. Now W're going to be cracking that document open again.

I'll post here when I get something done and tested and make it available.

Steve

You can't fault a company for featuring their own miniature range in the rulebook. I don't see that as a fault in the rules at all. You also neglect to mention that the book is filled with beautiful illustrations from many different Osprey titles. It's probably one of the best illustrated historical rule books I've seen, and certainly the best pirate rules book. The problem is the rule mechanics. Osprey seems more interested in turning out substance light one shot rule books from a lot of different genres rather than coming out with quality rules. I see the rules as advertisements for miniatures and other Osprey titles more than anything else, which makes for a good looking book but not for a good game.

I see the rules as advertisements for miniatures and other Osprey titles more than anything else, which makes for a good looking book but not for a good game.

I get that from this one, but definitely not the other one I own (Dux Bellorum)

You can't fault a company for featuring their own miniature range in the rulebook.

a) If I buy a Space Marine codex, only Official GW Minis are pictured inside. Surprised? Is that turnip truck coming back for you later? But this is an OSPREY title, so sorry if I didn't expect to see (since my only real option was to buy it sight unseen) it as a another proprietary publication.

b) Is four (4) packs of miniatures a "line"? Anyone?

Maybe NS would have been better served to have waited til it could crank out a few more packs before this book was published.

CHEESY.

Will be sticking to Legend of the High Seas then it seems.

Osprey seems more interested in turning out substance light one shot rule books from a lot of different genres rather than coming out with quality rules. I see the rules as advertisements for miniatures and other Osprey titles more than anything else, which makes for a good looking book but not for a good game.

Can't comment on the Seven Seas ruleset, but I think Dux Bellorum and IHMN are pretty decent rulesets published by Osprey. Dux Bellorum gives one heck of a game, and in my humble opinion, is a tight, well-written set. Seems that like anything else, some Osprey rule sets will be hits and others will be duds.

Enjoyed your review….mostly because you clearly state what you liked and did not like. The advantage to this is that what one person may dislike another may like depending on individual tastes. For example, your criticism of the simplicity of ship combat would be a plus for me since I feel ship games are generally too complex. The good thing is that your review is detailed enough where I feel can make a better decision about the rules.

I have both Dux Bellorum and Ronin, as well as Force on Force which I don't count as Osprey, and enjoy them both.

After reading your review I am glad I didn't jump on 7 Seas. My favorite pirate rules so far are A Bottle of Rum from THW. I like their rules in general, and find the campaign book adds a lot.

I agree that it is likely some of the Osprey games will be better than others. This has held true for every publisher and every game line I know of.

Glaring error on the reviewers review of OTSS. Small guns are -2 on the damage roll, not on the to hit roll. That is made very clear in the rules. Small guns are not more effective as on the damage table you can not sink the ship as Rolls of 9 and 10 become 7 and 8 on the damage table.

I enjoy the rules so far but wonder about the morale rules for d 10 for each lost figure in the last turn. Last turn deaths or total deaths on your side during the game upto the turn?

Nice review. I think you pointed out the good with the bad. I won't be picking this up either, although the Northstar miniatures might very well become purchases if I decide to stick with Pirates.

I found Osprey's Fistful of Kung Fu to be lacking, too…although to be fair I only read the rules, I never played them. Some great ideas, but very very chart-heavy, IMO. Nice looking rulebook and again, a showcase for the Northstar miniatures (which again are fantastic).

Our group has played this a few times and found games to be very enjoyable.

Henry I agree with you, I have played about 4 games and have found it to be quite fun.

I use the rules as is in 15mm. In 28mm I do think the ranges ate two small but in 15mm it seems to be ok in the games we have played.

Thanks for sharing your review, and the QRS.

The gun ranges do sound rather short, but as mentioned, for 15mm, perhaps they are okay.

I think the issue of advancing with muskets, and the other side choosing to flee is probably reasonable, especially for pirates, who might be less inclined to fight as disciplined troops, unless they can get the drop on someone by surprise. Fleeing before more heavily armed opponents sounds like a wise tactic.

The hit rate of 10% sounds about right for long-range musket fire too, but I guess you could always modify that a bit, if desired.

The ship movements on the QRS seem wrong to me. I'm okay perhaps with galleys, due to their rowers, and unique mast design and sails being able to point well into the wind.

The sloop angles are just plain wrong though.

Sloops should also be able to point into the wind much better than regular square-sailed vessels, so perhaps those angles need to be reversed.

Yes, ships being destroyed so quickly seems odd to me as well. Perhaps switch to a D20 for damage results, and anything over a 10 does no damage at all.

Cannon fire against ships had thus far been pretty ineffective in our games.