"What Napoleonic rules would be best for a traveller" Topic

If I tended to move a lot, which ruleset would probably give me the best chance for a pickup game. So I guess I'm asking what is probably the most popular.

Depends, are you meaning you would move a lot in the US or in the UK or the eurozone or internationally? Just from TMP buzz usage it sounds like Black Powder, but that is tough to know if it is an accurate sampling.

I am not that qualified in the period, but black powder us a great game, and has 2 nappy books and a points system if you line that sort of thing for games.

Is there even a consensus? If you look at the game schedule of a small region con and you will find three different Naps gun using three different sets of rules. Isn't Black Powder one of the current flavors of the day?

Ganesha's Song of Drums and Shakos?

Blucher from Sam le grand fromage Mustafa, if you wait for them, might do well:
You can carry the whole easily rules+cards; need or not miniatures and if so adapt virtually anything to it.
Adapt to space and available time too.

Otherwise you might never learn enough different rules and even ways to have each to be efficient in any.
No consensus.

Of course I might believe thousands will play with mine whenever I publish them…but one has to be realistic. Even wargamers.

Black Powder seems to be an obvious choice, but you did say "pickup game" so maybe not. No points system so it would be a bit harder to make some somewhat even forces etc.

Song of Drums and Shakos would certainly work for a skirmish game.

Drums and Shakos Large Battles would also work.

If you are talking head to head games, Blucher would certainly be another choice. Most of Sam Mustafa's games are designed for head to head play and specifically have a system of balance for tournaments. That was the case with Lasalle anyway.

I wouldn't worry about trying to work out what is popular. I think you will find that most wargamers are delighted to have a living. breathing opponent who is prepared to play a game. Whether or not you know the rules is largely irrelevant, So long as you are willing to stand at one end of the table and roll the dice when required I think you will find you are welcome in most places. For extra brownie points try to express your admiration for your host's paint jobs, terrain. soft furnishings, dog, wife etc. But refrain from having sex with any of them. If you stick to these simple rules I think you will do fine.

Some excellent points, well-expressed SJ !

Yes, if you move around, try to fit in with what`s available.

Mike.

Travellers in Britain tend to ignore most rules……

link

Neil Thomas rules imho. I like Black Powder, but Neil's rules require less miniatures, less space, and you can teach the rules to new players in 15-20 minutes.

Good one, Cerdic!

THERE IS BUT ONE TRUE SET OF RULES FOR HORSE AND MUSKET ERA GAMING! WRG 1685-1845! ALL ELSE IS HERESY!

If you are concerned about using your collection because you travel or change homes a lot, I would concentrate on flexible basing rather than rules choice. Depending on what scale figures you have, if you base on a 20mm frontage (and maybe use magnetic sabots for larger bases), you should be able to slide into most other basing schemes.

CLS