"Favorite Wargames Book Cover?" Topic

What is your favorite book cover for a set of rules?

I know, it's what's inside that counts, but a nice cover is pretty cool too!

Post up your pics and let us know why!

I'll start, I'll always be partial the WFB 3rd ed. Haven't played in 25 years, but this is where it all started for me and it's kinda what I expect a rulebook cover to look like.

Off the top of my head (and without much originality!), I'd say the Rogue a Trader cover. Very evocative of the world, I have spent some time taking in all the details.

MajorB, you beat me to it !

Just seeing the cover of Charge! cheers me up …

Phil

Essentially the same reason as the OP states. Although not my first set of rules, the ones that really got me going.

link

I don't know how to make it a picture post. Like "Charge," it is a classic.

Thinking about this question makes me realize I'm not terribly excited by most rulebook covers, even the retro ones. Part of it is that, even though I'm a miniature wargamer through-and-through, I have a slight aversion to book covers that (to my mind) go to extremes with mayhem and bloodshed, or the idolization of militarism. Unorthodox though it may sound, I tend to prefer covers that are more "adventurous" than "warlike", perhaps featuring vistas of exotic or awe-inspiring locations and characters engaged in something other than all-out warfare or militaristic grandstanding (while retaining a sense of tension/confrontation or the implication that there's conflict going on in connection to what is being shown). Meanwhile I get that this isn't really representative of wargaming, so there aren't a lot of book covers that fit the description. But that's fine, I've just never given it much thought.

The 40K Rogue Trader cover.

It pretty much nails the "images should tell a story" approach to illustration.

Of course, it was good enough to be used by Bolt Thrower too, so hey.

Lot going on in this one.

DM

This one started it all off for me:

Ditto for getbacks choice.

My first wargaming book and one of the best.

Yes, Martin Rapier and getback, that one brings an immediate smile too … I'm surprised how iconic these 60s/70s covers are – they say you don't judge a book by the cover but seeing them does trigger a lot of nostalgia

Phil

2nd edition Battletech cover. link

Here is mine,

Mine is definitely this one

I even made a vignette of it once.

auction

Though not a rule book, per se, I always smile at this tongue-in-cheek cover. The late roman legionary soldiers in the army list can be equipped with a vast array of weapons (hence the SMG and hand grenade!), including darts. This soldier is declaring, in Roman numerals of course, his feat of achieving a perfect 180 score on a 3 dart throw against his surprised opponent…and all this while sporting a peace symbol necklace (pax romana?) and a wristwatch.

Not only because it's my favorite rules set ever but also because I think it has a great cover design that conveys their approach to the period. Certainly not the most action-packed cover but has a lot of graphic impact, at least IMHO!

***Honorable Mention for me will go to Joseph Morschauser's "How to Play Wargames in Miniature" with the B&W photo of a painted 54mm ACW Union cavalry bugler on a white horse, superimposed over a military map. This for no other reason than pure nostalgia, it being the book that started me down this long and winding Hobby Road!***

EDIT: managed to snag a pic online:

I always loved the Mega-Traveller cover.

The best cover was the one with the 6'2" blonde with the curvy figure in skin tight, low cut gauzy Cleaopatra Costume, with a sexy, sultry smile and a come-hither look Standing behind the table top with the ancient armies spread out before her.

I go with TSATF as well.

I am with 79th PA "The Wargame" by C.S. Grant

TSATF

John Sibbick's cover for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay:

The visuals really did set the stage for the game. Sibbick's original painting apparently now resides in a private collection: link

Ron

The old adage 'Don't judge a book by its cover' is extremely important to remember when purchasing wargame rules!

My vote is for Charge! because the cover is both attractive and a pretty accurate indication of the style of game given by the rules. Contemporary or modern paintings of battles are just eye candy.

I also go with TSATF.