"Rules for Robin Hood" Topic

I have long been tempted by Splintered Light's Robin Hood line, but what rules to use? Help me out here for 15mm Dark Ages skirmishing. I had thought about Ganesha Games' Song of Blades and Heroes, but after reading the blurb on their site, not sure it would be a good choice. Any ideas?

I believe MexicanJack wrote a set a lighthearted rules; perhaps they are available on-line.

I wrote a Robin Hood campaign for SOBH several years ago, after the RH SLM figs came out. (David McBride of Splintered Light is my son, and I wrote SONG OF THE SPLINTERED LANDS for Ganesha Games.)

It needs playtesting, and I'll be glad to send a copy to anyone who will undertake to play it and get back to me. So far in the past 5 years I have sent it to 3 different playtesters and not heard anything back from any.

Basically Robin starts with one other buddy, like Little John. They raid a village and disrupt tax collection, and get away with a recruit or two. That's a game of SOBH. Next game is set in the forest, with the outlaws evading a sheriff's posse. Or ambushing a wealthy party of the king's highway. Games of SOBH continue, possibly a dozen or more. Either the sheriff will kill Robin, winning the campaign, or Robin's outlaws will grow in number and Quality until they can defeat the sheriff instead of just escaping him.

if you are interested and WILLING to give it a try and then give me feedback, send me an email at docmcbride@comcast.net.

You'll need SOBH for the rules.

If you want a unit skirmish game, I second Pig Wars as great for this.

I ran this game set in York featuring Saxon bandits, Normans, Vikings, and rebel Saxon Nobles: link Robin's name was changed to protect the innocent.

Mostly for nostalgic reasons, I would recommend the Rules According to RAL…which I used for gaming Robin Hood vs. Nottingham skirmishes using 1/72 Airfix figures in my teens.

link

I've used Song of Blades and Heroes for some slightly larger Robin Hood games (such as this one: link ).

As an alternative, Crooked Dice's "7th Voyage" rules have a supplement called "Once and Future" which mention Sherwood (so I would imagine they cover Robin Hood &c!)

Mexican Jack's are called Outlaws of Sherwood, and if they are anything like the Battletroll rules they are based on, they should be fun.

Doc, sounds like a great idea! Wish I had the time to playtest it for you.

+1 for Outlaws of Sherwood.

Here's what you need –

link

"You can raise your own outlaw band, or become a proud knight with his retinue of men-at-arms. As Robin you can win archery contests, disguise yourself in unlikely ways, and get knocked off a log by people you just met. As the wicked sheriff, you can oppress the peasants, chase Merry Men through the Greenwood, and do that evil laugh you always wanted to do.

The core rules are simple, designed for new wargamers of all ages to pick up and play. Additional rules allow for personalizing your own band for good or evil, and developing your characters and their followings through a series of games. We include a whole set of scenarios, from simple starter encounters to full-blown multi-player battles. You can play out a full ongoing campaign where your heroes and their followers gain success and reputation – or don't."

Maybe I dreamt/imagined this, but does Lion Rampant have 'rules' for Robin Hood, or at least references?

Don't actually have them, I'm sure I read that about them though.

Yes, Lion Rampant has 'army lists' for Robin Hood.

I have some boards made up for the SAGA rule set for both Robin's and the Nottingham forces. If you want a copy let me know your email. Alan

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the input. I'll check out the game, Mexican Jack. Doc, not sure I'm ready to undertake any playtesting at the moment. I'll see what thye group thinks.

Chain reaction maybe.

This might seem a bit out there but Lord of the Rings, the rules from when the movies came out. Its the same sort of thing- faceless hordes with some stand out characters

Several TMPers have volunteered to playtest, so I am grateful to Sundance for starting this thread.

JJ Files sent. Expect to receive 3 mails. 2 containing PDF files of the boards and 1 word document of the special rule explanations. Regards Alan In Canberra (Australia)

John,

As one of those who received a copy of your rules, please accept my sincere apologies for not getting back to you regarding the results of the playtesting.

Even though I have still been involved with the hobby, I haven't played a game in almost 2 years.

The rules haven't been forgotten and I am still willing (I have them printed in a folder along with various other Robin Hood themed scenarios, etc). I have recently been buoyed by the fact that a friend showed interest in the SOBH system, so I hope to be able to get something going in the near future.

Barry, thanks, and no problem. Life happens! This is one of multiple projects, and has been back burner, really until this thread reignited my interest. I think SOBH is a great system, and think some of the optional rules I did in SOSL will work very well in a RH context -- but I've just been too busy to FINISH it.

We used Lion Rampant in both our Robin Hood Games

Great Fun…

link

link

Another vote for Pig Wars.

Eric, I'm not familiar with Lion Rampant – is it a skirmish game or an army game? Do figures represent more than one person?

It's a grand skirmish game.

The 'Hoodiness' would come mostly from your imagination and choice of scenarios; the only factors that distinguish the subject from any other you might choose to represent are the army list and troop mix.

Sundance – the figures represent 1 to 1

As Henry Martini states the Hollywood Nature of our games comes down to the scenario and the players themselves – for instance I played the Sheriff of Nottingham in the first game – I was very happy to ride down peasants but thee was no way I was going to put myself in danger…unlike Sir Brave Ivanhoe and the rash Guy de Guisborne

Sounds like fun!

I think Osprey's Ronin would work.