"Warfare In The Age Of Reason 3rd Edition" Topic

I see these rules are out and some have received them per Facebook. I never played them but heard about them. I have SYW lead and am debating if these rules are worth it. My figures are not based per the system though. My system has a unit as three-six man bases, or three bases for cavalry with three figures per base. Not keen on rebasing if the system is not flexible.

Are they actually an age of reason set or are they really SYW rules?

I can't speak to the 3rd but I played a decent amount of AIR in the past, the rules counted castings and battalions were typically 4 bases of 3 figures each. Some people used double bases of 6 figures each but just counted the front figure. I'm thinking deterrent very flexible on account of figure counting with casualties and such. That being said I guidelines the rules and thought they gave a good feel for the rigid linear combat of the time. Hope this helps in some small amount.

There is a provision in the rules for "large" battalions.
You simply roll more dice.

I wouldn't use them for WSS but would for WAS and SYW. As far as basing goes, you can always work around that. NO set of rules is worth rebasing. None.

I wouldn't rebase. We have played these with units ranging from 8-24 figures. As Winston said, you just adjust your dice based on how may figures you have

I just posted a video discussing the 3rd Edition book.

The "standard" basing for infantry is 3 figures on a 1.5" X 1" base, and cavalry is 2 figures on a 2" X 2" base. That said, as long as both sides are based the same (regardless of how units are actually based) it won't make a difference. Standard unit sizes are 12 figures per unit. There are optional rules to allow for 24 figure units, but really, you can have it look how ever you would like and I think it would work just fine.

The rulebook covers everything from WSS/GNW to AWI. The core of the rules are based around 7YW, but there are extra rules that can be used to make the game more appropriate for the GNW/WSS. There is also a couple of pages of explanation in how/why the WAS is also different from the 7YW, and how to make those few adjustments to get it to work properly for that as well. I am no expert or scholar on the WSS/GNW, but from what I can tell, the extra rules provided (plus all of the notes given in the WSS/GNW army lists) give you everything you would need to get the unique feel of that specific time period.

What are the rules and improvement over the second edition ? Are they worth getting, or is it better to get the second edition at half the price because the changes aren't significant?

The difference is more additions than changes. The tac rules and Sport of Kings are about 80 % unchanged and the changes are mostly streamlining and clarifying. The additions are a very expanded army list section including WSS and GNW, 3 scenarios and a new 2player campaign system and a module for it for 1758 Austro-Prussian campaign for Silesia. And full color throughout.

Thanks for the clarification. More attention to the WSS sounds interesting.