"What ruleset for Franco-Prussian War?" Topic

I love those empire of eagles 28mm figs! What would you recommend at that scale?

If you want to do fights where the basic maneuver unit is the infantry battalion, each of multiple (6 in this case) stands, then I would recommend Larry Brom's "Chassepot and Needlegun" which can be purchased from sergeants3.com .

Jim

I have settled on Neil Thomas's 19th Century rules. They give a very good game with a clear distinction between the French and Prussians.

Mike

Volley and Bayonet or Big Bloody Battles if you're interested in whole battles.

ditto for Chassepot and Needlegun.

Another vote for Chassepot and Needlegun.

Big Bloody Battles

Piquet: Field of Battle 2nd edition (1 unit of 4 bases = battalion).

Charge of the Light Brigade, 2014 edition PDF link <- rules can be used for Crimea, ACW, and FPW (1 unit of 6 bases = battalion)

Chassepot and Needlegun (1 unit of 6 bases = battalion)

Age of Valor (add-on late 19th century rules for Age of Eagles, which is a set of Napoleonic rules based on the Fire and Fury ACW rules)

Volley & Bayonet (1 stands= 1 FPW regiment [3 battalions or 2000-3000 men])

At this point in time, I would use BBB.

Neil Thomas's 19th Century rules, these are loads of fun and very characterful even in their simplicity.

I've had great luck with Volley & Bayonet…

Spicheren, Loigny, and St. Privat… all great fights with it.

Joe Collins

Another vote for Chassepot & Needlegun.

Bloody Big Battles are my rules of choice for the fpw

Chassepot and Needlegun

Chassepot and Needlegun.

Blake

Died for Glory for me

Neil Thomas for me, and for every period bar League of Augsburg and post 1914.

I'd be Piquet: Field of Battle 2nd edition too.

And I'm right there with you on FOB. Really great set of rule! We ran a game for 1866 using my 1/72 armies. The Austrians faced 6 or 8 Battalions of Prussians approaching one of the mountain passes. The Prussians were eager to occupy the hills overlooking the town. They shot up several battalions of Austrians. But were overwhelmed when they charged some Austrians occupying those hills. The Prussians had to withdraw. My buddy Ed playing the Austrians was quite proud of his victory. Just wait till I get that other Brigade of Prussians done!

Thanks.

They Died for Glory, super set, played some large battles well,

Tally Ho!

I've played using Piquet, Chassepot and Needlegun and Neil Thomas's 19th Century rules.

I liked them all but for now we're using Neil Thomas because as HyperBunny said "these are loads of fun and very characterful even in their simplicity".

We use a homegrown version of Neil Thomas' rules. 75% Neil plus command factors, no saving throws and a couple of other things.

The beauty of these rules is their simplicity. If you're in a club where c19th games aren't everyone's regular, it's easy to get games going as everyone picks things up quickly.

I have BBB (look great but not played yet), Principles of War and Fire, 1870 and Furia Francese (or Blut und Eisen as I think it's called now) but Neil's set suits our group just right for now.

Field of Battle 2

Nice cards here: the Prussian pack contains cards for 1866 and 1870.

link

link

I second the recommendations of Neil Thomas' 19th Century Wargaming. I play them using 15mm miniatures, but they will also work for 28mm. Bloody Big Battles is a nice set of rules also and there are many FPW historical scenarios included in the book.

"They Died For Glory" maybe the best set of rules I have ever played in any period. Oh and do it at 15mm. The 28mm figs are tempting but these are really, really big battles.

So I just ordered a ton of lead in 15mm. I will get they died for glory as I have owned it before (who sells it now?).

Volley & Bayonet looks good, but its a Napoleonics ruleset?

V&B has the stats for the FPW era weapons.

Get TDFG from "On Military Matters."

Bloody Big Battles for the Grand Tactical experience.