"Large Skirmish Rules?" Topic

So I was wondering what was out there for large skirmishes, like 80-150 or so figures per side.
I like Sharpe Practice but I'm looking for something else. I haven't seen the second edition yet, but I was looking for something a little faster I think.
I know that Chosen Men from osprey is coming out.
If possible, I'm looking for something in more of a cinematic vein.

So, which rulesets do you guys like and why?
Thanks!!

Songs of Drums and Shakos.

100 figs per side is too big for SoDaS.

I like a lot of the mechanisms of Brother Against Brother but maybe that's hard to get now.

Yes, BAB would be a good choice if you can find it somewhere at a reasonable price. You could also use a TSATF variant easily enough.

"61-65" by Ganesha Games. They are for the ACW, but can be converted to other periods.

The Sword and the Flame definitely fits within the figure range you are looking for, as infantry are 20 figures per unit, so that is 4 to 8 units per side. Definitely cinematic.

I have run SP1 many times with 80+ per side with no problems. Haven't tried it yet with SP2.

Sharp Practice 2 is very different to the original, it's really a completely new rule set rather than an update. You should look at that as I can't think of any other set suitable.

interesting answers….me too i's looking for a large skirmish set of rules to play Vendée which is similar to Napoleonic in certain aspects and i particularly love TSTAF..please Dale Hurtt where could i find TSATF amendments for Napoleonic or similar?..

SP2 can allow it if you use formations and multiple basing.

Formations are groups of several basic units (of 6-10) in what is really one big unit (so does not mentally requires much more than one separate unit). It can easily have 30-50 figs. In napys even good skirmishers can act in such realistic formations.

Multiple basing with magnets or counters for losses will ease/speed up the physical task just like any other rules/ game scale.
I play AWi where mostly Sk are not in formation and easily handle 10 units a side (incl formations 1-3 a side) 70-90 minis.

The Sword in the Forest is a FWI variant that you can buy from Three Sergeants on their website. Something $5 USD or $7. USD

Or you can look in the TSATF forum on this site and read the threads where people have used standard TSATF rules for AWI, etc.

Basically treat a musket as a carbine in range and chance to hit. Rate better troops as British, lesser as Egyptians, worst as Boer, etc. Once you have decided what values everyone uses, create your own QRS so you don't have to do all of the translating in your head.

The question really comes down to: should I account for reloading or should I simply abstract it away. Given that a turn in TSATF certainly does not represent the time span in which a single shot occurs, you can lower the To Hit numbers to represent the lower volume of fire.

Muskets & Shakos is made for this action. You can download the TOC to see what's covered in the rules.

link

Here's a Bat Rep. Just check the blog for more as there are tons of them.

link

I don't think he asks for division or brigade engagements but something like representing a few 100 per sides .I most of the times consider each fig in SP2 to be 2 actual men and sometimes 3-4. Fits the scale in 18mm.

Thanks DH …i will study your proposed amendments..i also find on TSTAF yahoo group files a Napoleonic variant but it's not complete…what is lacking, and in fact difficult to decide how to represent it, is the formation…skirmish/open order permitted to who?..at this scale only to lights or proably to all? ecc…anyway an interesting topic to study…
TSATF is really a good choice ..in this way, thanks to many variants available and the format of the rules, you can standardise the games…and remenber better the mechanism…personally..except periods from late WW1 to modern..i tend to play everything with TSTATF..as my conception of wargame tabletop..is big skirmish.."bathtubing" the scale if i need to reconstruct historical battles…and with units based individually (except some spear/sword armed small % of natives) and, in case, transported by trays made from used DVD

Sharp Practice 2 plays much more quickly and smoothly than the original version and can handle a more cinematic style of game quite easily. It's designed for a narrative style of game. Using formations you could easily handle the numbers you are looking for with a little practice.

The TSATF Napoleonic variant assumes you have the TSATF/20 rules, so it only gives you the charts and the period-specific rules. I looked at them again tonight, in fact. I like how he has the concept of giving three actions to each unit and that reloading is built into it. So if you are standing and firing, reloading and firing occurs all in a single turn BUT if you move, then something has to give.

I also like his concept of formed and unformed lines and that after each move you have to dress the line or get penalized by not being allowed to fire the second rank until you do. Several subtle ideas in there.

In answer to "who can use what order" I think it is intended that you do the research. To cover all of the unit types in all of the armies, for each year, would have made the document lengthy. Things like Revolution and Empire are good for that (seeing as the rules are pretty useless, at least to me) kind of detail.

Certainly "true" light troops should be able to go into open order, e.g. French Legere, British Rifles and Lights, Austrian Jaegers, etc.

Yes, I agree on finding a solid system and expanding upon that. They do have an official post-WW I variant (NW frontier, 3rd Anglo-Afghan War, etc.) and I have seen, but not played, a WW II variant that looks really nice. One day I will play that as I have quite a few painted 28mm WW II troops collecting dust…

I also like the "big skirmish" games. Mostly because I start periods doing skirmishes and then cannot help but collect more troops! :D

Sharp Practice. Try the second edition. I think you'll find it well worthwhile.