"Rules using signal flags" Topic

IIRC there was a set of rules that used signal flags to command fleet movements. I suppose these were multi-player games. Anyone know the name of these rules?

I don't know as there was a set of rules using them. There was a set of rules FOR signal flags that could be used with any game rules. I have it but can't remember what it's called at the moment.

Fire as She Bears had a signal system Hoist Signals Aloft.
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I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but Jeff Knudsen's rules "Admirals" (found here on Jeff's War Artisan web site: warartisan.com/rules ) has a command and control mechanism using "signal cards," based on signal flags, to give orders to the various squadrons of a fleet.

As with all of Jeff's rules that I have played, they are clever and creative, are easy to play and do a very good job of modeling those things Jeff considers to be significant in a war-game at the level he is modeling.

Having played them both, I strongly recommend Admirals and Away Boarders.

there is a reprinted copy of the Popham signal book on line here link

and a good website to encode a message to pophams signal flags link

I remember one a long time ago. Could it have been "Don't Give Up The Ship"? TSR 1970s?

Admirals by Jeff Knudsen certainly uses signal flags.

Another plug for Jeff's rules that are excellent.

Jeff's design philosophy emphases storytelling in the way that his rules work best with a properly thought out scenario behind the encounter.

The 2nd issue of Wargames Illustrated from 1987 contained a set of rules by Andy Callan called The Byng Touch which had a system for using flag signals. It was meant for at least 4 players: two admirals flying flag signals and two "captains" reading the signals and pushing the miniatures. I found the game unplayable (simultaneous movement, card pull combat, a bit light on the language) but I loved the flag system, so I retained it, grew it, and grafted it onto subsequent sets of rules, and finally wrote my own (called Line Ahead).

Stan Sunderwith also wrote a set of rules called Victory Under Sail using a 12-point compass on a hex grid. He ran games of this for years at the big US East Coast cons.

Do either of those ring a bell?

- Ix