"Gaming plains wars????" Topic

What is the best in-print rule set out there for US Calvary vs. Indians (Apache, Comanche, Sioux…), please specify which size fits what rules, and why you feel that way (28mm or 15/18mm).

Also, I am leaning towards 15/18mm due to size constraints, I know Blue Moon has a good range. Any other good ranges out there for 15/18mm. I heard there was a line in developement by Legends in Time, did these ever make it to market?

If I were going to do 28 mm, It would probably be Foundry…amazing looking figures…any other suggestions for 28's, just in case I change my mind.

Thanks in advance to everyone

There's a set called Yellow Ribbon that comes up time and again when folks ask this question. It's geared primarily toward 15mm. I haven't played it in years, so don't remember too much, but If you do a few TMP searches you will find more details…

… could The men Who Would Be king be adapted ???

If you want to do small skirmishes of, say, a dozen figures a side, most old west rules will work just fine.

If you want to game larger actions with maybe a hundred a side then Yellow Ribbon is a good choice. The main reason is it has the tribes behave as they did historically – seeking loot and glory more than "victory." So your tribes leave once they have scored – no dying to the last man!

Rampant Colonialism (caveat: I am the publisher) covers the period as well. It uses of units up to 20 figures and is a fast, streamlined game. I have used it for large multi-player games with 4 per side, and hundreds of figures and we played to a conclusion in about 3 hours.

Yellow Ribbon is available at ScaleCreep.com and Rampant Colonialism is PDF only at FlagshipGames.com, our sister company.

Serendipity! You should consider the new WESTERN rules from Peter Pig. Pre-release offer starts this week. WESTERN is written solely for Western battles, it is not a conversion of a generic set.

link For some information.

The rules can be used with most figure sizes, including 15 and 25mm. 18mm fits somewhere between but would be 20mm equivalent for games?

There will be more publicity pictures etc later this week.

Legends in Time carries the much of the Blue Moon Plains Indian Wars line (but not all of the sets, but the LiT owner Skip might be able to special order the PIW sets of Blue Moon that he doesn't keep in stock.) Also his prices are somewhat lower than ordering directly from Blue Moon. Also, some of the Eureka line, especially their horse holders and "held-horses" work well. As to your question about the Indian wars line that LiT was working on putting out;--it still isn't out. Skip calls it his "John Ford Cavalry" line but hasn't found a maker to get them produced economically enough to sell and still make a small profit--maybe someday soon, or maybe not.

Another emphatic recommendation for "Yellow Ribbon."

Any set of rules that allows the opposing forces to play for the same definition of victory is a sham, even an insult to at least some Native American cultures.

Run, don't walk, to the vendor who has it!

TVAG

There are some very nice counters a gent created for YR on the 15mm Plain's War yahoo group. Some very good stuff there.
link

In addition to Yellow Ribon you might consider Pony Wars.

I've used Brom's 'Bugles, Boots 'n Saddles' for my
28mm Sash n' Saber figures. Good system, games play
in a couple hours, you can custom-size the forces
for smaller skirmishes and available space.

Native Americans can be armed with bow, spear, lance
or various firearms. US Cavalry can carry BL (.45-70)
or repeaters. NA may also carry revolvers, as do all
US Cavalry.

Din of Battle 2nd Edition covers the Sioux Wars.

You can review the Plains War campaign that used the rules to fight the battles.

link

Eric

There is an apadation for fighting this period using TMWWBK. It's on the Facebook page under the files section.

Incidentally here is a detailed summary of how Rampant Colonialism! works:

link

I'm in the middle of painting/getting painted my Foundry PW figures too. I'm gonna give TMWWBK a try for this & I also downloaded the file from the FB Page that OSL2000 speaks of. Lots to like there. Failing that, or if we don't like em, I'm going this route The Tomahawk & the Flame:
link

Yeah, The Tomahawk and the Flame has some good background info. I'm curious if the parts relating to the Indians will have them acting differently than the US Army. I hope so and would like to try them out too. I just think I'll give TMWWBK a try first. I know and like Yellow Ribbon. But am curious as to the others.

Thanks.

John

I helped playtest the Tomahawk and the Flame (and designed the lettering). I think it does a good job of modeling the Plains Wars skirmishes. The Indians "nickle and dime" the cavalry with casualties who have to be protected, which is very historic. Casualties on both sides tend to be low. We once tried using the rules for a Little Bighorn convention game and that didn't work so well. I like the Plains Wars variant for Battles for Empire for the larger actions like LBH and the Rosebud.

We put together a set of unofficial rule adaptations for MWWBK to add a bit more period feel for the Plains War – a draft is available in the files section of the Facebook fan page.

Prior to that, Yellow Ribbon was our ‘go to' set of rules as well.

Yeah, I have that file from the Facebook group. That's why I want to try TMWWBK out first. Looks quite interesting.

I'd be interested in your thoughts, John. The original ‘author' (though it was a team effort) is no longer a TMP member but he's a member of our gaming group, so happy to try and answer any questions – and suggestions for improvements always welcome!

Can anyone comment on "Too Few to Fight, Too Many to Die"?

Ok so I go in admitting bias here. I like my rules – America's Olde West with Knucleduster minis and Empire buildings in 28mm. The rules also work with 15 and 20mm. I just prefer the larger scale. My eyes are getting old lol.

These rules were made to fight small actions like in the movies Ulzanas Raid or Major Dundee which I just ran at NJ Con. Small battles were actually the norm with major battles like Custer few and far between.

If you want to know more email me or visit skirmishaction.com.