"May I ask your favourite rules for WSS and why??" Topic

Guys,

I've long been a fan of the WSS period but never yet played it. What are your recommendations for a WSS Rules Set? And why if I may ask?

I'll probably be playing in 6mm scale but not finally decided yet.

I'm not a fan of generic rules that cover several centuries of warfare. I prefer period specific rules. Period atmosphere and authenticity are key asks from rules for any period I play. I tend towards the more complex end of the rules spectrum rather than the quick-play-refight-Blenheim-in-2-hours approach. Not a club player and dont attend tournaments. I like to play a set of rules that reflects the history as I read it. Modelling a period's Command & Control methods is really important.

What are the thoughts of the TMP Hive Mind?

GA PA are my rules of choice for the period.

Twilight of the Sun King for large battles. Beneath the Lily Banners fro medium size and smaller, and they will work for large battles, too.

We have been playing "Blenheim 2004" for quite a few years now. They were originally designed for gaming the battles of the WSS on the anniversary dates. The rules are free and the site is here: warflag.com/blenheim2004/.

Beneath the Lily Banners. But more specifically for the Great Northern War part of the WSS.

Brian Cowan's 18th Century variant of Neil Thomas's rules.

Might and Reason, The Sun King module, for big battles. Maurice for smaller affairs.

My own

tabletopwargamer.com/glory

But of course defining period flavour with toy soldiers rules is like asking how long a piece of string is.

Polemos War of the Spanish Succession – 2nd edition BY bACCUS

there are two separate sets of Polemos WSS rules. Chosen men, well disposed, treats one base as a battalion and enables you to play smaller actions or part of larger battles.

Obstinate and bloody battle has a scale of one base representing a brigade and lets you fight the largest actions in their entirety.

@ Mad Monkey 1 is that module available somewhere?

Twilight of the Sun King and Beneath the Lily Banner for me, depending on my mood and size of game. Both are good in their own ways.

The Sun King Module for Might and Reason is available as a free download on Sam Mustafa's Honour website. I agree with Mad Monkey 1. Might and Reason does a good job of reflecting the ebb and flow of WSS battles. It is not overly complex, but the mechanisms are generally very effective and elegant in their simplicity. We do, however, substitute a simple home brew command and control system for the Might and Reason one.

Benith the lilly banners 3.
28mm GNW and 10mm and 28mm WSS.

Just curious about where to obtain the Neil Thomas variant?

My group uses BLB 3 for the WSS and GNW but I personally prefer BLB 2.

Thanks people, thats a list to be starting with, appreciate it.

If you are not a club player, have you ever thought of writing your own ? Most published rules will probably require some form of compromise so why not put something together that better reflects how you see warfare at this time. Perhaps take a published ruleset as a starting point.

,,,another option might be to look at these rules available free from Legio Wargames:

link

Twilight of the Sunking are ideal for 6mm. The units represent brigades of around 2000 infantry or 1000 cavalry and are usual represented by two bases, each of around 60mm x 30mm, although it is perfectly possible to use figures based for other rules.
These rules are particularly suitable for refights of big battles. They are relatively quick play, with no calculation of firing or melee; instead everything is subsumed into a morale test which takes account of the brigade's current situation and very much reflects those factirs which were significant in this period. Command and control is simplified into an "action test"; these are taken whenever a unit is required to charge, change formation, move in certain types of difficult terrain or carry out any move which is other than straight forward. I have played many games with these rules, often with inexperienced players, within a few moves most have got a good grasp and can enjoy the game. The outcome of most if our games has often reflected the historical outcome. Available from the Pike and Shot Society, together with a couple of scenario books.

Very late to this discussion, but I'm looking for the equivalent of the "Altar of Freedom" grand tactical ACW rules for the WSS and/or GNW. If anyone has a suggestion, I would appreciate it. Or if someone has converted AoF for WSS and/or GNW, I'd welcome learning more. Thanks!

I have Twilight of the Sun King (2001 version) which, I believe I got online free. Are these rules still useful?

Cheers!

Gallo

Twilight of the Sun King has come out in a 2nd Edition that has considerably developed the basic system. So if you like the original concept then you will likely appreciate how its new form.

Hello Marcus Brutus,

I would be interested in the 2nd Edition but I was unable to find any reference to it online. Like others here, my plan is to use Twilight of the Sun King for the big battles and Under the Lily Banners for the smaller engagements. For those who are doing this, which system do you use for basing?

The latest version of the Twilight of the Sun King rules and associated scenario books are available here – pikeandshotsociety.org

There is also the Twilight of Divine Right rules & scenarios for the era 1620 to 1670 on that site.

Details of the various scenario books can be found here, along with the SYW era rules called Twilight of the Soldier Kings – link

Thank you PandSSociety. I will look for the 2nd Edition at the link you recommended.

Cheers!

Andy