beerguy | 01 Jul 2022 1:24 p.m. PST |
What I'd like to find goes something like this: Each player has 1-3 groups of 1-5 figures, figures in a group moving individually but as a group. Simple, skirmish-level, not too detailed, game can be finished in an evening. 28mm preferred, or adaptable. Infantry weapons, cavalry, a little bit of artillery. I've tried Wiley's Fistful of Lead – Horse & Musket. The traits ruin it for me: trying to keep new players up on using the traits is a PITA. I've looked at Brother against Brother: bigger games that what I want, and larger units, too. In another thread, someone suggested the old TSR Boot Hill rules. I'm playing around with those now, but why re-invent the wheel if there's something else out there already? TIA folks. |
John Leahy | 01 Jul 2022 1:59 p.m. PST |
For Wileyt Games either use 1 trait or none. You can also use his free unit builder pdf's which have all the info related to the units you created on the sheet. Pretty simple and has all that you need on it. Not really a PITA at all. You could also use The Rules with No Name. That's low level. Thanks John |
Mr Elmo | 01 Jul 2022 2:08 p.m. PST |
Blood and Steel might work. link |
CaptainDarling | 01 Jul 2022 2:08 p.m. PST |
Beerguy have a look at Song of Drums and Shakos by Ganesha games there are ACW specific rules in 61-65 (or email them) it works well for us and will accommodate the numbers of figures your talking about. It easy to learning and we always finish a game in an evening session. |
Fitzovich | 01 Jul 2022 3:33 p.m. PST |
I would look at One Hour Skirmish Wargame Rules by John Lambshead. I think it would work very well for what you are attempting to do. |
Wargamer Blue | 01 Jul 2022 3:44 p.m. PST |
Fistful of Lead from Wiley Wargames with the Bigger Battles supplement. |
nnascati | 01 Jul 2022 3:48 p.m. PST |
Fistful of Lead should work just fine. The rules allow for adding a group or two of "grunts" to your force, three figures each. They are less well trained troops, but build up your numbers. |
Extra Crispy | 01 Jul 2022 4:31 p.m. PST |
You could do Rebels & Patriots from Osprey. Units there are 6-12 figures, but drop down to 3-6 and have each figure take 2 hits before being KIA. |
Grattan54 | 01 Jul 2022 7:34 p.m. PST |
Ganesha games has what you are looking for. Titles 1861-65 or something like that. I have them and love them. Use them for a variety of periods. |
Old Contemptible | 01 Jul 2022 8:30 p.m. PST |
Here is a TSATF variant for the ACW. link |
KSmyth | 01 Jul 2022 9:26 p.m. PST |
I am a big fan of Rebels and Patriots, but I just don't think they're what you're after. I haven't played the horse and musket version of the Ganesha rules, but I've played other variants and really like them. Perfect for 4-6 figures per player and the game engine is pretty easy and interesting. |
4DJones | 02 Jul 2022 1:01 a.m. PST |
American Uncivil War -if you can find it. 5 figure squads; 10 figure platoon; 20 figure company. It's quite light-hearted, and has character profiles. |
Martin Rapier | 02 Jul 2022 1:50 a.m. PST |
We've done loads of skirmish games using Fistful of Lead, it works fine. I've no idea what the 'traits' are that the OP mentions, but whatever they are, we don't use them and has no apparent effect on the game. |
79thPA | 02 Jul 2022 3:00 p.m. PST |
I think any Old West set would work with appropriate weapons modifications. Personally, I think the Ganesha rules are awful, so beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am not sure why you need artillery when you have a dozen figures on the table. I'd house rule that as shotgun blasts. |
Wargamer Blue | 02 Jul 2022 6:14 p.m. PST |
Traits in Fistful of Lead are unit bonuses like better shooting, or hand to hand combat so you can tailor a unit to represent a historical units reputation. The Bigger Battles book ramps the game up from one figure activation to group activation. |
beerguy | 03 Jul 2022 6:09 a.m. PST |
Thanks, everyone. I didn't know about some of the rules that have been suggested. Looks like I can wait out today's thunderstorm doing research. Y'all are great! |