Help support TMP


POLL: Best Toolbox Rules (Round 1A)


188 votes were cast by total voters.


Back to POLLS home page


Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP writes:

I grok that. I sadly do not often see the initial nomination threads. And when the Poll turns up, it's too late for us laggards. Need to pay more attention!


Back to the Homepage


Areas of Interest

General

Featured Hobby News Article


Featured Link


Featured Showcase Article

Elmer's Xtreme School Glue Stick

Is there finally a gluestick worth buying for paper modelers?


Featured Workbench Article

Basing with DryDex Spackling

Using pink stuff for basework.


Current Poll


Featured Book Review


376 hits since 14 Jan 2026
©1994-2026 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

If you were a member of this website, you could participate in website polls. Would you like a free membership?

VOTING RESULTS
AnswerVotes%Chart
Battles by Gaslight
9
5%
bar of chart
Black Ops (Osprey)
4
2%
bar of chart
Black Powder
24
13%
bar of chart
Blood & Plunder
7
4%
bar of chart
Bolt Action
19
10%
bar of chart
Brother Against Brother
11
6%
bar of chart
Brutal Quest
0
0%
 
Bushido
4
2%
bar of chart
Chain Reaction
14
7%
bar of chart
Combat Patrol
7
4%
bar of chart
Command Decision
12
6%
bar of chart
Crossfire
12
6%
bar of chart
DBA/DBM/DBx
26
14%
bar of chart
Deadzone (Mantic)
0
0%
 
Donnybrook
8
4%
bar of chart
all of the above
2
1%
bar of chart
other (explain)
5
3%
bar of chart
none of these/no opinion
18
10%
bar of chart
this is ridiculous
2
1%
bar of chart
not my genre
1
1%
bar of chart
not my cup of tea
3
2%
bar of chart
POLL IS CLOSED
POLL DESCRIPTION

Personal logo John the OFM Supporting Member of TMP writes:

The Sword and the Flame has well established and deserved reputation as a "toolbox set of rules". In other words, the basic mechanics are not really "period specific". I've used it for FIW and AWI games with very few changes. Obviously, rifles are very scarce in both, despite the prevalent mythology. So, use Carbine ranges. Are Grenadiers and Highlanders superior? If you want them to be, you can give them a +1 if you wish. I just call them Regulars who think highly of themselves. Do what you want! Or as Johnny Ringo said to Doc Holliday, "Age quod agis". Add bows? Sure. Why not. If you're fluent with the rules, you know what to do. There are 3 flavors of Native troops. Choose one, or make up your own.

But I would like to recommend another set if rules that can be considered "toolbox", and that's GASLIGHT. I've used it quite successfully for "small unit" skirmishes. Last of the Mohicans, for one. I have had Sasquatch controlled by a Lakota shaman. Even strangers at a convention accepted that with no complaint.I've run Wyoming Massacre games using both rules, with small modifications.

I'm throwing this open to the Hivemind Mib. What other rules would you recommend as "toolbox rules" that are adaptable for out-of-period play, with very few mods?

Poll set up by Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian, based on this pre-poll discussion.