This one came from Book Depository the other day. It is an interesting read and has some interesting game concepts.
I enjoy skirmish wargames where the focus is on the tactics of a small unit and where the actions of an individual matter. The fast play nature of thee rules captures the essence and intensity of small unit actions.
The basic rules have additional sections to capture the flavour of different periods including Horse and Musket, The Rifle Period, World War 2, The Cold War and Pulp Era. A scenario is provided for each of these as well as a variety of ideas for different types of campaigns.
I have not played a game as yet, but I have put some figures on the table and worked through some of the games mechanisms.
Rogers’ Rangers
No dice are needed as the rules just use two packs of normal playing cards, one for each player.
I have often been of the opinion that troop movement, shooting, and close combat, have not changed much over the centuries. Sure weapons, protection, tactics, skills, and ethics have changed but the basics from a game system point of view have not. This is reflected in the book by having a core set of rules and then period specific modifications.
Eastern Front
Two decks of cards are used to give actions and results, different modifiers make more cards played against each other, and once you pick it up it gives a very flowing game, the book has stats on all weapons and I found it easy to make up simple rules for anything on the table that was not in the book, large hand weapons and heroes given extra cards.
In the Jungle
A points system allows you to create almost any type of figure you will have in your collection with ease. Although John Lambshead does argue that points systems are very arbitrary and do not take into account such factors as player personality, terrain and gaming styles, and is at beast an arbitrary relative cost.
Bast Warriors
Warrior Monks
My quick desk top play through shows that the rules have some interesting concepts that seem to work very well.
I hope to run a solo game over the weekend and will write a Batrep when I get a chance with more thoughts on how the game system works.
Sounds good. Simple rules are the only rules I play by
“Simple”? Very tempting but I will leave all the lines alone. I hope to have a solo game in the next few days to try them.
I bought a copy of these rules after seeing Mr Steinberg’s games from his shed (https://steinbergshedspace.wordpress.com/)! I haven’t tried a game with them yet but liked the look of them after reading through ’em! I’ll look forward to seeing what you think of them!
Thanks John for putting us on to the shed space blog.
Nice review Dave, I’ll have to point the author of the book towards your fine blog, to see your comments.
Thanks Dave.
Very nice, looking forward to the bat-rap, I like the concept of the deck of cards (reminds me a little of Malifaux), the option for solo play and miniature agnosticism!
I don’t mind the card system – a bit like rolling a D14. Just don’t like playing cards all over the table unless it has poker chips as well.
Nice review- another set of rulles I own but haven’t played yet.
Cheers,
Pete.
I am a rules collector myself. Most I don’t play, but this one looks like it is worth a try.
I am too- did I send you my spreadsheet of my collection?
Cheers,
Pete.
No but please do.
I bought this a few years ago, but haven’t played it yet. The mechanics are simple and it seems like it would make for a light, fast game with a handful of shooty figures. I may try it some day for pulp or retro sci-fi. I lent my book to a friend for him to read before the pandemic (note to self — get it back!).
Check out several great in-depth reviews on Dale’s Wargames blog (https://daleswargames.blogspot.com/) under his December 2018 posts.
Thanks for the link. I have re-read them today and will organise a solo game as soon as I can to try them out.
I have these rules and I am bastardising them a bit to play some scifi skirmish with my Sons. No tables to consult, just two packs of cards.