Having recently played the rules (see yesterday’s post) I decided to have a good read of them and let you know my thoughts.
Bryan Ansell’s “Street Fight” is a fast modern wargame for close combat, focusing on street violence and gang warfare. Published by his company, Wargames Foundry, it is simple and quick to play, appealing to both beginners and seasoned players. The game uses a small number of 28mm miniatures, often from Foundry’s Street Violence range, for intense battles where tactics and luck matter. It works well for narrative campaigns, integrating character progression and experience growth into the gameplay.
The core engine of “Street Fight” is a modern take on Ansell’s influential Old West rule set, The Rules With No Name. This background focuses on simple, clean gameplay. A key feature highlighted by players is the Fate Deck (or an adapted standard deck of playing cards) used for character activation. This approach removes the typical “I go, then you go” turn order, adding chaos and unpredictability that reflects the nature of a real street brawl. Characters activate based on the drawn cards, creating tense situations where a fighter may act multiple times or be stuck while their opponent takes control.
Combat in “Street Fight” is simple and relies on a basic dice mechanic, usually using a variable number of six-sided dice (D6s), where a ‘6’ typically indicates a successful hit. The combat resolution is “clean” and very fast, keeping the game from slowing down with endless tables or complex modifiers. This efficiency keeps the focus on movement, positioning, and tactical choices instead of dice calculations. Importantly, the rules have ways for character advancement, allowing fighters to “make their bones” and gain new skills or better stats over time. This aspect makes the rules appealing for players who enjoy crafting ongoing stories for their street gangs or crime outfits.
“Street Fight’s” emphasis on fun over absolute realism or technical complexity is a real bonus. Bryan Ansell’s writing style is known to be conversational and encouraging, giving players permission to adapt and extend the rules to suit their specific tastes, a trait reminiscent of older-school wargaming philosophies. It serves as an excellent, flexible framework for a variety of small-scale modern skirmishes, from armed gang confrontations to police actions, and is often considered a perfect choice for an evening’s worth of quick, enjoyable, and tactical miniature gaming.
The “Street Fight” rules divide fighters into four classes: Citizen, Gunman, Shootist, and Legend. This ranking affects their stats and how they use the Fate Deck for extra actions. It enables experienced leaders to take charge while beginners find it hard to contribute effectively.
The beauty of Bryan Ansell’s “Street Fight” rules lies in their flexible framework, which can support a wide variety of narrative scenarios perfectly suited to small-scale skirmishes. While the core rules are simple, the mission design is key to leveraging the character progression system and the unique drama created by the Fate Deck. The rule set generally encourages quick, narrative-driven missions that reflect the chaotic reality of street-level conflict.
The have stood up to the test of time and I like them. Don’t love them but like them.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Illustrations are taken from the rules, which can be found here.
Aura Glitch Kaito, known in the shadows simply as ‘Glitch’, bears the indelible mark of her origins.
Her most striking feature is her bluish-green skin, a living, discolored testament to the toxic waste that has seeped into every corner of her home city. This unique pigmentation, a spectrum of teal, jade, and cerulean hues, often shimmers eerily under the harsh neon glow of the megacity’s lower levels.
Her eyes, a piercing, almost unnervingly bright electric blue, are frequently obscured by data-stream goggles or the deep shadow of her hood. Her hair is typically a choppy, practical cut, dyed a deep, matte pink that starkly contrasts with her skin, sometimes threaded with subtle luminescent fiber optics that glow faintly when she’s deep in a hack.
Her physique is lean and agile, built for navigating tight spaces and quick escapes, often clad in utilitarian, augmented clothing – a mix of reinforced synth-leather, and well – skimpy. She constantly carries a modified datapad and a compact, custom-built cyberdeck, often cunningly disguised as a mundane commlink to avoid detection.
Born and raised in the polluted underbelly of “Corrupt’, a sprawling, corporate-controlled metropolis, Aura’s childhood was steeped in the stench of chemical runoff and the pervasive hum of unregulated machinery. The very air she breathed and water she drank contributed to her unique pigmentation, a ‘mark of the waste’ that many in her community share.
This shared struggle, coupled with the rampant corruption and neglect from the city’s ruling elite, ignited a fierce fire of rebellion within her. She found her calling early on in the digital shadows, becoming a computer hacker expert through self-taught mastery in the intricate arts of network intrusion, data-siphoning, and electronic warfare. Her unparalleled skills quickly caught the attention of a burgeoning direct action unit, an underground collective dedicated to aggressively disrupting the corporate stranglehold and exposing their nefarious dealings through strategic digital and physical interventions.
Glitch is a woman of quiet intensity, sharp, analytical, and fiercely independent, preferring the cold logic of code to the often unpredictable chaos of human emotion, though her actions are ultimately driven by a deep-seated sense of justice and a protective instinct for those sharing her distinct appearance.
She possesses a dry wit and a sardonic sense of humor, often expressed through subtle facial shifts or brief, pointed remarks rather than overt displays. Her loyalty to her direct action unit is unwavering, viewing them as her true family and the only path to meaningful change. While she can be withdrawn and deeply distrustful of outsiders, she exhibits surprising warmth and camaraderie with those who truly earn her trust within the unit.
She’s a master of stealth and misdirection, both in the digital and physical realms, allowing her to slip in and out of secured networks and locations completely undetected. Her primary motivations stem from a burning desire to expose the truth and reclaim a shred of dignity for the marginalized, to bring down the corrupt corporations and officials responsible for the blight on her community, and to ensure a future where those affected by toxic waste are not merely survivors, but thrivers.
As a crucial direct action unit member, she is driven by the belief that freedom of information and the dismantling of oppressive systems of control through data liberation are paramount, even if it means risking everything.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, Felix Vaga, involves a daring jaunt into a secure network, because what else would you do on a Tuesday night? Apparently, there’s a juicy little weakness in their system that’s about as secure as a sunbather in a nudist colony—but hurry, it’ll vanish faster than Roberto el Charlatán’s motivation to hit the gym in the next twenty-four hours!
You are about to embark on a covert mission with the super-secret codename “Kill Robeto,” which is not related to any supernatural activities—promise! Your task? Deploy a fancy payload designed to sneak in a backdoor and make off with some juicy sensitive data. But heads up! This mission is riskier than trying to sneak snacks into a movie theater; getting caught is a big no-no! If things go south, our agency will pretend they’ve never heard of you—poof, like a magician’s trick!
Intelligence suggests that Roberto el Charlatán and his merry band of misfits are cooking up their very own malware, and trust me, it’s not your run-of-the-mill digital nuisance! This highly sophisticated spoonful of trouble is designed to wreak havoc on unsuspecting systems and networks by endlessly looping Roberto’s monologues over and over again—because who wouldn’t want to go a little mad listening to that? It’s like the ultimate audio torture; just imagine operators pulling their hair out while chanting, “Make it stop!”
In light of the (not-so-funny) seriousness of this threat, we need to jump into action faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer! Kicking this individual to the curb will give our global cybersecurity intelligence a nice boost—think of it like giving our ageing agents a “Sustagen” shake! Roberto know all about that! By rolling out our secret countermeasures and beefing up cybersecurity protocols, we can shield our precious data and infrastructure from the lurking dangers that could lead to disastrous messes—like spilling red wine on a white carpet! Spilling the wine was the disaster if you didn’t get it folks! Urgency is key here, and let’s keep our eyes peeled and wine glasses full in this epic showdown against the nefarious villain, Roberto!
You were chosen to lead this mission primarily because of your legendary melee combat skills—skills so refined that even your training partners have taken to carrying foam noodles for safety. Your knack for getting up close and personal with opponents makes you the team’s secret weapon, or perhaps just a really brave soul. Meanwhile, Kaito Nova, our resident tactical genius who thinks he’s a real-life action hero, will be on fire support, probably shouting catchphrases like “Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever”, while you dive into the fray. And let’s not forget Dax Orion, a tech guru whose idea of fun is uploading malware like it’s a TikTok dance challenge, all while aiming to scramble enemy communications as easily as he scrambles eggs for breakfast. Together, this unusual band of misfits will form a not-so-average crew, maximizing chaos and—fingers crossed—success in this hilariously over-the-top operation.
This message is going to pull a disappearing act in five, four, three… poof! And just like that, it’ll be gone faster than your motivation on Monday morning!
Felix Vaga, sporting a determined gaze and fingers ready to trigger his imagination more than a bullet, stands poised to take a shot at the “hidden agent” (B), fully aware that the stakes are as high as his blood alcohol levels before a meeting with the in-laws. Meanwhile, the elusive Kaito Nova (1) has taken cover behind what appears to be an impressive collection of savoury biscuit boxes, his instincts sharper than his last haircut, allowing him to predict the plot twists like a seasoned soap opera fan. The air is so thick with suspense you could spread it on toast as both figures hide from each other, each weighing their options like a cat deciding whether to knock over a wine glass. With every passing second, the tension escalates faster than a cat video going viral, and the atmosphere buzzes with the unspoken understanding that only one will walk away victorious from this ridiculous face-off of epic proportions.
While all this chaos unfolds, Dax Orion takes a wrong turn and heads straight for a blunder! He thinks he’s zeroing in on the net node, but surprise, it’s just the surveillance mask throwing a costume party. How does a seasoned pro pull off such a spectacular rookie move? Well, at least it scored him two victory points — maybe it was all part of his master plan! It was, and Roberto el Charlatán was duped by the rouse.
Outmatched in close combat, Kaito Nova clings to hope like a cat clings to awaivering branch, his heart racing as he scans his surroundings for a miracle or, at the very least, a Mr Whippy truck. The sound of clashing metal fills the air, sounding suspiciously like a very intense kitchen utensil duel. Summoning all his strength, he fights back with the ferocity of a toddler denied a cookie and manages to deliver a crucial wound to his opponent, who momentarily pauses, probably contemplating life choices. However, Kaito is not without his own battle scars; he suffers two painful injuries in return, each blow a gentle reminder that living the superhero dream is not as glamorous as it looks. Despite the pain, he remains determined to survive, believing help will arrive just in time, perhaps riding in on unicorns, to turn the tide of battle.
No unicorns in sight, but fear not! Enter Felix Vaga, who sends in Roberto el Charlatán’s lady of the night like she’s fresh out of a clown college, her clumsy antics hilariously out of place in the tech circus. The room buzzes with the industrious sounds of rapid-fire data entry and caffeine-crazed hackers chugging coffee like it’s liquid gold. Yet, somehow, amidst this symphony of chaos, Felix struts in like he owns the digital stage. He tackles the task with the finesse of a master chef tossing a salad, and with a flick of his wrist, he magically turns her awkwardness into a comical dance, as if he’s directing a slapstick autopsy!
Controlling the surveillance mast is like playing a game of musical chairs for Felix’s team as they shimmy and shake around the net node, trying to outmaneuver each other while keeping an eye on the ever-watchful digital surroundings. Meanwhile, Roberto el Charlatán, perched atop the tallest building like a not-so-stealthy hawk with a flair for the dramatic, gleefully decides to ruin the party by taking out Dax Orion just as he’s about to hit the net node objective—talk about a dramatic entrance!
You’d think he had a flair for showbiz with such timing! A heinous deed indeed, but also a bit of a party pooper! More pooper than party, really, as the rest of the team now has to scramble in a frenzy, dodging metaphorical banana peels and trying to regroup, all while muttering about the unfair advantages of being high up with a clear view of the chaos below. It’s almost as if Roberto has set the scene for an action movie, complete with the classic exaggerated villain laugh echoing in the background!
With Felix having taken out Roberto’s hacker, it’s now Kaito’s turn to take a shot at the not-so-stealthy Roberto, who’s about as hidden as a neon sign in a blackout. The result? Well, it’s about as surprising as a buffoon being elected US president—Roberto takes a tumble right off the edge of the tall structure, proving that gravity really is the ultimate party crasher! But wait he hasn’t fallen.
Above you can see Roberto el Charlatán juggling his way through mid-air, hanging off the edge of the building like a clumsy clown, unable to plummet because his Holtzman suspensors have decided that gravity is just a suggestion. There he dangles, an eternal trophy proving that Guru’s acolytes are not just awesome—they’re awesooooooooooooooome, but with that slight hint of comedic flair!
Felix Vaga and Kaito Nova are the final two gladiators in this epic showdown, each scintillatingly aware that the destiny of their team hangs precariously in the balance—no pressure, right? As the dust settles like last week’s pizza, Dax Orion, looking like he just had a questionable encounter with a trampoline, decides it’s time to shake off Roberto’s hilariously awful shots that missed everything except his own inflated ego. This chance for comedic relief lets him pull a “let’s put our thinking caps on, everyone” moment, strategizing as if he’s playing “Pass the Pigs” while preparing for whatever ludicrous escapades lie ahead, all the while understanding that the battle is far from finished and every choice counts in this high-stakes, ridiculously funny game. Who knew giving Roberto a hard time could be this entertaining!
We are the champions, maybe not of the world but certainly of Roberto el Charlatán
Astra is a name she carries as a stark defiance. She hails from the deepest, most forgotten corners of the urban sprawl – a toxic slum known colloquially as Corruption.
The very air in Corruption, thick with industrial runoff and decay, has permanently stained the skin of its inhabitants.
Astra’s own complexion bears the unmistakable, eerie hue of blue-green, a living testament to the pervasive corruption of her birthplace. Growing up amidst squalor and desperation, she learned early that survival was a brutal, self-taught art.
Despite her grim origins, Astra has become a deadly accurate shooter, a ranged combat expert whose precision borders on the supernatural. Her aim isn’t just skilled; it’s absolute, honed not in sterile firing ranges, but in the chaotic, unforgiving crucible of the slum streets. Every shot she takes is a calculated strike, a brilliant, focused beam of intention cutting through the grime and despair.
Astra now serves as the indispensable sharpshooter for a Direct Action Unit, a team built for rapid, impactful operations. She’s often deployed as an over-watch specialist or a long-range infiltrator, tasked with target neutralization, providing crucial over-watch, and relaying vital intelligence from a distance.
Her primary weapon, likely a heavily customized piece cobbled together from scavenged parts, is perfectly tuned for her unique style, a testament to her resourcefulness.
Her past makes her thrive in dilapidated, hazardous urban environments, where her stealth and infiltration skills are unparalleled. However, her upbringing has also left her with deep-seated trust issues, making alliances difficult.
While masterful at range, she’s less effective in close-quarters combat. The long-term effects of her toxic exposure also present a potential vulnerability, possibly manifesting as chronic health issues.
Astra carries the weight of her past, but she doesn’t let it define her entirely. Her marksmanship is a testament to her resilience, a grim aspiration to rise above the toxicity that tried to claim her. Driven by a quiet defiance, she seeks to carve out a destiny brighter and cleaner than the tainted world she was born into, finding purpose in her unit’s mission to bring down oppressors one precise shot at a time.
