19th Century European Theatre Rules

[far4ngn]

Any good rule set recommendations to cover 19th Century European battles.

Looking at small scale engagements from    1850 to 1880 which should cover the larger conflicts?

Thanks Paul

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Black Powder
Big Bloody Battles
Volley & Bayonet
Sharpe Practice

All great rules, all have pluses and minuses.

[far4ngn]

I have Black Powder, but never really enjoyed it.  I prefer to show the unit whittled down rather than just disappear off the table.

[Steve J]

Wargaming 19thC Europe by Neil Thomas. Units are generally 4 bases and you lose them as the unit is whittled away. I've never played them, but they do look good, plus you get plenty of Army lists and some historical scenarios too.

[Chris Pringle]

As BBB has been mentioned (thanks, Will), let me point you to the collected reviews page of the BBBBlog:
https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2016/10/collected-reviews-of-bbb-bloody-big.html

[steve_holmes_11]

Any good rule set recommendations to cover 19th Century European battles.

Looking at small scale engagements from    1850 to 1880 which should cover the larger conflicts?

Thanks Paul

Could you clarify what you mean by small scale engagements.


Skirmish, several battalions per side, Division Vs Division?

Several of the recommendations (Volley and Bayonet / BBB) are great rules, well supported, but cater toward the bigger size of battle.

[Big Insect]

Principles of War (PoW) is still (IMHO) a great set of rules and will cover the European fields of battle.
I particularly like the 'Fog of War' hidden movement stage of the game - it adds real 'spice' and uncertainty.
"Is that a column of cavalry sah? Or just the enemy supply train on the move?"

Also Battles for Empire provides a great quick and realistic game, even though it was initially designed for Colonial Warfare.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Damn it! How could I forget Principles, an all time great.

[far4ngn]

Steve

I'm looking at a new period and will have just a few regiments upto a Brigade.

I wondered if BBB would work if I said a base was say 120men?

Will take look at the other choices as well.

[Chris Pringle]

BBB uses elastic troop, time and ground scales. No reason why it shouldn't work at 120 men / 3 cannon per base. Maybe with a ground scale of 75 yards to the inch, a turn ~10 minutes.

[streetgang]

I really like Field of Battle (on its third version I believe). It is not IGo/UGo so there is some friction. I use it for the Mexican American War with units representing battalions. A couple brigades a side is the sweet spot in my opinion.

I own BBB but I haven't played it yet (although I have heard very good things).