back in wargame after 20 year I must choose witch rules/scales to use.
I already hown
1871: Fast Play Grand Tactical Rules For the Franco-Prussian War
They Died For Glory
Polemos Komandant der armee
So far I consider Polemos, I like a lot the 60*60 bases look.
since 30 years look like the rules are now more simple, specially the command system, good move I think. they are more close to the first I have played with
As you said in your Welcome thread, BBB could be an option. It was primarily designed for FPW. The rulebook contains 9 scenarios for the biggest battles of the war. We fought all 9 to a finish in a 3-day weekend (3 games a day, about 4 hours per game including set-up and take-down).
There are another 7 scenarios freely available from the group files.
https://groups.io/g/bloodybigbattles/files/1870%20Franco-Prussian%20War/Free%20scenarios%20-%20FPW
The Corlears Hook Fencibles, in New York, fought through 14 of these in a more leisurely campaign of about one battle a month:
http://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2017/03/la-guerre-est-finie.html
Lots of reviews listed on the BBBBlog (search under the 'Review of BBB' label).
Good luck with finding the ruleset that best suits your tastes.
Chris
I'll second Bloody Big Battles, they're great rules and pretty quick to pick up, and with the ability to play the big battles (it's int he name after all) with ease.
I know that Leman has also recommended Weigle's 1870 and 1871 rules sets, which I'm still yet to pick up.
BruceWeigle's rules are worth getting as apart from the rules themselves they contain a lot of useful background information as well as OOBs and maps.
Bloody Big Battles to play the games, Bruce's books for plenty of excellent background info. BBB also has loads of great scenarios too.
Another option is Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory, the second edition of Volley & Bayonet published in 2008.
It includes rules for the Black Powder Era from 1700 to 1890 and can be purchased here
https://testofbattle.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=ak464eaddcmfc4km94pa410up5 (https://testofbattle.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=ak464eaddcmfc4km94pa410up5)
While primarily focused on the Napoleonic period it is widely used for ACW and various conflicts around 1870
Each base represents a brigade so very large battles can be fought in a reasonable space
You can find more information on the rules, including many AARs, at this site https://volleyandbayonet.wordpress.com/volley-bayonet-publications/ (https://volleyandbayonet.wordpress.com/volley-bayonet-publications/)
Like wizard rules?
Onyrevient, you will quickly discover that a particular cat can be pedantic about spelling and punctuation
Occasionally it is amusing, the rest of the time :-<
He does also provide a good selection of pictures of his models and games as well as more interesting discussions :)
I would recommend Bloody Big Battles as it has scenarios for all of the major battles for the FPW and all playable on a 6x4 table
Seconded
Quote from: paulr on 26 September 2020, 03:06:38 AM
Onyrevient, you will quickly discover that a particular cat can be pedantic about spelling and punctuation
Occasionally it is amusing, the rest of the time :-<
He does also provide a good selection of pictures of his models and games as well as more interesting discussions :)
You and Ian are the same person, aren't you?
=^..^=
BBB definitely gives a good game, plenty of scenarios and well supported. I've not played any FPW but had fun with some Crimean and ACW scenarios.
As Paul says, don't pay too much mind to FierceKitty and his pedantic ways. ;)
The only freedom that matters is the freedom to say that two and two make four. All others follow from this.
Look like BBB has a lot of favors but what's the difference with Polemos Komandant der armee ?
Quote from: paulr on 26 September 2020, 03:06:38 AM
Onyrevient, you will quickly discover that a particular cat can be pedantic about spelling and punctuation
Occasionally it is amusing, the rest of the time :-<
He does also provide a good selection of pictures of his models and games as well as more interesting discussions :)
not sure to understand everything, anyway I have 2 dogs, Miss Poupette et Sir Winston definitively not peasant :)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 26 September 2020, 07:40:21 AM
You and Ian are the same person, aren't you?
=^..^=
Certrainly not - I am completely and totally unique :P :P
Quote from: onyrevient on 26 September 2020, 11:41:34 AM
Look like BBB has a lot of favors but what's the difference with Polemos Komandant der armee ?
Here is a description of KdA by the author:
http://deepfriedhappymice.com/html/rd_polemos_fpw.html
And here is Vincent Tsao's review of BBB:
http://deepfriedhappymice.com/html/rd_bloody_big_battles.html
Hope this helps. (And thank you to everyone who recommended BBB.)
Chris
There is also 'To the Last Gaiter Button" by Realistic Wargames, authored by our very own Bernie Ganley!
BBB ordered ...
and after that I will certainly made my own ;D
I hope you enjoy BBB as I think they are a great set of rules. I found I've enjoyed reading about a battle and then playing it using these rules, which has given me a greater understanding of what happened and why.
Quote from: Steve J on 27 September 2020, 01:37:06 PM
I hope you enjoy BBB as I think they are a great set of rules. I found I've enjoyed reading about a battle and then playing it using these rules, which has given me a greater understanding of what happened and why.
Thanks, Steve - that's about as high a compliment as any rules author could ask for.
Funnily enough, last week I helped out with a school war and history seminar where the teacher uses BBB as part of the class. He asked me to do a short talk addressing the question of how playing BBB can help you understand how battles were fought.
Chris
BBB, a good set of rules, you will not be disappointed.