Definitely not!
The rules used have fragmented into many facets and factions.
Take your pick:
Aurelian is rated well
MEG is competition based
Fog Ancients is like and disliked in equal measure
Warhammer Historical has died a death
Warmaster is enjoyed by many, but suffers from a lack of corporate support
Hail Caesar is fun, as it emphasises scenario games, not comps.
DBMM has a very hard core of followers, it has a new edition out, but has fallen out of favour somewhat.
Impetus has many fans.
Take your pick basically!

"....my local group of gamers are very much of the fantasy persuasion."  The black basques and stockings are the defining giveaway.

Quote from: Tristram on 30 November 2016, 01:33:41 PM
Thank you for the warm greetings everyone

I am still absorbing large portions of the forum, so will probably have little to contribute until I start painting my own project, though I'm guessing most here come from a background in historical gaming, something I've only started to get into on my own, as my local group of gamers are very much of the fantasy persuasion. I do have reams of sometime creating some Napoleonic epics, with Prussian Winged Hussars and French Curriassiers set against European farmlands, but may have to expand my search for gaming opponents to do so.

May I ask which games tend to be most played among the forumites here? Does DBMM still hold sway as the go-to for historical battles?

Um ... Prussian Hussars during the Napoleonic era didn't wear wings. That's a Polish thing bit before. I say this, not to do you down, but to show that I do know something about a period that is pre the combustion engine. 

However, I would encourage you in your desire to get into historical gaming. There are so many to choose from.

May I interest you in a Centurion tank?

Oh, as for rules, I play my own.

Quote from: Tristram on 30 November 2016, 01:33:41 PM
my local group of gamers are very much of the fantasy persuasion.

So are lots of the Forum members - just take a look at the "Top Totty" Thread.

Rules - "That's a can of worms"

Seven Years War

Honours of war is good

ACW  -
Black poweder
Fire and Fury.  Even with Fire and Fury there are the Regimental level ones and the Brigade level ones. Some love one and hate the other some like both

WW2.
Chain of command ( often referred to as  as CoC) works well for small scenariao and Big Chain of Command ( often referred to as  as Big CoC) works well for lager battles with about a company a side

Blitzkrieg commander works well for big battles

And then there are all the Rampant style rules that are quite fun to play

And I could go on. I would suggest before buying a set of rules try to play them a couple of times with someone who knows how they work, or at least ask the Forum what they think. most will give an objective view.

Quote from: Orcs on 30 November 2016, 08:27:14 PM

And then there are all the Rampant style rules that are quite fun to play

.... particularly, Loin Rampant (apparently) .....


p.s. Hi!

Quote from: Westmarcher on 30 November 2016, 08:38:48 PM
.... particularly, Loin Rampant (apparently) .....


p.s. Hi!

My rampant loins cost me a fortune 

 

Quote from: Leman on 30 November 2016, 06:59:55 PM
"....my local group of gamers are very much of the fantasy persuasion."  The black basques and stockings are the defining giveaway.

Second the encouragement to try historical games. The variety far outstrips the works of fancy, and you get to sneer at the incredibly childish and outdated views of everyone else, especially if you frequent TMP.

Quote from: fsn on 30 November 2016, 08:16:33 PM
Um ... Prussian Hussars during the Napoleonic era didn't wear wings. That's a Polish thing bit before. I say this, not to do you down, but to show that I do know something about a period that is pre the combustion engine. 

Heh, just goes to show my knowledge of Napoleonic details at the moment is largely based upon the boxes of fancy bottles of liquor more than anything

Welcome Tristram!

I believe the rules you're after are Pendraken's very own Warband.

As Dan Mersey said, "if you're after a ruleset to replace Warmaster, this is it".

QuoteDoes DBMM still hold sway as the go-to for historical battles?

In the UK DBMM is very much a niche game.  The national tournament circuit is still dominated by Field of Glory, however, i understand the tourney players and BHGS are starting to cast about for a replacement (FoG replaced DBM a few years back  ).

L'Art de la Guerre was touted and has taken off in a big way in Europe (so i understand) but didn't really settle here (it reminded me of a mashup between DBM and FoG).  Mortem et Gloriam has been fanfared as "the next big thing", but after splashing out £50 or so I think a lot of potential players have been...er...well...lets say we're awaiting the "January revisions".

So I think FoG will soldier on until a new ruleset emerges as a replacement.

Given the fragmented nature of UK historical gaming, its difficult to point to a single ruleset as a "go to" option.  Lots get played.  


WWII is probably dominated by Flames of War (company action) and Bolt Action (platoon action).   Personally I'm playing an old set called Rapid Fire.  Its worth a go.

Black Powder/Hail Caesar are perennial favourites for club gaming as they are accessible and easy rules.  They are based on the same engine but play very differently.  BP in particulry is more flexible and will cover many "horse foot and guns" periods.  Personally i reckon HC are a better set of rules "mechanically".

For ACW - Fire and Fury.  Accept no substitutes.  In my view a contender for "best ruleset in any genre".

Outside of the historical gaming, Mantic are puching hard with Kings of War into the open ground left by Games Workshop (in their recent attempts to destroy themselves).  However GW changed their upper management, changed direction and are very much resurgent at the moment.  Age of Sigmar is seeing a lot of play and the 40k crowd are hanging out for the next edition (due next spring so the rumours say) - note, i heard from many people that at their club the 40k players basically wholesale switched to Bolt Action a while back.  I'd also expect to see some serious GW releases in 2017 - if Necromunda and Mordheim don't make a reappearance i'll be surprised.  I'm really hoping they reopen Warhammer Historical - they produced some great rules, the best of which was Legends of the Old West.  Pick those up second hand if you can.  Excellent game.

I've seen a fair bit of Malifaux being played.  Second ed. is an improvement but its still a steep learning curve for beginners.

You can't discount the broader appeal of FFG's X-Wing game (which i've seen playing a LOT in crossover groups (wargame/boardgame groups)).

If you're up for something quirky and a TON of fun, check out something called "A Very British Civil War".  Its a concept, not a ruleset and i'm sure you could come up with a Canadian version (in understand there have been some American versions).  Pendraken do some "inter war period" figures that will work for it, and in 2017 Pendraken's Blitzkrieg Commander 3rd Edition release may well be the rules to use for something "grand scale AV[Canadian]CW"!!

Quote from: Luddite on 01 December 2016, 02:21:50 PM
Welcome Tristram!

I believe the rules you're after are Pendraken's very own Warband.

As Dan Mersey said, "if you're after a ruleset to replace Warmaster, this is it".

If you are half a fan of Warmaster (do give them a try) then you might want to consider your Warmaster based units on a Warlord sabot. I've done mine that way.

Have a look at this blogpost but you can ignore the gruesome health story.

http://jim-duncan.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/wip-or-wnip-warband-warmaster-and-me.html

Quote from: Luddite on 01 December 2016, 02:21:50 PM
Welcome Tristram!

I believe the rules you're after are Pendraken's very own Warband.

As Dan Mersey said, "if you're after a ruleset to replace Warmaster, this is it".

I've looked into that a bit. Love the idea of dioramic bases, something Ive been enjoying in 28mm with Kings of War. But from what I can tell no Ratmen army yet?

I may not have indicated how much I am all about the rats. I have a blog here dedicate entirely to them: http://pariedolia.weebly.com/nimh

That said, I've been devouring numerous games over the last year, and Warband is high on my list to check out.

QuoteIn the UK DBMM is very much a niche game.  The national tournament circuit is still dominated by Field of Glory, however, i understand the tourney players and BHGS are starting to cast about for a replacement (FoG replaced DBM a few years back  ).

L'Art de la Guerre was touted and has taken off in a big way in Europe (so i understand) but didn't really settle here (it reminded me of a mashup between DBM and FoG).  Mortem et Gloriam has been fanfared as "the next big thing", but after splashing out £50 or so I think a lot of potential players have been...er...well...lets say we're awaiting the "January revisions".

So I think FoG will soldier on until a new ruleset emerges as a replacement.

Given the fragmented nature of UK historical gaming, its difficult to point to a single ruleset as a "go to" option.  Lots get played.  


WWII is probably dominated by Flames of War (company action) and Bolt Action (platoon action).   Personally I'm playing an old set called Rapid Fire.  Its worth a go.

Black Powder/Hail Caesar are perennial favourites for club gaming as they are accessible and easy rules.  They are based on the same engine but play very differently.  BP in particulry is more flexible and will cover many "horse foot and guns" periods.  Personally i reckon HC are a better set of rules "mechanically".

I've heard of most of those, except L'Art de la Guerre. I own Black Powder and Hail Caesar and really like the DIY nature of the games (and the books are gorgeous and just fun to read), though I was unsuccessful thus far in convincing any of my gaming group to invest in a historical army (though I may eventually wear them down, even if I have to paint up two armies myself and host a prepared game). I also bought Impetus, and really fell in love with Foundry's Medieval Warfare, both of which I'd like to give a go.

QuoteFor ACW - Fire and Fury.  Accept no substitutes.  In my view a contender for "best ruleset in any genre".

ACW?

QuoteOutside of the historical gaming, Mantic are puching hard with Kings of War into the open ground left by Games Workshop (in their recent attempts to destroy themselves).  However GW changed their upper management, changed direction and are very much resurgent at the moment.  Age of Sigmar is seeing a lot of play and the 40k crowd are hanging out for the next edition (due next spring so the rumours say) - note, i heard from many people that at their club the 40k players basically wholesale switched to Bolt Action a while back.  I'd also expect to see some serious GW releases in 2017 - if Necromunda and Mordheim don't make a reappearance i'll be surprised.  I'm really hoping they reopen Warhammer Historical - they produced some great rules, the best of which was Legends of the Old West.  Pick those up second hand if you can.  Excellent game.

I've been following trends in fantasy gaming pretty closely since GW blew up The Old World. KoW is a fun game, but as 3rd was my favourite edition of WFB, I crave a bit more complexity. I don't have the hatred of AoS that many do. Cant stand the new setting, and still play under the notion the End Times never happened, but I find AoS is a fun skirmish game. It just doesn't fill my thirst for mass fantasy battles. Im pretty actively involved in the growing Oldhammer community online, and once I finish schooling (back in school for my third degree at the moment) hope to take some trips to Britain for one of the BYOL gatherings and play some 3e again. Heard good things about Warhammer historicals, though also heard Black Powder/Hail Caesar are close to being spiritual successors of those games.

QuoteIf you're up for something quirky and a TON of fun, check out something called "A Very British Civil War".  Its a concept, not a ruleset and i'm sure you could come up with a Canadian version (in understand there have been some American versions).  Pendraken do some "inter war period" figures that will work for it, and in 2017 Pendraken's Blitzkrieg Commander 3rd Edition release may well be the rules to use for something "grand scale AV[Canadian]CW"!!

I'll have to look that one up, thank you

Quote from: Tristram on 01 December 2016, 04:17:42 PM
ACW?

A small ruckus amongst your southern neighbours during the 1860s, the American Civil War

Quote from: paulr on 01 December 2016, 06:53:30 PM
A small ruckus amongst your southern neighbours during the 1860s, the American Civil War

Ahhhh, of course.

Quote from: paulr on 01 December 2016, 06:53:30 PM
A small ruckus amongst your southern neighbours during the 1860s, the American Civil War

I believe they were actually "on time" For this one, not late as usual. 

 

I fancy gaming Plan Red, in which the US planned war on the UK (including an invasion of Canada) in the 1930s. 



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039453/How-America-planned-destroy-BRITAIN-1930-bombing-raids-chemical-weapons.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Plan_Red
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/america-planned-war-britain-revealed/

Oooh, good idea!  That looks like it would be a lot of fun.  The Interwar period military of most nations is bizarrely entertaining.  Few people had worked out what tanks were for.  Hehe...

Case for the prosecution:

We used Hail Caesar for fantasy games for several years, our mods were on the yahoo group. They were more Warmaster based rather than WHFB - but I think HC is more an evolution of WM that WHFB.

KoW is fine, it gives a very quick brutal game - and there is a fair bit of army building to the game. Did they not add a ratmen army in one of the recent supplements. They have just produced a historical variant - but it's almost exactly the same.