Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: Bravo Six on 18 December 2020, 10:12:46 PM

Title: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Bravo Six on 18 December 2020, 10:12:46 PM: I'm curious what those of you out there who play Fistful of Lead, like most about the rules? I notice that they seem to have most periods covered with either an additional rulebook or small modifications for the period being played, which for me is huge. I would like a core set that I can use with modifications for all the periods I'm interested in.

Annnnd...... GO!
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Harry Faversham on 19 December 2020, 05:18:35 AM: Here's a couple of rather silly examples where you may end up venturing into the wacky world of FFofL...

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=112391.msg1406879;topicseen#msg1406879

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=114603.msg1434125#msg1434125

:o
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Elk101 on 19 December 2020, 07:46:23 AM: I have to declare a bias as the creator of the FfoL rules is a friend of mine, but I played his rules long before I ever met him, starting with the original Old West set.

The original rules are over 20 years old and were revamped into Fistful of Lead Reloaded for the Old West before the current series was started. You'll still struggle to find a set of Old West rules that you can throw 5 or 6 players into with a gang or posse of only 5 or 6 figures each and have a fun, easy to run evening. The relative simplicity of FfoL shouldn't be mistaken as a lack of game depth, as the card play system creates a lot of tactical choice. This is developing as Wiley Games releases different rules variations too. Rather the simplicity is in understanding how the game plays and that there are core principles that players can recognise and pick up quickly. I've introduced it to a group who had never played a tabletop game before and they got it very quickly, played it to conclusion within 2 hours and were pushing for another game immediately.

Here's an excerpt from a Wargames Illustrated review from July 2019 which will give you an idea of what people like about the rules:

"Quite frankly, we wish we’d known about this set of rules long ago. Fast, easy to use, but with a low figure count and depth of gameplay, Fistful of Lead and its supplements have a great deal to offer those gamers looking for a tabletop adventuring system. It is adaptable, covers a variety of genres and could be used again and again for not only skirmish gaming but the type of ‘games within games’ where small groups of warriors undertake the type of missions legends are made of. Equally, the presentation of the books evokes the comics, movies and pulp literature that is so popular with those gamers who enjoy narrative adventures and campaigning."
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 19 December 2020, 07:47:41 AM: They’re fun. We’ve never had a dull game with them.

Just buy them mate, you won’t be disappointed :D
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: fred on 19 December 2020, 08:38:37 AM: We’ve only found FFoL recently, and have had great fun with Cowboy games - the rules just work - simple to understand, but plenty of depth and tactics to use. Lots of cinematic moments.

They also work great for remote gaming - which is a big plus at the minute.

Dead cheap if you get the PDF versions. Which is all you really need, as you won’t need to be thumbing through the rule book all the time.

We’ve not really tried them for other periods yet - but do intend to.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: has.been on 19 December 2020, 10:15:10 AM: I have used them for a variety of periods/genres & always had FUN.
The low figure count, quick pick up on the rules & possibility of playing
just about anything = MUST TRY.
As recommended, order a PDF, take a few figures off the shelf & play!

My days of:-
2 years research into a period,
checking out all the manufacturers/ basing options/ rules,
A year painting (For just one side!) then
a handful of games (& most of that time trying to look up some complex rule)
are thankfully OVER.
Now, if I see some nice figures for a war I have never done before, all I have
to do is buy (a few figures), paint them & quickly play. This also means lots of
games, I might even win one, you never know.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Derek H on 19 December 2020, 11:34:14 AM: I like the gang design system. I really enjoy trying to find ways of putting gangs that can fight the way I want.

I really don't think the system would stand up well in the hands of Minimaxers or competition gamers, but it's a great tool for creating scenarios. .
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Elk101 on 19 December 2020, 02:00:39 PM: Jaye will be the first to tell you it's not intended for 'power gaming'. It's more about using the figures you have (or an excuse to buy the ones you want) and having fun with friends.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: BaronVonJ on 19 December 2020, 03:42:11 PM: As Steve mentioned, I've never mad any secret that FfoL is Hollywood and not History. If you are a power gamer or Rules Lawyer, stay away. That's not how I game. (although Rules Lawyers and Power Gamers rarely know they are what they are).
If you want to play with whatever you have lying around, it's perfect.
We recently played remotely for Wiley Wargame Weekend. Three linked Victorian SciFi games: Airship battle, small scale skirmish, large battle with big clanky contraptions. All the same core mechanics.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Bravo Six on 19 December 2020, 04:57:52 PM: Thanks for weighing in guys. Cinematic skirmish is exactly what I play anyway J. :D

Quote
Just buy them mate, you won’t be disappointed

Thanks James. Already done. Went for the hardcopy rulebook.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 19 December 2020, 05:01:52 PM: Good man :)

You didn’t want to spring for postage from the U.K. then?

lol
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Bravo Six on 19 December 2020, 05:03:31 PM: Nah. Figured ordering on my continent was cheaper. ;)
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 19 December 2020, 05:12:59 PM: Much lol
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Bravo Six on 19 December 2020, 08:22:08 PM: Are there vehicle rules in the Core Book? I saw a Vehicle Instruction Manual, but that looked to be for the Galactic Heroes supplement.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: BaronVonJ on 19 December 2020, 09:20:26 PM: Vehicle manual works with Core.
Recommend you watch this: https://youtu.be/4eUyHu8nEO8
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: crafty on 19 December 2020, 10:04:35 PM: My 2 cents. Awesome fun. Can't go wrong if you're up for a hollywood/narrative style skirmish game. Great for low figure count, multiplayer games.

I've introduced FFoL to a bunch of my mates from work this year, most of them had never played a minis game at all. They aren't rivet counting wargamers that would enjoy simulating the Drive on Moscow etc etc.

The FFoL rules are pretty straight forward, easy to learn. Never had a drama teaching it. This year, we've played a couple of zombie/survivor games and a 'Saving Private Ryan' game....even a African militia vs. terrorist game.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/48/15115-270920104539-48363357.jpeg)

Today we're heading to the club (Darwin, Northern Territory...no lock downs) for out last outing before Christmas, we'll play another 'Ryan' game because they loved that. I'll try to post some piccys this week, all going to plan.

The thing I really like about it is that it has a DIY/customisable element to it that ports to almost anything. I bought the PDFs from War-game vault, super easy...now I print off blank cards and customise characters from 'Zombie Lords' to 'Becky the High-School-Sweet-heart' to 'Captain Miller/Tom Hanks'. If you enjoy this part of the hobby - tinkering with scenarios & characters - it's a great system.

You'll also have to print off counters etc etc...not a big drama for people on LAF that post amazing diorama-style terrain & figures.

As others have said, it's not a game for the 'power gamer' or the history boffin. I would add that there is a lot of 'gotcha' style card play - forcing re-rolls, healing damage, weapon jams, for example - and if that style of game play frustrates you, you might not enjoy it as much.

The card play mechanisms add a lot of narrative good times. The pay off is well worth it.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: flatpack on 19 December 2020, 10:37:45 PM: FFOL rules = fun = money well spent.
Enough said.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Bravo Six on 20 December 2020, 01:22:42 AM: Quote
As others have said, it's not a game for the 'power gamer' or the history boffin. I would add that there is a lot of 'gotcha' style card play - forcing re-rolls, healing damage, weapon jams, for example - and if that style of game play frustrates you, you might not enjoy it as much.

That sounds like TONS of fun! Thanks.

Quote
FFOL rules = fun = money well spent.
Enough said.

Perfect!
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: Harry Faversham on 21 December 2020, 08:18:39 AM: I'm getting the 'Starfighters' supplement for Crimbo, so spent yesterday hunting down and dusting off some kites ready for action. I'm going to transcumbobulate outer space into WW2, so today will be spent nicking one of Herself's light blue bed sheets and adding some clouds. This evening will be spent learning RAF 1040 slang while listening to the 'Battle of Britain' film soundtrack. Wizard prang old boy, chocks away Ginger...
only FFofL can do this!

:)
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: flatpack on 21 December 2020, 08:52:23 AM: Harry,
I’ve already started going down this road, of converting star fighters to ww2.
Aiming at using 1/600 aircraft as I have plenty of them already painted up.
Tried it out already, and like I’ve read somewhere else about the rules, don’t try and stick to formations in the air, as the planes end up all over the shop - I guess that’s like a real dogfight ?
Need to sort something out for speeding up and slowing down, as in the original rules, I can’t see any limiting factors except full speed or coming to a standstill as these are spacecraft.
Coming to a standstill don’t work with aircraft as the have a tendency to fall out of the sky lol.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: has.been on 21 December 2020, 02:39:24 PM: Having had the honour of playing in a Flatpack aerial game,
I must point out another way to plummet from the sky.
The steeper the dive (I was told) the more accurate the
Dive Bombers load delivery. Keen to be VERY accurate
I went into an almost vertical dive. What I wasn't told
was that wings can only take so much pressure... Oh S#1T !!!!!
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: The Great Mahoo on 03 January 2021, 05:45:40 PM: I haven't seen much on Fistful of Lead until reading through this thread. How well might it play solo? Any thoughts on the Starfighter variant? I'm looking for new space battle rules to try out.
Title: Re: Fistful of Lead..... convince me
Post by: BaronVonJ on 03 January 2021, 10:45:58 PM: Mahoo, do a search for “Fistful of Lead” here on LAF, and you’ll get quite a few threads to read.
A little Googling will get you even more battle reports and reviews as well as a ton of games my blog.