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Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: jetengine on February 03, 2017, 12:49:01 PM

Title: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: jetengine on February 03, 2017, 12:49:01 PM
So In the future I'm going to be getting a wild west 4x4 board for Malifaux and I realised it also lets me use my plethora of Wild West minis ! So I need ruleset suggestions since all I've got is Dead Mans Hand.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Elbows on February 03, 2017, 12:56:45 PM
What kind of rules are you looking for?  Quick and easy, more role-playing-esque, etc.  Do you want a lot of miniatures on the board, or just a handful?

Best is going to be pretty subjective, but luckily most of the Old West rules are different enough in purpose.

Dead Man's Hand - you've got this covered.
Fistful of Lead - very popular, recently re-released
Gutshot - the most role-playing heavy one, fewer miniatures, super detailed if you wish
Legends of the Old West - Necromunda/Mordheim takeoff from Warhammer Historicals (now out-of-print).  If you love GW stuff from the 90's this is your game
Shoot N' Skedaddle - my own design, based on randomly generated posses/gangs and hectic hollywood action
Desperado - the most figures, and generally a pretty popular convention game for large groups (I believe someone was going to re-release this soon)
The rules with no name (TRWNN) - old school, available as a free download (haven't read this one in ages)
Wild West Exodus - 35mm weird-west, don't know how well this was received
Blackwater Gulch - not sure if this ever took off, but when I tried the free rules a rather simple GW-feeling game w/ limited depth

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.  What kind of "feel" are you wanting from your games?
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: jetengine on February 03, 2017, 01:03:38 PM
20 odd models at the most. Skirmish. 4x4 board not super detailed.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Elbows on February 03, 2017, 01:31:48 PM
That number of models will cover all of the games listed, easily.  4x4 likewise works for all of them.  You can find reviews of most of these games online I'd imagine.  A few have free rules: Shoot N' Skedaddle, TWRNN (I think), Blackwater Gulch (the original one was a free download), and maaaaybe an old copy of Desperado?  You can count out LOTOW unless you love GW games as it's out of print and if you want books that'd be tough (I'm sure someone has scanned them though).

In general they all (except Wild West Exodus and later Blackwater Gulch "Weird" expansions) use the same cowboys/indians etc. so you can repurpose all of your DMH stuff.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: TheCaptain on February 03, 2017, 02:49:01 PM
Also Black Scorpion has reportedly been gearing up to do a kickstarter in march for a new ruleset for their Tombstone minis, so that be worth taking a look at when kicks off.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: hentzau on February 03, 2017, 03:30:39 PM
I think that Knuckleduster just did a re-release on this. (http://knuckleduster.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=9&product_id=383)  I picked up a copy at Little Wars last year (along with WAY too many of their Gunfighter's Ball figures.)  It's a pretty nice set of rules, just reading them through.  I haven't had a chance to play them yet though.  Might try and hit the table with them at my next con.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Bloodaxe on February 03, 2017, 05:35:22 PM
Quote from: jetengine on February 03, 2017, 01:03:38 PM
20 odd models at the most. Skirmish. 4x4 board not super detailed.

Fistful of Lead.  ;)
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Inkpaduta on February 03, 2017, 05:45:30 PM
Wild West Exodus would not work.
The rules are very specific to the weird west and
each figure comes with its own special card.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Andrew_McGuire on February 03, 2017, 07:25:57 PM
The Law of the Gun by Chris Peers (Ruga-Ruga Publications) may also fit the bill:

http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=6533

I bought it recently, heavily discounted, from North Star, and it would be worth keeping an eye out for it, as their bargains  items are changing all the time.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Harry Faversham on February 03, 2017, 07:41:05 PM
In the end there can only be one...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=84877.0;attach=39823;image)

 :-*
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: BaronVonJ on February 03, 2017, 08:28:28 PM
You know what I'll say.Fistful of Lead.
www.wiley-games.com
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: jetengine on February 03, 2017, 10:17:30 PM
Do any of these differentiate between Cowboys/Mexicans/NA or are they all neutral ?
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: BaronVonJ on February 03, 2017, 11:09:52 PM
Differentiate how so?
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Elbows on February 04, 2017, 12:27:40 AM
Shoot N' Skedaddle does not have NA/Mexican designated characters so much.  LOTOW does - as it has large lists for various war parties (much in the Mordheim/Necromunda vane).
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Harry Faversham on February 04, 2017, 12:34:22 AM
We have a rule making it easier to kill Mexicans, just kind of looks better...

(https://mygeekblasphemy.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/battle.png)

 :-*
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Go player1 on February 11, 2017, 03:48:36 AM
I'll add a plug for Six-Gun Sound by Two Hour Wargames.  The reaction system is good in my opinion.

I have played some of the others listed above and you can't go wrong with those.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Vampifan on February 11, 2017, 09:49:38 AM
+1 for Six Gun Sound. A very solid set of rules.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Elk101 on February 11, 2017, 09:59:49 AM
We've  found Fistful of Lead makes for a good game.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: warlord frod on February 11, 2017, 02:22:56 PM
I have most of the rules listed here but have played "The Rules With No Name" the most (See posts on the "Post a Picture of the Last Game You Played" thread) I like there simplicity and flexibility. We have tweaked a few things in my gaming group (Recover from a KO in 1d6 turns as opposed to on a roll of a six) Good stuff  :)
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: digid on February 13, 2017, 05:28:07 AM
Our group plays Dead Man's Hand and find the rules simple and enjoyable. If something comes up that is not in the rules we kind of make them up as we go. We find the rules very flexible in this and have had many enjoyable games.

The only thing we really do different than the main rules, is that we use a separate mini deck of cards I purchased off of Amazon for the initiative cards that get placed next to each miniature. The smaller size makes the board a little less cluttered, as then cards are only about 3/4x1 inch. We also roll off for ties. We use the standard action/reaction cards as intended. We commonly play with 2-4 players.

Dale
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Deedles on February 13, 2017, 09:33:38 AM
The Rules With No Name work well for me.. and allow you create characters with lots a various skills and attributes easily ..a few house tweaks after playing and we get really good games
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Golgotha on February 13, 2017, 05:34:21 PM
Deadlands Railways the miniature game of the RPG. Its got everything plus more especially with the RPG source books - plays well without the weird elements, most of all the game mechanics feel atmospheric.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: GamesPoet on February 13, 2017, 05:48:07 PM
Quote from: Harry Faversham on February 04, 2017, 12:34:22 AM
We have a rule making it easier to kill Mexicans, just kind of looks better...

(https://mygeekblasphemy.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/battle.png)
Did this come from a movie, and if yes, which one?  Looks like maybe a gatling gun did a number on them.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: DivisMal on February 13, 2017, 06:39:49 PM
I used to play Deadlands: The Great Railwars and thought it was the best Tabletop I had ever played. But that was aaaages ago.

Still, I really liked the rules and only thought they added too much supernatural stuff and neglected the western components.

Am also a fan of the Warhammer Historical: Old West stuff. It's OOP, but the books were beautifully produced and the rules pretty tight.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: johnl5555 on February 17, 2017, 01:37:06 AM
  The movie was The Wild Bunch. Gotta see this movie starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, Robert Ryan and other great character actors. It's a Peckinpah movie. The ending is incredible.

My set has been The Rules with No Name. A truly great set of rules! I recently picked up a Fistful of Lead.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Harry Faversham on February 17, 2017, 02:28:15 AM
Quote from: GamesPoet on February 13, 2017, 05:48:07 PM
Did this come from a movie, and if yes, which one?  Looks like maybe a gatling gun did a number on them.

"If they move... kill 'em!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJMxGFco57Y
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Euthanasor on March 26, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
Crazy about "6 gun sound".
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Digits on March 26, 2017, 03:48:39 PM
Rules with no name as mentioned above.    Very easy to pick up, and like above, we have added lots of our own content and have a very enjoyable game.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: warrenpeace on March 26, 2017, 06:06:03 PM
Didn't Deardlands: The Great Railwars generate the whole Savage Worlds universe? I think Deadlands: The Great Railwars is still available from Pinnacle Entertainment as a download. Never played that myself, but tried Savage Worlds for a swashbuckling game once and thought that it was great.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Treebeard on March 26, 2017, 06:12:27 PM
Pulp Alley works great for Hollywood Western
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: ced1106 on March 29, 2017, 08:53:29 PM
Quote from: warrenpeace on March 26, 2017, 06:06:03 PM
Didn't Deardlands: The Great Railwars generate the whole Savage Worlds universe? I think Deadlands: The Great Railwars is still available from Pinnacle Entertainment as a download. Never played that myself, but tried Savage Worlds for a swashbuckling game once and thought that it was great.

Yep! Free with dead tree purchase! : https://www.peginc.com/store/deadlands-great-rail-wars/

Or $5 alone : http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/56532/Deadlands-Great-Rail-Wars?src=hottest_filtered&filters=0_44489_1600_0_0

There's also a generic SW miniatures game that's a free download. Not sure where you can get it, but send me a PM if you can't find it!
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: thebinmann on April 20, 2017, 04:09:13 PM
Quote from: warrenpeace on March 26, 2017, 06:06:03 PM
Didn't Deardlands: The Great Railwars generate the whole Savage Worlds universe? I think Deadlands: The Great Railwars is still available from Pinnacle Entertainment as a download. Never played that myself, but tried Savage Worlds for a swashbuckling game once and thought that it was great.

Probably my fav too, the card activation makes for good solo with little change needed as it randoms it up! However, I thought the campaign experience rules were weak! I uch prefer the campaign stuff in LOTOW, but don't like the game....

Plus in GRW you get to role buckets of difference dice!
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: StuRat on April 22, 2017, 02:34:04 PM

Savage Worlds Showdown (https://www.peginc.com/store/savage-worlds-showdown-2/)
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: thebinmann on April 22, 2017, 04:24:15 PM
Quote from: StuRat on April 22, 2017, 02:34:04 PM
Savage Worlds Showdown (https://www.peginc.com/store/savage-worlds-showdown-2/)

That's it, that's the deadlands engine

PS just to let everyong know that's a link: www.peginc.com/store/savage-worlds-showdown-2

(I missed it in your post, until I replied)
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: El Aguila on April 26, 2017, 04:59:34 PM
I have always loved TSR Boothill
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: Arundel on April 26, 2017, 08:00:01 PM
Funny you mention that, El Aguila. An e-bay purchase of 2nd Edition Boot Hill just arrived today and I look forward to reading through it. I've heard again and again that even after all these years it's a great system for Western gunfights.
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: dbsubashi on April 27, 2017, 11:49:49 AM
If you go through the Wargames Illustrated archives (or old back issues) you can find a scenario for just that scene from the Wild Bunch for TRWNN...
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: El Aguila on April 28, 2017, 05:05:27 PM
Quote from: Arundel on April 26, 2017, 08:00:01 PM
Funny you mention that, El Aguila. An e-bay purchase of 2nd Edition Boot Hill just arrived today and I look forward to reading through it. I've heard again and again that even after all these years it's a great system for Western gunfights.

its great and has a fun solitaire rpg module you can play with a character. So its basically a tactical minis game that can double as an RPG
Title: Re: Best Wild West Rules ?
Post by: ZenWired on May 10, 2017, 04:53:50 PM
Sorry for the late entry: Tombstones n' Tumbleweeds (TnT) from Precis Intermedia is a fun game!

For other possibilities, check out Eric Hotz's list of Old West game rules: http://www.erichotz.com/game_rules1.html