Looking for simple 19th century skirmish rules -help!

[traveller]

I would like to find some rather simple skirmish rules for the 19th century that do not use the classic tedious mechanism of enless tables with modifiers to dice rolls etc. Are there any innovative rules that use cards or other ways of creating a fast flowing game in max 1-2 hours? My secret plan is to lure the kids into wargaming 

Grateful for any recommendations!

[Adam]

Are you thinking of any particular part of the 19th century? The Too Fat Lardies are playtesting a second edition of Sharp Practice (photos on their twitter), though I'm not sure of the release date. There is also Donnybrook - a fun, simple skirmish ruleset that is aimed at the late 17th/early 18th century, but that people have used for all sorts of periods outside its intended scope. Dalauppror has a lot of battle reports on his excellent blog:

http://dalauppror.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Donnybrook?m=0

Both rulesets are card driven

[Vacuumjockey]

Fistful of Lead Reloaded and Pulp Alley would both meet all your specs IMO. Fistful is a western game and PA is a pulp game that can easily be reskinned. Both are easy to learn skirmish games that require relatively little time to play and handle.

[FifteensAway]

Or you can just write your own absurdly simple rules, especially if for kids.  All you need are move distances, fire distances, and hit numbers to run a game.  Simple as that.  I know.  It works.  Did it.  Five minutes to write, played for a couple of hours, everybody agreed it was fun.  My theory is most of the fun was because the focus was on the game, not the rules.  They fit on either side of a 3 x 5 card - and there was lots of room left on the card.  Lots!

If you really want to push the envelope, then add in flank and rear modifiers and - maybe - morale.  The first we did, the second we didn't.

[fastolfrus]

Or you could look at Don Featherstone's "Skirmish Wargames".
Quite an old book now but it has rules for lots of periods/settings, and rules that are relatively simple (but could be simplified further).

[Rob_bresnen]

Songs of Drums and Shakos (Napoleonic) or Songs of Drums and Tomahwks (French Indian Wars)- both are very quick, very easy to learn, great to teach kids, and lots of fun. You need about 8-15 figures aside.

[julesav]

I've found these useful for a wide variety of periods:

http://www.keepwargaming.co.uk/fire-and-steel-skirmish-rules-1700-1900-152-p.asp

[traveller]

Are you thinking of any particular part of the 19th century? The Too Fat Lardies are playtesting a second edition of Sharp Practice (photos on their twitter), though I'm not sure of the release date. There is also Donnybrook - a fun, simple skirmish ruleset that is aimed at the late 17th/early 18th century, but that people have used for all sorts of periods outside its intended scope. Dalauppror has a lot of battle reports on his excellent blog:

http://dalauppror.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Donnybrook?m=0

Both rulesets are card driven

THe lead mountain will allow almost any conflict in the 19th Century but I planned to focus on the latter part post 1850. Which would be fastest/simplest: Donnybrook or Sharp practice?

[traveller]

Or you can just write your own absurdly simple rules, especially if for kids.  All you need are move distances, fire distances, and hit numbers to run a game.  Simple as that.  I know.  It works.  Did it.  Five minutes to write, played for a couple of hours, everybody agreed it was fun.  My theory is most of the fun was because the focus was on the game, not the rules.  They fit on either side of a 3 x 5 card - and there was lots of room left on the card.  Lots!

If you really want to push the envelope, then add in flank and rear modifiers and - maybe - morale.  The first we did, the second we didn't.

Thats all true! I have done that in the past but I thought a card driven game could include some surprise elements that might add some fun -hopefully

[italwars]

Hello
my two suggestions:

a) this gentleman offer on his very nice forum this simple 2 pages old fashion simple rule..they are for FPW..but , in my opinion, they could do nicely for 1850 up to that period..

http://tonystoysoldiers.blogspot.it/

b) you probably know TSATF rulesysthem..very enjoying and simple...each mini based individually ..a kind of great skirmish..if you prchase the rule book aimed at Colonial wargame..which i stronly suggest you..you can then enter in the dedicated yahoo group where you can find in the archives the very simple (2 pages) amendments for Napoleonic, ACW, FPW, Mexican Adventure, Spanish American War...on the web you'll also find amendments for Ancient, Renaissance ecc...and with a few dollars you can purchase also dedicated ones for WW1, Foreign Legion ecc... so with only one rule set ..simple to learn and ejoyable to play you would game everything you desire..

[Emir of Askaristan]

Keep it simple.

IGO/UGO

• Foot move 15cm/6"
  Mounted move 30cm/12"
  D6 score of 4+ to hit shooting or melee
  D6 score of 4+ to save, extra save if in cover or armoured, shielded, whatever.
  Artillery roll several dice instead of 1.
  Spears and Pistols - 15cm/6"
  Rifles and Bows - 30cm/12"
  Artillery 60cm/24"

Then add to that as they get more into it.

[SteveBurt]

Sharp Practice uses groups of figures (size 6-12 figures). Groups are commanded by leaders, who are the guys you activate.
I understand that Donnybrook is man v man (and uses multiple different dice size - one of my pet hates).
So it depends what sort of size skirmish you want. SP allows up to about 100 figures a side in a couple of hours, and is a very good game.
If you just want a few figures, The Song of XXX series of rules are very good (there is a swashbuckling set called Flashing Steel which works well for pirates).

[Pennyflower]

Brother against Brother is a rather simple set of rules and is card driven. It may be OOP, however.

[Captain Darling]

Hi,

Smooth and Rifled is really good, clear base rules and free supplements for each period of fighting (warfare changed radically from 1801 - 1899 so these are great)...
http://www.dadiepiombo.it/images/stories/dp/smooth.html

Some of the free rules by R Bradley of Tyneside Wargamers are good as well during this period!
http://www.tynesidewargames.co.uk/downloads.html

Cheers

[traveller]

Many thanks for all your recommendations!

Much appreciated