Narrative Rules that Focus on the Squad / Warband vs. Individuals?

[WillPhillips]

Hey guys,

I'm slowly chipping away at a narrative skirmish rule set. I'd like to keep the focus on the group (approx. 10-30 figures) compared to rules where the focus is on the individuals (whether that's a squad of heroes or a single leader/officer).

Think something akin to Band of Brothers' Easy Company - yeah, there are individuals and officers, but the story itself is about the men as a whole, the battles they fought, and the places they served.

Are there narrative rules designed with that sort of focus?

If so, I'd love some recommendations?

[jon_1066]

Are you talking about something like the legendary Games Workshop Realms of Chaos?  A chaos champion leads his warband to triumph or disaster picking up followers along the way alongside various mutations.

Chain of Command campaign supplement has rules for the effects of battle on the platoon, not just what happens to the casualties but it tracks the men's opinion of the platoon commander and his Captain's opinion of him as well depending upon how the platoon performed. 

[Carrakon]

Nordic Weasel Games' "Five Men at Kursk" might be just what you're after: You get one Squad of WWII soldiers you follow through a campaign. While individuals do play a role, most of it is more tied to the squad as a whole, than the usual "hero"-stuff - i.e. you got for example "key individuals" which bolster some aspect (for example mobility) for the whole squad as long as they're around.

The campaign system is very fun, too - how many wargames are there, where your men might face court martial after retreating?

Gamesize is well inside your given preference: usually you play with your squad plus some support. The rules do, however, support going bigger to up to 3 Squads plus support, should you so desire.

https://www.wargamevault.com/product/174545/Five-Men-at-Kursk

[WillPhillips]

Are you talking about something like the legendary Games Workshop Realms of Chaos?  A chaos champion leads his warband to triumph or disaster picking up followers along the way alongside various mutations.

Chain of Command campaign supplement has rules for the effects of battle on the platoon, not just what happens to the casualties but it tracks the men's opinion of the platoon commander and his Captain's opinion of him as well depending upon how the platoon performed.

I think Realms of Chaos may predate my time in the hobby in a serious manner. Will take a look.

The Chain of Command campaign rules look potentially relevant. Will look at that, as well. Is it focused on the platoon commander, or does it spread out the focus on the platoon as a whole?

[WillPhillips]

Nordic Weasel Games' "Five Men at Kursk" might be just what you're after: You get one Squad of WWII soldiers you follow through a campaign. While individuals do play a role, most of it is more tied to the squad as a whole, than the usual "hero"-stuff - i.e. you got for example "key individuals" which bolster some aspect (for example mobility) for the whole squad as long as they're around.

The campaign system is very fun, too - how many wargames are there, where your men might face court martial after retreating?

Gamesize is well inside your given preference: usually you play with your squad plus some support. The rules do, however, support going bigger to up to 3 Squads plus support, should you so desire.

https://www.wargamevault.com/product/174545/Five-Men-at-Kursk

Have heard lots of good things about Nordic Weasel's Five XYZ series of games. Haven't taken the plunge on any of them, but sounds like it might be a helpful reference.

[Mammoth miniatures]

I publish a little ruleset called planet 28 (and a fantasy version, Brutal quest that has more RPG elements)
It's designed for small warbands of custom characters and the solo rule set also adds rules for single character warbands

it's free on wargames vault if you want to give it a read and see if it's what you're after - only 12 pages!

[WillPhillips]

I publish a little ruleset called planet 28 (and a fantasy version, Brutal quest that has more RPG elements)
It's designed for small warbands of custom characters and the solo rule set also adds rules for single character warbands

it's free on wargames vault if you want to give it a read and see if it's what you're after - only 12 pages!

Well well well, it's nic_the_evans from the 'Gram!

We chatted briefly over there (I'm sevenlabors) after I missed the KS for Brutal Quest. Picked up the PDF from the vault, but if you've got any leftover print copies, I'd still be interested in buying one from you.

[Mammoth miniatures]

Well well well, it's nic_the_evans from the 'Gram!

We chatted briefly over there (I'm sevenlabors) after I missed the KS for Brutal Quest. Picked up the PDF from the vault, but if you've got any leftover print copies, I'd still be interested in buying one from you.

Ha, the tiny world of wargaming!
Yeah I have copies of brutal quest over at the mammoth webstore, Or you can get them through rooks press

[WillPhillips]

Ha, the tiny world of wargaming!
Yeah I have copies of brutal quest over at the mammoth webstore, Or you can get them through rooks press

Cool. I'll go put an order in.