Suggestions for Colonial skirmish games?

[marianas_gamer]

I am looking to see what rules folks on the forum have to recommend for small scale skirmish games set in the late 19th century through the early 20th century. I am thinking for 20-70 minis on the table. Many thanks.

[fred]

The Men Who Would be Kings from the Osprey wargames rules series. Possibly a little higher figure count than you are suggesting, but around those numbers.

Give a good game, seems to balance native vs European forces reasonably well.

[SPQR7070]

Seconding TMWWBK. There are a few rules that might need a little house-ruling (like how pinning works), but overall it's a very fast and fun game to pick up and play.

[sjwalker51]

Another vote for MWWBK - fast moving and readily tweaked if you want to add a bit more detail to particular periods.

Sharp Practice is great for earlier (pre-1860) Colonial actions, but rather more detailed than the above.

[Umra Khan]

TSATF ( The Sword and The Flame ) with 10 figures per unit plus the use of D20 gave a good solution.
many companions sets, Sword in Palestine, Sword in Adventure...Sword in Tibet just few.

[giorgio]

Tmwwbk battles are well balanced and results uncertain very often up to the last dice. You can play skirmish mode with half numbers otherwise you need approx 36 infantry and 8 lancers against less than 1 hundred pathans

[Emir of Askaristan]

Both of the above are good sets which capture the flavour of the period.  Basing for one would allow you to play the other and neither really worry which size of figures you use.

TMWWBK is from Osprey and readily available as a kindle/epub version too.

TSATF is (I think, please correct if I'm wrong here) still paper.

Both are well covered by variants and suggestions for theatres and campaigns (TMWWBK online via forums and TSATF has published supplements).

I liked TSATF when I played, but now use TMWWBK and we have run many games with the latter at our local club, both as planned minicampaigns and simple pickup fights when we dont have anything organised.

[Diablo Jon]

Another vote for TMWWBKs. They also have a decent set of solo rules included in the rule book for when opponents are in short supply.

[Calumma]

I also like TMWWBKs. They are a good example of a relatively simple rule set that allows you to focus on the game without getting too bogged down. I’m currently running a campaign using them but the rules are also great for simple pickup games. 

I also play and enjoy Congo. Smaller forces with card driven movement that is based around set scenarios.

[Hu Rhu]

I also recommend TMWWBK.  Simple rules but with a great deal of flavour.  Easily adapted for any period across the time frame you have indicated and with potential to run campaign games as well.

[italwars]

I second Umra Khan suggestion..TSATF
very amusing..easy to learn and written in a friendly fashion..which is not the case of the clumsy and glossy TMWWBK...in my opionion practically all today's skirmish rules sets are rubish  ..aiming at  less educated (in wargame and historical therms) masses ...if you ..like me and a few of us cannot stand the masses and the plebs..choose the snobbish, meritocratic and NON politically correct  TSATF 
by the way i also suggest you to have a look at classic/vintage colonial skirmish rules ,..apparently complicated but really good and detailed..such as those included in Donald Featherstone "Skirmish Wargame" or even the really difficult to find (but i can furnish a copy) "Colonial Skirmish Rules" by Mark Blake ecc..which is a sort of small gem to read even if you'll never game with it:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25814/rules-conduction-colonial-period-skirmish-wargames

[Hu Rhu]

I second Umra Khan suggestion..TSATF
very amusing..easy to learn and written in a friendly fashion..which is not the case of the clumsy and glossy TMWWBK...in my opionion practically all today's skirmish rules sets are rubish  ..aiming at  less educated (in wargame and historical therms) masses ...if you ..like me and a few of us cannot stand the masses and the plebs..choose the snobbish, meritocratic and NON politically correct  TSATF 
by the way i also suggest you to have a look at classic/vintage colonial skirmish rules ,..apparently complicated but really good and detailed..such as those included in Donald Featherstone "Skirmish Wargame" or even the really difficult to find (but i can furnish a copy) "Colonial Skirmish Rules" by Mark Blake ecc..which is a sort of small gem to read even if you'll never game with it:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/25814/rules-conduction-colonial-period-skirmish-wargames

Given the number of likes for TMWWBK compared to TSATF, it seems the 'masses' have spoken. 

[fred]

I’m frankly astonished we have only had two suggestions from about 10 people! Normally these questions lead to umpteen suggestions.

So not sure if Colonial gaming is much more consistent on rule sets used, or there is just less choice?

[pauld]

I’m frankly astonished we have only had two suggestions from about 10 people!

OK, I'll bite.

Quite narrow in respect of troop types and region being a small scale skirmish ruleset centred on Colonial African adventures (however I have seen people take it outside it's original scope successfully with a little work and proxying).

CONGO

A fabulous game but, to be fair, more akin to a wargame/boardgame/pulp mash up compared to a straight battle game. 

However it delivers great narrative stories set in a period and setting I love.

The rules are wonderfully produced too and a pleasure to read/flip through.

[Diablo Jon]

I’m frankly astonished we have only had two suggestions from about 10 people! Normally these questions lead to umpteen suggestions.

So not sure if Colonial gaming is much more consistent on rule sets used, or there is just less choice?

I think TSATF has been a staple in colonial skirmishing gaming for a long time and TMWWBKs has become popular since its release. The OP did seem to be looking for something generic. If they had said he was looking more specifically, at say Darkest Africa, I might have suggested Chris Peers In the Heart of Africa ( or possibly Congo)  but I'm not sure colonial gaming is blessed with an abundance of skirmish rule sets.