Weird Wild West -- A Rules Quest

[Sendak]

I have begun a new interest things Wild West. Hmmm, perhaps unto the arcane side of the genre.

I would gladly accept any help in finding a set of tabletop gaming rules for Weird Wild West (WWW).

By WWW I mean alternative-historico-pulp-horror-victoriana-punk-arcana. I tend to go a bit hay wire.

I'm thinking an off-the-shelf product,since I am also a bit lacking in the rules creation skills.

Your kind assistance immensely appreciated.

Cheers,
Sendak

[elysium64]

There are two options that come to mind Great Rail Wars (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12957) from Pinnacle based on their Deadlands RPG, I don't know much about these or if they are still available but I do believe they may have been replaced by Battle for Slaughter Gulch a miniatures boardgame (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39798)
But my personal recomendation would be Malifaux by Wyrd Miniatures (http://wyrd-games.net/shop/home.php) although more fantasy/ horror orientated it has a good mix of Wild West/Steampunk/Horror and has a very innovative set of rules using playing cards istead of dice. You can find out more by visiting their forum (http://www.wyrd-games.net/) if you download there e-zine  Wyrd Chronicles 1 and 2, see site navigation bar left hand side for background and fiction.
The only other option is to adapt existing rules for the Wild West the best of which I believe to be those by Foundry (http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/books/RWNN.asp)
I hope this helps

[itchy]

 I like playing the rules with no name and this varient is fun , http://mrnizz.tripod.com/files/scary_monsters_1_3.pdf

mainly for film monsters  but might be a start for you.

[Lowtardog]

Slaughter Gulch looks very much in the vein of last night on earth board game, didnt realise they had released that as it was I think originally going to be a strictly miniatures game.

Railwars is still available as pdf from Pinnacle games, 2nd edition plus additional books for new units, scenarios and vehicle rules.

[Red Orc]

I've been kicking around the idea of using Necromunda as a basis for VSF gaming; a couple of days ago it occurred to me that it would be equally applicable to Weird Wild West (which is, I think, the American counterpart of VSF); and just today I saw a thread in "pulp" where someone had used Necro as the basis for a Pulp game... so it does have cross-genre potential.

It has the advantage of being a fairly-well known ruleset. And it's free of course, which is always nice.

EDIT in light of info given below... "Westmunda" just doesn't sound right to me! I was going to call my version "Deadville", which I think has a much more Tombstone/Dead Man's Gulch kinda vibe. But thanks for the info, I will check that out.

[Onebigriver]

I've been kicking around the idea of using Necromunda as a basis for VSF gaming; a couple of days ago it occurred to me that it would be equally applicable to Weird Wild West (which is, I think, the American counterpart of VSF); and just today I saw a thread in "pulp" where someone had used Necro as the basis for a Pulp game... so it does have cross-genre potential.

It has the advantage of being a fairly-well known ruleset. And it's free of course, which is always nice.

I think someone's done an adaptation called Westamunda. Might be worth looking for on the Free Wargames Rules site.

[Crudeboy]

Pinnacle has also re-released their Showdown ruleset, which is pretty generic.

http://peginc.com/Downloads/Showdown/Showdown.pdf

[Uncle Mike]

I have played Strange Aeons as a western (Grim Prarie Tales) and it works quite well without any tweeking...the weapons are almost all usable...as are the monsters. Ia, Ia, pardner! At some point in the (far...) future this will most likley be an expansion.

[Sendak]

A most delightful list of rules options. *Tips his Stetson*

Many thanks indeed.

I have begun to scratch build my terrain with a compact 4' x 4' table in mind.

The plan is for an abandoned mining camp that I can add a town "just over the hill a-ways".  Yeah, I will keep adding terrain pieces to the table. No feng shui I am afraid.

Now for an appropriately gruesome name for this mining camp....hmmmm... any ideas?

Much obliged.

Sendak

[Crudeboy]

Hm... Right off the top of my head, something "Western-y":

Gallows Bend
Scratch Bend
Maven's Gulch
Miser's Gulch
Handler Creek

[Commander Vyper]

Pinnacle has also re-released their Showdown ruleset, which is pretty generic.

http://peginc.com/Downloads/Showdown/Showdown.pdf

Anyone played them? They look really interesting and the rulebook is very well laid out.

[Pappa Midnight]

Great Rail Wars is pretty good with the Derailed expansion covering Steampunk type vehicles.

The Showdown rule set is basically a "Cut Down" version of the Savage Worlds RPG cutting out the RPG elements and concentrating on the combat. It's actually a little more "In Depth" than the Rail Wars rules which are a little dated now. Also Showdown allows for scratch-building characters from any genre so Weird West stuff shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers
PM

[Supercollider]

I use Savage Worlds and the showdown rules extensively; I swear by them these days - one system fits all

[Sendak]

Super. You fellahs are especially in the know.

Now I have my delightful wicked work cut out for me. I will be busy previewing rules sets.

Ah, lovely little Gallows Bend...its quiet here...'cept on hangin' days.

All best,

Sendak

[Christian]

Just noticed this thread, and a bookmark I had hidden away:
http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/Rules/19th_Century/WesternRules.html

Westamunda rules.

These sound like a lot of fun! And can borrow from Necromunda or Gorkamorka for the Wierder aspects.