Good Crusader Era rules

[LouieN]

Hello,

Can the collective recommend a solid Crusader era wargames rules.  Miniature game or boardgame that really captures the feel.

I hear Shattered Lances is good but cannot find where to purchase them.

Thanks for nay help.

[SJWi]

Are you after mass-battle of large skirmish size games.  In the former category there is "Age of the Crusades" which is the period-specific add=on to the SAGA ruleset. Warwick Kinrade wrote "Soldiers of God" which again are period specific but not sure if they are easily available. My go-to rules for ancient and medieval are Simon Miller's "To the Strongest" but they are generic rules, not period specific. There is a Crusade-specific supplement for Lion Rampant available from Wargames Vault for just over $12 but it is written around the original version of the rules not the second edition. Worth a look though.       

[LouieN]

I am feeling more a mass battle system.  The ability to run the big encounters. 

[Ran The Cid]

Deus Vult by FireForge is period specific, mass battle, and still easily purchased.  Its been years since I tried to play it.  I recall that some of the pre-game activities were novel, but could be skipped in the interest of time.  I wanted to explore the rules for skirmishing horse, as they had potential to be better than average, but never got back to the game.

[MGH]

I have a large 18mm Blue Moon collection of Crusaders and Muslims and our group enjoys doing this era using To the Strongest rules by Simon Miller. Very balanced games usually. I think the Crusaders have won just a couple more than the Muslims in maybe 20+ games.

[SJWi]

MGH, agree with your "To the Strongest" recommendation. They are my go-to ancient/medieval ruleset for big battles,and I too use them with my Seljuk and 1st Crusade armies. The leaders, army banners/relics and use of stratagems can add "period feel".

[bluewillow]

I like the big basing and diorama feel of Advanced Impetus and To the Strongest, but I feel impetus captures the period better, alas I sold my 1100 odd figures for the first crusade before I departed Australia 5 years ago for France.

Cheers
Matt

[SJWi]

Blue Willow, alas I never got on with Impetus but admit it is  popular ruleset. Maybe it was because it became the go-to set for my ex-club's competition gamerswho insisted on giving a running commentary on tactical choices based on arcane rule interpretations.

[Phil Portway]

I am feeling more a mass battle system.  The ability to run the big encounters.

Sword and Spear, can run huge battles.

[Harry Faversham]

I'm having a pop with FFofL 'Might and Melee rules* for a Crusader quest...
King Harry the Lionfart's on one big style. One of Saladin's secret agents has snuck to  the tomb of King Arthur at Avalon, and nicked the Holy Sword Excaliber. Himself and a boatload of worthies have just landed in the Holy Land, extreme prejudice, aforethought!
*If it turns out OK, we'll then scale up to FFofL 'Big Battles'.

 

[Harry Faversham]

AAR to follow.

 

[MaleGriffin]

Impressive looking game! Looking forward to the AAR!

[Osmoses]

I've settled on Shattered Lances, but they are very difficult to get hold of.

Deus Vult by Fireforge has been re-released. Did a bit of a review a few years back here:
https://wargamesasp.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/deus-vult/

Soldiers of God is also out of print at the moment I think, but a review of that here:
https://wargamesasp.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/soldiers-of-god/

[V]

We use 'Soldiers of God', fantastic for mass battle Crusades, but out.of print.

[Frostie]

For mass battle I would go with hail Caesar or To The Strongest