Question: for franco-prussian war: TMWWBK or R&P

[duc de limbourg]

As said, i want to use a skirmish rule for the 1865-1875 period. Which rules would be more suitable : the The Men Who would be King or Rebels and Patriots?

[SJWi]

I would say "Rebels and Patriots" as TMWWBKs is I understand very much a "Colonial Skirmish" set. That said Rebels and Patriots is aimed at "Colonial North America" from the FIW to the Civil War so may not be ideal. I doubt either set has rules for say the "formed heavy cavalry" found in Europe.  What about Sharp Practice? There may be an add-on for these out there somewhere. 

[fred]

I’m watching the football - so haven’t had chance to check the rule books. So this is from memory

Whilst the TMWWMKs is primarily a colonial set, it does certainly have the option of playing European vs European forces. Whether this would make both sides a bit ‘samey’ I’m not sure. One of the key changes in TMWWBKs over the earlier period Rampant series rules is that it introduces automatic actions, fire for European forces and move for native ones.

R&P - I did look at this for Napoleonic games - and easily found heavy cavalry (it may even by in the rules - though as SJWi notes the rules are quite North American focused).

I’m no FPW expert so not quite sure which would represent games for that period best - but I would probably lean on TMWWBKs as its aimed at the later part of the 19th Cent.

[vtsaogames]

IMHO R&P is an improvement over TMWWBK, being the next iteration.
That said, you can run TMWBK without any changes, since it includes different rifle types. Lesser rifle for the Prussians, better rifle for the French.
I don't recall longer range guns but then you don't need artillery for skirmishes, eh?

R&P does have shock cavalry. Perhaps rate the Prussians as shock infantry, since those have a shorter range than standard infantry.
And perhaps rate regular French as Sharpshooters, since their Chassepots are so superior.
Gardes Mobiles and such can be green infantry, no sharpshooter rating since they have the lesser Tabatier rifles, still out-ranging the Dreyse Needle gun. Hmm, sounds like no rules changes needed if you rate the troops correctly. Same as above for artillery.

Might have to run some skirmishes myself, since we have 15mm FPW figures aplenty.

[duc de limbourg]

May I thank all you for your answers, greatly appreciated.