Suggestions for hard SF rules

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

I was originally going to post this in the 15 mm Grimdark thread but didn't want to hijack it so have finally done what I should have done originally and created a new topic.

I've been looking for some time for a set of rules at platoon or conceivably higher level of command that would give what I would regard as a credible depiction of how warfare might appear in a future that's well short of the 41st millennium, at least insofar as having no orks or other identifiable fantasy races. Also, while it might well be set in a galaxy far far away, it won't have the slightest resemblance to any Disney-owned property.

As to what it will be like, that is somewhat harder to define, which partly accounts for my not having settled on a set. I'm thinking relatively 'hard SF' with regard to weapons and communications technology and a credible approach to military organization and operations, at least for the humans.  The nearest setting I can think of - while I don't wish, at this stage, to directly adopt it - is that of the Aliens universe.

Rules I'm aware of and think may have potential include Xenos Rampant, Stargruntz, Hammer's Slammers and Quadrant13 by Too Fat Lardies. I've read a little about some of these but can't find out much at all about Quadrant 13 which has a single - unanswered - post on the Lardie forum. I've downloaded all of the OPR sets but while I find the battle reports in the Grimdark thread entertaining, I don't care for the 40K-derived background, though I imagine this could be replaced without too much difficulty. Ideally, however, I'd prefer something that doesn't require me to fiddle with it too much to work for me.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

[gregmita]

I think you might be mixing up Stargrunt and Gruntz, which are two separate rule sets. Both are quite good, and Stargrunt is free from Ground Zero Games, its creator.

https://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/rules.html

Stargrunt was one of the first rulesets that I know to use polyhedral dice to represent different troop quality, etc., and in tone its setting very much fits your requirements..

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Yes, you're right. I meant Gruntz, which I have in fact downloaded but not read thoroughly. I'm even less familiar with Stargrunt. As it's also free I'll download that now.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

No, I didn't mean Gruntz. It's Stargrunt that I already had, and now have twice. Obviously the z in Gruntz got into my head somehow but otherwise I've forgotten anything I may have known about it, which was probably little. Is it currently available?

Edit: so it is, in PDF and POD form from Wargame Vault. I'll read up about it in due course.

[LouieN]

Stargrunt II is a very detailed "hard Sci-fi" rule system.  Primarily a human on human squad level skirmish game.  Its is also free.  The ground zero universe also has its own setting and lore.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://downloads.groundzerogames.co.uk/sgii.pdf

Another one is Tomorrow's War.  A near future light Sci-fi setting.  I have not played it but it was praised for its reaction system.   

https://www.wargamevault.com/product/373328/Tomorrows-War

I would place both of these on the crounchier spectrum. 

Another recent arrival is BLKOUT.  A small scale tactical game. A elegant game with a District 9 vibe.     

https://www.blkoutgame.com/

I hope this list helps. 

Ultimately I chose a simple system for my sci-fi games.  Every time I think I should go more realistic I think of reasons why I should not.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Thank you both. I've heard of the games you mention, LouieN, though had forgotten it. I'm also now reminded of Full Spectrum Dominance, the new game by Modiphius, unless I'm confusing it with something else, such as Modiphius' other new SF game. I do know it's 1/300 scale and includes mechs, but that's not the style of game I'm currently looking at, though I may well do so in the future.

BLKOUT is another I'm intrigued about but haven't investigated in depth. Again it's not in the niche I'm presently looking into (though this, frankly, is prone to change on an almost weekly basis).

[Rick]

Another one to consider might be Agis Neugebauer's 'Victory Decision Future Combat.' I've not looked at the Future Combat set but I've got both the original rules and the Victory Decision rules that derived from them and they are an excellent group of rules, originally developed for the Starship Troopers game. Available on pdf probably on Wargame Vault and Drivethrurpg. Also worth popping over to the Victory Decision child board and asking Agis about his rules in person.

[zemjw]

Modiphius have Five Parsecs From Home - Tactics, which is their squad level game. I have it, but haven't done anything with it yet.

It's also worth checking out the 5150 range from Two Hour Wargames to see if they have anything of use.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Thank you Rick and zemjw. I'll look into those suggestions.

[Rick]

Do let us know how you get on with them though. Always good to find out what rulesets others enjoy using.

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Long out of print but GDW’s Striker fits your bill.  From the Traveller Universe.  It might need some command control activation rules to get it up to contemporary tastes.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

I've now ordered a POD copy of Gruntz from Wargame Vault and it's about time I had my PDF of Stargrunt printed, so that I can at least stop mixing the two up.

I hadn't heard of Striker. I will add it to my list of rules to seek out, which is going to become somewhat harder since I'm in the process of closing my eBay account.

I also need to start thinking about miniatures. I know little about what's available, other than mechs. I think I'll be looking at 15 mm for this embryonic project so that I can aim to build the equivalent of a mechanised infantry company in the longer term, though I'll be starting smaller.

[LouieN]

For 15mm look through the catalogs of

Khurasan
Ground Zero Games
Brigade Models

See what catches your eye

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

I will, though unfortunately Khurasan are probably out due to the cost of shipping. (I'm in the UK).

[Rick]

I'm in the same boat but I have managed a couple of orders from Khurasan in the past - they are very good at working out the easiest and cheapest delivery options.
Also take a look at the Ral Partha Europe 'Critical Mass' figures - very good for infantry; human (HALO-esque) and several flavours of alien (including the superb Khanates). Someone has already mentioned GZG, so I'll just add that they are undoubtedly the best source of 15mm sci-fi figures, bar none. Brigade are great for vehicles, not looked at the figures much, but they seem ok. Vanguard do 15mm figures reminiscent of 40k but the few vehicles they do look good and may be useful for other figures. Alternative Armies do ranges of figures - the older Laserburn and Asgard ranges are showing their age but some of the others are superb - I have some of the Loud Ninja figures and I am really thinking of getting some of the alien Prang from the Ion Age range. There are many other ranges available but these few tend to be my 'go-to' choices.