ECW Skirmish rules suggestions

[recceboss]

Hello.

I have a number of rule sets for large scale ECW battles but not for skirmish games so am wondering what suggestions there might be.

Thank you

[Patrice]

"Argad" for very RPG-minded games, only if you are willing to write short scenarios and act as GM for your friends.

https://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/pdfs/argad-en-16th-17th.pdf

[SJWi]

Recceboss, by Skirmish do you mean 1-1 combat or "small unit" as per Saga for Dark Ages?

[traveller]

One-hour skirmish wargames by John Lambshead is what I use for the 30YW. Great ruleset that is easy to customize.

[recceboss]

Recceboss, by Skirmish do you mean 1-1 combat or "small unit" as per Saga for Dark Ages?

Both

[NurgleHH]

I thing ECW and Skirmish is problematic. I never found a system that made a good rule for pikes. Pikes are a weapon used in mass battles and it is noearly impossible to figure it in a skirmish game. Donny Brook is a nearly good game, but not perfect.
So, ECW without pikes seems to be the solution.

[SJWi]

I'd agree with NurgleHH. I've never come across any decent 1-1 ECW rules. There are "Three Musketeer" type rules such as Osprey's "En Garde" but are a quite specific genre.

For "small unit" games Osprey's "Pikemen's Lament" has quite a following and last year Wargames Illustrated released "Never Mind the Matchlocks" ( or some such name....) . I also still have "File Leader" from the mid 1980s.

 Actually looking at File Leader they mention a Civil War skirmish set called "Once Upon a Time in the West Country". No idea if they are still available.

[recceboss]

Thank you for the help - it is appreciated!

[SJWi]

By the way I see that "Once Upon a Time in the West Country" are still available from Caliver Books. They are probably a bit "old fashioned" compared to the others.

[NickNascati]

One Hour Skirmish or Fistful of Lead - Horse and Musket.  No pikes, just black powder and cold steel.

[traveller]

I thing ECW and Skirmish is problematic. I never found a system that made a good rule for pikes. Pikes are a weapon used in mass battles and it is noearly impossible to figure it in a skirmish game. Donny Brook is a nearly good game, but not perfect.
So, ECW without pikes seems to be the solution.
[/quote

While you would not typically have pikes in a skirmish scenario we had a "fighting retreat" scenario for the 30YW with One-Hour Skirmish Wargames (OHSW) rules where a small force of 6 pikemen and 8 musketeers defended a wagon against pursuing cavalry. The pikemen had one bonus card when defending against cavalry. I think it worked rather well.

[has.been]

Lots of good suggestions.
May I add a few points.
If doing One to One, then (as said) discard the pikes, often replaced with swords or halberds for close fighting, such as when storming a house.
For small 'clumps' of troops (hardly units) rules like Pikeman's Lament will work.
If you fancy a Petard (upturned bucket of gunpowder nailed to a plank, which the attackers try to place against the enemy's door)game,
then I heartily recommend the EDNA (ever decreasing number system) and I think Foundry do /did a Petard party.

[Panzer21]

An acquaintance has waxed lyrical on A Civile Little Warres - a new set Caliver / On Military Matters have it listed command on individual files.

A list of TYW /ECW rules is here with brief commentary:

https://theviaregia.blogspot.com/p/17th-century-wargames-rules.html

Neil

[Johnny Boy]

I would second the Civil Little Warres. I have a set and they come with everything required including QRS , templates, equipment for the game Infantry and Cavalry Unit Campaigns to get you going. Best set of rules I've had in a long long time IMHO.

[RSDean]

By the way I see that "Once Upon a Time in the West Country" are still available from Caliver Books. They are probably a bit "old fashioned" compared to the others.

They may be, but they are what I used for all my ECW skirmish games in the ‘90s. I eventually sold everything off, but not because I didn’t like the rules.