French & Indian War other rulesets?

[TheBlackCrane]

I am gradually convincing myself to jump on the current F&IW bandwagon, and will in all probability buy Muskets & Tomahawks. However, I like the Blue Moon figures so much I'll probably go with their 15/18mm scale - the result being that after constructing forces for the M&T rules I'm likely to have quite a few figures left over.

So, I'm wondering how feasible it is to base them up as units rather than individual skirmish figures, and fight 'larger' dust-ups with units? Admittedly the F&IW is ideal for skirmish, and I'm thinking there weren't that many large battles which this would work for, but are there rules out there which go by unit rather than skirmish type affrays? I was wondering about adapting Irregular Wars, but then I figure I'd really be substituting one skirmish-level type game for another.

Alternatively, what else could I use the Blue Moon figures for? Actions in the Caribbean maybe? (Thinking Havana 1756, although of course I'd have to find some suitable Spanish types).

Any suggestions? Or am I over-complicating the whole thing?

Cheers
Rob

[Eric the Shed]

Hi Black Crane

I use the M&T ruleset. All my figures are painted individually but we move them on bases/trays. Dont worry too much about individuals location etc. If one figure is in cover they are all in cover etc.

You do need to have the majority as singles. The nature of combat (especially shooting) can mean that single figures are 'killed'. By staying with movement trays you can differentiate units which is critical for the game, especially when you have six warbands all charging together ! This happened in the last game I ran.

We have had loads of fun with this ruleset and its such a great period to play. Now migrating onto Pirates but have an inkling that I might use this ruleset for the same period !

For inspiration pop over to my blog - www/shedwars.blogspot.com - there are the best part of half a dozen battle reports, plus terrain, figures etc

cheers

Eric

[michaelsbagley]

I have played "Muskets and Tomahawks" and enjoyed it immensely... however in my quest for the perfect rules (for me), I've not bought my own copy yet as I am very interested in periods "adjacent" to the F&IW and would prefer a ruleset flexible enough to cover that with little to no tweaking. As such I have purchased and read the Two-Hour War games rules "Muskets and Mohawks"/"Long rifle" as well as Dadi & Piombo's "Smooth & Rifled". So far the 2HW rules are my favourite mechanics, but the "Smooth & Rifled" are my overall favourite for the extra little rules that cover musicians and standard bearers etc. (Not crucial for F&IW, but something I want for those neighbouring eras).

My biggest and main complaint for the Dadi and Piombo rules is the command range seem to short to use for some historically used formations. Such as a firing line of 10 soldiers with an NCO at the flank of a firing line. 28mm figures on 20mm bases put the further soldier at about 18cm away from the group leader which doesn't work with a 10cm command radius. And then consider some skirmisher units did open firing lines, and the 10cm command radius becomes even more ridiculous.

[fergal]

The TooFatLardies rule set Sharpe Practice with the la lounge carbine supplement is great for the period.  Still give lots of options for Indians with bows, but that seems the norm, most rule sets can't shake that Hollywood idea.

Quick play, fun and fast.

Give them a try, they scale up to large dust-ups admirably. 

[BaronVonJ]

"This Very Ground" by Iron Ivan.

[Galloping Major]

"This Very Ground" by Iron Ivan.

ditto
Nice set of rules   

These's also a set that for some reason I can't lay my hands on my copy of right now, called (I think) Habitants and Highlanders, which is a skirmish and larger battles set in one book, that if you find are worth considering. 

www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[BaronVonJ]

I also recommend H&H. Still available (I think) from Canadian Wargame Research Group. I use all kinds of their rules.

[Axebreaker]

You can easily adapt Black Powder to any horse and musket period as you decide how your units are based. You can form up units or leave some in skirmish as you please and the rules will handle it without breaking a sweat.

Christopher

[Aaron]

I second Habitants and Highlanders. The map-based campaign system is a fun little strategic game in its own right.

[TheBlackCrane]

Thanks all, I shall do some investigating and see what works 
(Though since posting that I've just finished reading the Decline and Fall of Byzantium, so of course am now wondering about figures for 1453 - I wish I could come up with a plan and stick to it! Still, I can justify two new periods, surely...)