Old West Fans...lend me your steers....now some Indian questions!

[Elbows]

No, this is not a clever cattle baron scheme...

I'm taking my Robotech rules set I've developed and turning it Old West (since my buddies and I have done a lot of Old West gaming, and have plenty of models, and terrain).  I'd like to quickly crowd source some info from the Old West nuts here.

The concept is quick playing and simple (with just enough variety and special rules to add some quirk).  I'm looking for the following:

1) What kind of characters do you expect in an Old West skirmish game?  The game will not be "weird" Old West, but "movie-esque" old west is appropriate.

2) What kind of weapons do you expect in an Old West skirmish game?

3) What kind of "equipment" or special items would you expect in an Old West game?

I figure compiling some information here would help plenty of guys who are making their own games, etc.  I will amend this list as it expands.


CHARACTERS
Townsperson
Prostitute/Hooker/Soiled Dove
Bounty Hunter
Gunslinger
Thug
Infantryman
Cavalryman
Gambler
Sheriff
US Marshal
Pinkerton
Bandit/Bandito
Hired Gun
Business Tycoon
Prospector
Thief
Indian Scout
"Crazy"
Cowboy
Priest
Texas Ranger
Judge
Town Drunk
Sawbones
Coolie
Pony Express Rider
Gambler/Card Shark
Undertaker
European Immigrant
Snake Oil Salesman

NPC's
Journalist/Telegram Operator
Dentist
Barber
Piano Player
Actor(s)
Bartender

WEAPONS
Sixgun
Derringer
Big Bore Sixgun
Shotgun
Sawed-off Shotgun
Big Bore Hunting Rifle
Infantry Carbine
Musket
Lever Action Rifle
Bow
Dagger
Hatchet/Tomahawk
Sabre
Club
Spear
Percussion Cap Pistol
Gatling Gun
Cannon
Lemat/Volcano (and other rare pistols)


EQUIPMENT
Disguise
Lock Picking Kit
Stick of Dynamite
Pick-Axe
Metered Rifle Sight
Hold-Out Derringer Holster
(too many more to list, but you get the point!)

What else do you guys expect/like in an Old West game?

[Deedles]

A good list.

a few more for you

The Judge -, the Doctor - for helping to heal (or make worse the wounds!), the Boozer.

Looks like a good collection of weapons there to me

I am a fan of having a railroad in it somewhere - either building ti - or as a cause of friction etc. A source of other scenarios too , robbery etc.

Similarly the Stagecoach for similar reasons

cheers
Dave

[Elbows]

Sounds good...added!

PS: Agreed on the stage coach and train.  I don't have a train yet, and I only have some wagons...something I need to remedy. 

[Za Zjurman]

An Old West town needs an undertaker a lawyer and maybe a judge
looking forward to the rules

Regards,
Za

[Elbows]

I added the Undertaker.  This game will be skirmish based, with the ability to simply draw characters from a deck and play immediately - but I will build a small scenario/campaign aspect to the game.  For that reason, some of these characters in the list may not make the cut.  I want most of the characters to be different and special.  I've already cut several from my plans, simply because I couldn't think of any way to make them special.

The game will be mostly skirmish based, but I wanted some vaguely RPG elements without going all Gutshot on the rules.  Characters will only have two states: not wounded, and wounded.  No hit locations etc.  At the same time I want a player to be able to say "I think I'm going to risk it...jump through that window, onto the balcony and try to drop down onto my horse...".

Basically a skirmish with a bit more freedom of action. 

[Tom Reed]

How about a barber (who in a couple of movies was also the town dentist)?
And a gatling gun (loaded or unloaded).
Some towns have a cannon in the town square.
A hanging tree.
The Chinese laundry.

[Za Zjurman]

O yes the barber, there are some nice old west movie scenes with barbers...

[Elbows]

Barbers and dentists will make good NPCs, and I'll add them to the list - as it's for everyone who's making a game.

Gatling gun was in my list at home, but I typed this up at work - cannons less likely, but definitely a possible scenario objective.

[Deedles]

Oh yes and Undetaker

why did I forget that one - i have one!



Like the dentist idea!

[thebinmann]

I'd add a journalist too, but only because he's one of my favourite characters from Deadwood!

And possibly a snake skin oil salesman/woman witha Mexican Bandito too!

For a bit of the exotic you could add in a European like english Bob from Unforgiven or the Russian bloke in Maverick...

[has.been]

What no Saloon or Bank? They would have such 'Western' things as: pianno player; bartender(with gun behind the bar);bank manager/clerks; a safe, etc.
Other buildings will give you more characters and scenario ideas, e.g.The coral (O.K?)with stable and horses as well as the owner. Town jail, there are lots of westerns where it features (heck John Wane made 3 on the same plot of good guys holding out in the jail).
With reference the gunplay, do not forget to include misfires/ guns jaming and other things going wrong (trips/slips/falls/running out of ammo etc.)
Overall I would recomend that you remember to have fun and keep it as simple as you can. If anything is in doubt in one of our skirmish games we imploy the 'If you can do it, your figure can do it' rule. This itself can lead to hysterics. in one game a player claimed the ability to leap a 6 foot gap from store roof to shed roof. We marked out the dimentions and he attempted it. The gap was cleared, but his momentum took him off the far side of the shed.

[Deedles]

Overall I would recomend that you remember to have fun and keep it as simple as you can. If anything is in doubt in one of our skirmish games we imploy the 'If you can do it, your figure can do it' rule. This itself can lead to hysterics. in one game a player claimed the ability to leap a 6 foot gap from store roof to shed roof. We marked out the dimentions and he attempted it. The gap was cleared, but his momentum took him off the far side of the shed.

love it...


i am finding that with my games with the new players and challenging them to "use" thier imagination rather looking at rules that tell you what you can and can'r do - free thought makes for fun games

[smokezombie]

Don't forget the LeMat revolver 

[Elbows]

has.been,

Yeah, we've got the idea for most of the NPC's covered...and my buddy already has a lovely bartender with shotgun (I believe he calls him "Old Sam Jinks").  We've been gaming Old West for a couple of years...so the enthusiasm is there, but the LOTOW rules are simply boring by now (not to mention horribly frustrating!).  I'll be taking a bit of my own rules and adding the Old West flavor - as you said, add more variety (and failure!).

[Mississippi]

What about the Midget sidekick?