Thirty Years War rules

[Ignatieff]

Who is using what, and more importantly, why?

Having just returned from a good stomp around Nordlingen field (and discivered the redoubts after ten years and three visits!), I am now suitably inspired to get the armies out again.

thanks all

Steve

[Hu Rhu]

Warlord's Pike and Shotte.  Simple and effective rules, element based units (so no casualty removal), allows units to be customised by giving (or removing) characteristics to reflect either campaigns or actual unit behaviour.  Finally well laid out and peppered with some fantastic images and a number of scenario's at the end.  Also a new supplement 'The Devil's Playground' has some excellent scenarios catering especially for the 30 years war.

[emosbur]

This one:

https://es.scribd.com/doc/247721857/Tercios-Brevis-Editio

But it is in spanish...

[SteveBurt]

Field of Glory: Renaissance.
A very good set of rules (works better than the ancient set, IMO)

[Pijlie]

We have enormous fun and interesting games with Warlord's Pike & Shotte.

The flexibility of the rules and especially the possibility to use reserves effective is a huge plus in my eyes.

[mikeland]

Warlord's Pike and Shotte is a good system. It's worth putting a bit of time in to make your own army lists as the ones in the book are a little cliche and basic (e.g. royalist are good cavalry etc.)

For skirmish size game check out Dashing Dice's Witchfinder General. Once you remove the spooky stuff they are a really solid set of 17th century skirmish rules, and very good fun to play. http://www.dashingdicegames.co.uk

[Ignatieff]

Thanks guys, very useful

S

[Pijlie]

O yes. I definitely second Witchfinder General, with or without the spooky stuff 

You will find a review on my blog to which I can add handful of game reports and the remark that the rules really emulate pike and shot warfare on a small scale very well!

[Lt. Hazel]

If you like medium sized skirmishes try Donnybrook. Fast and easy.

[fastolfrus]

There's By Fire & Sword for the Eastern stuff - the rules are set just after the TYW but the technology (and some of the combatants) are the same.
The revised/Deluge (second book) added HRE, Brandenburg etc, Sweden was already in the original. Rules cover (large, regimental strength) skirmishes to full battles.

Donnybrook works well for skirmishes.

And if you want to go old school, there's George Gush WRG

[Ignatieff]

Excellent.  Stuff I've never heard of.  Deluge - will look that one up Gary.

cheers chaps

[Captaingeneral]

If you are looking for fast play easy to learn rules written specifically for Battles (not skirmishes) from a General's eye view you might try my rules The Warre Game 1632

take a peek here

http://captaingeneral.blogspot.co.uk/

Caliver Books are stocking copies

Regards

CG

[Big Martin Back]

I've bought a set of the Captaingeneral's rules and am in the throes of digging out my 1980's TYW figures for a tidy up and rebasing to produce a couple of playable little armies for the period.

[Captaingeneral]

Hi Martin

How are you old bean?
Let me know when you are ready and we can have a game, you aren't far away. I'll bring an army (you bring the beer!)

Regards

Steve

[Atheling]

Warlord's Pike and Shotte.  Simple and effective rules, element based units (so no casualty removal), allows units to be customised by giving (or removing) characteristics to reflect either campaigns or actual unit behaviour.  Finally well laid out and peppered with some fantastic images and a number of scenario's at the end.  Also a new supplement 'The Devil's Playground' has some excellent scenarios catering especially for the 30 years war.

I've got the rules (now buried in the fast becoming famous Garage of Doom!)....

I haven't however had a chance to read through them- how well do they have that period feel that one would be looking for in a set of rules?

Darrell.