The Loose Association of Wargamers

Having seen how lovely RMDs AB Napoleonics are, I am thinking of having a go myself as a solo project. My main reason not to have tried the period before are not having much understanding of the history but more crucially, not having a set of rules which fit my circumstances. I have Black Powder and DBN, Black Powder is OK but more of a huge table 28mm ruleset. DBN is a game I like but I feel it looks best in 6mm. I am really looking for a set of rules that are uncomplicated for a non-specialist in the period, look good in 15/18mm (~12-18 figs per unit) and don't need a 12ft table for a satisfying game.

Oh and they must cost less that thirty quid brand new as well.

Any ideas?

It's been over 20 years since I've played it, but I think Shako would fit the bill (now in its 2nd edition, I think). Infantry Battalions and Cavalry Regiments are typically 12-16 figures and there is an option to use it for higher-level games. Games are fast, simple and finished in a short space of time. I used to use a modified version to run my SYW campaign - we could play even large battles to a conclusion within a club-night.

The rules are also specifically designed to take other rules' basing conventions into consideration, so it doesn't matter if your armies are already based for a specific set of rules (provided all the troops are based much the same way). The Napoleon's Battles basing method that I use is specifically covered, as is 'Empire'. So in the past I've split my 24-figure 'brigade' units for Napoleon's Battles into two Shako 'Battalions'.

I think I have played Shako about twenty years ago myself but alas it is OOP and chuffing expensive now.

Zenbadger wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:29 pm I think I have played Shako about twenty years ago myself but alas it is OOP and chuffing expensive now.

Is it really? I remember 1st Edition being about a tenner in the 90s, so thought it might be £20-£25. I also thought that the 2nd Edition was currently in production.

Neil Thomas' Napleonic Wargaming?

He uses a standard unit size of x4 DbA style bases per unit for all his games so a unit is 16 figs of 4 figs per base. However, I have used his rules for medievals but rounded the unit size down to just one base per unit, this makes a whole army of around DbA size. All I changed was to add hits to those bases rather than base removal and it worked really well. You could maybe base up 8 figs to a base which would work and look nice allowing for the odd flag/officer etc?

Thats now on the Amazon list. Cheers.

RMD wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:46 pm Is it really? I remember 1st Edition being about a tenner in the 90s, so thought it might be £20-£25. I also thought that the 2nd Edition was currently in production.

Tempers fuggit! About £45-£110 depending on sanity of seller. Nice Idea though, I remember liking the rules.

Zenbadger wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:40 pm

RMD wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 3:46 pm Is it really? I remember 1st Edition being about a tenner in the 90s, so thought it might be £20-£25. I also thought that the 2nd Edition was currently in production.

Tempers fuggit! About £45-£110 depending on sanity of seller. Nice Idea though, I remember liking the rules.

Good Lord...

Bloody hell. I think my copy went on ebay for buttons a while back. They still play shako at the club and look to have good games.

I like Sam Mustafas Grande Armee and Blucher - the individual unit is a brigade.