rules

Shields and Blades Dark Ages rules

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Shields and Blades is a set of free wargames rules by Jackson Gamer Eric Wood. It is designed as a “squad level” game, with each casting representing 10 to 15 men.

From the introduction:

Overview
This rule set is a squad-level scale using side move / countermove system. The rule set has opportunity fire (with both standing and moving fire). Since these rules are not skirmish level, the shield facing and facing of the castings is not a problem.

Squad Scale
This rule set deals with each casting representing a squad of a fifteen men rather than tactical or grand tactical scales. As a result the formation and movement rules are very fluid and the distance ranges might seem wrong to some one, until they realize that the battles are “zoomed in”.
Since we are not skirmish level, shield facing and facing of the castings is not a problem. One can do a skirmish level game with these rules easily by worrying about the shield facing and increasing the weapon 3” and movement ranges an additional d6”.

Scale
1:15 thus 1 casting represents 15 men. 1′ = 120 yards, 1″ = 10 yards. Time frame is 1 minute. 2 fire phases. Infantry unit has 180 men; cavalry has 90 riders and 90 horses. Minute walk moves 1’ (12”).
Infantry base is 3/4″ x 3/4″. Assume each infantryman wants 4′ front x 7′ back. Fits 15 castings with 5 along the front and 3 ranks deep.

The Great War Naval Rules

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The Great War Naval Rules is a very comprehensive set of rules for WWI Naval warfare.

Combat Captain WWII Rules

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Combat Captain is a set of free wargames rules in which the basic unit is a company consisting of up to eight squads. Author David Raybin says that the rules “allow a high degree of flexibility in unit activity during a turn. The idea is simplicity of play so the game will move along to a satisfactory conclusion in under three hours.”

Kraken: Victorian Man Against Sea Monster

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Matthew Hartley has a game called Kraken, inspired by the man against sea monster scene in Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea

GRIT Multigenre Miniatures Rules

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GRIT is a set of free wargames rules for nearly any genre. The authors write:

 

GRIT™ is a system of rules designed for tactical gameplay with 25 — 28 mm miniatures where each figure represents one person or creature. The rules can be used for scenarios where each player employs a single miniature, a tactical squad, or battle groups with reinforcements. Distances are presented in the form of inches with the scale 1″ [2.5 cm] on a table-top or playing surface (if using Adventure Areas™ or other interior gameplay surface this is divided into 1″ squares or hexes), equaling 5′ [1.5 m] — all measurements listed in feet are relative to scale of the miniatures. GRIT may be used for solitary play or for two or more players — a Gamemaster (referee) is optional (employed for ‘double-blind’ games where players only place miniatures on the play area when they are in the Line of Sight of opposing figures).

GRIT was developed in response to a demand for miniatures rules that balance fast setup and gameplay with unlimited Action alternatives and roleplay style Characters that can develop their capabilities. GRIT Scenarios can encompass any genre or time period and make use of any style of miniature figure or terrain element. Victory Conditions, Scenario Complications, and level of realism and detail can be as simple or complex as desired.

Players have the option of basing Characters on a template, an existing roleplay Character, or generating an original Character with unique Stats. Characters can attempt any desired Action, and have the capacity to revive from unconsciousness, heal, and use any weapon or object.