Across The Dead Earth is a commercial product, but for now, the company offers a free pdf version.
skirmish
Pot That Fellow, Somebody Colonial Rules
Pot that Fellow, Somebody is a set of free miniatures rules for the colonial era. Author RP Bergman writes:
These rules are intended to fight Colonial quasi-skirmish level games with multiple players and 2-3 units per players. Colonial players includes Europeans, Americans, and any other modern power with advanced military technology. Native players include includes Zulus, Dervishes, Pathans, etc. Units are rated according to Morale Quality, Melee Skill, and Firearms Skill. The Morale of units degrades as they lose leaders, take casualties, suffer from the heat, or fail to take action during the battle. Eventually, even the best unit may “run away” to live, fight (and die) another day. Units take a variable number of actions each turn, with the better quality troops having a higher chance of taking more actions.
Fire! Ogon! Feuer! WWII Skirmish Rules
Fire! Ogon! Feuer! is a set of free wargames rules for World War II Skirmishes. The author writes:
These rules are designed for use by both beginners and veteran players. Play can be quick and easy OR made more realistic and slower by adding advanced options.
Combat during World War II focused on volume of fire into a specific area combined with rapid movement of combat units. The weapon systems were poor by modern standards and there was a constant design battle between shell penetration versus vehicle armor.
Quick Rules For Napoleonic Skirmish Games
Jackson Gamers offer a set of quick rules for Napoleonic Skirmish games.
Medals of Valor Skirmish Rules
From Deep Fried Happy Mice come a set of free wargames rules called Medals of Valor. The Mice write:
Medals of Valor is our system for recreating skirmish and tactical combat during the 20th Century. These are low intensity rules designed for fast play and fun. We have tried to maintain a feel for realism while understanding that a comprehensive detailed system would be very slow and cumbersome. In order to achieve this balance several aspects of tactical combat have been generalized or even in some cases ignored. The system requires that castings be mounted on individual bases. This system uses an extended period of time for a turn which allows for the completion of an action. For example acts of reloading and changing positions as needed can be completed within a game turn. Moves are considered to be a change of position (standing), moving (running) and assuming a defensive position (kneeling). Firing distances are extensive considering the small scale. Soldiers are armed with the weapon with which they are cast. Extra castings should be available for weapon exchanges and casualties.