"WW1 rules suggestions" Topic

I am looking to muster some forces for an eastern front clash between Russians and Austrians. I am looking at 15mm Peter Pig miniatures. I am at a loss for a good WW1 rule set. I prefer an easy set of fast plays rules which are fun but still catch the flavor of the period for a division size engagement. Any suggestions? thanks

Pat

We've been using these "Flanders Fields" for our 1914 games but it has rules covering the whole war.

henrys-wargaming.co.uk/?p=1402

We like them, they are fast and quite bloody but then seems to fit WW1.

Thanks, I will give it a go.

Have you looked at Peter Pig's own "Square Bashing"?

GDWs Over the Top. WW1 Command Decision. Each stand is a platoon, player command Battalion or Regiments.

Yes, Square Bashing is a division a side game. Needs about 12 battalions 912 figs each) per side along with guns and MGs et…
martin

I've heard of square bashing but don't know anything about it…. sounds like a colonial or Napoleonic rule set. I will have to check them out. thanks

Square Bashing is specific to WW1. The name comes from the use of squares on the terrain, somewhat akin to hexes. Not related to Napoleonic squares ;-) Great War Spearhead is another set that is popular for this scale of game. The web site is here:

greatwarspearhead.com

There is an active Yahoo Group as well. The base sizes are similar for Flanders Fields, Square Bashing, and Great War Spearhead, though in the last two the infantry stands represent companies not platoons.

Robert

Great War Spearhead is well worth consideration in my view. The rules are comprehensive but in my view the basics are very easy to pickup. I have mostly played games with a division or so aside. Larger games are very possible, but with a division or so you experience much of what the rules have to offer.

I would go with Peter Pig's Square Bashing. The main game is divisional size and the core game scenario setter really does provide both the attacker and defender with a challenge. The use of assets adds to the flavor feel with the defender trying to slow down the attacker using 'off table' barrages and the attacker looking to use his initial advantage in numbers to take the objectives and using his barrages to slow down the defenders reinforcements. The pre game set up also means no games are the same.
The game is played on a 4ft by 3ft (six inch squares) I initially thought this would be to small but this is not the case, it allows for a good game to be played out start to finish within three hours. I also play corps size games (two divisions per side) on a 6ft x 3ft table.
I have used the rules to play the more mobile western front 1914 and 1918 period as well as trench attacks. I have also used Russians against Germans on the Eastern front and am still contemplating an Austrian army to add to my Early War BEF and Germans, Late War British and Germans, WW1 Russians and RCW Whites.
Six armies painted with RCW Reds, Austrians and Late War French (once sculptured by Peter Pig) contemplated – wouldn't do that if the rules were no good.

Bede

My preference is for Great War Spearhead as well.

If you want divison/corps sized actions then either Great War Spearhead or Square Bashing are fine. In fact why not get both as you can use the same stuff for each (they both use 1 base = 1 one company and almost identical base sizes).

They take a very different approach to C3, but either would be suitable for solo play so it depends what sort of game you like.

I'd avoid OTT for divisional sized games. I have done one divisional size game but with 1 base = 1 platoon (and those WW1 battalions have lots and lots of platoons) it really creaked. It is OK for brigades, but then you lose the feel of a war whose main currency was divisions.

I vote for Peter Pig Square Bashing rules. Recently purchased it and have read over the rules. Three figures per base is standard so about 90-100 figures per side is required. Larger armies can be used with larger point values. There is a quick start game which looks interesting as well. It should play much faster as many aspects/modifiers are not used. I am just starting the painting process on some 15mm Pig WW1 figures, so I have not played the rules but as I said looks interesting and not complicated.

For tactical I would suggest Mud and Blood by TFL. 20 figures a side is enough.

Cheers

Joe