Unusual war

[fred.]

Irregular Wars is a great rule set. 

Nice and straightforward, great set of army lists, that make you think, just one more force!

Spans the globe, but has enough lists local to each other to allow for sensible games. And you always have the option of wandering European explorers sticking their nose in!

The book is available through Amazon so easy to buy. 

[steve_holmes_11]

One of my favourite rulesets.

Lots of variety, interesting army selections and interesting units from those armies.

The melees can prove a little "sticky".
Otherwise excellent on all points.

[streetgang]

Irregular Wars is a great ruleset. My IW armies are 15mm, I have Aztec, Iroquois, Spanish Colonial and English Adventurer painted up and about 3 times as many unpainted (one day..).

Haven't played it in years, perhaps I will need to sit it off and give it a go. Your scenario sounds like a good one!

[steve_holmes_11]

My Irregular Wars lot are 10mm - almost all from the Pendraken ranges.

It's the Indian Ocean area from 1500-1650(ish)

Colonial Portuguese
Hollanders
Moghul (sp?)
Rajput
Vijayanagara Empire (It's easy for you to say that)
East Indies
Tribal African
East African
Arabian

I had to be creative to assemble troops from various areas, and dug into lots of ranges.
Somewhere in this forum is a list matching product codes to Irregular Wars lists.

[FierceKitty]

Vijayanagara Empire (It's easy for you to say that)

If you visit India, don't miss the remains. The ruins are great for rambling about with a packed lunch.

[pierre the shy]

Yes, interesting approach to "Colonial War" before the concept of colonies really took shape.


https://www.wargamevault.com/product/352722

Interesting.....

Any idea if these would these rules would still cover small mid-late 1700's actions effectively?

Say an early EIC battalion sized force against a larger Eastern "irregular" pirate force with a small contingent of European regulars attached?   
 

[fred.]

I don't see why not. 

Most foot units in the game are melee or shooters. But it would be easy to up the melee stats of a shooting units to reflect later line infantry with bayonets. 

[pierre the shy]

I had to be creative to assemble troops from various areas, and dug into lots of ranges.
Somewhere in this forum is a list matching product codes to Irregular Wars lists.

Here it is:
https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,20483.msg318338.html#msg318338

Thanks for your efforts in putting this list together, potentally very useful IF one is going to play this set of rules : )

[steve_holmes_11]

If you visit India, don't miss the remains. The ruins are great for rambling about with a packed lunch.

Indeed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampi

[steve_holmes_11]

Here it is:
https://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,20483.msg318338.html#msg318338

Thanks for your efforts in putting this list together, potentally very useful IF one is going to play this set of rules : )

Nicely done Pierre, you are a top fellow, digging that out of the archives.

[steve_holmes_11]

Interesting.....

Any idea if these would these rules would still cover small mid-late 1700's actions effectively?

Say an early EIC battalion sized force against a larger Eastern "irregular" pirate force with a small contingent of European regulars attached?   
 

I think Fred's answer covers things well.

The Rules claim to cover 1500-1700 - but there are areas where not much changed, and they'd likely work well.

You'll be on your own to build your own lists.
Especially if you decide to adopt Irregular Wars special (through optional) force building mechanism.

What I'd advise:
 * Find an official lists that contains troop types close to the ones in your setting.
      + Example the "Hollanders" have Drilled shot.
      + You may wish to buff their melee (increase the melee value, or provide a charge bonus if your troops are fierce chaps).
      + A skim through the three Indian and the East Indies lists will supply a range of native troop types.
 * Irregular Wars treats single square bases as units - Your own figures might not match this.
 * Artillery (Heavy Ordnance in the rules) is assumed immobile, they may warrant a movement value in a later period.

[pierre the shy]

Thanks for the replies 

I have too many gaming "distractions" already currently but I will have a further look when I have a chance.....maybe 2025?   

[far4ngn]

Sounds like they could be used for early English settlers vs American Indians... are they more a big battle set?

[fred.]

Sounds like they could be used for early English settlers vs American Indians... are they more a big battle set?

Yep, this is very much within their grasp, their are a couple of North American Indian lists (as well as many Central American ones) along with several varieties of English (and other Europeans) so you should be able to either pick the lists that best suit your view, or have some variety available. 


The set is described as 'small battle' there are around 20 bases a side each base representing a company of 100 to 200 men. You need to protect flanks, but a formal battle line isn't required, so definitely has a unit feel, but the movement is also pretty free flowing.