You can download the latest version of Banners and Battalions here. Be sure to pay back the author by leaving questions, comments, criticisms and complements.

Newest set of rules file can be found here- the file listed above only has the basic rules :

  http://www.lulu.com/content/940899   .
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There have been reported issues with FireFox users- it will say the file is damaged.  If you need a copy mailed to you please leave me your contact info in a PM

the military term “file” refers to a line of men standing one behind the other, as opposed to the basic formation in your rules, which is called a “rank”.

I do see what you mean in regards to the terms ‘rank and file’.
Each File stand is around 50 men, in two ranks one behind the other represented by the 5 figures. You are free to base them as you wish though.

I went with ‘File’ to refer to a normal stand because I use the term ‘rank’ already in the formations section of the advanced rules- (when one stand is behind the other it adds a second ‘rank’, and another adds a third). So I considered using ‘Rank’ vs rank but the point of any good rules system is to be clear and keep it simple. I picked the names for each type of stand after writing the rules. I went with File because of the association between rank & file. You are right- the minis on the stand are in a rank. But since I’m imaginging they are 50 men I ‘see’ two files of redcoats one ranked behind the other.

Do you need to use the 8 facings?

Actually no- I use them because I play with my son who is 9.  However I have also found that using the facings allows people to play by email since you can ‘plot’ movements with ease.

At 6mm 5 figures seems too few

Agreed- at that scale I would likely base the figures in two ranks and I would likely base them according to how they came- so if a strip of 4 figures looked like this:  0000  

Then I might base a ‘file’:
0000 0000
0000 0000
       

for the skirmishers I would prolly seperate them into groups of two as skirmishers often worked in pairs
00…00…00
....00…00

Along with the N scale FIW soon to be made available from HistoriFigs I have just started a set of 6mm figures for B&B.

also N scale moderns will eventually be added though the rules are still unplaytested

wip of the 1812 12mm stuff

Working away at the advanced section of the rules- as well as the artwork :D

Great!

Painting up my personal sets for the pics in the rulebook- these are the ‘basic’ stovepipe troops for 1812 (without any of the extra gear added and without sculpted ‘wings’ on the grenadiers and lights).

People who would like to playtest some of the advanced rules- please contact me and I will send you the newer files.

I have done my own ‘playtesting’ with my kids and a few friends- of houses/ forts/ structures etc as well as starting to work in support from ships and naval actions.  However before I tackle recreating scenarios I need to know where there is abiguity or rules errors.  I am also of a mind to work a real basic wind & current aspect into the ship movement but have to admit an ignorance of the age of sail so I’m looking for input on what works and what doesnt.  For example it seems obvious that in certain situations the wind will keep you apart- yes thats the actual world but it does strike me that some people might find that sort of game… boring?

  The idea is to have a game that plays easy, rewards tactics, and allows people to actively ‘learn’ about history without them feeling that the history is smothering them.

  For example I use the term ‘File’ when it is a ‘rank’ of miniatures- because when I discuss ranking one stand behind another for a column the kids found it easier to differentiate.  Those 5 miniatures are actually an absract- they are ‘10-50 men’.  So I needed a similar term to represent a group of 10-50 men.  (Platoon and squad wouldnt do as they are already being used in my later historical ‘updates’ to these rules)

To be sure the kids know the historical meaning of rank and file (row and column etc) I’ll be writing boxes of ‘fluff/filler’ text at a later date that will have the actual ‘facts’ and learning.  The idea being that the rules need to be straightforward and easy so that the history part is a ‘bonus’ or ‘cool’ when they discover how it relates to the game (rather than hitting them with it up front with it).

I have the most up to date playtest copies online- they have been formated to allow you space on your margins to make changes or suggestions while you play:

http://www.lulu.com/content/940899

Further advanced rules
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CO Files may add 1 ‘Musician’
NCO/Subaltern Files may now purchase both an NCO and Subaltern
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Musket/Rifle may add +1 damage when firing at targets within 5 units
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New Orders: one Formation may be ordered once per round

1) Form Square:a File/Skirmishing File that has ‘charged bayonets’ may be given orders to form square.
In addition to the benefits of ‘Charge Bayonets’, the stand does not need to test for morale- it automatically passes.

2) Form Column: 2-6 Files may form column, ranked one behind the other
When one File is in base contact with a friendly File directly in front of it, it may form column. 

-So long as the Column has one CO it may be given 2 orders per Round
-The Files move as if one stand; using the Move value of its slowest File.
-The Files ‘combine’ their Full and Morale values (for example 5/3 + 5/3 +5/2 becomes 15/8) so that any one stand does not need to test until the entire column is reduced to the Morale value.  At that point each File in the coulmn must test.
-When a column charges the damage is equal to the melee value of the first File, +1 for each File ranked behind the first

3)Form Line/Skirmish order: A File stand may be replaced with a Skirmishing File; A Troop stand may be replaced with a Squadron
                            A Skirmishing File stand may be replaced with a File; A Squadron stand may be replaced with a Troop
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Grenadier Militia is now ‘Elite Miltia’, it is used to denote experienced well trained militia from the green untried or poorly led militia.  Still since militias dont seem to have ever had Grenadier companies it is needlessly confusing

Light Militia is now ‘Skirmishing Militia’, it is used to denote miltia groups formed from ‘irregulars’, hunters and woodsmen with little martial training.

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Ships-  

Wind values can be determined by rolling 2d6, ships moving in the same facing direction as the wind may add this value to their Move.  Ships may not move directly into the wind.

Current values can be determined by rolling 1d6, at the beginning or end of a ships move it must move in the direction of the current.

Militia are renamed Merchant, used to represent lightly armed trade vessels as well as second rate ships of the line.

New unit types
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1)Pioneers : Soldiers who are carpenters and basic engineers- they construct defenses as well as help destroy them

Move: 10   Range:15/1   Melee:2*  Full/Morale:3/2

*Pioneers may make melee attacks against fortifications and structures

2)Independently Led Stands :  Files, Skirmishing Files, Troops, Squadrons : Some ‘militia’ units follow an unregimented martial code such as native americans or local militias.  Often these units will not have formal CO’s or NCO’s but rather operate with a concerted group mentality at the command of a local ‘hero’.  These stands may not be given orders by any ‘regular’ Command.
. And Independently Led Stand replaces the CO/NCO with one single Subaltern slot- the Subaltern may give 1 order to his stand.
. Independently Led Commands may have 2 Colour Guards, 1 Troop, and 1 CO- the CO is a local ‘hero’ who knows the people so he may give two orders to any other Independently Led stand assigned to his face card.

Hi,
Sorry to bother everybody.  I have tried for a week to purchase the $25 pack of 1812 miniatures listed on Wargames Market with no luck.  I have gotten to a page that allows me to click Buy Now, but there is no PayPal on the page to click.  I am almost ready to not go into this period because I can’t get the miniatures!!  Does anybody know how to contact the seller directly?
Thanks in advance,
John Mumby
mumbasa@copper.net

Hi yeah thats me- not sure why it didnt work over there.  If you want them let me know and I’ll cancel that auction out :D

you can Paypal me at sven73@telsu.net

Hmmm yeah Wargames Market wont let me log in either.  Says my password is invalid but when I use the Forgot password and use the new one it sends me it tells me the log in isnt valid.  And none of the Buy It Now buttons seem to work on anything lol.

In any case yup- still have some and it is still $25 for the set- you can leave a message here or email me- Miniature Wargaming sends me an email when someone replies to this thread so I know I’ll get it lol

Jay

edit- finally got into my account but yeah- it seems the transaction only went halfway cause the Buy it Now button wont click but the auction is still open lol.