Jeu Des Batailles is a set of free wargames rules for the horse and musket era. The author writes:
Jeu des Batailles (Game of Battles) is a tactical set of rules that simulates any sized battle during the musket and bayonet era. The basic unit scale is the multi stand battalion or regiment. The core rules are designed for the Napoleonic era but rule adjustments are given for all periods from the musket and pike era through the American Civil War. The rules are intended for 2mm scale, but virtually any figure scale or basing can be used, and various adaptations are suggested in the rules. The rules are fairly simple but provide historic results.
Jeu des Batailles has two unit scale versions, one for corps to army sized battles and one for smaller Brigade to Corps sized battles. The two version have virtually the same mechanics, and rules include a unique phase move system. Emphasis is on ease of play and and avoidance of unnecessary complexity. While these rules are not complex , they have shown to produce consistently historic results.
Miniature Wargaming is part of the "adventure games" hobby, which includes r ole p laying and board games. Wargamers recreate battles on the tabletop with toy soldiers, like a more complicated game of chess. Models range in height from 6mm to 28mm tall, with 15mm and 25mm being the most popular. There also is a growing interest in toy soldiers and military models, such as the 1/32 and 1/35 scale plastic soldiers from Conte, and Marx.
The most popular miniature wargames are fantasy and science fiction based, such as Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, Warmachine and The Lord of the Rings. World War II games such as Flames of War and Axis and Allies are new favorites. Other favorite historical periods include Napoleonics, the American Civil War, and ancients, such as Romans or Greeks. Other gamers enjoy miniature naval wargames, recreating battles like Trafalgar, Jutland and the Coral Sea.
Hobbyists research historical periods and paint their tiny soldiers in accurate uniforms. Others develop "historically realistic" rules sets or build scale battlefield terrain using model railroad techniques.
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Some of the bigger hobby companies are Games Workshop, which produces Warhammer, Wargames Foundry and Old Glory Miniatures. Wizards of the Coast produces several lines of pre-painted miniatures games, such as the Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons miniatures games, and a historical game with pre-painted miniatures: The new Axis and Allies game. Wizkids produces a fantasy collectable miniatures game, such as the Mage Knight and Heroclick fantasy games, the science fiction games MechWarrior and Rocketmen, as well as the quasi-historical Pirates of the Spanish Main.
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