Rules. Rules. Rules.

Everyone needs them. Everyone has their favourites. Some people write their own. Which rules do you use for the ‘Nam? And what level of game do they give (platoon, squad etc)?

-Ray

there is that many now
vietnam for rapid fire
charlie company
charlie dont surf
bolt action vietnam

and others cant pick one !

We used a home-brewed field-stripped version of Bolt Action for a long time and will probably continue to use it for S.P.I.T. Wargames events since everyone knows it and/or it's so easy to pick up, but we're using out own company-level fast-play set (still a WIP) all the time at home. It's much influenced by rules we've used in the past so I wanted to call it Chain of Rapid Action Panzergrenadier or 'C.R.A.P.' for short but SWMBO tells me it's actually called Fire For Effect.

I used Ambush Valley with my 20mm collection, and Fistful of TOWs for 6mm.

I'm really looking forward to a new platoon level campaign game called Nam '68 from Piers Brand and Warwick Kincade of Battlegroup fame. There's been some discussion on Facebook with it currently in development.

Yes; we want to see that too, but our preference is the company-level engagement; company in attack, platoon in defence sort of thing.

Crossfire with the Incoming! Vietnam supplement. I have other rule sets but have not yet got around to using them....

I OWN several set, including some ANCIENT ones (Giac My and Buckle for Your Dust) but I tend to use my own homebrew, beer & pretzel style rules. That said, I'm always interested in Nam era rules.

-Todd

Us too - especially simple rules - complexity does not mean accuracy. When we put pen to pa;er in earnest we'll send you ours for a bit of testing if you like?

Sounds good! Always like seeing other ideas. I'm pretty much the same as you, simple is always better.

-Todd

We'll make it happen. We're in the middle of a Burma game right now; Vietnam is next. Can I send you some pics to post?

uglyfatbloke wrote:Can I send you some pics to post?

Sure thing! Fire away!

-Todd

We should get the game going first I think. It's my turn to make the scenario, so I'll think of something that has plenty of hardware

I used to use "FNG" by Two Hour Wargames. It's a fun set of rules. I've been looking at "Bolt Action" mods for Vietnam since I got into "Bolt Action" a few years ago for WW2. I recommend the rules for folks that want a fun WW2 game and the community is great. So far "VC on the Trail" is the mod that looks the best to me. They have a Facebook group and website. "Nam 68" is in the works by Piers Brand. He's hoping it will be out next year and it sounds pretty promising for the short chat we had on a Facebook post. It has the "FNG" feel of running a platoon through a tour. I'm really looking for it.

I have tried a great many VN rules, and for me there are some hits and misses. I generally use a mashup of the 3 FNG editions with some tweaks for up to 60 figures a side, as I do a lot of my gaming solo nowadays. I like my games detailed and gritty (though not simulations), and a lot of rules go for speed of play.
I am also still tinkering with Over Green Hell for 3mm/6mm. It is having a hard time deciding what it wants to be...

Like Darby, I use a compilation of various editions of FNG, with some house rules which are easy to add. We have run games at my house with each player handling a platoon. I have read and tried a lot of rules over the years and none came close to what I wanted until FNG.

I want individual shooting and I love the THW reaction system. It is a very realistic way to to do combat on the "one figure is one man" level. In early editions it was hard to figure out from reading the rules. One version of the reaction system got even too detailed for me.

But, one of the latest versions of the WWII set, Nuts, hit the correct balance. New players at my house pick it up right away. So I uses that version of the reaction system.

I have thanked you before Darby for doing the FNG rules, but thanks again. Nice to see you here too.

Tom

That's great Tom! I furnished Darby with his first PDF of NUTS! And he was so inspired he started work on FNG. Hence why I got props in the Acknowlegements section of the book.

*End Shameless Plug*

-Todd

I am forever in your debt, Bravo 6.

Tom

Thanks buddy! It was totally by chance and Darby did all the hard work to make it happen. Plus he had to deal with Ed.

-Todd

At least in my experience, dealing with Ed is wonderful. A fabulous guy.

Tom

I have played almost every set of Vietnam rules out there and find them all still lacking in some respect.
I took it upon myself to convert Advanced Squad Leader over to Vietnam.
I've still got some work to do, but the games have been pretty good and suspenseful. I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with it.
Prior to that I used Charlie Company which seemed way too deadly. I ran a long campaign with up to seven players for a few years.
Before that we played a combined mashup of CC using the Piquet card system. That was also a lot of fun but had issues scaling with multiple players.

Welcome Dr. X!

I found Charlie Company unecessarily complicated and never really got off the ground with. It does contain some good ideas and resources though.

-Todd

I've also been eying off the fan adaption for the WW2 Platoon+ ruleset, Chain of Command. The blog contains some fantastic posts about wargaming the conflict including hobby posts, AAR and rules discussion: Wargaming DMZ.

The current rules can be downloaded here: Chain of Command DMZ V2 - Second Tour

Just started using the Ambush Alley variant for Force on Force. I like the dynamic nature of the system that allows the non initiative player to attempt to react rather than watch events unfold. Assuming Historicon is held in July I will be GMing a Ambush Alley game on Saturday morning in 28mm. Mixed force of Marines supported by tanks and apc's will attempt to reach a downed helicopter defended by a recon squad.

15mm scale I like Charlie Don't Surf, but I'll also play Battlefront's Nam.

For 28mm, I really like Too Fat Lardies' Command Decision - DMZ.

I've played/play-tested various editions and modifications of FNG since I live near Darby.

Tried out Charlie Don't Surf a few times too.

I haven't played much Nam lately, but now this forum is back up I have a feeling I'll get the itch.