Daniel MerseyThe Men Who Would Be Kings: Colonial Wargaming Rules (Osprey Wargames)

Paging through the book, there is quite a bit nice to say about it. It essentially covers Victorian Era conflicts using roughly fifty soldiers for each side; native armies might require eighty (there is a variant to use less). The rules are designed for quick play and use a simplified rating for each unit. The focus is on British Colonial; heavy on South Africa with Zulus and Boers to the fore. There is information to include French (Foreign Legion) Germans, and other Colonial nationalities. US Cavalry vs Apache or Plains Indians. The rules are easily adaptable. There is encouragement to use Hollywood films as inspiration for scenarios. The game focuses on the spirit instead of textbook history; though textbook studies are still usefully applied in this game.

I have not played them yet, but they look like great fun with the right mix of history, whimsy, and fun. Look forward to breaking these rules out!

We have played with these rules a few times now, not perfect but a lot of fun, and good quick play. Read the write up, it's intended to be movie like action and that is a good description. Well thought out flow of play. If you are looking to learn a lot about the history of the conflicts included here, this is the wrong place. Time frame is the later colonial period.

Excellent set of rules! Well worth the money.

A very fun set of rules, giving up some simulation/realism for increased playability.

Easy and fun set of rules. Great for beer a pretzel games!

I collect miniature wargame rules, especially those focusing on the Victorian colonial period. I was originally drawn to this set of rules because it was produced by Osprey and also because it listed the Maori as an opponent to the British only second after the Zulu. Having searched for rules with which to game the unique New Zealand Colonial Wars, I have yet to find a set that does them justice. Variants of other, established rules sets, like The Sword and the Flame and Muskets & Tomahawks have come close, but none have offered a definitive solution to simulating the conflicts in New Zealand. Therefore I was disappointed that the only mention of the Maori in The Men Who Would Be Kings is in an optional Theatre-Specific Rule allowing them to perform the Haka war dance before the battle which allows them to ignore the first Pinned result of the game and an illustration from Queen Victoria's Enemies (4) Asia, Australasia and the Americas . Otherwise, the author treats them like the rest of the generic Tribal Infantry. They don't even make the list of Starter Field Forces. I am sure these rules will work for the more popular colonial campaigns, including Zulu War, Madist Wars and Northwest Frontier of India, but I find them far too generic for the more obscure and unique conflicts of the 19th Century Colonial Wars.

Great ruleset! Totally recommend it for skirmish Wargaming.

A set of rules that plays well as is or you can build upon the rules with your own ideas. I like Mr Babbage for playing solo which I seem to be doing more of. A fine set of rules for all levels of war gamer. Highly recommended.

Nicely presented and well-thought out set of wargame rules. And I particularly like the solo play mechanism.

The book arrived quicly and in a very good package. It is an excellent entry to the colonial wargames with miniatures.

I have been out of wargaming for a while now but, considering myself to be reasonably knowledgeable and thinking about getting back into the hobby, have been reading different rule sets to see what has changed and what might be interesting. I like the presentation of all of the Osprey Blue Book series in that they are clear, concise and beautifully illustrated, but I have to say that not all of them read as well as this set. The rules are well explained and have authors notes dotted throughout them (a feature I find particularly useful) as well as Osprey's trademark illustrations. There are some interesting mechanisms in this rule set but the core mechanics are very easy to understand and it looks like the game should flow quickly with only minimal references to the rule book. And isn't that how a good war-game should feel? And if I can pick-up on a point made in an earlier review - yes, some of the suggested field forces (for which read 'army lists') are a little 2 dimensional but the rules clearly indicate how these can be customised with additional attributes to match a particular historical force. That's good enough for me. Buy, read and enjoy.

Very useful