Field of Battle

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Field of Battle, Designed by Brent Oman and published by Piquet, Inc., the Field of Battle system stands as one of the most respected horse-and-musket wargaming frameworks of the modern tabletop era. Originating from the broader Piquet gaming philosophy, Field of Battle streamlined classic card-driven mechanics into a single, cohesive system that masterfully simulates command friction, the fog of war, and battle momentum without forcing players into exhaustive chart lookups or micromanagement. Across its three distinct iterations—from the original breakthrough 2006 release, through the refined 2011 second edition, to the polished 2020 third edition—the rulebook family has continually perfected its core sequence deck concept. By replacing rigid movement turns with dynamic card draws and initiative rolls, Field of Battle ensures that no two actions play out identically, offering a deeply atmospheric and unpredictable grand tactical experience that scales brilliantly for 6mm Seven Y...
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Beneath the Lily Banners

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Beneath the Lily Banners: Fastplay Wargames 1660 - 1715

Wargames Rules: Beneath the Lily Banners: Fastplay Wargames 1660 - 1715

Beneath the Lily Banners (1st Edition) is a tactical wargaming ruleset designed by Barry Hilton to capture the grand spectacle and friction of late seventeenth and early eighteenth-century warfare. Covering major conflicts from the Grand Alliance and the War of the Spanish Succession to the Great Northern War, the system recreates an era defined by evolving linear formations, pikes transitioning to socket bayonets, and aggressive cavalry charges.

The mechanics emphasize commander initiative and unit morale over complex micro-bookkeeping. Rather than tracking individual casualties, friction is modeled through morale tests, disorder, and unit resolve. The activation system keeps games fluid and fast-moving, making it ideal for large-scale table battles where maintaining a coherent line of battle is paramount to victory.

Published by: League of Augsburg / 2009

Beneath the Lily Banners

Wargames Rules: Beneath the Lily Banners

Beneath the Lily Banners is a tabletop wargaming rule system designed to immerse players in the epic and dazzlingly colourful world of late 17th and early 18th-century warfare. While its primary focus is the period from 1660 to 1721—covering the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession—the system is frequently adapted for the mid-18th century and the Seven Years' War due to its elegant treatment of linear tactics.

The mechanics are based on simultaneous movement regulated by easy-to-understand orders and the skill levels of opposing commanders. A standout feature is the use of different dice types based on troop quality; raw units use a d6, drilled units a d8, and veterans a d10. This "stepped" approach eliminates many cumbersome modifiers while naturally rewarding superior training and discipline.

The rules are designed to handle everything from small-scale encounters with half a dozen units per side to massive grand battle scenarios involving up to 100 units. With its focus on the "flavour" of the period, the system captures the slow, ponderous manoeuvres and the sudden, bloody impact of 18th-century combat, making it a popular choice for gamers who want a visually spectacular and atmospheric game.

Published by: The League of Augsburg / 2011

What do you think?

I would love to hear your opinion on these rules! Do you use them for the Seven Years War? How do you find they handle the 6mm scale? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Related project hubs for this period:
[The Silesian Wars 1740–1763 Project Hub]  |  [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]

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