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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WRG 1685–1845

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First published in 1971 and significantly revised in 1979, these classic rules from the Wargames Research Group were revolutionary for their time. They were written to allow wargamers to replay even the largest battles from the horse and musket era. The rules incorporate an alternate move system and a reaction test system that serves as the main engine for controlling troop behaviour on the tabletop.

Wargames Rules 1685-1845 1st Edition

Wargames Rules: Wargames Rules 1685-1845 1st Edition

Wargames Rules 1685-1845 (First Edition), written by Philip C. Barker and published by the Wargames Research Group (WRG) in 1971, stands as one of the early pioneering rulebooks designed to cover the horse and musket era. Spanning from the late seventeenth century through the Napoleonic conflicts to the mid-nineteenth century, the system attempts to capture the tactical evolution of line, column, and skirmish mechanics across a vast historical timeline.

Characteristic of early WRG publications, the mechanics lean heavily into detailed figures, strict movement rates, and precise firing tables. Rather than modern friction-based activation, turn structure relies on traditional sequential phases. While the rules present a steep learning curve with detailed casualty tracking, they offer a fascinating, highly structured operational framework that laid the foundation for decades of tactical wargame design.

Published by: Wargames Research Group (WRG) / 1971

Wargames Rules 1685-1845 (English 2nd Edition)

Wargames Rules: Wargames Rules 1685-1845 (English 2nd Edition)

Wargames Rules 1685-1845 (English 2nd Edition), revised by the Wargames Research Group (WRG) and published in 1979, refined the classic tactical engine originally crafted by Philip C. Barker. Expanding upon the 1971 original, this edition streamlined several complex fire control tables and movement modifiers while retaining the expansive historical scope spanning the War of the Spanish Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the Napoleonic Wars.

The second edition introduced improved clarity for tactical formations, volley fire resolution, and morale testing under sustained artillery bombardments. While modern horse-and-musket systems lean toward friction-based command points, WRG's 1979 revision remains a classic example of structured, precise wargaming mechanics. When used for mid-eighteenth-century engagements in 6mm, it delivers an authentic sense of rigid line tactics and grand-tactical attrition across large battlefields.

Published by: Wargames Research Group (WRG) / 1979

Phil Barker's Horse and Musket Wargaming Rules 1685-1845

Wargames Rules: Phil Barker's Horse and Musket Wargaming Rules 1685-1845

Phil Barker's Horse and Musket Wargaming Rules 1685-1845 (2016 Edition) represents a welcome modern compilation published by John Curry's History of Wargaming Project. This edition brings together the foundational WRG rules originally developed alongside Philip C. Barker, updating and preserving a classic set that shaped early horse-and-musket wargaming for generations of hobbyists.

Covering everything from Marlborough's campaigns to the Seven Years' War and Napoleon's decisive battles, the system relies on traditional movement distances, formal formations, and detailed combat resolution tables. Rather than utilizing abstract command friction, the rules emphasize tactical planning, linear geometry, and disciplined volley firing. When applied to 6mm figures, the mechanics allow players to experience authentic grand-tactical troop deployments while maintaining a structured, methodical flow of battle.

Published by: History of Wargaming Project / 2016

Seven Years War Army Lists: A Companion to the 1685–1845 Rules

Supplement: Seven Years War Army Lists: A Companion to the 1685–1845 Rules

Seven Years War Army Lists, written by Don McHugh, serves as an essential tactical expansion and army organisation supplement for the classic Wargames Research Group (WRG) 1685–1845 horse-and-musket wargaming system. Authored to provide precise point values, historical order-of-battle ratios, and troop classifications for mid-eighteenth-century battlefields, this booklet bridges the gap between general rule mechanics and period-specific engagements.

The companion details troop quality ratings, morale tiers, and equipment breakdowns across all major belligerents—including Prussia, Austria, France, Britain, and Russia. Rather than relying on generic infantry and cavalry statistics, the lists reflect the distinct national doctrine of the era, such as Prussian fast-loading discipline, Austrian light infantry capabilities, and heavy artillery allocations. When setting up refights in 6mm scale, this booklet provides an invaluable historical blueprint for balanced, accurate force composition.

Published by: Wargames Research Group (WRG) / 1984

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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