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Renaissance and Pike and Shot Rules Reviews
Note, each set is accorded a value for money rating. 1 = terrible; 10 is extremely good - must have.
CAPTAIN GENERAL Version III
Positive Points
These rules cover from 1660 to 1720 so just about squeak as pike and shot. They are clearly not intended to produce a very fast game but go for a satisfying one.
They might be amongst the few that actually do cater for the proportion changes in pike to shot in the infantry units. Furthermore, it allows the players to take advantage of the merits of having more pike than shot or the reverse.
The rules have some interesting mechanisms in areas like morale etc. which can result in the order being changed as a result. This adds a layer of challenge because the orders are a critical part of the whole game. Firing is done by adding together all the factors of all the stands firing at the same unit so it is a bit simpler although there are difference between the stands which have to be catered for.
Negative Points
These rules need very careful study before you start. They are fairly complex and the booklet has lots of corrections that are essential.
There are a load of cross references that I find it very helpful to add to the rules yourself because the rules are not always clear at the place you are looking. If you add them you can avoid a load of hunting through to find the right sections to understand what is being said at the section in question. Furthermore, the tables in both the rules and the reference sheet are not complete. There are critical omissions that have to be found in the text then added by hand. Examples are the bonus for firing at column or square should include onto flank and quarter fire factor if performing fire and retire etc.
Despite these serious inconveniences and the large additional effort required I have converted my 1690-1705 armies to this set. I have put the effort in and I have had a few good games. This is the best Renaissance set for me at the moment.
Overall Value for Money: 4 (would be much better if they were written much more rigorously - even at Version 3 they aren't!)
Reviewer: TC
Positive Points
The rules are very simple. It is highly likely that with only a little practice, the games can be completed very quickly even with hundreds of figures on the table on each side.
The rule mechanisms are clean with each command being activated in a sequence decided by dice rolling and the actions of each unit completed before moving on to the next unit. At first, this takes a bit of getting used to but actually results in a significant amount of overall "utility". It provides also for some units moving very much faster (albeit at the risk of becoming disordered).
The games look good with proper formations being rewarded. There is less incentive to break up the units into tiny blocks to improve manoeuvre.
It is clear however that these rules are only intended for the very early part of the renaissance period. There is a possibility that further information allowing expansion later in the period will be forthcoming on the website.
Negative Points
The really big issue is that lack of a system of points that allows the users to create their own armies etc. The forum now has the official version of the points system in its current provisional form. You can obtain this with the button below.
There is surprisingly little problem from translation into English from the Italian original. However, it is good to read them fairly carefully.
Overall Value for Money: 7
Reviewer: TC