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Black Powder
Black Powder: Battles with Model Soldiers in the Age of the Musket
Black Powder is Warlord Games' first publication. It is a beautiful book in its own right with hundreds of color photographs taken by the Perry brothers of the most exquisitely painted model soldiers from their world-renowned collection.
The rule book's intention is inspire a collector to play gentlemanly games with their own collections of soldiers with friends where the emphasis is on the spirit of the age of musket, not the letter of the rule. With decisive battles from the key wars of the period, such as El Teb, from the Sudan War, Ntombi River from the Zulu Wars, Alma from the Crimean War and Freemans Farm from the American War of Independence, as well as two fictional scenarios from the American Civil War and Napoleon's Wars, there really is something to keep everyone happy. It is a hearty publication and not for nitpickers or miseries. There are some good gags in it, but it also plays well and enables players to conduct a very big battle in a civilized period of time, leaving them more time to chat about the highs and lows and what ifs.
Rick Priestley is best known as the famous Warhammer and Warhammer 40000 author, the world's best selling table top miniatures game and Product Director for Games Workshop. He lives in Nottingham. Jervis Johnson is also an internationally renowned games writer and luminary in the gaming world. Jervis also lives in Nottingham but has a very posh voice.
The rule book's intention is inspire a collector to play gentlemanly games with their own collections of soldiers with friends where the emphasis is on the spirit of the age of musket, not the letter of the rule. With decisive battles from the key wars of the period, such as El Teb, from the Sudan War, Ntombi River from the Zulu Wars, Alma from the Crimean War and Freemans Farm from the American War of Independence, as well as two fictional scenarios from the American Civil War and Napoleon's Wars, there really is something to keep everyone happy. It is a hearty publication and not for nitpickers or miseries. There are some good gags in it, but it also plays well and enables players to conduct a very big battle in a civilized period of time, leaving them more time to chat about the highs and lows and what ifs.
Rick Priestley is best known as the famous Warhammer and Warhammer 40000 author, the world's best selling table top miniatures game and Product Director for Games Workshop. He lives in Nottingham. Jervis Johnson is also an internationally renowned games writer and luminary in the gaming world. Jervis also lives in Nottingham but has a very posh voice.
182 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 18, 2018
14/20.
January 28, 2021
This is my hobby. It is not a narrative book but an rule and instruction to play table top miniature soldiers. I have enjoyed this hobby since childhood and may even start a club at school.
August 29, 2016
A few months ago, a bought a bunch of painted Napoleonic miniatures from my friend Dean.
I intend to take pictures of my "new model army," but have been busy at work and with non-wargaming projects when I'm off-duty.
In the meantime, I thought I'd at least read the "Black Powder" rules, which Dean based his figures on.
If you're looking for a set of rules that provide detailed data on the various weapons, tactics, and doctrines of the various armies from 1700-1900, look elsewhere.
"Black Powder" is a game, not a simulation, a point the authors make clear throughout the book.
Lavishly illustrated and weighing-in at 182 pages, the Basic Rules comprise the first 50 pages, with another 26 pages of Advanced Rules. The rest are scenarios, battle reports, a quick reference page and an index. This makes Black Powder popular for resolving big-battles within the time frame of one gaming period at a convention (usually four hours).
However, rules designed to handle big-battles can also be a detriment. No one I know has a 6' x 12' gaming table the authors used to play test the rules. Big-battles also require a big collection of miniatures. Large--and fully painted--collections take a long time for an individual to amass, or require the cooperation of a gaming group to invest in.
I also think the authors stretched the timeline of the "Horse & Musket Era" to 1900 so their fine-quality, late 19th Century figures can see the light of day--or more likely camera flashes--in order to impress the rest of us. (I'm certainly impressed).
Despite these quibbles, I'll give "Black Powder" a 4-star rating. Published six years ago, and still commanding a $48 price tag, the rules are currently out of stock on Amazon.com (which has a 3.9-star average rating), but can still be obtained at On Military Matters, and possibly other game/book store websites.
I intend to take pictures of my "new model army," but have been busy at work and with non-wargaming projects when I'm off-duty.
In the meantime, I thought I'd at least read the "Black Powder" rules, which Dean based his figures on.
If you're looking for a set of rules that provide detailed data on the various weapons, tactics, and doctrines of the various armies from 1700-1900, look elsewhere.
"Black Powder" is a game, not a simulation, a point the authors make clear throughout the book.
Lavishly illustrated and weighing-in at 182 pages, the Basic Rules comprise the first 50 pages, with another 26 pages of Advanced Rules. The rest are scenarios, battle reports, a quick reference page and an index. This makes Black Powder popular for resolving big-battles within the time frame of one gaming period at a convention (usually four hours).
However, rules designed to handle big-battles can also be a detriment. No one I know has a 6' x 12' gaming table the authors used to play test the rules. Big-battles also require a big collection of miniatures. Large--and fully painted--collections take a long time for an individual to amass, or require the cooperation of a gaming group to invest in.
I also think the authors stretched the timeline of the "Horse & Musket Era" to 1900 so their fine-quality, late 19th Century figures can see the light of day--or more likely camera flashes--in order to impress the rest of us. (I'm certainly impressed).
Despite these quibbles, I'll give "Black Powder" a 4-star rating. Published six years ago, and still commanding a $48 price tag, the rules are currently out of stock on Amazon.com (which has a 3.9-star average rating), but can still be obtained at On Military Matters, and possibly other game/book store websites.
June 19, 2010
This is a very interesting set of miniatures rules for the 18th and 19th Centuries. The game is written by Rick Priestly and Jervis Johnson, best known for their association with Games Workshop. With this in mind I expected to encounter a typical GW style game, and instead found myself pleasantly surprised to find something quite different.
The system presented is simple, but seems to capture the essence of the era. I would love to play this game, but doubt I'll ever get the chance to as there are few in my area that are interested in historical miniatures.
Definitely worth checking out if you already have miniatures for the era, or can convince someone else to give it a try.
The system presented is simple, but seems to capture the essence of the era. I would love to play this game, but doubt I'll ever get the chance to as there are few in my area that are interested in historical miniatures.
Definitely worth checking out if you already have miniatures for the era, or can convince someone else to give it a try.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews