Rank and File are a set of horse and musket rules that cover the period from 1740 through to 1900. The basic game mechanics are designed to be simple and easy to learn with the aim of being able to play large games within a reasonable time frame.

While the game itself is easy to pick up there are extensive optional and advanced rules as well as period specific rules that allow the game to cater for all tastes as well as being flexible enough to cope with lots of game sizes, scales, figure availability and numbers of players.

While the basic D6 mechanics make Rank and File a ‘fast play’ system that doesn’t mean that important areas of the rules are glossed over or omitted.

• Army and force break points mean that battles do not end up with 2 units chasing each other about the field.
• Variable commander quality allows you to represent differing abilities of command and charisma.
• Troop quality ranging from Green to Elite.
• March movement allows troops to come into action speedily when committed rather than plodding across the battlefield.
• Unit cohesion means that troops fighting ability and morale decreases before they will finally break.
• Period specific formation, weapon and manoeuvre restrictions.
• Variable game scales allow units to represent anything from battalion to brigade strength.
  Figures are based in stands but the rules allow you to play with any basing convention so there is no re-basing necessary.
• Further optional rules that include Elephants, Camels, opportunity and counter charges, messengers, ammunition, shock troops, cavalry breakthrough and many others.

Rank and File provide an easy to learn, flexible system for fighting battles throughout the Horse & Musket period. Use the basic rules for a fast play system or add in the optional and advanced rules for more depth and realism.

The American Civil War supplement for Rank & File includes a historical background to the war as well as game aids that can be used with any rules system.
There are optional and period specific rules as well as detailed weapon statistics, command ratings and army organisation.

Almost 1000 leader ratings for both sides of the conflict and army lists that are broken down by theatre and year allow players to design their own scenarios, create balanced forces for pick up games or calculate troop quality and strength for historical battles.

This supplement adds a further level of detail to the command and control aspect of Rank & File with a comprehensive order system that takes account of leader ratings, orders issued, distances and staff quality. Optional army morale rules allow large or small games to be played to a definite conclusion within an evening. This allows players to game larger conflicts with all of the problems and uncertainty of command that was a factor in so many ACW battles.

While much of the material included is of use with any rules system a copy of the Rank & File rules are required to gain the most from this supplement.

Rank & File Downloads

Fast play sheet for the Rank & File Rules
2 A4 pages that can be downloaded, stuck back to back and laminated. For those that don’t want to cut pages out of their rulebooks!

Download: Rank & File Fast Play Sheets

Rank and File Points System
A points system for the Rank and File Horse & Musket rules. 2 page PDF

Download: Rank and File Points System

Rank and File sample chapter
One of the chapters from the Rank and File rules showing the design and layout as well as an overview of how the rules work.

Download: Rank and File Sample Chapter

Rank & File Optional Rules Supplement 1
Covering waiver tests, impetuous infantry and blown cavalry. 2 page PDF

Download: Rank and File Rules Supplement 1

Rank & File Optional Rules Supplement 2
Covering Wave Attacks, Buck & Ball, Pass Through morale tests. 5 page PDF

Download: Rank and File Rules Supplement 2

Rank & File Optional Rules Supplement 3
Covering Grand Batteries, Lancers, Rockets. Optional rules for firing at chargers, turning to face flank and rear charges, skirmishers vs cavalry, small arms fire vs deep formations. 3 page PDF

Download: Rank and File Rules Supplement 3

Rank & File American Civil War Sample
A six page sample of the contents of the ACW supplement for the Rank and File rules.

Download: ACW Supplement Sample

You can purchase the rules as a PDF from Wargame Vault, Lulu or the Crusader Publishing shop or you can visit Lulu to get a print on demand hard copy. Simply click on a logo to be taken to the relevant pages.