Saturday 19 March 2016

THW - Six Gun Sound Rulebook

The front cover of the new version.
Six Gun Sound (SGS) by Two Hour Wargames has only just recently been updated and re-released. These are my "go to" rules for Wild West skirmish gaming and I rate them very highly. SGS version 2.0 has a lot to live up to as I always thought version 1.0 (aka Blaze of Glory) was one of the best, if not the best, supplements ever produced by THW.
The first thing I noticed about the new version was that it was a lot slimmer - a page count of 60 compared to 108 for Blaze of Glory. That's almost half as many pages. Hmm, not a promising start. However, it is the content that really matters and that's what I'll concentrate on. The new rules share a lot in common with both the old rules and the recently released supplement, High Moon (minus the Weird West stuff, of course).
Characters can be one of three Classes - Cowboy, Gunman or Townsfolk. Each Class comes with its own Attribute. This is a new rule now and one that I approve of. For Cowboy it is Brawler. (Counts a +1d6 bonus when rolling on the Melee Table). For Gunman it  is Marksman. (Can roll twice when rolling on the Ranged Combat Table, counting the best result, but only when firing one shot). For Townsfolk it is Slow to React. (Counts a -1d6 penalty when taking the In Sight and Draw! Tests).
Each Class is furthered defined by one of seven professions. You get to choose from the lists. Cowboys can be a Buffalo Hunter, a Cowboy (obviously!), a Deputy, a Gambler, a Homesteader, a Mountain Man or a Prospector. Gunmen can be a Bounty Hunter, a Gunslinger, a Marshal, an Outlaw, a Ranger, a Sheriff or a Warrior. Townsfolk can be a Citizen, a Greenhorn, a Merchant, a Preacher, a Saloon Staff, a Trades Person or a Villager. I noticed there wasn't a profession for the 7th Cavalry but you can easily class them as Rangers, who function very similarly.
Stars are allowed to have three Attributes - their Class Attribute and two others (choose one and roll for the other) and Grunts may have their Class Attribute and one more Attribute (randomly chosen). Reputation (Rep) defines a character by means of experience, morale and motivation and is rated from 3 to 6+, with 3 being the lowest permitted. Characters can advance beyond Rep:6 but they are extremely rare. Rep is the stat that is used the most often. It is recommended that Stars start at Rep:5.
The actual game rules in SGS are pretty much the same as in other current THW supplements, meaning they are simple and quick to play once you understand how the reaction system works. THW games are not normal IGOUGO games. Reactions play a major part in deciding who does what and when. The Quick Reference Tables have been drastically cut down and kept to a minimum. It was very noticeable to me that the new rules have been greatly simplified from the original game. One thing that Blaze of Glory did differently to any other THW product was provide very detailed rules for combat. Ranged Combat featured Hit Location Charts for shooting various parts of the body. Cover also played a more important role in deciding what body parts could be hit. There were even Hit Location Charts for horses. In short, the original rules were highly detailed and I loved that extra detail. I can understand why version 2.0 has dropped them, to speed up game play, but they were a big reason why I loved the original rules so much. I will probably still use the original Hit Location rules in future games of Six Gun Sound.
Gone too are the Skills like Sand (coolness under fire), Toughness (both physical and mental), Riding (aka horsemanship) and Driving (specifically wagons). Now Rep (Reputation) covers them all, which is kind of boring but much quicker. Once again, I'd prefer to keep the old Skills.
Moving on, the latter half of the book covers individual scenarios, called Encounters, and campaign rules. There are five Encounters listed - Carousing, Confrontation, Raid/Rescue, Riding the Trail and Robbery. Carousing can not occur out of town and Riding the Trail cannot occur in town. An optional Encounter that can only be played if the circumstances dictate it is the Jail Break. A campaign can take place anywhere in North America in the 19th Century and need not be tied to just one location, although that is also an option. Once again, I look back at the campaign rules in Blaze of Glory and they were far more detailed. They were split into six types based on profession - Cowboy, Gunfighter, Marshal, Outlaw, Ranger and Sheriff with the Cowboy campaign being by far the most detailed and hardest. To be fair, THW seem to have realised this and the first new supplement for the updated version of Six Gun Sound will be Range War, due out later this year. Hopefully, this will cover much of the missing Cowboy Campaign rules from Blaze of Glory. They really were very good!
One rule which has been discarded from the original rules was how to place enemy figures on the board. Incredibly, this used a deck of playing cards to determine who went where. I'm glad it has been dropped.
A true blast from the past!
By now, you're probably under the impression that I much prefer the version 1.0 rules to version 2.0 rules and in many ways you'd be right. I miss the extra detail from the old rules. Blaze of Glory reminded my very much of GURPS Old West, the first set of Wild West rules that I used with my 28mm scale figures. It also reminded me of The Old West Skirmish Wargames rules (printed in 1975. See right for the cover) which were the first Wild West rules I ever played. That was way back in the days during the 1980's when I gamed with 54mm scale figures and scenery. Both rulebooks used Hit Location Tables, which for me, is what makes Wild West skirmish games so unique. I grew up with them, and when they're not included I miss them.
However, I am not going to criticise the new version of SGS for being too simple. As I said, I fully understand why Ed has made the changes in the new book. Many gamers want simpler rules and faster game play. There's nothing wrong with that and in that respect the new version deserves the highest praise. Just because I like extra detail in my games does not make the book inherently at fault. It has a specific audience and it surely caters to them extremely well. I'm only too pleased that I own both versions so that I can cherry pick the best parts from both books to suit my own style of play.
Six Gun Sound  can be ordered from the THW webstore for $20 for a PDF version or for $22 for a printed version. Order the print version and you get the PDF version for free. In addition, you can download a set of Wild West building floor plans for free from the same webstore. They measure 11" by 17" and feature over 10 different buildings. I prefer 3D model buildings but free is free so I downloaded them anyway.

I have big plans ahead of me for Wild West and Weird West gaming. It'll take time. These things always do. But I have made a start and I'm committed to making it happen. I have the rules I need - Six Gun Sound, High Moon and Shadows of Brimstone. I need to build up my collection of figures although I have enough already to make a good start. But most of all I need 3D scenery. Lots of it! At present I only have one 28mm scale Wild West building - a Stoelzel's Structure barn that I reviewed on my blog here
My future options are -
  1. Make lots of card and/or foam-board models. Carl Stoelzel's Final Frontier set is the perfect place to start. I already own it and lots of other Wild West card models on my computer but they need printing out and making.
  2. Buy pre-painted MDF models and make them. 4Ground are the number one company for pre-painted buildings and scenery but they are very expensive. Some of their bigger buildings cost over £100!
  3. Buy unpainted MDF models, make them and paint them myself. Both Sarissa and TTCombat have a good range of Wild West buildings and scenery at reasonable prices.
  4. Go for a combination of the above - mix and match.
Option 1 is by far the cheapest but also the most time consuming. Option 2 is the most expensive, although, to be fair, the 4Ground models are absolutely superb. If money was no object, I'd certainly choose this option. Option 3 will be cheaper than Option 2 but less time consuming than Option 1. However, Option 4 is the one I'll most likely settle on. By mixing card buildings with pre-painted and painted by me MDF buildings I'll be able to come up with something uniquely mine. We'll see how it goes. Watch this space!

Please note that my Weird West and Wild West posts now have their own Page links which you can access from the top of my blog.

24 comments:

  1. Bryan I am so very much looking forward to this particular Vampifan project, especially as you've clearly put lots of thought into it. Your reaction to these 'new abbreviated' rules very much strikes me as being similar to mine with "7TV" as I still feel a lot of the 'fun' creating characters etc has been lost with the streamline second edition. Although the game itself does admittedly play a lot smoother with "7TV2".

    My wallet is though quaking at the thought of what you're going to be posting next, and my only relief is that you've previously twisted my arm in order to purchase some Weird West rules so I'm okay on that front ;-)

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    1. Thanks kindly, Simon. Even though I never bought 1st edition 7TV I can understand your concerns. It is exactly how I feel about the two editions of SGS. Both have their pros and cons but I do miss the greater detail from the original book.

      As for what's coming next, I have an interesting bunch of Weird West figures on my painting desk right now who are really extraordinary. I can't wait to finish painting them and then posting them. Sorry, but that's all I'm saying for now.

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    2. Ahhh... the infamous Vampifan tease!! Really looking forward to it Bryan, so get cracking with that paintbrush and don;t stop for anything; even your daily viewing of "World War Z" ;-)

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    3. No, I refuse to rise to the bait! My lips are sealed!

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    4. Did I tell you they filmed part of the CDC scenes in a building about 10 miles from my house at the old Pfizer building in Sandwich? one of my buddies was part of the first aid team on set.... What a marvellous film with brilliant, intelligent, fast moving, intuitive zombies dashing about and leaping in the air! Oh and when they cooperate to scale a massive wall like worker ants - awesome..... Sigh!

      *tongue firmly in cheek!*

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    5. No, I never knew that, Andy. Ah, the infamous CDC buiding. The amount of plot holes in that one location is truly staggering. You are so right to stick your tongue in your cheek! :-)

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  2. Nice review and look forward to your project coming to fruition Bryan. I like the idea of all three being used building wise and am thinking along the same lines for my ATZ boards and having a stock of buildings I can swap out.

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    1. Thanks, Andy. I agree that mixing and matching seems the best option. It's what I do for ATZ. I like variety.

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  3. There are already a lot od wild west gun fight rules out there so it makes sense to go with the ones you already like the mechanics for.

    As for buildings just as a mad thought how about a Mexican town? Firstly as most people now use MDF buildings the normal towns all look the same! (Especially when you see them at shows). The second advantage is all can be flat roof adobe. East to make out of foam board or Grey board. (which you can buy up to 5mm think!) Easy to store as they can all stack on top of each other (all flat roves) or even INSIDE each other. You can even get some MDF Adobe buildings. So to my mind a better solution than pitched (or mono pitch roves). Most buildings would have parapets so eve more cover to hide behind. But Best of all You can have lots of Mexicans that way. Just a though, and one I am taken with as well. Good luck mate.

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    1. Thanks, Clint. Believe me, a Mexican town is a MUST! Ditto, Mexican banditos. You'll be pleased to know I will be taking up your suggestion.

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  4. Very good review. I'd love to give this game a go. Limitations though.... I don't have the space for wild west buildings and more cost for the Mini's...

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    1. I hear you, Damon. It's a common problem of gamers everywhere.

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  5. Cowboys, love'em. I'm so tempted. Time for contemplation.

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    1. I've been tempted by them for years. I finally decided to do something about it.

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  6. Really looking forward to seeing this project evolve Bryan. I was brought up on westerns by my grandad, so cowboys have a special interest for me.
    I'm sure whatever you decide for your buildings they will have that special Vampifan magical touch.
    We are definitely entertained Dude!

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    1. I really appreciate that, Bob. I, too, grew up on Westerns and I have always loved the genre. I have this Wild West gaming itch for many, many years and I felt now was the right time to do something about it.
      I won't be neglecting my zombie gaming. A new ATZ campaign is in the offing, as well as lots of Zombicide gaming. But Wild West is something I'll keep on coming back to.
      I'm always happy to entertain you!

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  7. Spot on review Bryan. The gaming audience has changed in the last ten year (BTW - the original 6SG cane out in 2002. They want less detail so I decided to concentrate on smoother mechanics and not as much detail. The the crunchy bits - specific campaigns - would be offered at a low price for those that want them.

    Thanks for the review.

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    1. Thanks, Ed. I guess you can call me old school. Whilst I have nothing against fast-paced streamlined gaming I always appreciate games with added detail.
      Wow, I had no idea that original SGS was so old. What really pleases me is that you still have plans for SGS. High Moon was both a great supplement as well as a stand alone game and I'm very much looking forward to seeing Range War being released. Keep up the good work, Ed!

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  8. Yeehaw! I too have been looking at MDF buildings for both Mexican and more traditional "Dodge City" settings. I'll be interested to see how your project develops :-) .

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    1. Thanks, Hugh. I'm really looking forward to developing this project. I've been blown away by the scenery and figures that are now available for the Wild West gamer. Happy days!

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  9. Sounds great Bryan. You could of course pick a fair few of the plain unpainted buildings. Use a roller to paint them whilst on the sprue and then build them when dry saves a lot of time. You could always leave them as plain mdf and treat them as new buildings.

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    1. Both of those suggestions are very viable options, Simon. Cheers, mate!

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  10. Thanks for the review. As with many THW rulesets I own, quite often they upgrade before I get properly into them, so as an owner of a copy of "6GS: Blaze of Glory" your comparison review is just perfect.

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    1. Nice to hear from you, Sam, and I'm glad I could help you.

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