BelloLudi Harquebus Renaissance Skirmish Game

BelloLudi is a small publisher from The Netherlands who specialise in fast and fun rules. This is because we want to have as much people as possible to experience this great hobby. The games are designed as a multiplayer games but will work just as fine with only two players or even solo. BelloLudi rules are intuitive and easy to learn, yet offer enough variation for seasoned wargamers. Hopefully, playing the game will encourage you to create your own armies. If you are just getting into the hobby, check out the skirmish rules. They are designed with armies of roughly 25-30 miniatures per side. So one box of Wargames Atlantic excellent miniatures per side will be enough.

BelloLudi Skirmish Games

BelloLudi Skirmish games are designed for multiplayer battles using a very small amount of miniatures. They are designed to be fast and fun and easy to learn for non-wargamers. The rules have a core of around a dozen pages, no more than the game of RISK. From page thirteen on, we include some extra rules. You can start off with only 25 miniatures per side so any box of plastic soldiers will give you more than enough to start playing. As with all BelloLudi games the emphasis is about the decisions you make as a commander.

From the Condotierri to the Wars of Marlborough. This ruleset simulates battles in the period of 1500 to roughly 1700, the age of the renaissance, when European countries forged empires all over the world and combatted each other and the various indigenous people. The rules will work for skirmishes in colonial settings, the Wars of Religion, the English Civil Wars, the 30- and 80 Years’ Wars, King William’s War and other conflicts.

Units were drawn up in line in order to maximise the effect of their weaponry. The musket, the type of gun that was coming more and more into vogue, was only accurate on short distances. During a volley all muskets were fired simultaneously at the same target. Off course, this required iron discipline of the men and protection by their pike-armoured comrades. 

The rules use the so-called Commander Die, to create friction in the games. The Commander dice are sold separately. However, instead of the Commander Dice you can use a standard D20. Just read 0=B, 1-4=0, 5-9=1, 10-14=2 and 15-19=3

Cards and Commander Dice can be purchased at: www.belloludi.nl/winkel

So onward, to glory! And, of course: have fun!

Team BelloLudi