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S.H.A.M.
(Steve's Horse and Musket) Rules
Version 0.1: 28 June 2003 - Steve Holmes

http://napnuts.tripod.com/rules_sham.htm
Version 1.1 16 April 2007 – Mike Elliott
Introduction
The primary objective is to produce an extremely simple wargame.

The differences of the 3 arms of horse and musket should be reflected: Foot,
Guns, Horse.
Command/Control introduces a fourth (and most important) arm:
Commanders.
In pursuit of simplicity, various facets of traditional wargames have been

abandoned:
Formations are kept to a minimum.
One reaction test is used to cover unit activation and morale failure.
Troop Quality, differing unit size and cavalry "weight" are not represented.
Even terrain is neglected in this early release.
This simple approach may not suit all, and may offend some.
If they are not for you, there are plenty of alternative sets.
The rules were developed with the purely selfish objective of gaming with my
own sons.
The playing area is gridded in hexagons, 10cm across the sides (e.g. Kallistra
Hexon II)
Game Concepts
Armies
Armies are composed of elements mounted on bases 4cm wide and 3cm
deep.
Each element is one of 4 types.
Command: Army commanders and Divisional Commanders -

individual elements
Guns: Cannon - individual elements.
Horse: Cavalry - formed into units of 4 elements.
Foot: Infantry - formed into units of 4 elements.
Command Structure
Army Commander commands Divisional Commanders, plus

Reserve Guns, Horse or Foot (if any).
Divisional Commanders command Guns, Horse and Foot.
Turn Sequence
The sequence is described in detail later.

Movement alternates between sides: Moving side are active, others are
passive.
Command: Active side Command units roll d6 for command points.
Command figures move. Attempt to rally running units.
Move: Active side tests reaction for units wishing to move,
successful units may move.
Shoot: Passive side shoots, followed by active side. Reaction
tests for those taking hits.
Charge: Active side tests reaction for units wishing to charge,
successful units may charge.
Passive side now tests reaction for any of its units
wishing to charge, successful units may charge.
Fight: Hand to hand fighting is resolved.
Command Points:
Command points are marked by placing a d6 showing the appropriate

score beside the commander figure.
Command figures may spend command points to assist units under

their command.
To add 1 in a reaction test for units in the same hex.
To add 1 to the dice of an attached unit in shooting or fighting.
The army commander may transfer his command points to a divisional

commander within 4 hexes at any time.
The Reaction Test:
This is the heart of the command control rules.

Units wishing to move, charge, not run away after casualties, rally must
pass a reaction test.
Count the number of elements remaining in the unit (Guns always

count as 4)
Add 1 if the unit commander spends a command point.
Roll d6 and add the total.
Score 6 or more to pass the reaction test.
The Turn Sequence in Detail:
Begin at the top and work through this sequence.

After each pass through, active and passive sides exchange roles and
repeat.
Command:
Passive commanders retain any command points left over from their
previous active turn.
Each active commander rolls 1d6 for new command points and places
it beside the command model.
Commanders may now move up to 2 hexes, but reduce their
command point score by 1 if they do so.
Each commander may attempt to rally one running unit by passing a
reaction test.
Move:
Horse move up to 2 hexes.

Foot and Guns move up to 1 hex.
Commanders do not move in this phase since they moved during the
command phase.
Running elements run their full move distance away from the nearest
enemy and lose one element after the rout.
Other units may only move after performing a successful reaction test.
No unit may move into the same hex as an enemy unit during the
movement phase
Formation change from single to double ranks or vice versa counts as
a move.
Movement is forward, by wheeling or about-face.
Guns which move may not shoot this turn.
Shoot:
Units from the passive side shoot first, then survivors of active units
return fire.
Only Foot and Guns may shoot.
Front rank elements roll their dice and consult the table to determine
how many kills they cause.
Shooting - Scores required to kill an element

d6 per shooting
Shooters Range score to kill
element
Foot 1 hex 1 6
Guns 1 hex 2 5,6
Guns 4 hexes 2 6
Commanders may each spend one command point on a single

attached unit to add 1 to all its shooting dice.
Guns firing at 2 rank foot units add 1 to their dice.
For each kill on foot and horse, remove an element and place a
casualty marker by the unit.
Guns are different, 2 shooting kills in a single turn are required to
destroy a gun, single shooting kills are ignored.
After both sides have fired, a unit which lost elements during shooting
tests reaction, units which fail run away.
Charge:
Phasing foot and horse units which are 1 hex from an enemy target
may attempt to charge.
Test reaction. If successful they charge home, if not they stay in
position.
After phasing units have tested to charge, non-phasing foot and horse
units may also attempt to charge.
Foot may not charge horse.

Guns may not charge.
Fight:
Resolve fights between units in combat.

Front rank elements roll 1d6 and consult the table to determine the
score required to cause a kill.
Commanders may spend 1 command point on 1 attached unit to add 1
to all its fighting dice.
Fighting - Scores Required to kill an element.

Attackers Target
Single Rank 2 Rank
Guns Horse
Foot Foot
Guns - 6 6 6
Horse 4,5,6 5,6 5,6 6
Single Rank
5,6 6 5,6 5,6
Foot
2 Rank Foot 5,6 5,6 4,5,6 4,5,6
Losers of hand to hand (Suffered more kills than they caused) now test
reaction and run if they fail.
If losers stand, then winners must test reaction and run if they fail.
If both sides stand, then losers withdraw 1 hex still facing their enemy.
Horse which cause foot to run or withdraw may pursue.

Pursuing horse remain in contact, and avoid the need to test for
movement or charge next turn.

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S.H.A.M.

(Steve's Horse and Musket) Rules

Version 0.1: 28 June 2003 - Steve Holmes

Version 1.1 16 April 2007 – Mike Elliott

The primary objective is to produce an extremely simple wargame.

In pursuit of simplicity, various facets of traditional wargames have been

Command: Army commanders and Divisional Commanders -

Army Commander commands Divisional Commanders, plus

The sequence is described in detail later.

Command points are marked by placing a d6 showing the appropriate

Command figures may spend command points to assist units under

The army commander may transfer his command points to a divisional

The Reaction Test:

This is the heart of the command control rules.

Count the number of elements remaining in the unit (Guns always

The Turn Sequence in Detail:

Begin at the top and work through this sequence.

Horse move up to 2 hexes.

Shooting - Scores required to kill an element

Commanders may each spend one command point on a single

Foot may not charge horse.

Resolve fights between units in combat.

Fighting - Scores Required to kill an element.

Horse which cause foot to run or withdraw may pursue.

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