Of Oil and Iron is a cinematic skirmish wargame placing you in command of a squadron of Rigs on behalf of one of the great corporations. A dieselpunk world where oil fields, shattered cities, and desecrated frontiers are battlegrounds won not by kings or nations, but by those who can field the most formidable machines of war.

What You Need to Play

• This rulebook
• Rig Control Terminals, Weapon Cards, Equipment Cards and Engine Cards for each Rig
• A Squadron of Rigs — 3D-printable models in 15mm or 32mm scale
• Dice: six-sided (D6) and twelve-sided (D12)
• A 22 × 30 inch battlefield (standard) with terrain

Scale of Play

Usually 3–5 Rigs per side. Official miniatures at www.ofoilandiron.com.

Weight Classes

Rig Stats

Weapon Stats

Phases of a Round

Engagement Length

Usually 4–6 rounds. End of round 4: D12, 8+ = end. End of round 5: D12, 5+ = end. Round 6: always ends.

Each Rig may take up to 5 actions when activated. Many generate Heat [X].

Action Summary

Movement Details

• Forward: Up to full Speed value
• Backpedal: 2" per 1" moved
• Side-Stepping: 2" per 1" moved
• Pivot: Up to 90° per pivot, up to Pivot stat times per Move

Ram Hit Strength

Preparations

Heat Threshold Table (D12 + modifier)

Each Equipment can only be taken once per Rig. "Discard" items are discarded after successful use.

Table A

Table C

Players agree on an Engagement type, then both choose a Squadron Formation from the same matching tier.

Skirmish Formations

Operation Formations

Warfront Formations

Standard Engagements

Special Engagements

Campaigns link multiple Engagements into a longer, story-driven system. Each player controls an evolving Squadron.

Starting a Campaign

• Start with a Skirmish sized Squadron
• Each player starts with X Iron to distribute
• No Colossal-class Rigs at the start
• Maintain a Squadron Roster
• Earn salvage and Ironclad experience through engagements

Before Each Engagement

1. Select an Engagement (or roll randomly)
2. Select a Deployment (or roll randomly)
3. Select a Battlefield (terrain type with aftermath effects)
4. Play normally

Black Powder Epic Battles: The Waterloo Campaign is a game for those who wish to recreate the visceral conflict of 15 June–8 July 1815 on a grand scale with armies of Epic Scale model soldiers.

This is first and foremost an entertainment — a tolerably convincing representation of Napoleonic battle, played between friends in a spirit of mutual empathy.

What You Need to Play

• This rulebook
• Twelve or more six-sided dice (D6)
• A tape measure in inches (or use the centimetre option — convert all measurements)
• Two armies of Epic Scale Napoleonic model soldiers
• Terrain: woods, hills, villages
• An optional umpire is recommended

Scale of Play

Typically two to three players per side on a large table, at least three feet between the opposing forces. An umpire to interpret rules makes games more enjoyable.

Unit Types

Each unit represents a typical fighting formation — a battalion of infantry, a regiment of cavalry, or a battery of artillery. Units are divided into broad types: Regular Infantry, Regular Cavalry, and Artillery.

Unit Sizes

Fighting Qualities (example: British Line Infantry)

• Hand-to-Hand: Average is 6. Higher = better fighters. Lower = inferior troops.
• Shooting: Average is 3. Dice rolled for shooting attacks.
• Morale: Minimum dice score to save a hit. 3+ = excellent, 4+ = good, 5+ = average, 6+ = poor, 0 = no save.
• Stamina: Casualties before unit becomes Shaken. Standard = 3, Large = 4, Small/Artillery = 2.

Brigades

All units are assigned to a brigade. Typically 3–6 units per brigade. Units within the same brigade operate most efficiently within 6" of each other — beyond this, brigade orders can't be used.

Staff Ratings

Every brigade commander and the army's general share a Staff Rating representing command efficiency. Default for regular professional forces: 8.

Casualty Markers

Markers represent men killed, wounded, exhaustion, failing morale and spent munitions. A unit is Shaken once it reaches casualties equal to its Stamina value.

Units can adopt different formations for different situations. Changing formation takes one entire move and requires a command order.

Changing Formation

Turn the leader base to face any direction. Rearrange the rest of the unit around it so the leader is to the right of centre on the front rank of the new formation.

Sequence of Play

Issuing Orders

State the order aloud before rolling. Then roll 2D6 and compare to the commander's Staff Rating:

Command Modifiers

No commander ever has an effective Staff Rating better than 10 or worse than 5.

Blunder Results (D6)

Special Orders

The General

The army general does not issue orders directly but can accompany a brigade commander. When the general is present (within 12" and moved into touch), that commander's order result can be re-rolled once — even a blunder. Only one re-roll per turn.

Commander Move Distances

Move Distances (per move)

A unit with 3 moves could travel up to 36" (infantry) or 54" (cavalry) in a single turn.

Proximity Rule

When within 12" of an enemy unit, movement is constrained. Units may only:

• Advance within their own front quarter, or
• Retreat within their own rear quarter

Terrain Effects

Artillery Movement

Horse Artillery: Can limber/unlimber at beginning or end of a move without penalty. Very mobile — can move and shoot in a single move.

Foot Artillery: Takes one whole move to limber or to unlimber. Can move then deploy in two moves.

Manhandling: Any deployed gun can be manhandled up to 6" total (one move only), allowing it to reposition or change facing.

Weapon Ranges

How to Shoot

Roll a number of D6 equal to the unit's Shooting value (modified for size and formation). Each 4+ = a hit. A 6 always hits and automatically disorders the target.

Formation Modifiers (Shooting Dice)

'To Hit' Modifiers

Regardless of modifiers: 6 always hits, 1 always misses.

Morale Saves

For each hit, the target rolls a D6. Equal to or higher than the unit's Morale value = save (hit ignored). Lower = casualty marker placed.

Disorder

Rolling a 6 to hit automatically disorders the target (even if all saves pass). A disordered unit: cannot receive orders, cannot use initiative, suffers -1 to shooting and combat dice, suffers -1 on Break Tests, cavalry cannot countercharge/evade/turn-to-face.

Disorder lasts until end of the unit's own turn (or until it's no longer in combat).

Closing Fire

When charged to the front, infantry in line/attack column/square/mixed formation (not march column or skirmishers) may deliver closing fire at close range (+1 to hit). Chargers who become shaken from closing fire must take a Break Test (as hand-to-hand). If they break, the charge fails.

Artillery

Artillery can shoot over other units when guns or target are on higher ground, provided intervening units are both further than 6" from the gun AND 6" from the target.

Charging

To charge, give a specific charge order. Measure from the unit leader base to the closest enemy base. If within one move, the charge proceeds. Units forbidden from charging: Shaken units, March Column, Artillery, Square, Skirmishers vs formed infantry.

Charge Responses

Fighting Combat

Roll a number of D6 equal to the unit's Hand-to-Hand combat value (adjusted for size/formation). Each 4+ = a hit. 6 always hits, 1 always misses.

Combat Dice Modifiers

If cavalry countercharges charging infantry: infantry are automatically disordered and receive no charge bonus.

Supports

Non-engaged friendly units within 6" can add support bonuses to combat results. Maximum +3 per unit (+1 rear, +1 left flank, +1 right flank).

Cannot be supported: artillery, skirmishers, units in square or buildings, units engaged to flank/rear, if another combat is within 6" of that quarter.

Combat Results

Add total casualties caused each side during the round, then add bonuses:

Highest total = winner. Tied = draw. Losing side takes Break Tests.

Victorious Units Can

• Advance upon the retiring enemy (move back into contact)
• Do nothing
• Change formation
• Fall back (one move to own rear)
• Sweeping advance (cavalry only, first round win; move forward without contact)
• Sweeping advance and charge (cavalry only; charge fresh enemy immediately)

When Break Tests Are Required

1. Unit suffers excess casualties from shooting (total > Stamina)
2. Unit is shaken by closing fire, or takes any casualties from artillery closing fire
3. Unit is defeated in hand-to-hand combat
4. Unit draws hand-to-hand combat and is shaken
5. Supporting unit sees the unit it's supporting break

The Break Test

Roll 2D6 and apply modifiers:

Break Test Results

Note: Artillery almost always breaks — this is intentional.

Shaken Units

A unit is shaken once it has casualties equal to its Stamina value (usually 3). Shaken effects:

• -1 to hit when shooting
• -1 to hit in hand-to-hand combat
• Cannot charge or countercharge
• Shaken cavalry cannot make sweeping advance charges
• If shaken unit leaves the table: removed permanently

Excess casualties above Stamina are discarded after Break Tests are taken. A unit only ever has casualty markers equal to its Stamina value.

Infantry Squares

Only regular infantry can form square (with an order, taking one move). Squares are the primary defence against cavalry.

• Move maximum once per turn, at half pace, only towards own lines
• Cannot move if enemy cavalry are within 12"
• Cannot charge
• Shoot: 1 die per facing
• Combat: 2 dice per engaged face, +3 result vs cavalry
• Break Test: always holds ground (never retires)
• Enemy cavalry cannot charge a square unless it is disordered or shaken

Form Square Special Rule

Units with this special rule can and must attempt to form square when charged to their front by enemy cavalry, even when disordered. This is an automatic response — take an order test; if successful, the square is formed before the charge hits.

Mixed Formation

A line or attack column with a skirmish screen (1 base, or 2 bases for large units) detached to the front. Skirmishers must remain within 2" of the main body. Shoot with 1 die total. More flexible than a pure line.

Evading

Some units (cavalry charged by infantry; skirmishers charged by formed troops) can evade. Issue an evade order test — even on failure the unit gets one free move. If chargers catch evaders: evaders are destroyed automatically.

Broken Brigades

A brigade is broken at the start of a player's turn once half or more of its units are:

• Destroyed (removed from the game)
• Shaken (casualties equal to Stamina)
• Off the table (unless leaving is an objective)

If a brigade has only 2 units, both must qualify before it breaks.

Broken Army

Once half the brigades in an army are broken, the entire army is automatically broken. All remaining units must:

• No longer receive orders or use initiative
• Make a "retire broken" move each Command phase — one full move away from enemy, towards own table edge
• Units engaged in combat fight as normal, then fall back after
• Shaken units cannot be rallied; disordered units remain disordered
• Units that leave the table: permanently removed

Winning the Battle

The side whose army breaks first loses. Where time runs out without a decision, the army closest to breaking is considered to have had the worst of it. The side with the largest proportion of intact brigades is the winner.

These rules give units and commanders distinct qualities. Army lists specify which rules apply to each unit type.

Unit Special Rules — Summary

Commander Special Rules — Summary

French-Specific Rules

British-Specific Rules

Prussian-Specific Rules

Howitzers

Howitzers fire explosive or incendiary shells at high trajectory. They use the same rules as cannons with the following exceptions:

Howitzers can also be used to set buildings on fire (see Buildings).

Rockets (Congreve)

Rockets are notoriously inaccurate but cause terror when they hit. They use the same rules as cannons with these exceptions:

Like howitzers, rockets can shoot overhead over friendly units without penalty, and can be used to set buildings on fire.

A building block represents a cluster of buildings — a farmhouse and outbuildings, or even a small village. Each block is roughly the width of one infantry stand (~60mm per face) and can be occupied by a single unit.

Moving Into / Out of Buildings

• Only infantry can enter buildings during play. Artillery can only be deployed in buildings at the game's start.
• To enter: move into touch with the building, then expend 6" of movement to enter. The move ends immediately on entering.
• Cannot enter and leave in the same turn.
• To leave: declare, then measure a normal move from any part of the building and place the leader base there. Arrange unit around it. Takes one move.
• Artillery deployed at start cannot move or change position within the building.

Shooting From a Building

• A unit in a building shoots with 2 dice per facing, up to a maximum equal to the unit's total Shooting value.
• Cannons shoot with their normal value (from their designated facing only).
• Targets within buildings have a +2 morale save modifier.
• No penalty for shooting at skirmishers or artillery when the target is inside a building.

Fighting From a Building

• Only infantry can assault a building. Must be able to reach the perimeter with 6" of movement remaining.
• Each face can be engaged by a single standard-sized infantry unit. Others can offer support.
• Combat value: 2 dice per engaged face, up to the unit's combat value total.
• Combat result bonus: +3 for large/standard units; +2 for small; +0 for artillery.
• Units in buildings cannot be supported by other units.

Break Tests in Buildings

A unit in a building ignores retire results and holds its ground without becoming disordered instead. Like squares, buildings must be broken before their garrison can be dislodged.

Setting Buildings on Fire

Howitzers, rockets, and unoccupied units touching a building can set it aflame.

• Units setting fires use their Shooting phase action instead of shooting; roll Shooting value in dice — any 6+ = fire started.
• Howitzers/rockets: after all shooting, roll D6 (add +1 if hit more than once). On 6+, building catches fire.
• If a building burns for 3 consecutive turns: uninhabitable and destroyed. Any troops inside are removed.
• Garrison can attempt to douse fires automatically. Roll D6: 4–6 = fire extinguished; 1–3 = fire continues.

Enfilading Fire

Infantry, cavalry, and cannon units can enfilade an enemy when positioned to the target's flank, aligned so a line projected from the shooter's leader runs through the target formation.

• Only direct fire (not howitzers/mortars lofting overhead, and not skirmishers)
• Cannon can only enfilade at short range (up to half maximum range)
• A march column can be enfiladed from its front or rear as well as flanks

Traversing Targets

When an enemy unit moves across the front of one of your units within 12", and crosses at least half of your unit's frontage, your unit may take an opportunity shot.

• Work out the shot as soon as the enemy has moved — as for closing fire
• Apply casualties, disorder, and any Break Tests at the end of the target's move
• Range: up to 12" (only the +1 close range bonus applies within 6")
• A unit can only shoot once this way per turn. If it shoots as a traversing shot, it cannot give closing fire that turn.
• Infantry in buildings and squares can also fire traversing shots from their relevant face

Shooting Through Gaps

A gap between friends or terrain must be at least 6" wide for infantry/cavalry to shoot through it, and 3" wide for cannon.

If the gap is narrower than the shooting unit's own frontage, the target counts as not a clear target (-1 to hit).

Not Clear Targets (−1 to Hit)

The following units are not clear targets and may be ignored in favour of a further target that IS a clear target:

• All units in skirmish formation
• All deployed artillery pieces
• Units only partly within the shooter's front quarter (less than half)
• Units only partly visible (less than half visible)
• Units in buildings or cover
• Units visible only through a narrow gap

Unit stats for use in scenarios and matched play. All infantry use 4 bases (standard), cavalry 3 bases (standard), artillery 3 bases, unless noted.

British & KGL Infantry

British & KGL Cavalry

British & KGL Artillery

Shrapnel: British guns with shrapnel can fire at medium range with 3 dice but require 5s to hit (instead of 4s).

Hanoverian Units

Netherlands, Nassau & Brunswick

Prussian Units

All Prussian infantry vs French: counts as Tough Fighters. Prussian commanders: Decisive. Can purchase sub-commanders for +10 pts.

French Line Units

Imperial Guard Units

Key Commanders

These scenarios recreate key engagements of the Hundred Days Campaign. Deploy as shown on the scenario maps in the book, then play the engagement.

Full scenario maps, precise deployment zones, and complete force lists are included in Chapter 4 of the Black Powder Epic Battles: The Waterloo Campaign rulebook (pages 239–264).