An Introduction To Rapid Fire Reloaded Wargame Rules

An introduction to the very fast pay second world war wargames rules - Rapid Fire Reloaded - from the Rapid Fire fast Play wargames stable - links below.
Here we look at the history of the rules, and play some short sequences as tests,
Useful Links:
Rapid Fire Wargames Website www.rapid-fire-uk.com

[@watchdogwargaming]

Brilliant Rule sets, the first one started my journey into wargaming, thanks for the video

[@KenHanning57]

Cheers! Yes they have been my constant wargame companions since they were launched!

[@BitesizeWargaming]

Great video Ken - love it!

[@KenHanning57]

Cheers, thanks for that!

[@nicholaswimborne]

I’ve always loved these rules. I just got the new rule set. I was bit disappointed about the new antitank target class system. I was used to the previous one. But listening to your video I now understand that it has sped up and simplified the process. Thanks.

[@KenHanning57]

Oh that’s kind of you. The rules are great fun. All the best

[@gabzgaming5991]

I just ordered these rules. Looking forward to trying them out 👍

[@KenHanning57]

Brilliant. I hope that you enjoy using them as much as I do!

[@hamsteronthepaintingtable6465]

Lovely video and introduction

[@KenHanning57]

Cheers for that - much appreciated!

[@peterixon8708]

Thanks so much for this review. I was asked to look into rapid fire, but as a system for playing large-scale Warhammer 40k, 28mm scale, style games. Thanks, nevertheless for showing how it all works. Loved the pigeons and the outside intro at the start of the video too.

[@KenHanning57]

Ha ha! Yes the pigeons always pop out when they see the camera., cheers and thanks

[@gunner678]

I still have my rule books from Rapid Fire. They have superb illustrations and interesting scenarios. It's been a very long time since I played a game. Good video.

[@KenHanning57]

Very kind of you Matthew!

[@gunner678]

@@KenHanning57 I really do enjoy your videos. I must admit i too like large scale wargames, although they are a solitary affair for me these days. Fortunately I have accumulated enough forces over the years to oppose each other on the table. I look forward to your next production!

[@KenHanning57]

@@gunner678 Hi Matthew, most of my games are solo, but sometimes with input via video call from a good Wargames chum down south in England. But I do attend my nearest club, about half an hour away, every couple of months. Thanks for your kind remarks re the videos, a bit of a learning curve still on the editing front, but they are great fun to make! Cheers, Ken.

[@gunner678]

@@KenHanning57 you are welcome. I have promised to get another video out myself, but I never seem to get round to it. I should really, but it's all a bit of a mystery to me. The only wargames video I have ever 'produced' was a very quick rejoinder to a comment, but that was done quickly on my tablet (and it shows). I do have a camera (bought for this purpose ), but I've never used it. Do you use an editing software? I have so many projects on the go and it's about time I reciprocated in response to the many excellent videos out there. Still thanks for the reply. I now live in south West france, and unfortunately there are no clubs near to me. That said, a friend of mine here is interested in setting up a little 'wargames' museum with me, so something may come from that (not that I'm averse to solo games of course). Cheers.

[@KenHanning57]

@@gunner678 that sounds interesting. I use Movavi editing software, very easy to use. There are a few France based wargamers on the “friends who like rapid fire WW2 Wargames rules” Facebook group. All the best. Ken

[@donmchugh8052]

Your German infantry firing has not used enough dice. The group get an extra dice to represent the German quick firing LMGs. Also the infantry do not gain any cover while moving in a cornfield.

[@KenHanning57]

It’s a learning curve!

[@gromit368]

2023, still playing rapid fire 2. 🙂

[@KenHanning57]

Great rules, alwAys good fun!

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Such a great game house

[@KenHanning57]

Ah thank you very much, very kind of you!

[@brandonmcdaniel4216]

I see they recommend 2-figure stands, could I adapt FoW based units to this or would it need a ton of markers for casualties (one of my issues with Battlegroup)?

[@norm977]

Thanks, will pull my copy from the shelf again.

[@KenHanning57]

It’s tremendous fun Norm. Thank you so much for watching old boy! Ken

[@norm977]

@@KenHanning57 Have gone on to buy the 'extra' booklet and the Canadians in Normandy booklet ... very good, thank you.

[@KenHanning57]

@@norm977 ah brilliant, very glad you like them! All the best, Ken

[@darrenrees3284]

Have a look at Command Decision Test of Battle.

[@AyebeeMk2]

Why the continuing need to simplify an outstanding set of rules? I am still using the 94 edition, just added a logical turn sequence (which you take from any rules. Anybody that says previous editions were to complex should a game with firefly (ttg) or cambrai to sinai (newbury)! The whole missed point about the original rules was that the rapid fire system opened up the whole of the ww2 in way that any action could be fought. The scenarios in the rules were ALL set prior to 1943! and included scenarios in Norway, East Africa and Hong Kong; the actions ranged from amphibious assault to cavalry charges.... Later editions seem to re-emphasise the need to stick to 1944-5.

[@KenHanning57]

Gosh I remember the Cambrian to Sinai rules, and indeed the old WRG rules that covered “ modern “ warfare up to the 1950s! As well! I’m a fan of many rule sets, but I have no issues with simplified that systems that work more easily and quickly. I’d encourage you to try the RF Reloaded set, for yourself,, see what you think, and don’t give up on other rules, I have a vast supply of old rules that are like old friends!

[@davidtuck8584]

The emphasis is not 44/45 see the new Blitzkrieg France and early Russian front books and all the desert books and PDFs out there

[@billcedarheath387]

Thank you for making this video. I'm just discovering Rapid Fire now and im finding your video over 1 year after your uploading it. I'm hoping you're available for a question as you seem to be rather knowledgeable with the rules. What are your thoughts on playing Rapid Fire in 6mm scale?

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Great stuff. Do all the scenario books work with reloaded?

[@KenHanning57]

Yes they would. In fact you could probably use the scenario books with almost any rules set.

[@David_R434]

Thanks for the intro, was wondering if this was for a specific scale or can it be used for all?

[@KenHanning57]

Hello and good evening, I rather suspect that most of us play 20mm (1/72) but I also have chums who play these rules with 15mm and 6mm, simply amending ranges movement etc.

[@alogie]

Not sure where you are in Perthshire, but I used to live in Auchterarder. Anyway, interesting stuff. Not sure I have the room to get into "real" tabletop gaming (I'm all digital right now).

[@KenHanning57]

Hi Alistair, I’m near Coupar Angus and Blairgowrie! Most of the scenarios for rapid fire are designed for 6x4 or 7x5 tables, I just like doing games in what we used to call ( in the days of Peter Gilder) the “ Grand Manner”. Some of my wargaming pals call it showing off! Good to hear from you! Ken

[@joesturn7740]

Im trying to wrap my head around Rapid Fire Reloaded and what I'm struggling with is that a lot of rules just seem missing. Am I supposed to also own RF2? I emailed the publisher and never received a response so I'm just looking for help from anywhere.

[@KenHanning57]

No, you probably need rapid fire reloaded and rapid fire reloaded extra , which holds the amphibious, air assault and other more specialised rules.

[@BearGrisham]

Hi there, what scale/size of miniatures do you use for rapid fire? My dad has recently joined a wargaming club in Kirriemuir and has incredible knowledge in WW2. Maybe you will cross paths with him! I live out in Australia myself but did get to play a game in Kirrie when I was home last.

[@KenHanning57]

Hello! I’m a member at Kirriemuir so we may well meet your Dad. The scale is 20mm (1/72) Thanks for getting in touch!

[@BearGrisham]

@@KenHanning57 Fantastic, he has been playing with Dale from the club so I’m sure you will cross paths soon!

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Is the hope that a newbie would buy Reloaded and eventually buy the full rules? Or is reloaded where the rules are going?

[@donmchugh8052]

Reloaded is slowly but surely taking over the old sets. All our playtesting is now done with RFR.

[@KenHanning57]

Reloaded is the future and the present. You won’t need either of the old rule sets, and you can use reloaded with all of the old and current scenario books. It’s so simple, quick, and effective, it’s really jolly good!

[@lacrauzorro]

Pitty Blitzkrieg only covers France but not Poland!

[@corvinuis]

nice video is rapid fire the only game u play?

[@KenHanning57]

Hello! No I do ACW, in fact a big first bull run game planned for the summer, and I do ancients. Using friends collections I also do AWI and Napoleonic. That said, rapid fire WW2 is my first love! Many thanks for watching, very kind of you ! Ken

[@corvinuis]

@@KenHanning57 what scale do u do acw as I have started 28mm acw

[@Sovjetski-]

Jag önska det fanns nån i Sverige som gilla detta som behövde nån att spela med...

[@KenHanning57]

kan du prata engelska, i så fall kan vi prova ett spel via videosamtal senare under året

[@Sovjetski-]

@@KenHanning57 yes i can speak english. I wrote in Swedish so that if someone in Sweden and have an interest in this like me watched this youtube video could contact me. But yes your suggestion sounds fun, it would be fun to try.

[@KenHanning57]

@@Sovjetski- ah that makes sense! I’m afraid I used google translate!! I hope that someone else in Sweden picks up your post, probably worth posting on the Facebook group “ friends who like rapid fire WW2 wargame rules” Ken

[@Sovjetski-]

@@KenHanning57 Yes, I speak better English than I write :) but I liked the idea of trying to play via video link. better than no game at all. Have a good day sir and thanks for your replies