The Wargames Directory

A comprehensive directory of wargames traders with detailed information on the products and services they offer.

War by Sail (2019)

War by Sail is a simple yet comprehensive age of sail wargame, aimed at small fleet actions of 3 to 30 ships per side, with a focus on historical accuracy and flavor.

Researched and playtested for 10 months, War by Sail includes detailed ship rosters for 20 different conflicts, spanning from 1563 to 1812. Generic units are also provided for the 1300 – 1550 period.

A Generic ship list is given for each period (such as “Third Rate”, “Fourth Rate” etc.), as well as individual named ships (over 1,700 in total!), showing each ship’s weaponry, size, maneuverability and suchlike. Get ready to learn how many Demi-Cannons and Culverins your favorite 17th century English ship had…

War by Sail emphasizes crew quality and morale, as well as real tactics of the periods, and carefully reflects changes in naval technology throughout the centuries.

Conflicts Covered:

Generic Ships – 1300 – 1550
Northern Seven Years’ War – 1563 – 1570
Battle of Lepanto – 1571
Spanish Armada – 1588
First Anglo-Dutch War – 1652 – 1654
Second Anglo-Dutch War – 1665 – 1667
Third Anglo-Dutch War – 1672 – 1674
Second Northern War – 1655 – 1660
Scanian War – 1675 – 1679
Nine Years’ War – 1688 – 1697
Great Northern War – 1700 – 1721
War of the Spanish Succession – 1701 – 1714
War of the Austrian Succession – 1740 – 1748
Seven Years’ War – 1756 – 1763
American War of Independence – 1775 – 1783
Russo-Turkish War – 1787 – 1792
Russo-Swedish War – 1788 – 1790
French Revolutionary Wars – 1792 – 1802
Napoleonic Wars – 1803 – 1815
War of 1812 – 1812 – 1815
A game of War by Sail can last anywhere from an hour and a half to 2 or 3 hours, depending on the size of the battle. At the start of the turn all ships make a mandatory forward move based on their direction relative to the wind (SPILL SAIL! WE’RE ABOUT TO COLLIDE), after which individual ships activate, making turns, and attacks (providing their crew is on the ball enough…). Crew quality determines if a ship is able to activate and also the speed at which they reload.

War by Sail uses damage markers on the base of a ship’s miniature for a more visual representation of its condition, although Ship Roster sheets are provided for people who would rather track damage off-table. Damage Markers and game aides are provided at the end of the rules, and can be printed out for use.