I have just received my pre-ordered copy of the Pike and Shot rules "The Pikemans Lament" by Daniel Mersey.

I have only read through them fairly quickly but I am impressed. These rules cover Thirty Years War through to The Great Northern War.

They are aimed at the large skirmish and basing is very flexible. They hinge around you creating an officer and then forming your "Company" which can include Pike, Shot, Forlorn Hope, Commanded Shot, Clubmen, Clansmen with cavalry Trotters or Gallopers, included are regimental guns.

The officer gets traits which affect how he performs and his influence on his company. You can keep the officer from skirmish to skirmish until he is killed, disgraced or promoted to Regimental command. The units in your company also have various traits and some special rules such as skirmish, evade or carracole.

I like the activation system and the rules suggest they will play fast. The average size of company is 24 points which is around 60 figures, although again you can use less figures.

Included are missions which give ideas for skirmish settings and some sample companies from each of the main conflicts. 

Hopefully I will have time to give the rules try out tomorrow.