Rules Pdf Version - Volley And Bayonet

The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Using the Volley and Bayonet Rules PDF Version

For over three decades, Volley and Bayonet has stood as a titan in the world of historical miniature wargaming. Designed by the legendary Frank Chadwick and published by Game Designers’ Workshop (GDW) and later by Red Sash Games, this rule system revolutionized how players refight battles from the Horse and Musket era (roughly 1700 to 1900).

In the digital age, the quest for the Volley and Bayonet rules PDF version has become a common pilgrimage for new players and veterans alike. Whether you own the original physical booklets or are discovering the system for the first time, this article will explore why the PDF version is so sought after, where to find it legally, and how it compares to the physical editions.

Common Pitfalls When Searching for the PDF

Beware of these issues:

Low-Resolution Scans: Some free PDFs floating on forums are scanned at 72 DPI. The text is blurry, and the charts are illegible. Only buy from official sources like Wargame Vault to get a 300 DPI clean scan.
Missing Pages: Illegal uploads often omit the index or the back cover (where the QRS usually is). Nothing is more frustrating than needing the "Rout" table and finding it missing.
Outdated Errata: The official PDFs from Red Sash include the latest errata. Pirated copies are usually first-printing scans, meaning you will have to manually pencil in corrections.

The Sand of the Hourglass: Time Scale

The game uses a unique time scale where one turn represents 30 to 60 minutes of real time. This abstraction is the game's secret weapon. It forces players to commit to plans. If you are out of position, you cannot simply "run" your units across the board in two minutes. You must plan turns in advance, simulating the friction of real command.

How to Print and Bind Your PDF for Table Use

A common complaint: "I don't want a laptop on my wargaming table." Here is how to turn the PDF into a physical rulebook:

Print the Core (Pages 1-80): Use a local print shop (Staples, FedEx Office). Print double-sided on 24lb paper.
Lamination: Laminate the Quick Reference Sheet (usually pages 110-112) and the Terrain Chart.
Binding: Spiral binding is superior to perfect binding for wargaming because the book lies flat next to the table.
Army Lists: Print the army lists for your specific period (e.g., only the Napoleonic section) as a separate booklet to avoid flipping.

Conclusion

Whether you are a veteran returning to the hobby or a newcomer looking to push battalions of Prussians across the table, the Volley & Bayonet system remains unmatched for grand tactical action. The PDF version ensures these classic rules will never go out of print.

Your next move: Go to Wargame Vault. Search "Volley and Bayonet Road to Glory." Pay the $17.99. Download the PDF. Print the QRS. And may your infantry hold the line.

"Take aim... Volley... Bayonets... Charge!"

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While the full copyright-protected text of the Volley & Bayonet (V&B)

rulebook by Frank Chadwick and Greg Novak is not available as a free legal download, you can access complete player aids, summary guides, and official supplements in PDF format.

The core game focuses on grand-scale "black powder" era battles (1700–1890), where each stand represents a regiment or brigade. Official Rules and Supplements

Road to Glory (2nd Edition): This is the current version of the rules. You can find reference sheets and summary documents on the official Volley & Bayonet WordPress site.

American Revolution Supplement: A detailed PDF covering specific rules for the American War of Independence is available via JD Glasco’s blog.

Player Reference Sheets: Concise two-page rule summaries (Quick Reference Sheets) can be found on platforms like Scribd. Core Gameplay Mechanics

The game uses a traditional "IGOUGO" turn sequence with the following phases:

Command Determination: Checking if stands are within command radius of their leaders.

Movement: Moving stands based on unit type (e.g., infantry 1600 yards, cavalry up to 2400 yards). Rally: Commanders attempt to rally routed units. volley and bayonet rules pdf version

Morale: Both sides check morale for units that have taken hits or lost melees.

Combat: Includes both firing (musketry/artillery) and melee simultaneously. Most units hit on a die roll of 6.

Exhaustion & Collapse: Checking if a division has reached its casualty limit. Game Scales

Standard Scale: 1" = 100 yards; each stand is 3" x 3" and represents 1,000–3,000 men.

Regimental Scale: 1" = 100 yards; each stand represents roughly 200–500 men. Included Scenarios (Road to Glory Edition)

The core rulebook traditionally includes scenarios for famous battles, such as: Austerlitz Quatre Bras A Summary of the Rules | Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory

The Volley & Bayonet (V&B) rules are designed for grand-scale tabletop wargaming, allowing players to command entire armies during the black powder era from roughly 1700 to 1890. The core philosophy is to put you in the role of an army commander, abstracting lower-level tactics like individual battalion formations to focus on divisional and corps-level maneuver. Core Game Scales

The standard "Regiment Scale" is the most common, but the system is flexible enough to accommodate several others: Regiment Scale (Standard): 1" = 100 yards; 1 turn = 1 hour. Battalion Scale: Used for smaller historical engagements.

Wing & Division Scales: Used for massive battles involving hundreds of thousands of troops. Unit Representation & Basing

Units are represented by single, large stands rather than multiple small bases. The number of figures on a base is purely aesthetic:

Massed Infantry: Typically 3" x 3" stands representing 1,500–3,000 men.

Linear Infantry: Typically 3" x 1.5" stands representing 1,000–1,500 men.

Cavalry: Often 3" x 3" stands representing 1,000–1,500 horsemen. Artillery: 1.5" x 3" stands representing 6–18 guns.

Commanders: Represented by separate stands with a command radius (typically 6"). Sequence of Play

The game follows a structured sequence where both players complete several phases each turn:

Command Determination: Checking if stands are within the command radius of their divisional or corps commanders.

Movement: Units move based on type and formation (e.g., infantry moving 16" per turn, or faster in road columns). The Ultimate Guide to Finding and Using the

Combat: Includes small arms fire, artillery, and melee. Most units hit on a roll of 6, though "stationary" status or high-quality troops may provide bonuses.

Morale & Exhaustion: Tracking divisional exhaustion values (typically 40–60% of total strength points) to determine if a force breaks. Editions and Availability

VNB RTG Volley and Bayonet Road To Glory | PDF | Infantry - Scribd

To create a guide for " Volley & Bayonet " (specifically the modern Road to Glory

edition), you can structure your PDF or digital guide around these core mechanics and resources. 1. Essential Rule Summaries

The game follows a standard "IGOUGO" (I Go, You Go) sequence: Command Determination

: Check if stands are within command radius (usually 6 inches) of a superior in their chain.

: Move active units. Units out of command typically move at half speed and cannot move closer to the enemy. Rally Phase

: Attempt to rally routed stands using corps or army commanders. Morale Phase : Check morale and execute resulting forced movements. Combat Phase

: Resolve fire and melee. Each stand represents roughly 500-3000 men depending on the scale. Exhaustion & Collapse

: Track divisional exhaustion; once reached, units may suffer morale collapse. BoardGameGeek 2. PDF Quick Reference Sheets

Instead of a full rulebook, players often use "Player Sheets" for quick lookup: General Reference Charts (GRC)

: These cover multiple eras (Napoleonic, ACW, Pre-Napoleonic) and include hit/save tables. You can find community-maintained versions at the Wargame Campaign repository Cheat Sheets : Summary documents on Scribd, such as the Volley & Bayonet Player Sheet

, provide a condensed version of weapon ranges and melee dice. 3. Key Scalability Data

Volley & Bayonet is known for its "scale independence." For your guide, include these standard benchmarks: WordPress.com Ground Scale : 1 inch = 100 yards. Time Scale : 1 turn = 1 hour.

: Typically 3x3” for infantry/cavalry brigades and 3x1.5” for artillery. 4. Official & Support Links Volley & Bayonet Game Rules Guide | PDF | Musket - Scribd

Report: Volley and Bayonet Rules PDF Version Low-Resolution Scans: Some free PDFs floating on forums

Introduction

The Volley and Bayonet (V&B) rules are a set of tabletop miniature wargames rules designed for historical and hypothetical battles from the 18th and 19th centuries. The rules are known for their simplicity, speed, and tactical depth, making them accessible to gamers of all levels. This report provides an overview of the Volley and Bayonet rules, specifically focusing on the PDF version.

Background

The Volley and Bayonet rules were first published in the 1970s by Rick Bromley, and since then, they have undergone several revisions and updates. The rules are designed to accommodate various historical periods, including the American Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the American Civil War. The PDF version of the rules offers a convenient and easily accessible format for gamers to learn and play the game.

Key Features of the PDF Version

The PDF version of the Volley and Bayonet rules offers several benefits, including:

Portability: The PDF version is easily downloadable and can be carried on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, making it easy to access and play the game anywhere.
Search functionality: The PDF version allows for quick searching of specific rules and sections, making it easier for gamers to find the information they need.
Scalability: The PDF version can be scaled up or down to suit individual preferences, allowing for clear and readable text.
Hyperlinks: Many PDF versions of the rules include hyperlinks to specific sections, making navigation easy and efficient.

Content of the PDF Version

The PDF version of the Volley and Bayonet rules typically includes:

Introduction: An overview of the game, its history, and the rules.
Game mechanics: A detailed explanation of the game mechanics, including turn sequence, movement, firing, and hand-to-hand combat.
Historical scenarios: A selection of historical scenarios and battles that can be played using the rules.
Army lists: A comprehensive list of historical armies and units that can be used in the game.
Examples and illustrations: Examples and illustrations to help clarify the rules and game mechanics.

Benefits of the PDF Version

The PDF version of the Volley and Bayonet rules offers several benefits to gamers, including:

Convenience: The PDF version is easily accessible and can be downloaded instantly.
Cost-effective: The PDF version is often less expensive than purchasing a physical copy of the rules.
Environmental benefits: The PDF version reduces the need for paper and ink, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

Conclusion

The PDF version of the Volley and Bayonet rules offers a convenient, accessible, and cost-effective way for gamers to learn and play the game. With its search functionality, scalability, and hyperlinks, the PDF version provides a comprehensive and user-friendly experience. Whether you are a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, the PDF version of the Volley and Bayonet rules is an excellent resource for anyone interested in historical tabletop miniature wargames.

The PDF Advantage: Road to Glory

So, why seek out the PDF version specifically? Whether you are looking for the original 1990s edition or the updated Volley & Bayonet: Road to Glory (published by Too Fat Lardies), the PDF format offers three massive benefits for the historical gamer:

1. Print-on-Demand Reference Sheets The biggest complaint about the physical V&B book is flipping pages to find the Terrain Effects Chart or the Melee Table. With the PDF, you print exactly what you need. Print the full book for the bookshelf, but print just pages 4, 17, and 32 double-sided, slide them into a sheet protector, and you have a cheat sheet that never wears out.

2. The "Zoom" Factor for Army Lists Volley & Bayonet is famous for its point-cost system, allowing you to pit Napoleon's French against Frederick the Great's Prussians. However, the army lists are dense. The PDF allows you to zoom to 150% on your tablet or laptop. You can read the tiny morale modifiers and weapon stats without squinting under harsh gaming lights.

3. Immediate Errata and Updates Unlike the 1998 hardcopy sitting in your closet, a legitimate PDF (purchased from Wargames Vault or the publisher) can be updated. If the designers tweak the cavalry charge rules or fix a typo in the Spanish army list, you get a new file. No stickers, no white-out.

Core Mechanics You Will Find in the PDF

Once you download your volley and bayonet rules pdf version, here is what you are about to read. The brilliance of V&B is that it uses a standard base size (1.5” or 40mm frontage) and a fixed ratio (1 base = 1 brigade; 1 strength point = 600-800 infantry or 300 cavalry).

The Visual Appeal: Uniform Guides

One of the most beloved sections of the Volley & Bayonet PDFs—particularly the original 1994 edition—is the uniform guide. Because the game spans the Seven Years' War (SYW), the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the American Civil War (ACW), the books are filled with color plates. For a painter, the PDF serves as a digital reference library for uniform colors, flag designs, and facing colors for Austrian, French, British, Prussian, and Russian armies.

The LPE unit

The LPE unit is the electronic control unit of the system. This unit consists of the following components:

• A module board with the more specific electronics, e.g. for a deviating l-probe.

The LPE is always provided with the basic software, which is complemented with the brand/model-specific engine data.

The unit has a splash proof 35-pin connector which allows mounting under the hood. In some cases a separate power module is used for control of the injectors. This power module is mounted in a similar housing.

The injector characteristic

The main task of the LPE is to calculate the LPG injection time and to control the injectors or the power module (when there is an external power module)

The injector control is earth-switching. The negative side of the injector is connected to the earth.

Opening the injector against the high system pressure (bottom-feed injector) requires a considerable current. Because we have a constant supply voltage, a high opening current can be achieved by using a low-impedance injector.

This current is sufficiently high to open the injector against the system pressure and the spring tension. After these forces have been overcome, however, a hold current of +/- 1.5A is all that is required to keep the injector open. If we did not reduce the current after the injector is open, the coil would overheat and burn through. To produce this lower hold current, we employ the following 2 methods:

When the injector has been opened with a current of +/- 7A, a series resistor will be connected to reduce the hold current to the required +/- 1.5 A. The hold current remains at this value until the injector is closed.(fig.32)

. From LPE 5 and higher, the principle of switching the current off and then on after the injector has opened is used. This enables the regulation of the current. The advantage of this method is that less heat dissipation occurs at the driver.(fig.34).

The peaks seen on the oscilloscope screen are caused by the induction of the injector coil.

Injector signal processing

The petrol control unit determines the on-time of the petrol injectors after calculating a large number of variables. This injector signal is an ideal basis for the calculation of the LPG injector on-time.

The injector signal is tapped from the interrupted control wire on the petrol computer side. Because during LPG operation a resistance is connected to it instead of an injector (coil), there is no induction peak.

The incoming signal is converted by the LPE into an injector on-time for the LPG injectors.

Beyond the LPE4 there is a possibility to connect a wire with the engine temperature sensor (coolant). This option is being used to manipulate the temperature during the warm up phase. In this case the petrol ECU calculates a shorter petrol injection time. This way we are given the opportunity to switch to LPG faster after a cold start.

The LPi system does not apply a specific engine-running safety as such. That would require taking up the RPM signal of the BDP transmitter or the ignition as a sign that the engine is running.

The petrol system is already provided with an engine-running safety, and this is also used for the LPi system.

This original safety is used on either the injector supply or the petrol pump supply.

By using the power supply in question for the LPE as well as for the drivers, the engine-running safety is also active for the LPi system.

Injector signal processing LPE 5

The injector signal is tapped from interrupted control wire on the same principle like we used before.

Normally we'll use serial placed simulation resistance's in combination with the LPE 5. This new principle is used to avoid injector faults on the moment that the relays are switching. The petrol injection system is charged on the normal way like when it's running on petrol.

The incoming signal is converted in the LPE 5 into a LPG-injector signal with the strategy like we can see on page 21.

In the next figure we see a feed-back wire from the LPG-injector supply to the LPE pin 14. The LPE 5 has an integrated power-module which is sending out a hold current by switching the current on and off. At every switch-off, a peak voltage is generated. The energy from these peaks may be an interference source for the other electric circuits in the LPE. To avoid these problems an idling circuit is placed over the LPG-injector coil. With this circuit we:

Recycling the peak energy is shown in fig. 37. When the LPG-injector signal is being switched off, S1 is opened. The current will no longer flow from battery to the LPE. But it will flow, after it has passed the LPG-injector, through the idling circuit (S2 is closed when S1 is opened) and back to the battery.

Because the voltage of the peak is higher than the voltage of the battery, the LPG-injector will remain open. Even as the LPE does not activate the injector anymore. Before the LPG-injector closes mechanically the LPE has closed S1 so

The injector off-set

The opening and shutting of the injector is a mechanical reaction to an electric signal. The injection needle has a certain mass inertia through which a reaction time is necessary to lift and close the needle.

On opening as well as shutting, the needle lags on the electric control. This lagging can be divided into response lag and close lag, which together determine the difference between activation time and injection time.

The difference between electrical activation time and mechanical injection time is called injector off set. volley and bayonet rules pdf version

The response lag depends on both the battery voltage and the fuel pressure. In figure 39 the off set depending on the battery voltage and pressure is shown.

The close lag only depends on the spring pressure behind the injector needle and therefore it doesn't change. On calculating the injection time, the LPE takes variable signals, such as battery voltage and LPG pressure into account.

When the battery voltage is lower, the response lag is higher, and so the injector production is lower. This means the electrical activating time must be extended to get the same output. Furthermore, a higher LPG pressure, for example, leads to a higher LPG output and therefore, the activating time may be shorter. But the higher pressure increases the response time which leads to lower output, which in turn leads to a longer activating time. Figure 39 shows the injector off set.

The fuel selector switch

The fuel selector switch is a touch control that has already been used for quite some time in the AMS LPG system. The fuel selection is indicated by a two-colour LED; red is petrol, green means LPG.

After starting on petrol the LED blinks green-off, while waiting for the switching moment. The same happens when switching from petrol to LPG while driving. In this stage the engine always runs on petrol.

The LED is connected between the green and brown wire of the switch. The touch control contact is made by connecting the white and the yellow wire.

The switch with tank read-out

Beyond LPE 4 the wiring loom makes it possible to make use of the switch with tank read-out. The advantages of this new switch with tank read-out are:

• One less breaker needs to be installed: the breaker in the wire of the petrol level gauge.

• The problem of reading from the original gauge no longer exists, even when a heavily damped petrol gauge is fitted.

The injector shut-off unit

The shut-off unit consists of two relays that are earth-controlled in the LPE. The other side of the coil receives a constant 12 Volt supply.

When the injectors are shut off, a compensating resistance or replacement coil is connected to the petrol computer. This compensating signal is necessary to prevent a disruption of, or an error diagnosis in the petrol system. In later generations of breaker relays, the compensating resistors are positioned such that when in LPG operation, they are fed by the original injector power supply. This is to prevent certain problems when switching over (see technical specifications). In case of a four cylinder engine, a 4-group relay is employed. For 6 cylinder engines, a 6-group relay is employed.

Petrol start and switching time from petrol to LPG

All LPi cars start on petrol. After starting, the engine will run on petrol for some time prior to switching to LPG.

Starting point of the LPi system is the conversion of the petrol injection time to an LPG injection time. The result is that injection takes place according to all values calculated by the original petrol computer, modified for the LPG fuel.

This strategy applies to all operating conditions, including the cold start. When the petrol computer during idling applies mixture enrichment, this enrichment mainly depends on the temperature.

The main arguments for enrichment are the increased friction resistance and fuel deposition on the cold cylinder wall and the valves. The latter argument does not apply for LPG, because the low boiling point ensures effective evaporation, even at low temperatures. Therefore, the injected LPG quantity is too high, which may cause the engine to stall. Consequently, the switching moment has been made depend on three factors:

The LPE surroundings temperature

Beyond software version 205908 the outside air temperature (at the LPE) is measured. This is done with a NTC resistance inside the LPE.

This extra parameter provides, in combination with the engine temperature and the l signal, a better determination of the engine temperature,

If the engine has been stopped for more than 3 hours, the switching moment only depends on the outside temperature (LPE) and the delivered signal of the l sensor. The switching time for a cold engine is longer than for a warm engine.

If the engine has been stopped for less than half an hour, the engine has fixed switching time. This time is programmed for each application (±5 seconds, not affected by the l-sensor signal)

If the engine is partially warmed up, the switching time is variable between 5 seconds and the cold engine switching time and is influenced by:

The l-sensor signal

The l-sensor signal provides information on the mixture control under static conditions. When the signal is changing, it can be assumed that mixture control takes place in closed-loop. This means that no mixture enrichment takes place under static conditions. Under those circumstances it is possible to switch to LPG.

When the l-sensor signal is of influence (cold start and partial warmed engine), the LPE checks if the l-sensor is regulating. When the LPE has detected 5 cycles, it satisfies the requirement concerning the item l-sensor temperature. When all requirements are met, the LPE switches to LPG. When no l-sensor signal is detected the LPE will switch after 3 to 5 minutes.

Fuel pump motor control

The power for the pump motor is supplied from the battery as direct current and is delivered to the fittings cover containing the pump electronics via a 5-pole relay. The direct current is transformed to alternating current in the fittings cover, and is then supplied to the pump motor via a 3-pole lead-through in the fittings casing. The anti-interference capacitor is integrated in the pump electronics. Five rpm's are available: 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2800 rpm.

The LPE sends a variable duty cycle to the pump electronics, dependent on the motor load (injector activating time). The pump electronics then convert this into an electric field with a different frequency (dependent on the motor load). This causes the pump rpm to be higher or lower. The power supply is protected by a 15A fuse. The mass, which is only present due to the pump electronics, runs from the fittings sheet via the wiring loom to the mass intersection LPE - engine block mass in the engine compartment.

Pump motor control strategy

The pump motor only rotates when LPG is the selected fuel. Therefore, the motor is activated even when the engine is still running on petrol after the car has been started up and LPG operation is selected. When the ignition is switched on, the pump rotates for +/- 1 second at a higher rpm (than is programmed in the LPE) of 2000 rpm. This occurs in reaction to the detection of the engine-running signal (petrol pump control) on ignition.

The possibility of controlling at 5 different rpm's will not always be used. This depends on the LPG output. The rpm is determined in the LPE by comparing the injector activating time and the engine rpm (duty cycle). The acceleration is therefore load-dependent. If the control wire is loose, the electronics sends the pump to its default value: in most cases 2000 rpm.

Control of the LPG shut-off valves

The LPG shut-off valves of the tank and the coupling block are controlled simultaneously.

When LPG has been selected as fuel the LPG will power the shut-off valves, even when the engine is still running on petrol.

The shut-off valves no longer carry a voltage when the engine safety is activated (no ignition signal).