What a Cowboy

What a Cowboy is a cinematic, skirmish-level wargame focusing on Wild West gunfights, designed for 4-10 figures per side. Based on the What a Tanker! engine, it uses action dice and cards for fast-paced, interactive combat, allowing characters to develop from greenhorns to legends in campaigns.

It allows multiple players to have shoot-outs or play a campaign in which they may see their characters progress.

Key Features and Mechanics:

Action Dice System: Players roll dice to determine actions like moving, spotting, aiming, or shooting, offering a balance of strategy and uncertainty.
Cinematic Play: Focuses on Hollywood-style gunfights, with mechanics to support dramatic shootouts, duels, and running battles.
Character Development: Rules feature a comprehensive campaign system allowing characters to gain skills, traits, and reputations over multiple games.
Interaction: Features “Bonanza” tokens that allow players to interrupt their opponents’ turns.
Bookkeeping: Tracks ammunition and character wounds, though it is described as having low-complexity, fast-moving gameplay.

The game is designed to be highly narrative, focusing on storytelling, personal feuds, and building a “legend of the West”. The rules are available in a full-color rulebook, supported by optional card decks for activations.

Genre: Western

Scale: 28 mm

Average Models per Side: Less than 10

Number of Players: 2, 2+

Miniatures: Agnostic

Rules: Purchased PDF or Rulebook

Availability: In Print

Publisher: Too Fat Lardies

Designers: John Savage

Year Released: 2023

Website: Too Fat Lardies - What a Cowboy

Additional Information: