Italian Wars

[duc de limbourg]

Wat's the way to go: Black Powder, Hail Ceasar or wait for the Pike and Shotte rules

[BigMike]

Probably wait for P&S. If you want to have a bit of a go beforehand i'd use HC but factor the BP 'First fire' in for black powder weapons.

[CplJohn]

I wouldn't use Black Powder for anything before the Nine Years War or late 1680s. Pike and shotte warfare is entirely different to linear warfare with small numbers of pike and the development of bayonets. Artillery would also be too powerful.

HC might be the best bet in the meantime, but hopefully not too long to wait now for the Pike and Shotte rules!