Lock 'N Load Tactical Core Rules (Handbook Edition, V5.1)

Welcome to the Lock ‘n Load Tactical system (LnLT). For over 20 years the LnLT system has entertained gamers with its ease of gameplay while having attention to battlefield conditions and tactics. LnLT has set a new standard in Squad-level gaming with scenario-based gameplay. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, unparalleled artwork, historical scope, and accessibility have entertained veteran and new gamers alike.

LnLT has two versions of the game manual, the largest one is titled Lock ‘n Load Tactical Core Rules Officer Edition, and the smaller one is titled Lock ‘n Load Tactical Core Rules Handbook Edition (the version shown here). Both editions have all the standard rules needed to learn and play the game.

The LnLT Handbook Edition DOES NOT include the Infantry Narrative, Vehicle & Ordnance Narrative, or Print and Play edition of the LnLT Starter Kit. These additional sections are available as separate PDFs or can be found in the LnLT Core Rules Officer Edition. They do update their manuals for typos, corrections, and clarifications from time to time. Players can find their manual revision number on the back cover under the bar code.

The manual in your hands, or on your digital screen contains the latest set of guidelines and regulations for the Lock ‘n Load Tactical system. Over the years the system has grown and, with input from the community and our own experience with the system. They have concluded the need for minor changes, tweaks, rules clarifications, and subtle wording issues that need to be added and addressed.

One of the biggest changes that people will notice is the size of the manual. The Core Rules Officer Edition is 285+ pages, and the Core Rules Handbook Edition is 190+ pages. DO NOT allow the size of the manual to concern you. They have endeavored to include a lot of examples and present everything in a large font so it is easy to read. In-depth examples of play have been included to show you how the game is played with a multitude of different situations shown.

Another major update is the layout of the Player Aid cards. They have totally revamped the look of the Player Aid cards as well as expanded some of the tables on them and included rules references for just about every condition shown on the Player Aid cards.

Support Weapons have been reworked with several new additions and changes to how the mechanics of SWs work. One of the major modifications that they have implemented is that every SWs with Ordnance to-hit tables can now fire from inside buildings, and they have laid out which SWs can fire from Bunkers and Caves as well. There have also been some minor changes for Weapon Teams as well. They have clarified and laid out in a more complete form how Fire Combat is conducted. They have clarified how the laying of Smoke is conducted.

Changes to the rules can be easily spotted as they have been highlighted in blue text. They encourage new players to read the two gameplay narratives (for infantry and vehicles/ordnance) found at the back of the book before reading the rules, to familiarize themselves with how a scenario plays in an intuitive and observational manner. The LnLT Core Rules Handbook Edition v5.1 can be used with any previously published module, including the LnLT Solo system. The additional sections not included are listed below.


These Additional Manual Sections Are NOT Available in the Core Rules Handbook Edition:

Infantry Gameplay Narrative

Vehicle & Ordnance Gameplay Narrative

Outline of Play

Rule Reference

Starter Kit TEC’s, Scenarios, and Game Tables

Starter Kit Counters and Maps