Ridiculous Vanity is a miniatures rules set that simulates European politics and land warfare during the age of Louis XIV. It is really two games in one. The first is a campaign game where the players are national leaders engaging in politics and moving forces across a map of Europe divided into areas with differing economic and strategic value. The second is a set of miniatures rules for simulating battle from 1660 to 1715. The rules may be used exclusively of the campaign system and vice versa.
The rules do not require re-basing from other rules systems. The units are standardized with infantry battalions consisting of 12 castings, two cavalry squadrons are 4 castings each. The number of castings per stand varies with foot and cavalry types. Armies are organized into commands and orders are issued to commands and groups.
The book includes several campaign scenarios set for different periods beginning in 1660, 1680, 1690 and 1701. There is also one battle scenario for the Battle of Utrecht, 1676.