"Polemos American Civil War" Topic

I am interested in starting 6mm ACW, and I'm looking into rule sets to use. I already own Black Powder but I'd like a set that s specific to the period. I'll be gaming in 6mm so Polemos 'looks' like the perfect set as it's written specifically for the scale.

However I've heard mixed reviews about the other Polemos rule sets, people say they're poorly written, don't give a period feel, and make for very bland games.

Could some of you please shed some light on the rules (specifically the ACW set(s)) so I can make a better deicsion as to whether or not I should purchase them. I'd like both good points and bad points if thats possible.

Thanks in advance!
TTG

My advice is to choose a rule set based on their mechanics, not on whether they are written for the scale. That's usually irrelevant.

Agree with Bede on this one, had many enjoyable games of Fire and Fury in 6mm

Well I'm not basing my decision entirely on the scale it is based on, it's just more convinient thats all. I already play other games in scales they were not written for.

Most rules are pretty much scale agnostic. I also agree wirh Bede.

So the consensus is with Fire and Fury then? I'm not too farmiliar with these rules. Would the basing system allow me to have dioramic bases? (thats part of the reason I enjoy 6mm so much)

If you do regimental F&F you get to make all kinds of dioramic markers for being out of ammo or for heavy casualties, etc.

"On To Richmond" is an excellent set that we use here in 6mm. I base 24 6mm infantry on a 3" x 1" microscope slide, though you could put what you like on the standard 1" x 1" base.(6 bases to a Brigade). They're simpler than F&F, but give a better game IMHO. Long out of print, someone here on TMP had the rights and would send you a copy. Sorry, but don't remember who.

On to Richmond is Ed Mohrmann. Ed, are you still out there in the ether? I wouldn't mind a copy myself

For On to Richmond look for posting on "On to Richmond" in the title search or Ed Mohrmann on author, or just post it here:
TMP link

VR
James Mattes

My club plays a good bit of 6mm ACW, and there is no shortage of quality rules. Lots of choices. Too many! You just need to decide what level of command you'd like in a game. Do you want to command an entire army and refight Gettysburg? In this case, you'd be looking at one dioramic base representing a brigade. Or are you hoping to command a division, in which case your bases might represent a regiment? Different rules are better suited to one or the other. Then you can start sorting through rules based on the overall depth of complexity you want vs. speed of play, etc. If popularity matters to you, there a handful of rules that dominate this period--Fire and Fury is certainly one of those. But there other good options.

As Bede says. Unless the rules specifically call for figure losses as part of the game mechanisms instead of base removal or strength point losses, any scale will work as long as they fit on the bases.

The figure scale is mostly revolves around the visual effect you want. I play Volley & Bayonet and other rules with 54mm figures, though I also have armies in 15mm and 6mm--with the same rules at times.

Bill

Oh, and I agree about On To Richmond. Ed Koch's rules are classic. My boys grew up on them.

Used F&F brigade for lot of 6mm ACW games and they work well. Commander bases and status markers allow lots of modelling opportunies if you want them.

Just started on Regimental F&F using 10mm, works well with the extra detail you would expect at regimental level.

DBACW fits your requirments

DBACW fits your requirements and has a good feel for the period.

I'd naturally suggest that you stick to your guns and go with Polemos ACW. The rules themselves have a learning curve and do things differently from what people have come to expect. Most of the issues that have arisen from people questioning the rules come from failing to grasp the level of abstraction involved, or from trying to make the rules do something different to what they are supposed to.

As with all these things for each of the vocal naysayers who demand the attention, there are many people quietly getting on and enjoying their games. This is a recent quote from someone who has just taken up playing Polemos Napoleonics:

'Really getting the hang of these rules at last. They have brought the fun back into gaming, and put far more reliance on strategy and less on the minutiae of individual units and weapons. The ability to fight a battle completely in a short evening and have a lot of fun and laughs doing it is something I don't remember in gaming for a very long time.
Looking forward to trying some of the other eras with similar tempo points based systems. Well done all for designing this ruleset, and returning me to a hobby I left 30 years ago.'

Each to their own!

Cheers

Peter

I am fairly fond of abstraction in games so that wouldn't be a problem. And as someone who's never actually gamed the period yet Polemos might be worth looking at as I don't have an pre-conceptions as to what the game should be like. I have heard a few people say that the reason some dislike the rules is a lack of understanding…

I'll give the advice I always give – ignore what the rules writers say is the scale, use the same size bases with more figures on. I'm doing ACW in 10mm, and am using 30mm bases (for rules portability – F&F is about 28mm bases) I get more figures on the same base, so the units look more like proper H&M units.

I use Johnny Reb (2.5) and as with Last Hussar, I use the basing, distances, etc for 15mm figures, but I use 6mm. It gives a more visually impressive "mass" effect and more historically correct ranges. The one thing I can't abide with the larger scales is the "10 figures is a regiment" syndrome. That's why I stick to 3 and 6mm

You'll notice in the front pages of Black Powder some 6mm figures based on 60mm x 30mm with 4 per unit. So as some guys are saying, keeping a common basing but for different rules will allow you to use a number fo rule sets. BP will be good for short evening games, perhaps at a lower tactical level (unit/bde/div); whilst Polemos will allow for a higher tactical scale (div/corps/army) – but not necessarily a larger game – all playable in one evening.

Volley and Bayonet is also a good set that works well with figures based on larger areas …

It is base 'portability' between rules is more of a problem than figure size: That's why I've gone for 30mm- it fits the most rules – I will use 4 per unit for BP (units are 12 long and we play in cm), plust it fits the other sets I have, most being 30mm, and F&F working out at about 28mm per base. There is no effect in the game if I use 1 28mm figure or 8 10mm per base.

Use Fire and Fury, base you 6mm on 60mm wide bases.#

Roll for Corps only at 24" plus, for divisions at 18" and bdes under 12", makes a really good game.

Ground scale is doubled. makes for a very fast game with lots of moves per game.

Hello TTG!

I think Polemos is exactly what your looking for. First off it's two rule sets in one. One for big battles and another for smaller actions. Second you get to make those mini dioramas that your looking for.

Yes there is a bit of a learning curve that seems to frustrate some people, but there is a Yahoo Group dedicated to help you with any rule or gaming problems. The rules were written by Peter Riley who eats and sleeps ACW.

So not only is Polemos ACW specific, but it is also a gateway to other exciting Polemos rules for other periods.

Baccus sells you everything, figures, rules, bases, flags, basing material, etc. It's a firm dedicated to not only selling figures, but fully supporting the periods represented by it's figures.

There is nothing like the complete Baccus/Polemos experience.

Best regards,

Glenn