"Starting into ACW" Topic

If I were to start into ACW, what set of rules would you recommend?
I'm looking for rules that are fun, not points based, but still able to do a throw down without having to do an actual battle.

Any suggestions?

Doug

I still prefer Fire and Fury. I like both the Brigade and Regimental versions.

Doug, what level? Skirmish, Regimental, Brigade, Corps? This is not a jab, we just need that information to start you down the road.

Personally, I believe that Sam Mustafa's Longstreet ruleset is a good place to start. Games are fast and fun, and have the bonus (at least, for me) of including a campaign system that allows you a little bit of roleplaying.

As you said you want to be able to throw down troops rather than have an actual battle, I suggest you look at Longstreet. It includes a terrain set-up process that starts with a historically-inspired canvas (e.g The Cornfields, Railway Embankment), which players then customise with further terrain pieces (a stream, an area of woods, a patch of open ground)

You can download a free "Lite" version from Sam Mustafa's website to try them out and see if you like the game mechanics.

Longstreet does have a points system, but you don't have to use it.

Fire and Fury is a good alternative for the novice. It is not designed for throw-down games, although you could search around for resources created for tournaments.

Field of Battle is good for the ACW. I started with Peter Pig's Civil War Battles its a nice set too.

I prefer the newly republished On to Richmond if you are looking for a brigade level game for 2 to 4 players. It provides a game that is both challenging and fun, but its card driven activation system does turn some people off. For larger brigade based games I prefer Fire and Fury with its IGO UGO system, not as much fun, but certainly better for larger games or games with 5 or more players involved.

You might take a look at the freewargamerules website just to get a idea of what simple rule sets look like.

Volley & Bayonet. Fun, fast, and easy to learn.

Fire and Fury is great. Using the scenarios available on line really adds to the enjoyment.

Across a Deadly Field is just coming out (or did for those of us at Historicon). It looks to be about the best I have played at a grand tactical level – even though it uses regiments as the basic maneuver element.

For tactical, try Johnny Reb III or the aforementioned Longstreet.

I like Fire & Fury – I mostly play grand tactical

Have used Volley & Bayonet for the big battles – works pretty good as well

I have used Brother versus Brother for skirmish – as well as a set of home-made rules for regimental games. If you want a copy send me a PM

Try Longstreet for a fun brigade level game with an excellent easy to use campaign system.

Can't go wrong with Fire and Fury.

Hold out and purchase Across a Deadly Field hopefully coming out in a few weeks.

GG

Thanks for all the replies…I appreciate it. Looks like there are quite a few rules for ACW, which I have been checking out. I have Sam Mustafa's Napoleonic rules LaSalle, which are good too. I've seen some of ACWBill's ACW games of Fire and Fury using GHQ figures…very nice too. Altar of Freedom?? looks good, but not sure about the whole 6mm part of it…already got 6mm for Modern and WWII gaming. I understand and like the idea of using 6mm for that scale of gaming, sure looks impressive, but still.
Only issue I have is where I'm at, there aren't alot of players into history but lots are into GW gaming :P So that is an issue as well.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it

You can do AoF in other scales….especially 10mm. When I spoke to the designer he said:

"Basing is flexible. I use 1.25" deep by 2.5" wide because it nicely fits my 6mm figures. In metric this would be 30mmx60mm. But anything similar would work just fine, as long as the opposing armies are done the same way. Rectangles for infantry, cavalry, headquarters, and square bases for generals and artillery. I've seen guys make cardboard trays to accommodate Fire & Fury basing, too."

If you are using 15mm troops I suggest Fire and Fury Brigade level game to start. If you wish later on, you can graduate to the regimental version. This would be for large battles. If you are using 25mm troops and wish to fight small battles or skirmish battles there is an ACW variant of the Sword and the Flame which I am play testing.

I would go with F&F and 10mm troops. 10mm is a great scale, easy to paint as 6mm, but big enough to show detail and look great in 30 man units.
Good luck, welcome to the madness.

Anyone know about GHQ's ACW Rules? Are they good, okay?