"Points based AWI Rules?" Topic

My gaming group is itching to get into the AWI, but are looking for a set of rules that has a point based army list system. Any opinions?

I think the Peter Pig rules Washingtons Army are points based but I don't have them and I am not 100% on that.

Land of the Free has a points system.
link

It is a skirmish set of rules but Muskets and Tomahawks is point based and a great starter game set of rules.

link

Haven't played them yet, but the author is a highly experienced gamer, so I suspect they may be what you are looking for.

My main problem with points based rules is that they are too confining.
We do it with Flames of War, but along the lines of "Allied player gets 2000 and defend, Germans get 3000."
I fear that in an AWI game, some may go "Hmmmm. I have 150 points left over, and that's just enough to add a second company of jaegers."
I much prefer to have an honest attempt to recreate an actual battle, with what figures are on hand. If the sides are not equal, show me an AWI game where they were.

You end up with the Cornwalis Task Force, with all the elite troops commanded by one player. "Yeah, I could have taken 24 figures of the 28th Foot, but would rather spend the points on grenadiers."
That's fine in competition games, but I never do that with the scenarios I run. If it was not an equal battle in Real Life™, that's just too bad.

I agree with John the OFM.

Peter Pig Washington's Army has a points system, scenarios and army building options. Also includes many specific AWI characteristics not applicable to other wars. Basic unit is a battalion. Typical force would be 6 battalions , a mounted unit and a small gun or two.
Good luck with your project.

martin

1776. Older rules, but IMHO decent.

I also agree with John the OFM. Study the period and develop a good feeling for what is correct for a typical battle. The best is to do a historical battle or a "what if" based on a battle. There is just too much variance among AWI units for a point system to work well. Especially the Americans.

Played "Muskets and Tomahawks" this weekend and really liked it. If you want points it's there. If not, you can just use it for historical scenarios.

Quick, clear, easy, and designed specifically for 18th century North America.

I actually prefer using actual oobs, but the group is more interested in a point based system.

Not all battles are even on both sides. You make it a game by varying the victory conditions. Make possible to lose the battle but still win the game. A point system does not generate that type of battle. It is rare that a battle is straight up even on both sides. I find point games boring.

Hello everyone and thanks for recommending my rules.

@ Royal Air Force – Land of the Free is a points based system that gives you a 'generic' list of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Once you wrap your head around the rules you can go to the Advanced Rules Section of the book and begin to tailor your Force by using the upgrades to represent things like Grenadiers, Light Infantry, Rangers, Indians, Dragoons, Militia, Hessians, etc. Each upgrade may have some restrictions such as only 25% of your Force may have Grenadiers. This is an attempt to keep the points system a little more historically accurate although not always the case. Of course you always have the right to play the rules as you and your group sees fit but I think that goes without saying. :)

I hope you give the rules a try and enjoy them.

Joe

Having played it quite extensivey, I would recommend Peter Pig's rules (Washington's Wars) for point-based/competition games. You can use it for historical games as well (although I prefer British Grenadier for that), but the pre-battle activities – common to PP rule sets – add something extra to any scenario.

Thanks SM.

martin

My main problem with points based rules is that they are too confining.

We do it with Flames of War, but along the lines of "Allied player gets 2000 and defend, Germans get 3000."
I fear that in an AWI game, some may go "Hmmmm. I have 150 points left over, and that's just enough to add a second company of jaegers."

I much prefer to have an honest attempt to recreate an actual battle, with what figures are on hand. If the sides are not equal, show me an AWI game where they were.

You end up with the Cornwalis Task Force, with all the elite troops commanded by one player. "Yeah, I could have taken 24 figures of the 28th Foot, but would rather spend the points on grenadiers."

Well said, points values are not needed with properly designed scenarios.

Couldn't agree more.

"but the pre-battle activities – common to PP rule sets – add something extra to any scenario."

Its been a few years since I've played Washington Wars so I'm not remembering this part. So now I have to go in search of the rules so I can find out what you are meaning. lol

Personally I find points-based systems to be fundamentally flawed for musket-era gaming. Stick with historically accurate ratios in your order of battle.