"F&F" Topic

What are the differences between Regimental and original F&F rules? I have an old set of the Originals but what would make me want to buy the Regimental set? Is it just a case of calling the units Battalions rather than brigades? I was just wondering if it was worth me buying a set of Regimental F&F.

There are some tweaks relating to it being at regt level.

There are so many differences that I would consider Regimental Fire and Fury a separate set of rules from the original Fire and Fury.

The general mechanism is still there, but the extra detail needed for regimental level has prompted substantial changes. You get an idea if you compare the Quick Reference Sheets on each.

For example:

Maneuver Table – There are more modifiers to the roll, different scores depending on whether the unit is in or out of command, and slightly different effects. The maneuvers have become more complex.

Musketry and Cannonade – Fire Points have become more complex to reflect the different weapons, the mechanism itself has changed slightly (you no longer roll against Fire Points, but against a number depending on Fire Points and troop quality), and the effects are different

Charge – The table sees some changes, but there has been a major rework of the mechanism.

If your armies are based for Original Fire and Fury you can still use them (there are some additional markers in Regimental Fire and Fury), but it's not a question of having a set of Original and a "conversion sheet" for Regimental. There are too many changes between them. If you can borrow a copy, you will see by comparing the two.

I like the look of the original set, they seem a lot less fussy from what you say.

They are a different level. The maneuver unit in F & F is the brigade and battery. In F&F-R the maneuver units are the regiment and battery section.

I'm with McWong. The game is the same, there are a few new modifiers on the charts that supposedly make it regimental.

The original set was a lot less fussy because it omitted a lot of detail – the author admits this in the Foreword of Regimental Fire and Fury.

Regimental Fire and Fury is a more sophisticated game because of the greater detail needed, but it does not change the essential nature of the game.

If you liked the Original, but want the sort of historical detail that was lacking and is present in other sets where the maneuver unit is a regiment/section (Johnny Reb, Guns at Gettysburg), it is worth a look.

My earlier comments were because I believe many people concentrate on the familiar aspects and ignore the unfamiliar. For example, in Original, you rolled and moved each brigade one at a time. In Regimental, you roll for a leader and the units within his command range and move them, then you roll for units under that leader but out of his command range.

Okay, I own and have I've played both, and RF&F represents much more than "a few tweaks" etc. to the original system. Yes, the core F&F system is there – the maneuver table combining a lot of aspects of command and morale, firing by adding up fire points, gradual unit degrading through stand loss, competitive rolls for decisive melee results, and so on. However, virtually aspect of the game has been reworked and rewritten to represent the regimental level of play, so as a player/commander you are focusing on different things, doing different things with your units, and dealing with different problems. If you liked the original, of course you'll find RF&F familiar in feel – but if you try to play it the same way and don't treat it as its own game, you'll lose out on a lot (and probably not do so well on the table).

I don't think I'm alone in thinking that RF&F would actually be a great core for a v2 of brigade level F&F, but it's much more than a collection of a few modifiers and changes to the original rules.

Cheers,

Christopher

I will thing about getting RFF in the future but I want to get my armies based and start with something simple to get me more into the period i really like the look of the Ff set. For some reason I think they perfect for the period, may be its because of the scenarios in the book I dont know.

I have tried the Napoleonic version at a club meeting but came away thinking it just didnt work for Napoleonics and it put me off the set for a long time. but as I said it seems good for ACW battles.

Ned, I've played a lot of F&F brigade, and even more of
its 'grandfather,' _On To Richmond_.

Also played a lot of the Regimental since it came out.

I much prefer the Regimental level game for the added
detail and play dynamics.

Although I will say that all three sets have their place
on the game table.

Hi Ned, Christopher, Consul Paulus and Ed

Ned --- If you played the Napoleonic version of F&F, you played AGE of EAGLES (AoE). Those rules have the basic maneuver element of brigades and batteries. AoE is based on the original F&F brigade level rules (BF&F) for the American Civil War. BF&F was published in 1990 and Bill Gray modified the BF&F rules to produce the AoE Napoleonic version so both BF&F and AoE share many similarities. However, AoE and even BF&F are very different from RF&F, published in 2010. RF&F goes another level lower, regiments and artillery sections, and the rules are adjusted to reflect the lower level of command and complexity.

Christopher, Consul Paulus and Ed --- All of you are spot on about the RF&F rule set. I can't think of any thing else to add to your insightful comments.

Well, except for this;-) Richard Hasenauer (author / professional graphic artist of BF&F and RF&F) is working on a new revised version of the BF&F rules. In fact, I'm proofreading the text even as I write. He is hoping to have the new BF&F rules released by Historicon next July (2016). He is also running a play test game (Shiloh) of the new rules at Historicon this July. You can expect the same stunning full color graphics and numerous examples, illustrations of rules and play, photos, scenarios and clear charts like you see in RF&F. Many of the changes in the new BF&F will incorporate design features that are now found in RF&F. In other words, the new BF&F will have more commonality with RF&F than with the original BF&F. Oh, and you won't be disappointed with the results-it will be a brigade and battery level system, allowing you to game all of your favorite full size ACW battles. I can't wait!!!

Best, Lowell D. Hamilton

That's great news Lowell!

Good new, indeed. I've tried the test tables Rich floated out some time back and was impressed. Hope he can release them earlier.