"It's been 10 days. Anything else on the new Firepower rules?" Topic

It's been a few weeks now. Has anyone played the ACW Firepower rules from Perry? I've been tracking the previous discussions and watched the unboxing video. Just wondering if there was anything new.

Not played, but they look very playable and accessable. Serve their purpose for introductory or to run a demo at a show or to play a larger game quickly than might otherwise be the case or just to have fun with. I think they are a successful publication.

Infantry units are 18 figures in 2 ranks of 9, so quite a nice compact foot print, though any basing system is going to work for those who have lready based to their own favourite standard. Formations as a whole collect hits, so basing convention is not so relevant.

Movement is randomised in inches based on a die roll

Inf can fire 24" and have a 'to hit' value based on range bands

inf formations can take 9 hits and then eli, cav 6 and artillery 4.

units check morale after taking casualties

there are oportunites to rally, charge, evade and take advantage of cover.

I have been blogging some games played with the 1 Hour Wargame rules by Neil Thomas and they give quite fun games and they can be considered as being quite stripped back. I think these perry rules play at a level higher than those and are roibust enough to have favourite home brew rules bolted onto them.

the rules probably address where a lot of gamers are up to these days … low complexity, giving a game that is fun and will conclude in a single session.

I already have 12mm forces, so will give them a spin with those for an early test. For me, the entire package is giving me a good entry point to get into 28mm on my relatively small table – i am happy with my purchase to date.

Not played them yet.

IMO for established players of this era I think from what I have read so far is that they are perhaps too basic. For new people like me to this era they are an ideal get you by rules until a more detailed established set is found.

To me they resemble in parts a very stripped down version of a well known fantasy game made by GW . For example, when a unit is broken a unit retreats 3D6 away from the enemy towards the nearest game board edge. That is very Gw , which doesn't surprise me as all the writers are all Ex GW.

So anyone who has a GW background and coming into this era will find the rules very easy to pick up.

Thanks. Even though I've been gaming for awhile, I tend to like the simpler rules like Bolt Action, Kings of War, or LOTR SBG. Been thinking about getting into ACW or AWI and I'm looking for the right system.

Pick up Black Powder instead then. Gives a fun, simple game and will be familiar to players of the games you describe. Also has a Renaissance variant, along with supplements for Seven Years War, Napoleoncis etc.

Black Powder also has a nice collection of unit specific rules that give the game a lot of flavor and depth without bogging things down.

Detailed game description:

link

In fact, I already bought the black powder rules. Haven't played them, though the art and photography is fantastic. The only limiting issue is the table size. Many of the scenarios require something greater than 4x6 which is a problem since I only have a 4x6 area. I've looked at 15mm but I really like the look of 28mm. I own 28mm WWII and GW LOTR figures. Therefore I'm looking for easy rules for 28mm figures on a 4x6 table. Thanks to everyone. As always, your input has been greatly appreciated.

If you want 28mm plastics ACW, then the kit is very much worth your while, you basically save yourself about a third of the cost of buying the figures and get an easy set of rules at the same time.

The only limiting issue is the table size. Many of the scenarios require something greater than 4x6 which is a problem since I only have a 4x6 area.

I happily play Black Powder on a board only 4ft by 2.5ft. Just duvide all the ranges and distances by 2 or by 3. Divide by 2 and my board is equivalent to 8 by 5 dive by 3 and it's equivalent to 12 by 7.5!!

I too have played BP on smaller tables. You can either use fewer figures per unit or just fight smaller battles.

Say, might "Firepower" be available separately from the Perrys' 28mm ACW battle box? I, for one, would be willing to buy the rules to give them a try.

From what I've heard, Perry has no immediate plans to release the rules separately.

I think you are right . They want to keep them unique to this excellent set. Just wondering if they intend keeping the plastic generals just for this set as well.

For established players who are looking for some reinforcements , I think this set will serve them well and save them money as well.

I will be using these rules for the time being but structuring my forces around the rules for Guns at Gettysburg . I have decided to wait for "Pickets Charge " rules that are due in 2016 and could replace Guns at Gettysburg rules.

<Thread hijack in progress>

What are these "Picket's Charge" rules to which you refer?

Well according to General De Brigade site , Pickets Charge are some new rules that are nearly done . The only thing I am not 100% sure on is if they are a direct replacement for Guns at Gettysburg or a modification with perhaps more detail etc. to be sold along side the older rules . They did something similar with Naps by bringing a delux version of the rules out but I am not sure, but I think it led to some confusion ie Genral De brigade and General De brigade Delux. That's is why I think these new ACW rules have been given a new name.

With the rules being new and due out next year . I would anticipate having 2 painted forces up and running by then so for me the timing could be ideal .

So for now I will be using Firepower as a get me by .

Ah! I missed that as I haven't been visiting their forum regularly. The post states proof reading and editing over the winter with "an early 2016 publication date."

I'm off to the Perry's in Dec. for a final playtest.

Then it's down to the hard work of production, etc. and looking for a Spring 2016 release – hopefully at Salute.

Post Perry's I'll update the forum on the rules, design, thoughts, etc!!

DB

As much as I hate breaking up the free plugs for other rule sets, going back to the original question, has anyone played 'Firepowder' yet?

I have played a game using my 12mm Kallistra figures just to see how the rules pan out. I will gather my thoughts on my game and report back.

Thanks Norm, and we'll be looking forward to hearing your impressions on the rules.

Thanks Dave, it is in hand.

I have started a new thread concerning an initial playing of the rules.

LINK – TMP link

Played two games of firepower, took around 3 hours, both games were very enjoyable. We have made a few little tweaks to the rules but nothing major, the rules on the whole worked very well

I have played a couple of games with them and they are very nice rules indeed especially for solo play – the movement rules get rid of the bias which sometimes creeps in when playing solo, at least for me. I am trying to adjust them for 19th century, European rules, by introducing march colums and skirmishers. Not easy, but I am getting there, whilst trying to keep to the integrity of the rules which do work well for ACW period. For example, I think the artillery needs to be more effective: the test for infantry morale may not be applied until,say, more than 3 of points of damage (my 42mm units are 16 men strong)are accrued and that there are no more than 2 points of damage when closing for 'hand to hand' fighting. These modifiers are just to recognize the better discipline of European armies of this period and more reluctance to close into a melee which would be historically correct. I am tinkering, as we all do, but the beauty is that it is possible with a few modifiers to make radical period and army changes without changing any of the basic concepts. Fascinating to see what others have to say.