"BEST Civil War Rules and a brief why ?" Topic

Getting back into Civil War and was hoping to get some of your thoughts on rules . I grew up with Rally Around The Flag and Iron Brigade . Then went to Johnny Reb which I like a lot ,and see many still play . I however notice that Fire And Fury are very popular at conventions along with some others . Just like to get some thoughts ? Thanks in advance , Mark

My favorite are "Volley and Bayonet". I like them because they play fast, don't leave me with a headache and accurately capture the differences (or lack thereof) between the USA and the CSA. Most importantly, they let you play complete battles and give you the ability to make the same decisions as Grant or Lee

You want to play a big battle to conclusion? Volley and Bayonet. Rich does a nice job telling you why.

Some folks like a like more granular experience. They get that with Fire and Fury. Works great for the mid-sized battles and will work well for the big battles, but it slows done a bit.

Fire and Fury Regimental hits the same level you have with Johhny Reb, but shares many mechanics with the original Fire & Fury so a lot of the rules knowledge ports over between systems.

Another rules set that works well for the big battles is "Altar of Freedom". AOF and V&B use a scale where one base of troops = a brigade. Some abstractions of details are necessary to make the battles play out faster and not get bogged down. One of the things that they assume is that the units are in the appropriate formations for their battlefield situation, so you don't have to bother with columns and lines. It's more about committing your men to engagement and the combat results.

Never heard of AOF. How would you describe a game turn and what sets it apart from Volley and Bayonet?

Here's info on AOF: 6mmacw.com

and on V&B: volleyandbayonet.wordpress.com

I use Volley and Bayonet for big battles for the reasons already mentioned. I would like to try AoF. I bought Black Powder to see if I like those rules for smaller engagements.

Stay far far away from Across This Deadly Field. Its not even a rule book for a game, as far as i understand what rules should do. ie allow players to have an enjoyable time playing ACW battles.
I'd say johnny reb any of the 3 versions(i like jr3).

F&F. Easy to switch between regimental and brigade so you can get most battles on a table. Good support by Rich and his compatriots at their web site- rules clarification, scenarios, variants and good sources of information. I guess it depends upon your personal taste and judgement about what makes a good and an historical game. H

Are there any ACW rules (or maybe something that could be adapted) that cover small scale skirmishing, especially on a 1figure=1soldier scale? I'm thinking about maybe a maximum of 20 soldiers per side.

I believe Brother Against Brother is a 1-1 game.

Yes, for single figure skirmish, Brother vs Brother is my choice.

Thanks 79th PA and Rich Bliss, I would like to do, among others, the 14th CT attack on and burning of the Bliss Barn at Gettysburg (admittedly that will take more than 20 a side).

I really enjoy Johnny Reb, it plays very much like a battle reads. I'm not fond of F&F at all. The couple of times I've played it I felt you could substitute any figures for ACW and get a game. It just doesn't feel like ACW to me.

Volley & Bayonet for club and conventions games… hands down.
We have done well over 100 battles over the years. For small club and 2 player games… Phil Barkers new Horse, Foot and Guns is excellent.

It approaches V&B as one of my favorites… though it is not for conventions and large club games… It does better with smaller numbers of players.

Joe Collins

Burn me for a heretic, but you need a range of rules with compatible basing. The range of Civil War battles is very great. If you pick a single set of rules big enough for Antietam, Belmont involves about one base a side. Pick rules which make Belmont a pleasant afternoon's wargaming, and Champion's Hill would require a gym. You need a way to make today's company next week's regiment.

As an example, if you based 15mm ACW 2x2 on a 1" stand, you could play major engagements with On To Richmond, intermediates with F&F, and smaller ones with Mr. Lincoln's War. Base for JR, and you can use ADF for larger battles. V&B--which I've played and enjoyed--has a basing which makes smaller battles difficult, but you can get around this with movement trays--if the bases you use are a fraction of a V&B base.

Check out the rules, take you time and fine a basing system you're comfortable with. And keep in mind that ten or fifteen years from now, most of these rule sets will be quite dead, but your castings will be as good as ever, and you will not want to rebase.

Thanks guys ! Your input has most helpful . While I do love my Johnny Reb ,I would like to take a look at Volley & Bayonet that many of you have mentioned . Do we know what dealer may have a copy of V & B ? Many thanks , Mark

Longstreet
Great for Battalion level games.
Good campaign system
I have a few AARs at my blog:
link