"War of 1812 in North America" Topic

Best TSATF variant for the War of 1812 in North America?
The Sword in the Forest
Before I Was A Marshal, I Was A Grenadier
Disperse, Ye Damned Rebels

We used none of the above, but War of 1812 Black Powder modifications, and with 15mm.

Take a look at Red Coats and War Hawks here:

battlefieldgamedesigns.com

This game was designed for the War of 1812. Best of all, it includes:

◾1 Complete Rule Set
◾15 War of 1812 Scenarios
◾1 Reproducible Detailed Game Summary Chart
◾2 Clear Artillery Templates (Reproducible)
◾6 Reproducible Figure Information Sheets
◾400 Figure Cards

All you need to do is add the players, figures and terrain and the game is ready to go!!

Regards,
Hitman

Before I Was a Marshal and Disperse are NOT TSATF variants, but Brom Standard variants (like Chassepot and Needle Gun) and operate at a larger scale.

If you want to operate at the TSATF level, The Sword in the Forest is probably the closest variant, at least until the OFM finally publishes his AWI variant.

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions!

Hitman:. $65 USD is a little steep for my gaming budget, especially compared to TSATF rules, but thank you for recommending them on TSATF message board.

Jeff

Epturner and I use straight vanilla TSATF.
We rate "good" regulars as British carbines.
Mediocre regulars are Egyptian carbines.
Militia use Boer morale but shoot as Egyptian carbines.
You have a choice if Zulu, Pathan or Dervish to represent Indians.
Only rifle armed units get …. rifles.

We have used it for battles like Cowpens, Wyoming Massacre, Concord and Castlebar Races.
No units are created equal, so if you bought 3 packs of Irish Volunteers, then the unit has 18 figures.
You can make up ad hoc specs for special units. For example, Irish rebel units in the '98 have 5 muskets and 10 pikemen. Zulu stats, but pikes get +1 in first melee round if they charged. Always a "mob" when shot at.
Should Jacobite Highlanders be Dervish or Zulu rated? I am leaning towards Zulus because they shoot so badly but will always charge. How best to handle fierce charges? +1 or win ties? We'll see. Test coming soon.

I originally meant this as a joke, calling it Flames of Liberty. I threw together a Wyoming Massacre game.
I saw immediately how well it worked.
All we plan to do before we send it to Lori is to make charts for various troop types, so we don't have to say "Hessian jaegers: British rifles".
One stipulation will be to state just who is allowed to use Open Order.

The more epturner and I (the OFM's secret identity) and our club play like this, we have come to realize that it is perfect for musket skirmish.
I plan to include stats from the '45 up to 1812.

I see no reason why this approach can't be used up to the ACW. In fact, ACW skirts the edges of "real" TSATF.
We strongly believe the only changes needed are how you rate troops for 1812.

I also have used the "big battles" TSATF variant "800 Fighting Englishmen" with similar adaptations. Worked very well. It also streamlines the melee rules, which some feel necessary.

To be honest, I bought Disperse ye Damned Rebels, but never played it. It looked awkward with my basing system.

Great information Winston. Thanks!

Some may think that single shot muskets do not belong in TSATF. However, both sides are using the same time line, so I see no problem. Lower the damage if you like. It's a tool box, after all. It's made to be adapted.
It's easy to "Bashi Bazouk" up a really skittish militia unit by giving them worse morale than Boers.

TSATF gives us three options for "irregulars". If your analysis of an Indian tribe makes you think they were more likely to shoot from afar than close, rate them Afghan. If you think they preferred to charge but were crappy shots, rate as Zulus.

So far, we have written up player aid cards just telling the players which nationality to use. Next game will feature dedicated charts.

Bennington was a hoot, by the way. We got the band back together.

There are three variants here: link There is one for small battles, large battles and a campaign. The quality is very high and they are all free.

Link did not work, but I am familiar with those rules.

It is funny that you come to TSATF Message Board for TSATF variants and folks recommend non-TSATF rules!

B-)

Thanks, rmaker and Winston. I bought TSITF and 800 Englishmen this morning!

Ever thought about using the Patriot War in East Florida, 1812-1814. All small actions, can use American "Patriot" American insurectionists, Georgia Militia, United States American Army, Spanish Regulars and Anglo-Spanish American Militia (including the excellent Spanish-American militia of the "Men of Color", as well as the Black Cuban Battalion), and even some actions with the British, after the fight between Spanish and US American was over. And yes, don't forget the many fights between the US Americans and the Seminoles. Included would be the largest battle of about 250 United States "Patriot" American/Georgia militia and about twice as many Seminoles.

jhancock – Take the period off of the end of the URL.

Sorry for the delay in responding to the OP.

Winston and I did indeed run the battle of Frenchtown, if I recall correctly. And I have run the battle of Maguaga as well.

Eric

Any chance of sharing your Frenchtown scenario?

I was thinking Tippecanoe and Moraviatown/River Thames as well.

Thank you, Jeff

Jeff;
It's probably buried somewhere in the Back Of Beyond, but I will take a look. It's been a while since I've run an 1812 game. Kind of miss that.

Eric

Jeff;
I have been looking in the disaster otherwise known as the basement/hobby production factory and I've found a number of things otherwise lost to history, but not the Frenchtown scenario.

I will, however, go back and resurrect it. Partly because I do love the War of 1812 so much and partly because Winston got spanked like a bad, bad donkey in that game.

It was worth the 90 minute plus drive just to see that.

Eric