"AWI variant for Fire & Fury rules" Topic

I have it, and wondered what people's experiences are with it?

Can't help you there, doc.
I've been burned too many times looking for the "perfect AWI rules".
I'm always annoyed at too high a learning curve that takes 3-4 games to "get it right".

I find it an easy transition from Fire and Fury which I also use for the Civil War – makes for a good playable game for something larger than a skirmish battle (Battle of Springfield is the smallest I have used it for

To John's Point – they aren't perfect

Reason I ask, I'm set to play some ACW games using Regimental F&F (the Little Round Top scenario) over Thanksgiving. So I have to learn those rules in any case. (Against my brother, who knows them well, so I don't have to have total command of them). He sent me the link to the AWI varient, so the extra learning curve won't be too steep.

My brother used to do a lot of miniature gaming with me and others, then about 30 years ago got pulled away into ACW reenacting, He is now too old and fat to do the reenctments (he says) so we're pulling out the minis again. I have the three lovely terrain pieces somebody did years ago -- Wheatfielld, Devils den, and LRT -- so he wants to do it right.

Btw, Phil has wriiten some very fine Civil War novels, if anyone is interested. Available on Amazon. Phil McBride.

If you played fire and fury ACW and liked it then you would do good with the AWI variant. I have not played this variant but a few friends have and they liked it. They played a lot of Fire and Fury so small learning curve.

To each their own but I find Fire and Fury seriously wonky. My personal preference is for Rank and File. Here is a key difference for me – Fire and Fury and you get a few turns in without a decision being even close and then it is time to pack up, Rank and File plays fast and you get to an incontestable decision. No such thing as a 'perfect' set of rules, just rules that are fun to play and rules that make you wonder why you are in the miniatures hobby. Guess which of the two goes where for me?

Hope your game with your brother is loads of fun anyway. Ultimately, the real pleasure in our games is from the people we game with, not the rules we use.

BB, yes, I agree completely.

Rich Hasenauer has done amazing work developing variants, QRS, and scenarios for a number of periods in American history. AWI, War of 1812, and the Mexican American War have all been given excellent treatment. If you enjoy the original Fire and Fury family of rules, these variants serve the gamer well. Rich has even generously made them available for free via his website. Great stuff.

Also agree with Blasted Brains on this one.

We've played several games with he F & F variant and enjoyed them. I prefer other rules for ACW than F & F but it is what my group likes. An undecided outcome is less important as it is the people that are the important thing these days.

Have to admit I saw the word "variant" and thought covid before I thought rules variant.

Hi

I played the AWI variant 3 times last year (twice solo), with the 'tweaks' I thought they gave a very good 'feel' for the period. That said I am a big F&F fan anyway.

Cheers Paul

I have played the older RF&F AWI variant many times (QRS-only, no supplement of rules). My games usually reach a decision in 3-4 hours. I don't know if mechanics added by the new supplement slow the game somehow, but I would be surprised if they did.

It helps to have players with F&F experience, but that's not strictly necessary.

What really helps is self-helping players. Once the basics of formations, maneuver, and shooting are understood (which most veteran horse & musket gamers understand already), nearly everything you need to look up is on the QRS. You can get pretty fast at playing the game just by getting familiar with the tables and modifiers.

- Ix

In my opinion the AWI is a war best suited to the regiment/battalion level of units. It really isn't suited to Brigade level. Part of what makes it interesting to me is the different uniforms that many regiments wore. Quite often you will have regiments in a brigade which has a variety of uniforms, even within the regiment.

I think you would lose a lot of what makes the AWI such an interesting conflict to game. With a couple of exceptions most AWI battles are small and when you use only brigades, it really wouldn't be much of a game. There is a reason why there areant that many brigade lever miniature rules for the conflict. Perhaps you might be able to adapt F&F regimental.

Full disclosure, I have never been a fan of the F&F system.

I'll be using REGIMENTAL Fire and Fury. Sorry if that was not clear, I agree that brigade level won't do for Amer Rev.

The Regimental Fire and Fury variant is great!

Where do you find this varient?

Blasted Brains +1

F&F is IMO is as BB said, wonky.

There is very little difference between the brigade and regimental versions. We play "Sons of Liberty."

Free copy on io groups. You can join for free.

PDF link

The AWI variant can be found on teh Fire and Fury website. Check out support for variants of RFN. Follow the tabs. You will find the variant rules for the period and also a numb er of scenarios that are quite playable.

My brother arrives tomorrow and we will be doing the Germantown scenario in 28mm. Reports later.

Love it! Lowell Hamilton and I have put on games at conventions. The great thing of RF&F is the variants of AWI, War of 1812, and Mexican American war are FREE; rule charts and scenarios on the Fire and Fury internet site. Can't go wrong with that or playing the rules

Switched to Regimental Fire and Fury about a year ago and really like it. Was using a home grown set of rules. I had always wanted to try Fire and Fury but the group wasn't really interested in using it for our ACW games. When I saw the Regimental Fire and Fury rules and variant for AWI I decided to give it a try and am really pleased. I've made a few minor tweaks, and use a roster sheet as I did not want to rebase my 80 plus regiments. So instead of removing stands the regiments lose a combat effectiveness point on the roster sheet. I am thinking of running a game at the Recruits Convention in September. If you're in the Kansas City area the weekend of Recruits come by and check it out.