"Suggestions for ACW rules for 2mm for new wargamers?" Topic

My son is getting interested in wargaming and has a lot of interest in the ACW. It is not a period I have really played in, so I do not know what to suggest for a game.

Any suggestions for a rule set that is suitable for 2mm miniatures (we have the table and terrain for that) that would be accessible for an early teenager to play with his friends?

It doesn't have to be super simple as I can help them learn it. But it would need to be closer to beer (root beer in their case) and pretzel then grognard style of play.

Thanks!

Fire & Fury would be my choice.

Issue 100 of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy has a nice set for free.

Fire and Fury is a great choice

Volley and Bayonet maybe

Black Powder is most certainly on the beer and chips side of things

I'd consider Bloody Big Battles too. I have summaries of many rule sets here which may help you choose one:

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Here's a summary of Bloody Big Battles:

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"Gettysburg Soldiers" is a pretty simple and fun set that doesn't get bogged down in granularity.

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Battle Cry is also a game that can easily be played with 2mm blocks instead of the plastic soldiers that are included with the game.

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I like Volley and Bayonet as well, but that is for very large battles.

Fire and Fury is also a good set, but it is not a beer and pretzels set.

As someone who has a just-turned 14 year old son who is more interested in playing with toy soldiers as opposed to trying to game a simulation, I would look at Gettysburg Soldiers or Battle Cry. I think Gettysburg Soldiers provides a better gaming experience (while still be fairly easy to grasp), while Battle Cry allows you to finish a game in 45 minutes. They both have something to offer.

Thanks for the suggestion! Has anyone tried "From Shako to Coal Scuttle" I have found Nordic Weasel games to be pretty approachable. Is it an easy rule set to pick up? Would it be a good fit for ACW? Or would it feel too generic as it covers all of the 19th century?

No suggestions, however, I am currently finishing up my 2mm ACW army's.

My main force is 20mm and I do 2mm figure for each regiment and battery for map games.

I've done the same for my 25/28mm colonial collection.

I'll be watching this thread for ideas.

Little Wars TV's Altar of Freedom rules are geared toward large battles with small scale figures and are pretty easy to pick up. You can watch their videos to get a feel for how they play.

DBACW variant of DBN:
dbnwargaming.co.uk

Volley and Bayonet for sure.

I'm using Altar of Freedom with 2mm figures on the standard table and base sizes and it works really well. AoF uses one base equals one brigade so the number or size of figures doesn't impact on game play. In fact using 2mm figures creates bases that actually look more like brigades than larger figures do. I just posted a blog entry AAR on refighting 1st Manassas in 2mm using AoF.

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Hmm…

2mm?

That's a cool scale. Especially for blocks of infantry.

Just cut 2mm card to unit size and sprinkle uniform sand on top (after applying glue to the card). You can cut various nicks into the edge of the card to crate a more realistic edge.

Well that's the infantry dealt with. For cavalry use 3mm and cut a strip from the bottom front edge, to leave a horse head overhang, the nicks and sand on top. Done.

Artillery, use 1mm wire with round sprue slices for wheels. Add 1mm wire
2mm lengths for crew.

General, fold a couple of 10mmx10mm paper in half to make tents. Add a few 2mm lenghts of 1mm wire for chaps. Maybe a bit of pop stick or card or balsa for a table.