"FIW Play Test" Topic

We have been building some rules for the AWI and Chris decided he wanted to try them for his French Indian War collection and see if they would translate. For the most part they did, full write up and lots of pictures here:

link

Exciting AAR!

Thanks very much

A great looking game.

Cheers

Great looking game! Native troops are very difficult to model in any rules … the usual green/regular/veteran/elite doesn't really work neatly. Native men were expected to fight, and would likely have been involved in raids and battles with other natives on a yearly basis (depending on the tribe/peace treaties). There were times where they were fighting over their own territory which would likely lead to more commitment; other times, they were in an uneasy alliance and they could even switch sides pretty quick (Sullivan Expedition in the AWI). They might have just come off a bout of small pox or suffered significant war casualties. In that case, they would be told to not lose a single man- fight only from ambushes and retreat, quit if the going was too tough.

On Lake George you had western tribes fighting on the French side out for plunder, scalps, rewards, and fame. While they fought fiercely, casualties made them think about going home. No tribe could afford casualties like the Europeans expected to receive, and there are many accounts of how they were mystified by the lack of concern armies displayed over losses.

The perfect battle to natives would be like Wyoming- ambush, followed by a rout and a merciless pursuit, and almost no injuries or losses.