Comment

Comment by Stephen L Parker on December 11, 2010 at 11:46am

I invented a neat rule for Civil War miniature gaming.  I rated commanders very cautious, cautious, normal, aggressive, and very aggressive.   When they received written orders, they rolled to see if they would do what I asked, underperform, or go beyond the scope of their orders.  

It worked great.  With aggressive commanders, sometimes you needed to give them orders less aggressive than you actually wanted knowing they'd go further than you asked.  Imagine your frustration when they get their orders and roll to comply exactly.  Grrrr.  Civil War commanders had to do that, deal with the personalities of their imperfect subordinates.  

Comment by Stephen L Parker on December 11, 2010 at 11:39am

Thanks, Chip.

I've always hated the ahistoricality of "everyone moves all the time" of traditional UGOIGO wargames.  Most civil war battles involved masses of troops idle while their commanders implored his subordinates to get on with the plan.  I'm reminded of Lee's requests to Old Pete at Second Manassas.  Jackson's troops were hard--pressed to say the least, but Old Peter waited for the right moment despite Lee's personal pleadings for action.

 

So, perhaps more than most, I'll understand the delays.  I won't like them, but I'll understand.

Comment by Chip Pharr on December 10, 2010 at 9:01pm

Oh, about orders rules - you'll either love 'em or hate 'em.  You won't know until you roll for delay reduction 10-12 time before finally getting them to go.

Comment by Chip Pharr on December 10, 2010 at 8:58pm

Stephen,

 

welcome aboard.  You can also check out the Civil War Brigade Series and Line of Battle (was RSS) folders in the forum.

 

Both BV and TTS are great games.  For history I had 2 double greats on my mothers side at Chickamauga. Both survived as did my father's grandfather - otherwise I wouldn't be here.

 

I've got all the NBS but only played Austerlitz when it was new.

 

Be sure to download v3.2 of the CWB rules from the archive.  Also get the latest NBS rules.

Comment by Stephen L Parker on December 10, 2010 at 6:39pm

I just bought This Terrible Sound, as I bought the Chickamauga CWBS game (and Barren Victory, Gaines Mill, No Better Place to Die, April's Harvest, etc., and Marango of the NBS).  I've never played any of them for lack of opponents but I love the idea of written orders.  Now that I'm an hour and a half west of St. Louis, maybe that will change.

 

What do you folks think of TTS?  BV?

 

Chickamauga was the pivotal battle for my father's family.  One member served as a lieutanant in a Georgia regiment in the ANV but came with Longstreet and died at Chickamauga.  Many others served.  One of my favorite games is West End's old Chickamauga game.  

 

You had to allocate command points over severa turns to plan a big attack.  None of the gamey, "Oh, I'm going to launch a multi-division attack immediately because my perfect intelligence shows a weak point behind his line."

 

I hope the RSS cures the old TSS instantaneous reaction cycle.

 

Comment by Chip Pharr on December 10, 2010 at 5:18pm

Brian,

keep your fingers crossed.  If NBH sells, THG II won't be far behind.  The map is done, the counters more or less complete and the special rules pretty well hammered out.  Of course who knows what it will cost and how many years till publication.

 

Chip

Comment by Brian Blad on May 22, 2008 at 3:03pm

I finally scored a copy of THG on Ebarf. All told $260 when it is all calculated out. Would have been easier and cheaper if MMP would reprint. Dean was leaning towards a yes, series designer said no....sigh...

Comment by Brian Blad on May 22, 2008 at 3:01pm

Just got South Mountain...Looks very nice..Only one scenario. What does everyone think of that?

Comment by Jeff Twining on April 12, 2008 at 12:38pm

I'm looking forward to South Mountain as well. It will be my first RSS game. I was introduced to the CWB series at Consimworld 2006 and really enjoyed it!

Comment by Bill Speer on April 9, 2008 at 10:46am

Love them all but am partial to THG. Can't wait to get my hands on South Mountain. I was on a staff ride there last April and now have a much better feel for the lay of the land. It shoudl be a great game.

bs

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