Armchair Dragoons Forums
Wargaming => Age of Gunpowder => Topic started by: bob48 on August 20, 2023, 11:54:10 AM
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I know this system has been around for a while, and I have played it a bit with a couple of Franco-Prussian War games, but not with the ACW ones. Obviously, the system has been modified for the FPG 'Gettysburg' game which we have talked about on another thread.
However, I had a look on Revolution Games website, as I really did not know much about their games, and was somewhat surprised at the number of ACW games they have using this system. I was quite interested in the 'Kernstown' game, since the old S&T game on the battle, published many years ago, and the first game in what became the GBACW series, was the game that first sparked my interest in the period.
Does anyone play any of these Revolution games because I'd be very interested to know how they play.
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I believe Trailrunner has most of them and is a fan, though I'll not speak for him about what he likes so much about them
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Note also that Hermann Luttmann took Blind Swords and evolved it into his Black Swan system that now powers The Hill of Death: Champion Hill and Claude Whelan’s Conquering the Valley: Cross Keys/Port Republic. Both of these Shattered Union Game Series titles are smaller footprint games playable in less than 3 hours (maybe as few as 2). Make a decent introduction to the “extended” Blind Swords clan of games.
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I have all of the Blind Swords ACW games and have played all but one. I played a "campaign" earlier this year, and played them in order.
Revolution Games produces at least 2 per year. Quality of components is good - the older games have beautiful Rick Barber Maps; newer games have similar maps. Counter quality is good - they usually produce some tails, so counter clippers will definitely want to clip these.
Main rules are very straight forward and consistent game to game. Each game has a few pages of game specific rules that provide some unique gameplay.
It is chit pull which makes it great for solo two handed play, but some people have complained it adds too much randomness to the game.
Most games, the counter density is low with minimal stacking.
Once the scenario is set up, the game can be as "sandboxy" as you want - you can try different strategies and see what happens. Depending on the chit-pull, you will get a different result each time.
It is one of my favorite systems - and I buy (and play) each title.
Let me know if you want more info
I posted a bunch of AAR's in the Blind Swords FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/671983123971688/posts/975202920316372/
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I played a "campaign" earlier this year, and played them in order.
That sounds really cool. Did you carry over unit "status" or disposition from game to game? Or just reset between each as you played them? Any hacks/ideas you'd want to share about how you did it?
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I've been looking at ACW games that use this system, and obviously, the majority are published by Revolution Games with, I think, 7 titles so far. There are also 2 games in the 'Shattered Union' series by FPG, although to honest, I'm not a great fan of that publisher for various reasons.
Apart from the games from the Franco-Prussian war, which I have played, I think that Legion Games have a pre-order game (still need 16 orders!) on the battle of Solferino which also uses the same system.
Are there any that I've missed?
At present, I'm considering either one of the TBP games or maybe 'Kernstown' from Revolution.
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I played a "campaign" earlier this year, and played them in order.
That sounds really cool. Did you carry over unit "status" or disposition from game to game? Or just reset between each as you played them? Any hacks/ideas you'd want to share about how you did it?
I did give a "bonus" to the "winner" in the next game. It was either a couple of extra artillery pieces (if available) or 1-2 extra event chits on the first couple turns of the game. It was fun to do that, not sure it impacted the outcome very much
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That is interesting. I really like the look of these games, especially 'Kernstown' and 'The Day was Ours' - do you have a 'favourite from the series?
I've downloaded the rules for 'Stonewalls Sword' which I believe is more-or-less the core rules for the series.
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I think I may be able to get me grubby little paws on a folio copy of Revolution Games 'Kernstown', and if so, I'll do an
unboxing un-bagging in due course.
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So, I now have 'Kernstown', but it would seem that a 'un-bagging' review has already been done by someone far more competent than I. ;D
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This is an amazing game system.
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evolved it into his Black Swan system that now powers The Hill of Death: Champion Hill and Claude Whelan’s Conquering the Valley: Cross Keys/Port Republic.
I played Champion Hill 2 weeks ago and it was fun. I got my butt kicked with some bad die rolling, but it was an interesting system.
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I think the system in the form that is used for the Revolution games is a little more involved.
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I think the system in the form that is used for the Revolution games is a little more involved.
I'm pretty sure you're right. As Rocky noted, the Black Swan system was more of an on-ramp for them
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That is slightly different again, as it uses a sort of 'demi-brigade' unit scale rather than regiments which are activated by brigade. The more I play the system, the more I like it.
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Are these systems really that different though? I know they can be either chit based or card based but I thought they played very similar. I haven't tried A Most Fearful Sacrifice yet I have no idea...yet.
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Yes, the base rules are very close. There is some adjustment to accommodate slightly different ground/unit scales, but the general principle is the same.
Maybe there is a slight difference in complexity from game-to-game, again depending on scale. From what I can see, the 'Shattered Union' version is a bit simpler than the Revolution Games series, while 'A Most fearful Sacrifice' look marginally more complex.
I've been playing all the 'Kernstown' scenario's quite extensively and have pretty much now had my few queries on the rules answered., so I now feel very comfortable with the series.
I shall be whispering in ears that the 'South Mountain' game would be a very welcome Birthday/ Christmas pressie..............
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It is a great system. Now I have to investigate Kernstown. And A Greater Victory. And... dang, Bob, see what you have done?!? :P
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lol - And, how can you not have a Bull Run game, so best add 'The Day Was Ours' to the list.
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:bigthumb:
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I've rarely been as impressed with a series of games as much as I am by these. Very much enjoying the system, and, if I'm ever in a position to do so, I would certainly buy more of them.
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What do you like about the series?
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The system in general I think really captures the period - lots of 'flavour'. Plus, I have grown to very much appreciate the late Rick Barber's artwork, which again, adds much to the period 'feel'.
Also, I've always thought that its interesting to play ACW where the units represent regiments (organised and activated as brigades) and batteries.
The whole thing really, not forgetting aspects such as the command system, the random events, the way cavalry is depicted and the wonderful combat system. I really have nothing negative to say about it, other than they are, for me, anyway, a bit expensive. I was looking at the South Mountain game, but with shipping, even from a 'local' retailer, it would be almost £100 ($122) which is crazy for a game that, in the US, would cost $85( +shipping extra).
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I think you've captured the way I feel about it as well. I can't wait to crack open A Most Fearful Sacrifice!
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I so wanted A Most Fearful Sacrifice...alas...table is too small (for main campaign)