GCACW

panzerde · January 04, 2015, 04:29:56 PM

Anyone playing Great Campaigns of the American Civil War? I just picked up Stonewall Jackson's Way 2 and am watching a series of Youtube videos to learn the game. The VASSAL module seems so well done I'm considering not even punching the counters and just playing this on the computer.

I've been poking around for operational depictions of the campaigns of the ACW and this series seems largely to be it, both computer and board game. I read books about the campaigns and then can't find any way to game them at that level! I'm hoping this scratches that itch. The series seems to have a pretty big following. So, anyone played these?

Nefaro · January 04, 2015, 09:22:03 PM

I've never seen an operational ACW tabletop game laid out. Don't recall noticing any in the past, either. They were either at the battle level or grand strategy. An operational one actually sounds interesting whereas I often passed on the others.

panzerde · January 04, 2015, 09:48:28 PM

Quote from: Nefaro on January 04, 2015, 09:22:03 PM
I've never seen an operational ACW tabletop game laid out. Don't recall noticing any in the past, either. They were either at the battle level or grand strategy. An operational one actually sounds interesting whereas I often passed on the others.

Exactly my thoughts.

Here's the start of the Youtube series I'm watching:

The more I watch these and read about this system the more it looks like a fast and simple to play but engaging system. Hoping to finish the videos this evening and try a first scenario.

If nothing else, the maps are great. I want them just as a reference when I'm reading.

GJK · January 04, 2015, 10:52:40 PM

Quote from: panzerde on January 04, 2015, 09:48:28 PM
If nothing else, the maps are great. I want them just as a reference when I'm reading.

I've had my eye on this series for some time as the scale is quite intriguing. Plus, you can't go wrong with maps drawn by Charlie Kibler!

Bison · January 05, 2015, 06:22:57 AM

I'm not sure I'd ever use the words "fast and simple" to describe a game from MMP. :D

I'm still struggling to get into the Regimental/Brigade Series, of course it's a different scale and mechanics. I'd be interested to hear your feedback on this one.

Ubercat · January 05, 2015, 09:42:53 AM

Quote from: Bison on January 05, 2015, 06:22:57 AM
I'm not sure I'd ever use the words "fast and simple" to describe a game from MMP. :D

I would. "Storm over Stalingrad". So fast, simple, and boring that I sold my copy at WBC 2014 last summer after 1 play. I love OCS, though, and I'm slowly getting into ASL.

bayonetbrant · January 05, 2015, 11:59:44 AM

Doug - you might want to check this guy out... it's a scale above where you're working on GCACW, but might interest you
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=369137

GJK · January 05, 2015, 05:36:39 PM

QuoteA battle even the size o Gettysburg can be resolved in 10 min to help keep things rolling.

Ole' Bobby Lee would of loved that feature!

panzerde · January 05, 2015, 05:53:58 PM

Quote from: Bison on January 05, 2015, 06:22:57 AM
I'm not sure I'd ever use the words "fast and simple" to describe a game from MMP. :D

I'm still struggling to get into the Regimental/Brigade Series, of course it's a different scale and mechanics. I'd be interested to hear your feedback on this one.

Fair point! I was never able to get into the Brigade Series either. I did dig out my original copy of "In Their Quiet Fields" the other day to take a look but I haven't set it up yet. My version is the one from The Gamers. No idea yet if that means the rules are simpler or more complex than the current iteration.

So far I'm struck by the similarity of the GCACW to systems like Men of Iron and Musket and Pike in terms of trading activations by formation and the speed of movement and combat resolution. The play I've watched on Youtube impressed me with how the system seemed to capture a lot of the problems generals of the time had moving troops.

Anyway, going to give it a try tonight after I finish the DC:CB turn I owe Cyrano.

panzerde · January 05, 2015, 05:55:02 PM

Quote from: bayonetbrant on January 05, 2015, 11:59:44 AM
Doug - you might want to check this guy out... it's a scale above where you're working on GCACW, but might interest you
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=369137

Thanks Brant, that does look interesting. Three month turns seems a bit coarse resolution though!

Bison · January 05, 2015, 07:41:22 PM

Quote from: Ubercat on January 05, 2015, 09:42:53 AM
I'm slowly getting into ASL.

Me too. I have two huge boxes of counters to punch and sort and store and the rule book to peruse. Mostly I setup a few counters from the SK and play through the starter rules to try and remember and understand the turn sequence.

GJK · January 05, 2015, 10:43:47 PM

We need to get a group together for some ASL(SK) one of these days...I keep saying that. :)

I'd also be up for some CWBS. I did a number of the vassal modules for that series. Fun game system that is really pretty simple to learn...it "clicks" after a few turns. It pbem's very very well also.

panzerde · January 05, 2015, 11:06:02 PM

^ I would be up for either, though I need to get back into ASL after many years gone from it.

bayonetbrant · January 05, 2015, 11:18:58 PM

Quote from: panzerde on January 05, 2015, 05:55:02 PM
Thanks Brant, that does look interesting. Three month turns seems a bit coarse resolution though!

It's strategic level... 3 months is probably about right :)

Bison · January 06, 2015, 06:13:16 AM

Quote from: GJK on January 05, 2015, 10:43:47 PM
We need to get a group together for some ASL(SK) one of these days...I keep saying that. :)

I know...unfortunately life is busy these days and will only get busier for me in a few months. /sigh/ I will endeavor to punch and sort all of my counters over the next decade however. The key will not be adding a bunch more to the collection.