ACW 10mm NOT 6mm!

[toxicpixie]

At least it gives the catering corps something to do post-battle

And they do look pretty! The new mounted sculpts are lovely.

[FierceKitty]

I know, I play SYW too, where I don't even have dismounted figures for dragoon regiments. I do have dismounted figures for the scramble for Africa regular forces, who are real cavalry but seem to dismount to shoot rather a lot. One of my opponents has even been known to attempt to form square with them when facing cavalry attack, in fact, but he's about to get married, so perhaps his attention is a bit divided.

[cbr3d.com]

Undoubtedly the best way to start is by purchasing or including in your purchase an 'Army Pack'.  The Army Pack contains 15 mounted figures (call them cavalry, dragoons, mounted infantry, or anything you like     ).  Now after acquiring this unit of mounted figures you may decide that you do not want anymore, but the thing is that at least by getting them in the Army Pack you have the 'OPTION' to use them.  What is more if considered as the cheap bag included in the Army Pack then they have only cost you a solitary, lonely, singular £1 coin, now that cannot be bad.   

[getagrip]

That's pretty much what I thought Fight.  I originally ordered 1 army pack and several "add on units" but, following discussion here, changed it.

Thanks also to Leon for accommodating my whims.

[petercooman]

I'm painting my union cavalry this weekend, pretty sculpts! I'll be using small numbers, just because i like them! i'll use them as reserves, riding where it is most needed, dismount and strengthen the line, or more historically, scouting forward, and holding an important objective (like high ground etc) untill the foot sloggers arrive, after wich the cavalry will be pulled back.

[Leman]

Isn't that called July 1st, 1863.

[petercooman]

Isn't that called July 1st, 1863.

Indeed, That's one battle most people know, so I found it fitting to base my cavalry tactics upon that. It's not that easy to incorporate the flanking moves and raiding parties on the table top unless your table represents a significant area.

Having them grab objectives and plugging gaps is the easiest to represent the cavalry on smaller tables.

I'll probably make my dismounted cavalry without horses on the base, and have the horseholders on a separate base to place behind my unit. That way they can represent skirmishing infantry when i con't use the cavalry in battle.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

But US cavalry are far less use than the English variety - they don't add any class.

IanS

[Last Hussar]

And the uniforms aren't as pretty.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

And the uniforms aren't as pretty.

Well there is one temporary Brigadier - guess...

IanS

[Westmarcher]

Interesting to see about 3 or 4 ACW threads currently kicking about on the forum. Whilst waiting for your order, Grip, here's a 3 minute clip just to keep you in the mood (sorry, no cavalry in this particular clip). Found it via the Krieg Spiel link in the Too Fat Lardies website.

 

btw ianrs54: answer is George Armstrong Custer?

[toxicpixie]

I'd watch Glory a few times, gets one in the mood

[getagrip]

Funnily enough, that's exactly what I've been doing!

[FierceKitty]

OK, tell me (and I'm not being nasty here): what is the appeal of ACW? It's so popular that I feel I must be missing something....

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Lots o Yanks around ?

IanS

[getagrip]

Personally, my first foray into historical stuff.  I was drawn to it because the history is well documented (could say that for many periods), there's a certain "hugeness" to it (again true for others), I love infantry (weird I know) and finally, it looks great.

Don't think this really answers your question very well but that's my 2p's worth.

[Ithoriel]

Arguably the first "modern" war - machine guns, wire, trenches, et al.

Lots of source material, written and photographic.

Extensive secondary sources.

A plethora of rules systems allowing games to be played at any level from "Once Upon A Time In The West" to BBB.

Basic troops are easy to paint but there are lots of interesting uniforms for those looking for such things.

Infinitely more engaging than bunches of savages with fancy-dress costumes cutting each other's hearts out

[FierceKitty]

Infinitely more engaging than bunches of savages with fancy-dress costumes cutting each other's hearts out

Yes, but I'm not talking about fantasy.

[Ithoriel]

Yes, but I'm not talking about fantasy.

Me neither

[fsn]

I like ACW. It's a lovely basic war to fight. You've got yer infantry, yer cavalry and yer artillery. One side dresses in blue. One side dresses in grey. They use the same weapons. 

I use it on the rare occasions when I introduce people to wargames.

Then, you can add levels of complexity. Differentiate between weapon types, add zouaves and other fancy units, butternut for the rebs, etc, etc.

What's not to love about the ACW?