Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Genre/Period Discussion => Firelocks to Maxims (1680 - 1900) => Topic started by: urbancohort on 19 July 2017, 04:59:27 PM

Title: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 19 July 2017, 04:59:27 PM
Dear all; because one can never have enough projects on the go, I am thinking about also starting a small AWI project.
Can anyone please recommend some rules suitable for period/scale?
Thanks

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Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Westmarcher on 19 July 2017, 05:27:09 PM
"Patriots & Loyalists" and "British Grenadier" spring to mind. There's also "Loose Files and American Scramble" (not to be confused with "Loose Flies and A Panicky Scramble ...") and Fat Wally's "Times That Try Men's Souls," which is his variation of "They Couldn't Hit an Elephant."

Unfortunately, I cannot comment on these as I have not played them. However, I have played "Black Powder" which is a good "go to" set with its AWI supplement (no special rules there but thoughtful and considered use of the existing rules plus loads of background info. including army orgs., uniforms and scenarios) and would recommend these. I also recommend Honours of War which, although for the Seven Years War, can be adapted to the AWI (see the Honours of War Forum).
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 19 July 2017, 09:12:38 PM
Black Powder or Volley & Bayonet.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: paulr on 20 July 2017, 01:33:23 AM
Greg Novak did a very good Wing scale supplement for Volley & Bayonet that gives a very good game
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Lanceflint on 21 July 2017, 08:58:57 PM
I have just placed a post under the "rules" section regarding a brand new set of AWI rules - Yankee Peas and Crackers!
They sound as if they maybe what you are looking for, simple, fast play, not requiring too many troops but still capable of handling battles.
Lance.
Title: Re: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 21 July 2017, 09:01:37 PM
Quote from: Lanceflint on 21 July 2017, 08:58:57 PM
I have just placed a post under the "rules" section regarding a brand new set of AWI rules - Yankee Peas and Crackers!
They sound as if they maybe what you are looking for, simple, fast play, not requiring too many troops but still capable of handling battles.
Lance.
Lance, I will check that out, thank you!

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Title: Re:
Post by: urbancohort on 22 July 2017, 04:38:01 AM
Lance, have placed an order on e-bay. Thanks

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Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Plampers on 31 July 2017, 12:26:13 PM
Had a look at sharp practice 2 by too fat lardies?

Great fun especially for smaller size conflicts. I am currently working on 10mm FIW and ACW for it. Though I have just ordered Black powder to try for larger battles.

Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: old smokie on 31 July 2017, 12:29:22 PM
QuoteLance, have placed an order on e-bay. Thanks

bought them and tried them a few days ago, I like them  :-bd
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Nosher on 31 July 2017, 01:50:13 PM
Sharp Practice 2 is excellent - ideal for AWI and French Indian Wars. Probably the best set of AWI rules I have ever played
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 31 July 2017, 01:58:31 PM
My favourites for skirmish are Muskets and Tomahawks and for big battles Maurice.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Chad on 31 July 2017, 05:10:01 PM
Guns of Liberty
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: cameronian on 31 July 2017, 05:22:22 PM
FOB 2 for everything.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Dr Dave on 11 August 2017, 03:12:47 PM
Quote from: urbancohort on 19 July 2017, 04:59:27 PM
Dear all; because one can never have enough projects on the go, I am thinking about also starting a small AWI project.
Can anyone please recommend some rules suitable for period/scale?
Thanks

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Black powder and their AWI supplement "Rebellion"
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Chris Pringle on 11 August 2017, 03:49:30 PM
And in case you don't have enough suggestions yet, you could take a look at what these guys did:
http://twomarshals.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/awi-bloody-big-battles-test-game.html

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Leman on 11 August 2017, 06:35:36 PM
'Honours of War,' although written for the SYW, has a number of devotees who have adapted it to the AWI - all the information is obtainable on the HOW website.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 21 August 2017, 03:58:03 PM
Thanks to all
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Dave Fielder on 26 August 2017, 10:04:30 PM
Enjoy this: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=449965
Honours of War: American War of Independence

The 'Continental' American Troops of the American War of Independence (AWI) were born from rebellion and rejection of Great Britain's insistence on taxation and control over a nation with a strong independent steak. As a result it was initially an army mixed with professional and amateur members, with differing levels of ability and discipline although always highly motivated to continue the was in spite of constant tactical pressure from the British forces. The forces can be broken into those before the Von Steuben Valley Forge reforms and the highly disciplined and effective force, retrained and reinforced with French Allies after Valley Forge. The period from Dec 1777 until June 1778 was a vital time for the future US Army. Von Steuben penned his 'Blue Book' which became the standard US Army Training Manual. These stats should give you a usable army in the Honours of War system; keeping it simple and streamlined don't worry about all those special abilities to leap tall trees and bound through forests, use the rules as written in the book.

Brigade Commanders
Dithering 1-2
Dependable 3-6
Dashing N/A

Move initiative
-1 before Valley Forge
No modifier After Valley Forge

Fire initiative   
No modifier

Formation change
Deduct full move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Movement to flank and rear   
Deduct ¾ move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Artillery   
Deduct full move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Infantry
Militias should be rated as inferior, mainly because they stank of wee a bit like Baldrick. Regular troops should be rated as standard, treat light units as regular due to their prowess in woods and irregular formations.
One light unit can be classed as rifle armed, probably not completely true but this provides a bit of flavour for the army.

Cavalry
Whilst good horseman the Continental Army did not have the training or logistics to properly support a cavalry corps and Von Steuben concentrated on infantry and artillery. Thus cavalry are considered inferior throughout the war.

Artillery
Initially poorly armed and prepared they should be rated inferior prior to Valley Forge and then Standard afterwards.

Generals
Brigade commanders were largely amateur or promoted from lower levels of command. They did get better over time but keep them as per above. George Washington should be rated as Dashing, simply because he was!!
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: mart678 on 27 August 2017, 03:04:54 PM
British Grenadier played some very large games using it also has senario's with different figure scale so you can fight the smaller also has the support of 4 very good scenario books
Title: Re: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 24 September 2017, 03:59:02 PM
Quote from: Dave Fielder on 26 August 2017, 10:04:30 PM
Enjoy this: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=449965
Honours of War: American War of Independence

The 'Continental' American Troops of the American War of Independence (AWI) were born from rebellion and rejection of Great Britain's insistence on taxation and control over a nation with a strong independent steak. As a result it was initially an army mixed with professional and amateur members, with differing levels of ability and discipline although always highly motivated to continue the was in spite of constant tactical pressure from the British forces. The forces can be broken into those before the Von Steuben Valley Forge reforms and the highly disciplined and effective force, retrained and reinforced with French Allies after Valley Forge. The period from Dec 1777 until June 1778 was a vital time for the future US Army. Von Steuben penned his 'Blue Book' which became the standard US Army Training Manual. These stats should give you a usable army in the Honours of War system; keeping it simple and streamlined don't worry about all those special abilities to leap tall trees and bound through forests, use the rules as written in the book.

Brigade Commanders
Dithering 1-2
Dependable 3-6
Dashing N/A

Move initiative
-1 before Valley Forge
No modifier After Valley Forge

Fire initiative   
No modifier

Formation change
Deduct full move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Movement to flank and rear   
Deduct ¾ move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Artillery   
Deduct full move before Valley Forge
Half move after Valley Forge

Infantry
Militias should be rated as inferior, mainly because they stank of wee a bit like Baldrick. Regular troops should be rated as standard, treat light units as regular due to their prowess in woods and irregular formations.
One light unit can be classed as rifle armed, probably not completely true but this provides a bit of flavour for the army.

Cavalry
Whilst good horseman the Continental Army did not have the training or logistics to properly support a cavalry corps and Von Steuben concentrated on infantry and artillery. Thus cavalry are considered inferior throughout the war.

Artillery
Initially poorly armed and prepared they should be rated inferior prior to Valley Forge and then Standard afterwards.

Generals
Brigade commanders were largely amateur or promoted from lower levels of command. They did get better over time but keep them as per above. George Washington should be rated as Dashing, simply because he was!!
Thanks for this. Will be starting on my 10mm AWI as soon as finances permit!

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Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: holdfast on 12 October 2017, 06:24:41 PM
Yesterday I had a canter through the new Command and Colours AWI Game with Mollinary and we were mightily impressed at the period feel of it. It comes with blocks for units as with others from the C&C stable but having played it once we were digging out the figures to convert it back to a figures game which it is crying out for.
Title: Re: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 13 October 2017, 09:35:09 AM
Quote from: holdfast on 12 October 2017, 06:24:41 PM
Yesterday I had a canter through the new Command and Colours AWI Game with Mollinary and we were mightily impressed at the period feel of it. It comes with blocks for units as with others from the C&C stable but having played it once we were digging out the figures to convert it back to a figures game which it is crying out for.
Holdfast, who is producing these rulds please? Not yet bought the figs but scoping and researching currently.

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Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: cameronian on 13 October 2017, 10:56:12 AM
Quote from: holdfast on 12 October 2017, 06:24:41 PM
Yesterday I had a canter through the new Command and Colours AWI Game with Mollinary and we were mightily impressed at the period feel of it. It comes with blocks for units as with others from the C&C stable but having played it once we were digging out the figures to convert it back to a figures game which it is crying out for.

Did you buy in the UK ? If so where pl.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: mollinary on 13 October 2017, 11:40:18 AM
Quote from: cameronian on 13 October 2017, 10:56:12 AM
Did you buy in the UK ? If so where pl.


Hi Cam,

I bought it from Gameslore, who seem to be based in Telford.

Mollinary
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: cameronian on 13 October 2017, 11:40:32 AM
Merci
Title: Re: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: mollinary on 13 October 2017, 11:41:51 AM
Quote from: urbancohort on 13 October 2017, 09:35:09 AM
Holdfast, who is producing these rulds please? Not yet bought the figs but scoping and researching currently.

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Hi,

This is the latest Richard Borg Commands and Colors Boardgame, produced by Compass games.

Mollinary
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 13 October 2017, 01:15:02 PM
Cheers.


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Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Nick the Lemming on 13 October 2017, 01:19:07 PM
I like Muskets and Tomahawks for skirmish games, and Maurice for larger games. Honours of War isn't bad too, but takes longer to play than I have time these days.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: hakejumble on 20 October 2017, 03:57:01 PM
We have always used black powder rules at Grimsby Wargames and they are so easy to follow. All variables are just hit modifiers and you can soon pick it up. The only thing that can get a bit confusing with it, is the melee section.

Jake
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: holdfast on 24 October 2017, 12:17:36 PM
I have now played the C and C AWI four times and it plays very nicely. As for other C and C the units are 4 blocks with stickers on which works well but it is very tempting to replace the blocks with 10mm or 15mm figures.
The nice nuance is that if a unit has to retreat it must always test against falling apart, which happens infrequently for regulars and frequently for militia. My only reservation is that British Regulars and Continental Regulars have identical factors in all respects which may not always have been the case.
A very good game for a club night as the game typically takes 90 minutes to two hours once you have played one game and got your head round the things that are special to these rules. 90% of the C and C rules mechanisms are unchanged though.
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Bunny on 06 December 2017, 11:03:50 AM
I recommend the Warlords Black Powder, with the Rebellion supplement
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: Womble67 on 06 December 2017, 12:34:28 PM
Quote from: Bunny on 06 December 2017, 11:03:50 AM
I recommend the Warlords Black Powder, with the Rebellion supplement

I would also agree Black Powder, with the Rebellion supplement definitely the way to go

Take care

Andy
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 25 December 2017, 07:39:58 PM
Thanks to everyone! Happy Xmas
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: holdfast on 29 December 2017, 07:33:05 PM
Has anyone out there tried the Command and Colors AWI Game that appeared in September?
Title: Re: American War of Independence Rules
Post by: urbancohort on 24 January 2018, 08:25:14 PM
Thank you all!