AWI beginner advice?

[braxenk]

Hello,

I am not entirely a beginner in wargaming as I have been playing a lot of Napoleonics (General d'Armee, Lasalle, Blucher, Big Battle Napoleonics).

I am slowly assembling information, army list but I was wondering whether you could put me on the tracks.

Here are my questions, if you could spare a bit of your knowledge to a total novice in AWI.

a) Rules: I am thinking of using Maurice with National advantages. L have "Live Free or Die" but I'd prefer a set of rules that is not too demanding in terms of figures, and preferably with army list and points so we can build opposing forces for pickup games, around 12 units a side. Any recommendation?

b) unit composition: Our current convention for Napoleonics is to base each unit
-8 figures with command on 2.5 x 5 cm base
-8 fusiliers on 2.5 x 5 cm base
-4 voltigeurs on 2.5 x 2.5 cm base
-4 grenadiers on 2.5 x 2.5 cm base

Is this convention working for AWI or do I need to adapt the quantities?

c) Starter lists?:
Can you suggest a starter list for American (including French) and for British (Hessians), around +-12 units?
Not necessarily super historical, but something fun to collect, that makes sense as a wargame army to enjoy in friendly games.

For example, for French Napoleonics, I'd use as a starter list something like:
-4 x line infantry
-1 x light infantry
-1 x grenadier unit
-1 x foot artillery
-1 x hussars
-2 x chasseurs a cheval
-1 x cuirassiers
-1 x horse artillery

thank you, it would be helpful as beginner's milestones into AWI wargaming.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

For rules look at "Rebels and Patriots" which will easily handle the troops you are suggesting. Also search for "Valour and Fortitude, which are free and cover the entire period. Sorry no link here though

[braxenk]

For rules look at "Rebels and Patriots" which will easily handle the troops you are suggesting. Also search for "Valour and Fortitude, which are free and cover the entire period. Sorry no link here though

Thanks, isn't "Rebels and Patriots" large skirmish?

[kustenjaeger]

This blog entry might be useful:
https://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2013/02/maurice-awi-campaign.html

Edward

[fred.]

I've now read the title of this properly, was surprised that Maurice would work for ACW.

AWI makes a lot more sense!!

AWI armies were very infantry heavy.

On the scale you are looking at 1 foot artillery and 1 cavalry unit per side will likely be plenty.

Infantry wise 2 skirmishers per side, and 2 Grenadiers for the British make sense. Depending on when in the war some to many Militia units for the Americans.

The Live Free or Die rules and Scenarios might be worth a look - can't recall how much is available for free (but even the purchase price is quite low). Edit - really failing on reading comprehension today - see you already have LFoD - so even if you don't use them as is, they will give you a good feel for the proportion of troops.

[fred.]

Thanks, isn't "Rebels and Patriots" large skirmish?

Yes. 


I think Maurice is a solid choice - we played it a lot for WSS back when it came out

[streetgang]

I'm a big fan of Maurice and have played a few AWI scenarios using the rules. I don't necessarily think it's the ideal ruleset for the AWI because I'm not sure it captures skirmishing and irregular type units the best for North American warfare. That being said, I did enjoy refighting Brandywine with Maurice.

Another option is LittleWarsTV's Live Free or Die rules.

For the AWI, I would suggest choosing a battle or a campaign and then building armies around that battle or campaign. The armies at Cowpens were very different than Bunker Hill or Saratoga.

[fred.]

Basing wise, I think Maurice prefers square bases. But I used quite a lot of 40x20mm bases just counting as double size.

As to figure density - go with what looks good to you, you might squeeze 3x2 figures on a 25mm width base - which looks good for tightly ranked troops. But rules wise it doesn't matter. Dropping to 3 figures on a base for skirmishers will likely look good

[braxenk]

thanks all for the small advice. Every bit helps.

I am thinking of the following starter armies (later war), are the proportions and quantities in the right direction?

Americans
• 4 x Continental Line Infantry
• 1 x Continental Light Infantry
• 1 x Continental Riflemen
• 3 x French Line Infantry
• 1 x French Chasseurs
• 1 x Cavalry in cap
• 1 x Continental Artillery (6 pdr)

British
• 3 x British Line
• 1 x Converged Grenadiers
• 2 x Hessian Line
• 1 x Hessian Jäger
• 2 x Loyalist
• 1 x Tarleton's British (Cavalry)
• 1 x British Artillery (6 pdr)

I am leaning towards late war.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Cavalry plays a far smaller role in tye Americas than any other contemporary conflict. Most action feature tint amounts, if any.
Also, US militia are beautiful sculpts, would highly recommend them.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Thanks, isn't "Rebels and Patriots" large skirmish?

Tried to reply yesterday and Crome crashed. The actual answer is yes but... At Phalanx we are using the realated "Pikemans Lament" to do a display on the Battle of Nantwich. Also seen R&P usedv for severalNappy games at club. There several adaptions on Facebook page.

[braxenk]

Tried to reply yesterday and Crome crashed. The actual answer is yes but... At Phalanx we are using the realated "Pikemans Lament" to do a display on the Battle of Nantwich. Also seen R&P usedv for severalNappy games at club. There several adaptions on Facebook page.

thanks. What type of adaptation would you suggest to make it work with units between 16 to 24 10mm figures?

[clibinarium]

Americans
• 4 x Continental Line Infantry
• 1 x Continental Light Infantry
• 1 x Continental Riflemen
• 3 x French Line Infantry
• 1 x French Chasseurs
• 1 x Cavalry in cap
• 1 x Continental Artillery (6 pdr)

British
• 3 x British Line
• 1 x Converged Grenadiers
• 2 x Hessian Line
• 1 x Hessian Jäger
• 2 x Loyalist
• 1 x Tarleton's British (Cavalry)
• 1 x British Artillery (6 pdr)

I am leaning towards late war.

You might be better off with American Milita or State troops instead of the French infantry. The French aren't really present at the significant field battles inland. They are very significant at the coastal sieges of Savanah and Yorktown, but those are very specific scenarios.
Those ratios of Frnech infantry would be interesting in "What If?" battles though.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Adaptions - increase number of casualties, think we went with 18 for infantry in PL. Have enough comanders, say 2 per side. Its not too bad in R&P since a unit failure does not mean an end of turn. Looking at the force lists directly above it should handle those well.

[braxenk]

Adaptions - increase number of casualties, think we went with 18 for infantry in PL. Have enough comanders, say 2 per side. Its not too bad in R&P since a unit failure does not mean an end of turn. Looking at the force lists directly above it should handle those well.

Thanks, I will try. Just finishing a HYW army, and, AWI is next on the painting table.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Enjoy....