AWI rules?

[Redshank]

Happy New Year, fellow LAFers!

As one project nears the finishing line, I am starting to think about the next one, which will be AWI (New York campaign to start with).

I am looking for views on battle-scale rules, that is, not skirmish. Want to try White Plains or Harlem Heights.

I've tried Live Free Or Die and Black Powder, although for other periods. Both were OK but I'm still looking. With Black Powder, I wasn't so keen on the need for special rules to tailor it to the period - seemed a bit fiddly. With LFoD, one of our group felt the mechanic of rolling for command points seemed too swingy - although I was refereeing so I didn't get the same impression.

Other possibilities in the mix are British Grenadier! and Regimental Fire&Fury (AWI variant, obviously).

I would be particularly interested in how good a fit RF&F is for the period, as I really like the look of the rules but I can't find much online.

[CapnJim]

We've used Black Powder (and still sometimes do).  But we like Saratoga Soldiers (a variant of Gettysburg Soldiers).  There are some battle reports using these rules on both my AWI and ACW threads...

[FifteensAway]

Try and find Guns of Liberty by Eric Burgess - visit his blog Din of Battle.  Just don't hold your breath for his "3rd edition" - that is been in the works longer than this century is old, try and track down the 2nd edition.  But very good rules for the AWI.

[vtsaogames]

Loose Files and American Scramble, free here https://www.wfgamers.org.uk/andy-callans-articles/loose-files-and-american-scramble

[LazyStudent]

Personally I'd recommend British Grenadier. It's a great set of rules and I've played many an AWI battle with them. The rules are crunchy enough to give dilemmas while not being as slow as the Napoleonic version. I've only got a passing knowledge of RF&F, it might be a little too large scale though. Some of the battalions in the AWI were more company sized. I guess it's a case of get both and trial run then solo first.

[SteveBurt]

Another option is Maurice, which works well for AWI.
The card driven system might not be to everyone’s taste, but it gives a good game with plenty of interesting player decisions.

[fred]

With LFoD, one of our group felt the mechanic of rolling for command points seemed too swingy - although I was refereeing so I didn't get the same impression.

I’ve not gamed this period (yet!) LFoD is high on my list of rules to try. If the swingyness of command points is the only challenge there would be several ways to moderate this - which would seem a very simple tweak to the rules if the rest of the set works for you.

Maurice is an interesting suggestion - it never occurred to me for this period. Would certainly need a bit of thinking around force construction as this is more focused on typical European forces.

[SteveBurt]

Maurice has an AWI scenario in the rules: Brandywine

[Jemima Fawr]

I've also got a soft-spot for 'British Grenadier!' and the fact that I lose... constantly... strangely hasn't dampened my enthusiasm. 

http://www.jemimafawr.co.uk/2022/09/02/my-return-to-the-awi-the-battle-of-white-plains-28th-october-1776/

[Redshank]

Thanks for all the great replies.

The choice of rules will affect basing, but it will take me a while to get on with the painting, so I have time to try with cardboard cut-outs while I plod along.

I've also got a soft-spot for 'British Grenadier!' and the fact that I lose... constantly... strangely hasn't dampened my enthusiasm. 

http://www.jemimafawr.co.uk/2022/09/02/my-return-to-the-awi-the-battle-of-white-plains-28th-october-1776/

Your blog is one of my inspirations - keep up the losing!

[Pan Marek]

I'll second "The Guns of Liberty".  A bit old school, but they have a period feel and are not fiddly like British Grenadier.  You can join their Facebook Page, and ask questions
(which get answered!).   The author will likely hook you up with a PDF of the rules.

I agree that the 3rd edition is not likely to appear.