28mm American Civil war

[Chrismck]

Hi guys,

Looking at starting American civil war with my father and thinking of getting this as a good starter set for us both.

https://www.goblingaming.co.uk/products/american-civil-war-battle-in-a-box-perry-miniatures-historical

I've heard its good value for money etc but there are better rulesets.

Any recommendations on rule sets and anything else 28mm ACW would be much appreciated. Always played modern or ww2 wargames so new theatre for me altogether!

Thanks

Chrismck

[Battle Brush Sigur]

Heyhey. Yup, the value is very good indeed. The cool thing about ACW in 28mm is that the Perrys got you well covered with relatively inexpensive (and very pretty) plastics for infantry, cavalry and artillery. Plus a ton of lovely metals they produce.

As far as rules go, I kinda enjoyed all of them I played. I rather enjoy Longstreet by Sam Mustafa, although getting the cards these days is rather impossible, and I'm not huge on having a hand of cards between me and the game really.

Guns at Gettysburg is perfectly alright, so is Bull Run to Gettysburg. Over Malvern Hill I think is good. Also check out Pickett's Charge (although it migth be a bit crunchy, but it entirely depends on your preferences).

[vtsaogames]

... Any recommendations on rule sets... 
Chrismck

What rules do you play for other periods? Might give a hint about what kind of games you like to play.

[Mindenbrush]

Depends on what size games you want to play, skirmish or big battles.

I have an 8’ x 5’ table which is good for 28mm skirmish games or small regimental games, perfect for 15mm Fire & Fury Regimental/Brigade games.

[traveller]

One way of doing it is to start with skirmish games and then expand into regimental level.

I like these for skirmish:

https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/rebels-and-patriots-9781472830227/

[vodkafan]

Like Traveller I also use Rebels and Patriots for ACW skirmish, about 60 figures a side.
A new set for ACW is just out in the Osprey Blue Books intended for big battles, With Hot Lead And Cold Steel, but I haven't played those yet.
The rules in the Perry set are somewhere in between they would be as good as any to start with I guess , Norm did a play through on his blog and compared them to other sets a while back.

[Glitzer]

Throws in "Brother against Brother" as rules reccomendation. Easy skirmish rules for ~ 20 to 200 minis per side.

[Chrismck]

What rules do you play for other periods? Might give a hint about what kind of games you like to play.

I play bolt action both street fighting and normal rules for ww2 and Spectre wargames for modern wargames.

[Chrismck]

Depends on what size games you want to play, skirmish or big battles.

I have an 8’ x 5’ table which is good for 28mm skirmish games or small regimental games, perfect for 15mm Fire & Fury Regimental/Brigade games.

I am open to both I have a 6' by 4' so it is probably good for both skirmishes and regimental games.

[Chrismck]

Thanks everyone for the rules recommendations I will have a look at them all. I'll see what the ruleset is like in the box as I think I have made my mind up that I will probably be getting that in the new year.

[Redshank]

Just to mention Bonnie Blue Flag as a regimental game option, written with 28mm in mind. It's quite simple and fast-playing. No casualty removal - units pick up attrition until they retreat.

I got to try it at Claymore last year and rather enjoyed it. Sadly not much ACW played since then.

[General Lee]

Can I give a shout out for With Hot Lead and Cold Steel? Recently released by Osprey Games

https://youtu.be/VnOPJncZivE?si=GlPL9ic2AKvE3iYQ

[Chrismck]

I see that warlord games have a ruleset based on their black powder ruleset called "Glory Hallelujah " does anyone have any experience with this?

Having played warlords rulesets before I am swaying towards this.

Definitely going for the Perry miniatures starter set.

Also see that warlord are releasing a 28mm ACW range which is will be interesting! I hope they are to the same standard as their WW2 minis.

[Chrismck]

Can I give a shout out for With Hot Lead and Cold Steel? Recently released by Osprey Games

https://youtu.be/VnOPJncZivE?si=GlPL9ic2AKvE3iYQ

I might even buy this as osprey books are awesome. Have lots of ww2 ones.

[bluewillow]

Lots of figures available in 28mm, Perry plastics are great value.

For skirmish rules I use Brother against Brother, for regimental I use Pickets Charge and Jonny Reb III for a grittier game.

Cheers
Matt