American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

Gm,

Hi, I'm Phil Fodera, a new recruit with an interest in civil war gaming. I'm from Manhasset NY, but spend time in Bethany Beach, Delaware. I am a retired CPA and spent most of my career as a CFO/Controller. I have been playing computer war games since the 1980s. I've played the classics such as Panzer General and Panzer Corps and many of the SSI games. I have plenty of revived games from Matrix and also love Strategic Command games. I have a renewed interest in the Civil War particularly Gettysburg and will soon be purchasing WDS Gettysburg. Besides the Civil War I love WWII which is my favorite era. I also enjoy board war games such as Battle Cry, Tide of Iron Next Wave, Memoirs 44, Axis and Allies and Ancients. I have also played miniatures such as Flames of War and recently Sarara 1888.

I have a lot to learn and remember!

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LT. Phil Fodera

Army of Northern Virginia
II Corps
2nd Division

Welcome.

After growing up with miniature and board wargames I couldn't believe my eyes when I first bought Panzer General and began to play it. I stayed up all night playing it; I was a tired boy at work the next day. It is effectively still available as Panzer Corps (as you probably know as you mentioned Matrix) although you should also look at OpenGeneral (https://www.open-general.com/) which will not cost a cent and has a better AI.

WDS Gettysburg is good to have [I have it] but I would recommend others ahead of it. I would suggest that others (like Shenandoah, Antietam, and Chickamauga) are better as they have more balanced and interesting scenarios.

What is Sarara 1888? Where is it available? I couldn't even find it when I searched for it.

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Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the welcome. Sorry I wrote the wrong title, the name of the miniature rule set of Sons of the Desert. It's my friends rule set and we played a scenario based on the Sahara Desert 1888. The rule set was completely lopsided as I was outnumbered 10 to 1 and outflanked.

Thanks for the information on Open General, I definitely want to try that game. I have played Panzer General, Panzer Corps I and II and will definitely like Open General.

Of the three games you recommended which is best for beginners? Which is best for solo play ? and which one is your favorite? I see WDS has a winter sale so I may buy a few.

Thanks again

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LT. Phil Fodera

Army of Northern Virginia
II Corps
2nd Division

Best for Solo Play

I would not recommend any of them as I have a very low opinion of the AI in those games. If you can not easily defeat the AI I would recommend a comprehensive reading of the information in the Training Academy, the CSA War College or pay a visit to the Southern Raiders War College (where I, and other Confederate members, will be pleased to answer any specific enquiries).

Best for Beginners

I would say Campaign Shenandoah. It has many well-balanced scenarios and the maps are not large. It was the one I started with and I played a game with just a couple of months ago. Although I now prefer them, the scenarios with large maps and many units can be confusing until you become accustomed to the games.

Favourites

Based upon those that I have played the most games in, I would say Antietam (both Manassas battles and some other good scenarios), Chickamauga (Perryville scenarios and Chickamauga plus variants [I'm currently playing Chickamauga, a great scenario but easy to lose if you don't play it right] and Shenandoah (Good's Farm and Cross Keys and their variants are great).
However, I do love the massive scenarios that appear in Overland (e.g. Fourth Epoch - 208 turns) and Peninsula (e.g. Seven Days - 407 turns). You need to find a good opponent before you embark on the big scenarios as slow responders would make them tedious affairs. I would recommend sticking to 'one-dayers' (less than 30 turns) until you find an opponent who does not dawdle [the devil tends to find work for idle hands].

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Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia

Lt. Fodera <salute>

Welcome to the ACWGC and indeed the CSA, a good choice on your part I suggest.

Good luck and good fortune in your battles ahead sir.

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Karl McEntegart
General
2nd Brigade
2nd (Gator Alley) Division
Army of Tennessee





Make my enemy brave and strong, so that if defeated, I will not be ashamed.

I hate saying this and it not sound biased, but I think the best overall game is Antietam. As for solo play, yes, the AI is no General Lee, or even Grant. Perhaps Hood-LOL. However, a number of titles, like Antietam have AI Challenge scenarios. These are specifically designed for solo play. And yes, they have been slightly altered to enhance the AI capabilities. Also, after selecting the scenario, and when you get to the rule's options, there is a balance slider. This will make it more or less difficult for whichever side you choose to favor. I am just saying there are options to play solo and have fun. Of course, this is a PBEM club, but 80% of all buyers play solo. And not everyone has the same skill level as say General Swanson. Who has thrashed me on several occasions very recently.

One last comment about solo play. The AI does better is small scenarios, with smallish maps and limited units. Hugh scenarios and meeting engagements should not be attempted solo unless you just want to move and kill the enemy.

Oh, and WELCOME

BTW, just curious, why, being from the North, have you chosen the South to affiliate to? This is not a criticism, just curious.

And I have played countless hours of Axis and Allies! Both the board game and online.

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Brigadier General Richard Walker
II Corps, 4th Division, 6th Brigade
Army of Tennessee
(JTS/WDS Scenario Designer)

Excellent info Sir, thank you kindly for sharing.

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Karl McEntegart
General
2nd Brigade
2nd (Gator Alley) Division
Army of Tennessee





Make my enemy brave and strong, so that if defeated, I will not be ashamed.

Cadet Phil Fodera <Salute>

Excellent posts sir - well done! I am looking forward to getting your studies completed at the ACWGC Academy and moving you on to field command.

Wishing you much fun and success in the battles to come!

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Lt. General Tim Reneau
Army of Tennessee
Commanding

ACWGC Academy Instructor

Welcome aboard Lt. <salute>

Always nice to have another old board war gamer join us. There are quite a few of us here. I too started back with AH and SSI games. I also love my Memoir 44 and especially Battle Cry when I can find an opponent here at the house. I am sure you will be a great asset to the winning side!

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Lt. Colonel Kent Scarbrough
5th Brigade
Swanson's 1st Division
Isgro's 1st Corp
Army of Northern Virginia

Love many, trust few, do harm to none.

Lt. Colonel Kent Scarbrough <Salute>

I enjoy both Memoirs 44 and Battle Cry. Thanks for the welcome, it's great to be here!

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LT. Phil Fodera

Army of Northern Virginia
II Corps
2nd Division

Welcome to the club son, it is good to see our southern manhood stepping up to the colours. The average Yankee (in fact they are all below average - I was just being nice) seeing all these young men flocking to the Southern cause will know they are doomed. If you ever want to leave the life of endless parades and just hanging around outside Richmond, come out west where the fighting is hottest and there are women and booze a plenty.

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General Cam McOmish

Brigade Commander
Alabama State Volunteers
Cleburne's Division
Hardee's Corps
(1/1/1)
Army of Tennessee
Confederate States of America

Welcome aboard Phil, I hope you enjoy many happy hours of gaming here with us.

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Major General TW Marshall

ACWGC President 2022 - 2025

Commanding Officer, 2nd (Gator Alley) Division, Stewart's Corps, Army of Tennessee

Welcome to the club. Always happy to see another noob like me.

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Loudscott
Lieutenant
Army of the Tennessee

Gents <Salute>

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It's great to be here with others that have a passion for the period and the WDS and the other John Tiller games titles. I hope to see you all on the battlefield either fighting by your side or against you.

May the spirit of fun and good gaming continue.

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LT. Phil Fodera

Army of Northern Virginia
II Corps
2nd Division