Some ACW rules changes

The ACW rules we use are house rules. They evolved from the "Brother vs Brother" set which we used in the late 90s, but we gradually adapted them after every game we played. After the solo "Battle of Salem Cemetery" game I played (see previous blogposts), I again adapted some of the rule mechanisms.

• Morale responses. The whole game is given flavour by rolling on a table when a unit has to check for morale. All sorts of effects can be rolled for, sometimes amusing. I updated the current table somewhat, to streamline it w.r.t. other rule mechanisms. A couple of iterations ago, we also had "morale" checks for charging units (and those who received a charge), and I streamlined those as well, by making them seperate response tables, without them interfering with the overall morale tables.
  
• Combat Resolution: The resolution of melee was done by comparing dice - the so-called SCRUD mechanism - and modifiers due to tactical or terrain factors meant adding or taking away dice from the dice pool. Artillery and fire resolution was also done by rolling dice, but modifiers were by modifying the die roll. I changed thus to adding/subtracting dice to the dice pool as well, so both combat resolution mechanism use the same set of modifiers.
  
• Charge: Our units have variable move distances, and thus, it was possible that a charging unit came up short. I changed this such that a charging unit would always reach its target, but every hex needed above its rolled for charge distance means an additional die subtracted from the dice pool.
  

 I have a new game setup, we'll see how these changes work out.

Lay-out for the new ACW game, based on "Adapt or Survive" in the latest issue of WSS.