As I explained earlier, I maintain some continuity over our different ACW battles. In a sense it's somewhat old-school, but very effective in instilling a campaign feel over what otherwise would be a series of unlinked battles.
I use several mechanisms:
1. After each battle, the commanders who participated (they are drawn randomly from a stack of cards) roll for additional stats or something else that could have happened to them. I use a simple table for this:
Roll a die:
1-3: no pain nor gain
4-5: roll on the table below.
6: personal injury, roll on table below
1 Command Range increases by 1 (maximum 4). If already at 4, roll again.
2 Movement command bonus increases by 1
3 Fire command bonus increases by 1 (max +3)
4 Charge command bonus increases by 1(max +3)
5 Infantry command bonus increases by 1(max +3)
6 Cavalry command bonus increases by 1(max +3)
7 Artillery command bonus increases by 1(max +3)
8 Becomes older and less reactive ... Command range decreases by 1 (minimum 1). Roll again if CR already = 1.
9 Receives a nickname. Invent one.
10 Roll again.
1 Killed in action. Remove from campaign and replace by a new officer.
2 Loses an eye.
3 Loses an arm.
4 Loses a leg.
5 Scar in face.
6 Develops a drinking habit.
7 Horse shot and dead.
8 Deserts and switches sides.
9-10 Roll D10 + number of battles fight. If >=10 ==> retire. Remove from campaign and replace by a new officer.
2. Each player can name a unit that behaved exceptionally during the battle. Such units also roll on a table for some additional benefits:
Inf // L Inf // Cav // Art
1 +1 fire act // +1 act roll // +1 charge act // + 1 fire act
2 +1 move act // +1 move act // +1 move act // +1 move act
3 Roll again. // move roll “1” => 2 (subsequent 3 or 4) // move roll “1” => 2 // Roll again.
4 +1 firing die // +1 firing die // +1 melee die // +1 firing die
5 Starts game +1 Str // Starts game +1 Str // Starts game +1 Str // Starts game +1 Str
6 Nickname // Nickname // Nickname // Nickname
3. Units that were routed lose all accumulated bonuses, and start again but now with a regimental number one higher than before.
So, as an example after the Battle of Port Republic, we got the following for the Union:
- The Old Forester Fusiliers were routed, so in the next game they are named the 2nd Old Forester Fusiliers
- The Laphroaig Lancers were recommended by Phil for exceptional courage, the die roll said they will start the next game at +1 Unit Strength.
- The Basil Hayden's Big Guns were recommended by Eddy for bravery, and they deserve a nickname according to the rolled result. Since all unit names were generated by ChatGPT, as "imaginative names for American Civil War units inspired by whisky and bourbon brands", I did some googling, and it turned out Basil Hayden whisky originated as Old Granddad ... so the unit becomes "The Old Granddaddies".
I keep track of everything in an excel file, an equivalent to the old-school "wargaming journal".
A clever way to keep a narrative and interest in the progress (or demise) commanders and units as they are involved in various tabletop battles.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. It's a very light-weight mechanism, and also does provide some fun!
DeleteA great way to add some extra interest to the games. Maybe players will get a favourite unit who will be held in reserve for the decisive moment, like the Old Guard. 😊
ReplyDeleteThat's the idea. A few games are needed to build up a history ... But I try to keep it limited, each player can nominate 1 unit per game, otherwise it will become a jungle and not unique and special enough.
DeleteEs una gran idea para campañas y para hacer más personal tu ejército. Si no fuera por estos pequeños detalles, nuestros soldados sólo serían figuras de plástico.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias.
MM