"FOR THE PEOPLE" GMTGames

 

There are several reasons that makes this ACW (american civil war) game a "must" for me, ...must own, and must play. It is a CDG game, so it means that you can play it perfectly by mail (vassal or cyberboard) specialy if you use ACTS (fantastic card track system). With all the topics that makes CDG games so special, lots of things to do, lots of possibilities, but you must take just one. You can play all the ACW in one afternoon. You will have to deal with (of course)  military operations, political topics (international  support, trade, etc), naval blockade, and one of the things likes me most is that leaders are ranked  using their political abilities, so if you have in the same space Sherman and Butler it's a pity for you but Butler will be in charge.

I have played the whole campaign several times, and I find that is easier to play with North, lots of men to recruit, cheap forts, all naval power at your disposition, and several places to attack for keeping confederation busy (Texas, Florida, Mississipi forts, Kentuky and West Virginia). Main problems are:  leaders are very bad at the begining (not only in their offensive or defensive abilities) specially in their activation rating. Almost all of them are "3" leaders, it means that with an average card hand you are almost still. A desesperate lack of cavalry, and an eternal worry about not loosing your capital.

On the other hand playing South is very, very funny (...but think tahtyou will likely lose the war). You have better leaders, less activation ratings, lots of cavalry, several places to attack or raid (Senandoah, West Virginia, Kentucky) or even straight to Frederick.  But obviously it is not so easy, you have to deal with very strong problems: lower replacement rates, blockade asphyxia,  and Union power always threatening you everywhere to avoid you crossing lots of points.

I am now playing the FtP 2011-2103 tournament. after five rounds I'm in the consolation bracket (4 victories and 1 defeat) playing semifinals against a tough buddy Michael Mitchell. I will try to make a report of every turn we do.