Update
Seem the page with my latest rules - "A
Perfect Sheet of Flame"
Iron Brigade
Miniature Rules - Background
I no
longer participate in the wargaming hobby, but since I spent
so much time developing these rules and the associated assist program,
I figured I would make them available on this web site. At one time I
did market and sell a few copies. The rules have a long history, an
early
version being published in 1976. As a matter of fact TSR was thinking
of publishing them under their label back then, but decided instead,
to concentrate their limited resources on the newly created Dungeon and
Dragons Fantasy game. Back then, most ACW rules were tactical in
nature,
and these rules are no different. Each unit represents a regiment of
infantry
or cavalry or a battery of artillery. Though the current version is
still
tactical in nature, the rules themselves bear little resemblance to the
1976 version. Also the rules were developed around 25 mm miniatures,
which was the standard back then, but they should work fine with the
15 mm armies that now predominate.
Unique
Morale/Unit Integrity system
Iron Brigade has a unique 8 step morale/unit
integrity system that really will give the players the sense of an army
slowly losing it's effectiveness as the battle goes on. Each unit
losses effectiveness as it takes causalities or makes moves that could
reduce cohesion. Personality figures play a vital role as they help
rally troops on the brink of collapse. Fresh reserves can play a vital
role as they fill the hole in the line or provide the punch to break a
wavering enemy. These miniature wargame rules will give the player a
feeling of immanent collapse or victory not seen in any other system.
Games played by these rules will also result
in a casualty rate very similar to actual battles. Your wargame armies
are not so much destroyed on the field as driven from it, much like a
historical
army is.
Simple to Learn and Play
Iron Brigade has an integrated
fire/morale and
simple movement system that is quite easy to learn and play.
Macintosh
Assist Program
If you have access to a Macintosh computer,
the assist program calculates casualties and maintains
morale/unit integrity for each unit in your army, making a simple
system even easier to use.
Much Useful Historical Information Included
You may or may not have fun with the rules themselves, but you may be
interested in some of the information which is contained in the battle
book, which has additional rules, plus all sorts of information on the
weapons used during the American Civil War.
One last thing. These rules are copyrighted and use is limited to personal entertainment purposes, only. Commercial use or redistribution without the consent of the author is prohibited.
Note that I've been considering changing the free download to a minimal $2.50 charge (through lulu.com) to help defray cost of maintaining this web site. Let me know how this would affect your download decision.