Last Chance for Victory (MMP) - "7.9 The Best Three Hours..."

Game: Last Chance for Victory (LCV)
Publisher: Multiman Publishing (MMP)
Series: Line of Battle (LoB) 2.0
Scenario: 7.9 The Best three hours of Fighting Anywhere
Participants: Bob H, Myself
Time: 2/20 ~ 7.00PM - 9.30PM
           2/23 ~ 1.00PM - 4.00PM

The second edition in the Line of Battle series is out and has been getting a lot of attention in St Louis since its release. Last Chance for Victory is Series designer Dean Essig's addition to the Gettysburg collection of simulations. This release also introduces the version 2.0 LOB rules. The package is impressive. The game comes with six maps, four of them when placed together represent the entire area around Gettysburg. The other two maps represent the major area's of the first and second day of the battle. These maps are for use with many of the small and medium sized scenario's included with the game. There are a total of 22 scenario. This is a blessing to those of us who are likely never to have the opportunity to play then entire campaign, but are more then willing to play (and replay) the many interesting smaller scenarios over and over again. The map itself is an impressive recreation of the terrain in and around Gettysburg in 1863. The counters are in the same format as the previous edition in the LoB series (None But Heroes).

While all of the physical components are first rate, its the words in the rules, scenarios and designer/historical notes that I am most impressed with. The v2.0 rules make several improvements to the already impressive v1.0 edition. These include a streamlined Orders process, Hexside terrain, new Artillery staking rules (Artillery cannot stack with other types of combat units), LOS Chart and many others. The areas in the rules that have changed are clearly identified and in many cases there is a text box with notes concerning the logic behind the changes. For me though the Historical and Design notes are worth the price of the game alone. They contain fascinating insight into the designers thought process, reasoning and historical research. There are nearly 20 pages of this and its easily some of the most interesting reading I have done by a game designer sharing his thoughts on a wide range of topics and how he translated his passion for this period into a clean and effective yet highly playable simulation.

I could go on for hours...but lets get to the game. First a little about what we have been doing with the game here in STL since its release. My two primary face to face partners are both passionate ACW regimental scale fans. They have played most of all of these systems over the years, while this is my first and only time playing an ACW regimental scale game. It was their passion for the initial LOB game that got me interested and I am very grateful to them for introducing me to this series. So when the game was released we immediately started playing. There is a very nice little training scenario with its own 8x11 map (the map is only about 50% of the page, the rest covers the units and details for the scenario. After playing that one a couple times we moved on to play some of the smaller scenario's (2nd battle of McPherson's Ridge, Flying Dutchmen). These are great scenario's as they are light on the orders and command areas in the rules and allow the player to focus on playing the scenario using the pre defined orders that the actual sides had in the real thing.

The Best Three Hours of Fighting Anywhere (7.9) covers Longstreet's Assault on the exposed III Corps of the Army of the Potomac (2nd day of the battle). The scenario starts at 3.45PM and goes until 8.00PM (turns are 15 minutes each). The scenario uses the 2nd day map (again I can't express how nice it is to have these two maps included in the game). While the scenario starts out with about three divisions of CSA units (Longstreet's two divisions and most of Anderson's) and all the III and II Corps of the AoP, not all of those units are active at the start of the scenario, the 'In Echelon' orders that the CSA player is under means that you start out with only one of the divisions active (Hood's), with the others coming online throughout the scenario. Bob will be playing the CSA side while I will play the US forces.

Initial set Up, Orders and Objectives

Initial Set Up

Bob's Orders start with Hood's Division opening the assault on the Union left. His units are to attack into the Rose's Woods, The Wheat Field the then up the Emmitsburg Road towards Cemetery Ridge. Hood is to lead off the attack at once (start of scenario) and then wheel left to maintain contact with McLaw's Division. McLaw's is to attack with Kershaw and Semmes at 4.45PM (4 turns into the scenario), Barksdale and Wofford's brigades are to join the assault at 6.00PM. McLaw's Division is to wheel left so as to attack up the Emmitsburg Road towards Cemetery Ridge. Anderson is to directly assault Cemetery Ridge beginning at 6.30PM.

The victory conditions consist of the CSA player accomplishing three goals. First the Alexander Artillery Battalion is to move its HQ to S9.28 (the Peach Orchard) and unlimber its guns so that they can apply direct fire to Cemetery Ridge. Second, the CSA player needs to clear out the Wheat Field of Union combat units. Finally at least 10SP of CSA Infantry must be within 3 hexes of N58.40 (Cemetery Ridge).

The Union player starts with Sickles' III Corps deployed awkwardly along the Emmitsburg Road, then curving back to the Wheat Field with the left flank resting on Devil's Den (in front of Little Round Top). Hancock's II Corps has two Divisions posted on Cemetery Ridge, these units are not able to be given orders until 5.00PM. The Union player also has units of V Corps arriving as the scenario starts behind the Union lines. These arriving brigades have movement orders (two brigades actually have attack orders) that have them moving in behind the lines of III Corps. The exception is Vincent's brigade, which moves to a spot and then allows Vincent to write his own orders assuming he can make a Command role (easy as Vincent is a 4 Leader). This allows the historical performance to develop in the defense of Little Round Top. The Union player also has the AoP Artillery Reserve deployed behind the lines that is free to (via Posting and Initiative Orders) move itself forward into the fray (which happened historically).

As you can see, this is not a simple attacker/defender scenario. The CSA player is attacking yes, but the Union player is actively trying to plug holes and deploy his forces once they arrive. Bob and I are excited as this scenario will be our first real work out with writing orders and using the new command rules in v2.0. We've already reset the scenario once as we (that is "I' totally blew that) totally blew the use of the AoP Artillery Reserve (which is important).

Hood Moves out (3.45PM to 4.15PM)

Start of the 4.00PM Turn

As we are now actually doing these opening turns for the second time in a few days, we quickly move through them. Confederate Artillery starts things off by opening up all along the line at exposed Union units (range 5-10). These are mostly noise making shots, however when its my turn I pull back several of the exposed units to be out of LOS so as to not expose them to prolonged shelling. I lose a gun or two and a couple regiments involuntarily reposition themselves to the rear...and then it quiets down as Hood's leading brigades enter Rose's Woods and approach Devil's Den.

Law's Alabama Brigade at Devil's Den 4.15PM

Ward's Brigade standing firm on Houck's Ridge and Devil's Den (4.30PM)

Bob decides to have Law's Brigade attack the Southern portion of Devil's Den with Robertson's Texas Brigade supporting them. G. T. Anderson's Brigade is on the left of Robertson moving towards the Wheat field. Law's initial attacks against the 4th Maine and Smith's Battery go very poorly. Several failed moral checks or failed closing rolls shockingly stop these attacks cold. I move the 99th PA over to cover the left of the 4th MA while the rest of Ward's (2/1/3) brigade start the engage Benning's GA Brigade. Bob is electing to shot instead of charging in several cases and I think he's being to protective of his units as he's not making much progress at all. My dice are of course also the reason Ward's Brigade is making such a fine stand.

Start of 4.30PM Turn

Meanwhile I am using Initiative Orders to deploy two Artillery Brigades (Ransom's 1 Reg Arty and Robertson's 1 Horse Arty) forward to set up behind Devil's Den and the Wheat field. Vincent arrives and I write movement orders for him to move to Little Round Top and defend it (I couldn't help myself here...even though at the time of the decision Ward is still holding onto Devil's Den and Bob is not faring much better in the Wheat Field. Our interpretation of Vincent's special rules means that I can again use an Initiative attempt of his to write new orders, which I can either make an Attack or a Movement order.

G.T. Anderson's Brigade bumps into de Trobriand's (3/1/3) Brigade on the Western side of the Wheat Field. Again here Bob has limited success as the Union regiments here make some impressive morale checks to stand against those big Georgia Regiments of Anderson's.

G.T. Anderson's Brigade has some success West of the Wheat Field (4.30PM)

McLaw's Joins (4.45PM to 5.00PM)

Start of 4.45PM Turn

The fighting on Devil's Den and on the outskirts of the Wheat Field rage on with the Union trading SP for time. Bob's losses are mounting but nearly all of the combats for these couple turns are in the Unions favor and as 4.30 approaches I am amazed the most of my initial III Corps line is still holding. Meanwhile I have roughly three Brigades now in the area, two of which actually have attack orders (Sweitzer [2/1/5] and Tilton [1/1/5]) pointing them at the Wheat Field. Vincent is deployed on Little Round Top along with two batteries.

Ward starts to give way (4.45PM)

The Wheat Field (4.45PM)

4.45PM is the turn that the tide starts to turn at the Triangle and Houck's Ridge (Devil's Den). The 4th MA (B, R6) is pushed out of the Devil's Den hex after holding it much longer then I though they would. Smiths Battery is down to three guns (A, R6) and amazingly still sitting atop Houck's Ridge. Ward and the 124th NY are still holding the Triangle while the 86th NY falls back. The last Regiment in Ward's line, the 20th IN (B, R8) is trading SP's with the 1st TX (A, R9).

V Corps Arrives in the Wheat Field (Union turn 4.45PM)

In the Wheat Field, Anderson is finally pushing the Michigan Regiments back with the 59th GA (B, R11) having the most success driving straight into the edge of the Peach Orchard. On my turn Sweitzer and Tilton both roll into the Wheat Field and bump into the 1st and 5th TX Regiments from Robertson. V Corps is on the scene! McLaw's leads off with Kershaw approaching the Peach Orchard with Semmes right behind him.

Start of 5.00PM turn (CSA side of the map)

None But Heroes (MMP) - "The Cornfield"

Game: None But Heroes (MMP)
Series: Line of Battle
Scenario: "The Cornfield"
Participants: Bob H, Myself
Time: 6/26 ~ 2.00PM - 4.00PM
         6/29 ~ 7.30PM - 10.00PM
          7/4 ~ 3.00PM - 4.30PM

The Line of Battle (LoB) series is MMP's renewed entry into the regimental level ACW field. Units are regiments and batteries. Strength point represent around 100 infantry or a single artillery piece. Hexes are roughly 100 yards and turns represent fifteen minutes. This is the third entry into this space by "The Gamers" Dean Essig. From my many conversations with HeavyD and Bob, as well as Mr. Essig's excellent designer notes, LoB is expressly designed to simplify his previous systems and correct a few issues with how the previous series rules drove players to do things that didn't look much like what happened on the field.

This is my first foray into regimental scale ACW games. Nearly all of my previous ACW gaming has been spent with GCACW. Both of my main gaming partners are big fans of regimental ACW games having played nearly all of them. Their collective enthusiasm for games of this scale fueled my interest in trying out this new series. We talked for hours about all the different series in the game space on our recent trip down to the Chickamauga Battlefield. Happily MMP released this title shortly after our return to St. Louis.

Initial Set Up

"None but Heroes" is about the battle of Antietam. Prior to playing this scenario Bob and I set up and "played" through the first scenario "The Charge of the Texas Brigade". Both of us are new to the series and our first scenario was all about learning as much as we could about the rules. We then next decided to play "The Cornfield" as it is the logical choice for the next scenario for two beginners. The scenario depicts the AoP's I Corps assault into Millers cornfield and beyond to Drunkard church. Historically, I Corps made it into the cornfield and past but was unable to withstand the counterattack by Hood's division. Casualties were extremely heavy on both sides. This action also features two of the more famous Brigades of the ACW, the "Iron Brigade" (I Corps) and the "Stonewall Brigade".

I made Bob play the Union even though he's much more of a Southern gentlemen then I. I rightly guessed that Bob would pick up the game much quicker then I would. As the Union player is on the attack in this scenario it was only fitting. I had absolutely no clue as to what I should be doing as the scenario opened.


Openning

I Corps approaches Millers Cornfield

Bob starts out with the entire 1st Corps on the move. The first turn didn't have a lot action in it as Bob brought his Corps out of the North Woods and marched towards Millers Cornfield. The Ridge line in the middle of the cornfield prevented LOS between most of our units, so this advance was largely shielded from my main force. I did however have several batteries on Nicodemus Hill which shot into Doubleday's division on Bobs right. 

The Confederate Batteries on Nicodemus Hill Engage the approaching Union units

We quickly made our first major rules error. On our initial pass through the rules and again as we were playing we missed the part of the rules where it said that you cannot take the shot if you column shift off the fire table. Thus I took perhaps a half a dozen artillery shots illegally on the "1" column. Due to the special rules in this scenario I quickly ran out of ammo for most of the batteries on the hill. I did take out 4-5 steps of infantry though prior to this. We discovered our error later in the game whilst searching for an unrelated rules question. The lack of an index in the rules book was felt here as we repeatedly spent a long time scouring the RB looking for an arcane answer to a rules question. The up side was that we were really never unable to find a rule to cover whatever we were looking up, it just took us a lot of time.

I Corps Prepares to enter the cornfield

I largely remained passive on my first couple of turns as Bob's units bore down on me. Given what eventually happened I can assume that I missed my chance to improve my defense on these first couple of turns. After having played through the scenario once I can think of several adjustments I would make as the CSA player on these opening turns to offer the Union a stronger defense. This of course is another way of saying that while our result was fairly exciting and one sided, my gut feeling is that this scenario, when played by two reasonably skilled players will be fairly well balanced. I was also very impressed with the fact that Mr. Essig often made mention in the rules/notes of adjustments to VC's based on play testing.

Into the Cornfield

Union Batteries suffer as they emerge from the Cornfield

It was now Bobs turn to learn a few lessons the hard way. As I had previously mentioned, Bob is able to get into the cornfield largely unseen by my main force. Bob elected to have a few batteries accompany his first Brigade over the crest and through the cornfield. Here we made our second major rules gaff. An artillery battery must be limbered in order to move thus Bob had these forward batteries limbered in order for them to move up and take position on my side of the cornfield. We missed the part where a battery must roll for losses if it unlimbers within 5 hexes of an enemy unit. At the end of Bobs turn we was sitting pretty with a couple of batteries mixed in with his lead brigade.

My next turn however went quite well as I opened up on this line and inflicted some impressive losses. Many of Bobs infantry regiments ran, forcing the batteries to do the same. We realized our mistake and Bob lost many of his guns as his batteries had to limber up only two hexes from my first line. Bob even mentioned that the designer made note of this no-no in the notes to the game. Neither one of us will make this mistake again. None the less we certainly had a good time leaning this important lesson while watching these batteries melt away as they tried to bug out.

End of the Union's 2nd Turn

My next turn found me starting to actively guide my defense as I started to get more and more comfortable with the rules. I mostly stood in place and fired at Bob from about two hexes distance. Bob's units largely stood their ground, except strangely for the brigade that was protecting the batteries. Hindsight again makes me think that I missed another opportunity to lessen the mighty shock I was about to face in Bobs next turn.

Two Lines Meet

Bob engages Lawton's Brigade

This turn (the 3rd I believe) was certainly very exciting. It literally was my first experience at having two lines comes together at this scale on a board game. Bob started on his left, with Ricketts division. We were learning on the fly here as Bob would move a couple of regiments, see the results and then try something a little different the next time. I enjoyed it immensely.

A word here on the mechanics of movement & combat are in order. During a players turn he has three basic choices on how he can move a unit (in proximity to the enemy, that is 2-6 hexes or so). First off you can simply stand and shoot, doing nothing else. This is nice because it doesnt trigger an Opening Volley. Opening Volleys allow the defender (or inactive player) a chance to shot back prior to the active player making his shot or charge attack. I have to say that I love this feature of the game, its reminiscent of Defensive First Fire in ASL. The second option a player has is to "Move and Fire", this means that the active player can move up to half his movement allowance (3 for infantry in line) and then take a shot. This exposes the moving unit to reaction fire (an opening volley) at no risk of morale degradation (you generally with take losses though). The final option open to the active player is to "charge", this means that the player can move a unit adjacent to an enemy unit and make a fire attack followed by a much tougher morale check (should the fire warrant it). This usually means that the attacker has a good chance of taking the hex and forcing the defender back (or in some cases to run away).

Bob reinforces after smashing Lawton's Brigade

The catch here with the Charge option though is that in order to execute a charge, the unit must pass two morale checks (these are called Closing Rolls) in order to move adjacent and then to make the charge attack. Failure of the first means the unit is unable to move adjacent (he can still fire though). Failure of the second (when you are adjacent) means that you can still shot (and are subject to an OV) but the special Charge modifiers do not apply to any subsequent morale check the defender may make (i.e. it's much more likely that the defender will stand). These mechanics seem to work very well in simulating what it takes to actually run towards hundreds of armed men trying to shot you. Unit morale plays a big role in whether you are actually able to get in and make the charge. This also creates a very engaging experience for both players as its highly interactive for both and full of surprises.

So, back to our narrative. Bob is learning right in front of me, in front of the East Woods with Ricketts division. I am learning too and enjoying the whole thing, even as my line gradually melts away. One of the interesting options open to the attacker is that he can mix and match his movement and fire options. So you can open an attack with a couple of regiments firing (prep fire), then you can move a couple more in close and fire again (advancing fire) finally you can finish your attack with a dramatic charge to take the position (close combat). The system elegantly handles the defenders return fire with the Opening Volley mechanic.

As the defender you then have to deal with units that run away. You have choices. The second time you play the game you will be much better at understanding what this looks like and how to prepare for it. The was my first time playing, so it was messy. In short as a unit runs away from a fight (due to a failed morale check) it will have an impact on the other units around it. For example, if I have a unit directly behind the retreating unit, I have to either run through the hex (bad for both the running unit and the unit in the path as both units have their morale degraded) or I can have the unit that is in the way displace one hex, degrading its morale in the process (although less then if the unit would have move through its hex).

End of the Union 3rd Turn

Again this is an elegant way of handling this situation and very engaging. The defender has to give thought to setting up his line and think through what a retreat will do to those units behind the first line. Its also very engaging in that even during my opponents turn I am still making important decisions that effect the outcome of the game.

By the time Bob works his way over to the cornfield my initial line is mostly gone. I have one stalwart band standing firm due to the leaders in the hex, but almost two whole brigades have taken flight. Bob is only a few hexes away from the 2nd victory hex and I am still a couple turns away from having Hoods division freed for movement.

Adjustment and Counter Attack

End of the my 3rd turn

When the smoke clears from Bobs turn I am faced with a tough situation. I am now a bit smarter in what to expect when two lines meet and I have the benefit of what Bob and I learned during his turn. Still he is largely standing where my units where just moments before and in fairly good shape sans losses taken from OVs. I start on my right with Ripley's brigade. I try and move up and support the 21st NC which is still holding its ground. When I do attack or charge it doesn't go nearly as well as it did for Bob, he has very good morale troops and they are determined to hold ground they have just taken. On my left I get to open up with a battery using dense canister and cut down a regiment in short order, using all of my ammo in the process. Its satisfying but its not going to stem the tide of blue uniforms poring our of the cornfield. The Stonewall Brigade takes flight as well.

The End

The 12th Mass displaced Ewell's Divisions HQ

Bobs next turn will be our last (6.30AM turn). Here we both learn another important lesson. Divisional HQ's are represented by counters. When an enemy unit enters your HQ it has to displace. This triggers the whole unit to skedaddle back to get into command range of the now displaced (8-12 hexes to the rear) HQ unit. Bob opens with some fire attacks and then moves in with the 12th Mass and Charges the regiment in my HQs hex. He takes the hex and we both review the displacement rules. Its going to be a mess for my Confederates. We decide to call it a battle at this point as the odds are very long that I have enough time to adjust for the displacement AND retake the victory location.

Ewell's HQ repositioned

Despite my shellacking I had a great time. There was pain along the way in learning a new system. An Index in the series rules would be a great help in lessening this. We spent a lot of time looking up things for the first and second time, but this lessened as the scenario went on and we become more confident with the rules. The meat of the game lies in the movement and fire mechanics and these are rock solid. A few turns of playing and you will nearly have most of the important concepts down. I loved the inspired design of the Opening Volley and Closing rolls. I like the way the series handles Charges (melee combat). I am certainly no expert, but the system "feels" right in factoring morale into these mechanics, something a lot of game don't consider.

I do not love the map art. Bob and I spent a lot of time looking back and forth between the map, the key and the terrain effects chart. There is a lot of little chrome on the map the mostly had little impact on the larger scheme of things, this takes some time to get used to. I felt like I was fighting the map most of the time. The Line of Sight rules however are well written and I didn't have trouble with these. The counter art grew on me. The charts are functional and well thought out in most cases.

I should point out that the game spends a lot of time on the Orders section of the rulebook, that is the mechanics of assigning units (Divisions and Corps mostly) objectives. We didn't even touch those rules in this scenario as its not really needed here as the Union player has clear cut objectives and there is little room to wiggle around these.

I really liked the experience and narrative the game creates. Both players are highly engaged in the very tactical decision making this game presents (at least in this scenario). The devil is in the details and this devil is a whole lot of fun.