Blind Swords Games Comparison

Blind Swords System Games A comparison of the Blind Swords titles published to date American Civil War games Stonewall's Sword Cedar Mountain Small map. Elevations not marked, but not a difficult map. First game in series 7 event chits for each side each turn. This feels like a lot. An introductory scenario, and a full scenario. Optional rules for some "what-ifs" Thunder in the Ozarks: Battle for Pea Ridge, March 1862 Interesting 2 map arrangement makes a bit of an L-shape Tons of trees, a bit tricky to determine elevations Optional rules for Van Dorn's illness. He starts completely out of it, but makes a recovery during the game and takes over command More detailed cavalry rules Union has 4 divisions with 9 brigades, Rebels have 2 divisions with 8 brigades, so plenty of choices on chit pulls Longstreet Attacks: The Second Day at Gettysburg Standard 22x34 map with all the familiar places. First map to have elevation levels marked on the map- great improvement Union has 10 divisions with 25 brigades; Confederates have 3 divisions with 12 brigades. This may be starting to strain the system? Rebel units are generally larger and have better cohesion Final game designed by Hermann Luttmann Five scenarios including a what-if regarding Dan Sickles A lot of scenario specific rules Double use of event chits for either their stated event or as command events that help bring reinforcements sooner Kernstown 1st Kernstown 1862 and 2nd Kernstown 1864 1st Kernstown only has brigade activations, so it's missing the choice you usually get with activation chits 2nd Kernstown has regular divisions and brigades as usual Great map with plenty of elevation changes, but less woods than we've seen. A large ridge on the left and a smaller one in the middle Strangely, exact same event chits for both battles Five scenarios, including the two full battles The Devil's to Pay! The First Day at Gettysburg Hermann Luttmann is back, but this is published by Tiny Battles I don't own this, so no info to report The Day Was Ours First Bull Run 1861 Map has many elevations, but they are clearly marked. 2/3 open, 1/3 woods Special Brigade Attack Coordination rules restricting how many units from a brigade can attack in an activation Only 3 or event chits per side each turn. Individual event chits for each side Early half of battle scenario, afternoon half of battle scenario, and a full combined scenario. A fair number of special rules for different units  Six different option rules that change the historical scenario to a hypothetical situation Thunder at Dawn Wilson's Creek 1861 Map looks tricky, but mostly it's brush which doesn't imapct LOS or firing, only non-infantry movement Almost all brigades are independent, so there is generally no choice in units when a chit is pulled. Chits are mostly for independent brigades rather than Divisions (which allow you to choose which brigade to activate) Three scenarios, the historical and two hypothetical. No short scenarios. Individual event chits for each side A Greater Victory: South Mountain, September 14, 1862 Fantastic map. As the Union, you really feel like you're marching up a valley and trying to get through a couple gaps Introduction of BRIGADE ACTIVATION DISPLAY for each side. No longer do you have the Brigade activation markers on board, but on a side display. Much cleaner Three scenarios culminating with the full battle Iinteresting INDECISION event chit that decreases chance of activating units for the rest of the turn Each scenario has its own FOG OF WAR table, tailoring the events to the specific situation In addition to the two main gaps that are worth VPs, there are many spread out smaller VP locations. The Rebels have to make sure not to simply abondon them Both sides have a steady stream of reinforcements, the last of which will be lucky to get involved at all. Routes to the front lines are always jammed Grand Havoc Perryville 1862 open map, easy to understand LOS Special rules for Buell's awareness. He is unaware of the battle for the first few turns and his units remain on hold. Special Brigade Attack Coordination rules. Each brigade is rated for how many of its units may move next to the enemy at any time. Intro scenario, historical scenario, and 3 hypothetical scenarios Individual event chits for each side Fog of War chart is missing. Sadly, it's back to a generic chart for this title. Sedgwick Attacks: Salem Church (May 3, 1863) Good looking map, plenty of woods with a main road running right down the center length-wise where most of the action will take place Small OOB, just a single counter sheet for this title Three scenarios. One historical, and then two hypothical to see what would have happened had Sedgwick done things differently Generic Fog of War table again Good variety in the event chits Shiloh: The First Day Another large game, with 2 maps Also includes several smaller maps for the smaller scenarios (no need to use the big one for small scenarios) Special card listing all the scenario special rules. Nice touch Special rules for the Confederates catching the Union troopers at breakfast Gettysburg: The First Day waiting on my copy Other Conflicts  Position Magnifique: The Battle of Mars-la-Tour, 1870 I don't own this one, just marking it here for completeness. Send details if you have it At Any Cost: Metz 1870 First big Blind Swords game Study in assymetry- Prussians have better led troops and artillery, French have better rifles and the first mass use of machine guns French ahve larger numbers, Prussians have better troops All Are Brothers Solferino, 1859 (Second Italian War of Independence) System more similar to At Any Cost Metz than the American Civil War games Includes variants, optional rules, and a free-setup scenario  Blind Swords Adjacent Hill of Death: Champion Hill Part of the Shattered Union system Based on the Blind Swords and Black Swan systems Conquering the Valley: Cross Keys/Port Republic Part of the Shattered Union system Based on the Blind Swords and Black Swan systems Bring Out Your Men, Gentlemen: The Battle of Brawner's Farm Part of the Shattered Union system Based on the Blind Swords and Black Swan systems A Most Fearful Sacrifice First game in the Black Swan series Black Swan builds on Blinds Swords and is meant for larger engagments Rock of Chickamauga Second game in the Black Swan series Black Swan builds on Blinds Swords and is meant for larger engagments