We dove into this battle after starting out with another battle called Battle of the Cross Keys Port.
That was a bit of a test play here:
Lots of Arty fire at each other! 
For better or worse.
The short story is we made several errors, that were in the end critical, and we seemed to flounder around the rule book quiet a bit while we were also dealing with a significant number of scenario specific rules. Including disagreement of how LOS worked.
My opponent experienced the same level of frustration as I did and we felt that even with an online supporter helping we were making terrible progress and not very suitable for a learning game. WE discussed a re start, a new scenario or a even a different module as he had play Gettysburg and loved it some many years ago. So we set up this battle :
I think part of the challenge here is not just the larger rulebook, we are both used to decently complex games. This was frustrating in the main in that we felt like we were always double checking and cross checking rules. What did X really mean, why is a different word used here? Which comes first A or B? There was lots of that and lots of to and fro. That was ultimately dragging down our limited play time to both of us reading rules to each other. LOL. Bummer. Its an AMAZING production. Stunning maps, great counters. Pretty good charts, once you get the hang of them. Given this was our 2nd effort we worked hard but failed!
We played two more turns after this progress and elected to move onto something that we both had a higher degree of game IQ in and cycle back to this system at some point in the future.
So I put it to you readers. Which module is best suited to learning and which battle?
Back in another life, when I reviewed wargames for a website, I received a copy of the Gettysburg game (Three Day Gettysburg) to review. As you mentioned, the learning curve is quite steep. I tried to do the smallest scenario possible but even then, it turned out to be a large effort. I’m not really sure there is a good way to get started without pushing through the small scenarios and learning by doing.
Gee, sorry you guys had such a frustrating experience. Having started playing GBACW way back when it was first produced by SPI, I guess my years of play have blinded me to what would make it such a slog – I’ve never found it to be so. You’ve started with a battle that has relatively flat terrain, so perhaps you’re “over thinking” the LOS rules? I don’t know. I’ve always had fun with this system.
Kev, the Battle of New Market is a great learning scenario. Not a bunch of terrain that you have to worry about LOS rules. The LOS rules are actually the same as most games. Like previously stated, I think it is easy to overthink them.
yeah we disagreed based on art and common sense vs what words said. So that was kinda the last straw for that battle. ;). I watched you and Tony play and felt like it was not a stretch really from GBoH in practical terms. However some elements were obviously more different than I expected.
Not to worry I’ll get there eventually.
If you’re trying to get into GBACW with the Death Valley package, the two battles that I think work best are 1st Winchester and New Market. Both are “half-mappers”, both have relatively low counter density and they have interesting situations, with a minimum of Special Rules (although it is a *feature*, and not a quibble with GBACW that each battle has its own special rules for added historical flavor).
I hear you about the rules. They are chewy, and it’s not an easy system to learn. I’ve been playing it for years now and am constantly reminded how many little details I’ll get wrong when confronted with a small detail or issue in the heat of the moment. The system rules are definitely a Living Rules Set, and Bill Byrne is working tirelessly to make them ever tighter and clearer. One thing I will say is, the way many rules are based in common sense, makes many of them much easy to remember. But, one will *always* need to keep the rulebook close by when playing, because you WILL need a clarification about something, sometime. And sooner rather than later.
Sitting in with you two during your halting first attempts, my general impression was that you need a firmer grasp on 19th century line-and-column tactics, and a better idea of how artillery is/was employed (both in placement and in both offensive and defensive situations). This is a common blindspot for gamers not used to tactical warfare in this era, so don’t feel bad. But, the “proper” tactics can be learned and applied with this system. It’s one of the payoffs!
Stigs got it right, great for beginning and learning. Of all the GMT Era GBACWs, I think this box gives you the best for starting.
So good comment. I’m pretty familiar with Linear combat concepts – Ancients, Nappy etc. What I do when learning a new game is try altnerate things to assess how that impacts the game or game play. Given one of us had played previously and both had read the rules, I found us BOTH struggling.
To the other commenters, its great to have forums love it! Love all the support. But when Im playing with a buddy live and we have 2 hours a week…well we need to play. We spent 25% of time perusing rules. ITs all good.
WE will or I will circle back to this at some point. I dont feel that this module puts GBACW in the best light, nor could I suggest it as the ideal module to get started with. IT IS a monster box with a LOT Of game play in, that is its significant value proposition for those already versed in the system.
Fair enough comment, Kev!! First Winchester and First Kernstown and New Market are the best “intro” battles in the package.
Also, I’ll give your blog a bit of a scoop to sort of “pre-announce” that I am working on a set of four small battles that will be somewhat of a “starter kit” for the series. I should be ready to announce something more official (e.g., the onset of P500) by maybe late summer. So stay tuned!!!
My thanks to Allen for the preceding post. I’d like to add that help is available for the asking. Not on this site, with which I was completely unfamiliar until I started typing this, but via ConSimWorld Forum (CSW), Boardgamegeek (BGG), and last but probably first in terms of importance, Allen’s GBACW Facebook Group. If you are not members of that group, all I can say is that it may have made quite a difference in your first attempts at play. A number of the group’s members are extremely well-versed in the rules and all of them are committed to sharing their knowledge & insights with newcomers, of which we have plenty. In the 18 months since “Death Valley”‘s publication I don’t think a single player question had gone without a solid response for more than 24 hours, and most of the time it’s a matter of just a few hours or even minutes.
I need to get back to this system after many years. Really enjoyed this system years ago. I have this game and will try out New Market next month.