A Stroll to Widow Glenn's
an After Action Report for BAtC Scenario 2
Once upon a time there lived a man in a place called Consimworld by its inhabitants. Yet, no mere man was he; by way of reputation to the local denizens of the GCACW forum neighborhood, he was more than that, a veritable mystic, a sorcerer reputed to have distilled the essence known as “positive combat dice”. The very mention of this essence was enough to make a wargamer's knees quiver with dread and no one man was brave enough to publicly challenge this mystic, this sorcerer . . . . this man known to the lesser personages among us (but only ever whispered) . . . . as . . . . the 'Designer'.
So, much as Frankenstein's monster was confronted by an army of peasants bearing pitchforks and sickles, the GCACW community saw fit to band together and challenge the 'Designer' knowing that, only in numbers, could he be confronted with any hope of toppling him from his throne of dominance. And, so it was, on a bleak December day, that the call went forth from Sir Justin of Rice, known to his heirs as the 'Moderator' traveling from village to village, from hovel to hovel - “to arms, to arms – let it be known to all, that a 'Board' will be formed, a board of intrepid, courageous and (slightly foolhardy) gamers to confront the mighty 'Designer' and thrash him at his own game; to debunk the existence of “positive combat dice” and give the game back to the people.
OK, a bit over-the-top but Ed Beach, the 'Designer' has earned his reputation. His 'game' is the Great Campaigns of the American Civil War (GCACW) system; first originated by historian/game designer Joe Balkowski but continued, refined and brought to maturation by Ed Beach (and Mike Belles in BAtC). The latest of the eight games in the series is Battle Above the Clouds, the campaigns/battles in and near Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1863. Ed not only has designed multiple games and scenarios in this system for many years, he actually continues to play as well. He is the reigning champion of the 2008 PbEM GCACW tournament and has the highest AREA rating of all players of the system. Ed has won the GCACW tournament at the World Boardgaming Championships three times. Not for the faint-hearted then to confront him in a challenge, playing his game.
Replays are not a new idea. I remember most fondly reading various replays published in the Avalon Hill General for many years and now on-line replays. Fairly recently, a method has arisen to allow a game/system to 'strut-its-stuff'; whereby a challenge is made by the designer of the game against any and all comers i.e. a Board. And such is the case here.
And, so, the call went out over the consimworld airways at 1:09 AM December 22nd 2009. Justin Rice as the 'Moderator' and 'Chief-Cattle-Prodder' beckoned any and all interested GCACW gamers, veterans and newbies alike, to join the 'Board' and, in his words, “show Ed who's boss”. Eventually, 22 gamers responded at some point within the time-span of the match; 12 of whom contributed three or more messages and ideas.
I had preordered 'Battle Above the Clouds' (BAtC) and received it just before leaving for a professional conference in Florida in January. Like many who participated, this was my first look at the most recent edition of the GCACW system and the first leap out-West for the system as well. I opened the game up one evening and immediately admired the beautiful map and the 'new-look' counters. I thought to look into the consimworld GCACW forum to see what others thought about the game. Lo and Behold – a challenge match had begun between Ed Beach and a 'Board', something about which I had never before heard. The initial Confederate move was being debated by the Board at that very moment. I was intrigued but not having played the system for some time and doubting my expertise, I thought I'd better look into the particular scenario being played before I joined in. But, the whole idea worked on me from there on out and I wrote my first of many eventual posts within a day. I would like to say that each and every one of those messages was full of insightful and prescient intellect that convinced and persuaded my compatriots to my way of thinking but that would be quite untrue; it was more like 'the Good, the Bad and the Ugly' But, the bug had definitely bitten me; I was in for the duration.
So, did we of the Board show Ed Beach who was boss? Not likely! The match came down to the last die rolls of the last remaining unit with any fatigue actions left that could affect the outcome. And yet, this was not the prevailing appraisal of the situation for most of the game. To many, Ed had been buried and left for dead by mid-game. It is a tribute to Ed and his game system as a 'game' that Ed was hardly buried – just waiting his chance. There were a few nervous Board members near the end.
This article was written to view this GCACW scenario from several perspectives. Firstly, as an AAR on a very close-run game of a very balanced GCACW scenario, I hope to interest the reader who loves replays as I do. Secondly, by presenting this replay on a move-by-move basis, I wish to illustrate some of the finer points of play and rules (admittedly not from an expert). And thirdly, the machinations of the Board-decision-making process were fascinating to watch as they unfolded. Like the three-headed giant in Monty Python's The Holy Grail, we were at times, a little feisty with each other and not always in agreement.
Note that this AAR is a compilation of moves and messages pulled together from two forums within consimworld; one for use of the Board which Ed did not access and the general GCACW forum where moves were presented and Ed could respond. Also note that all unattributable ideas relative to operations/tactics are mine alone; to be used in any future playing of BAtC at your own peril.