Peter Walsh
United States
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
100 eyes and he still can't see.
In Magic Realm my Magician spends most of his time as a squirrel.
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I want to share this sequence from Turn 7 of my current game with Dave Turansky. We've had 2 CP table uses and are both flush with CPs. The Union had pressed an attack into Virginia last turn. Petersburg fell to the AotP; Norfolk was taken by sea; the fort on the peninsula was crushed by a corps under Lyon. In response I placed the AoNV to cover the supply line to the SW of Fortress Richmond and slowly built up a corps under the very unremarkable Polk in the Shenandoah Valley.
For turn 7 we switched our theater allocation priorities with the CSA going primary in East and the Union making the West his primary theater.
The Army of the Potomac had received substantial reinforcement brought in by sea with Porter. Little Mac had about 100,000 men (20 SPs) and some able subordinates (Pope3, Thomas2, Sherman2 and Sheridan1). Even so, Lee was determined to attack McClellan at the earliest opportunity. The AoNV had 20 SPs and was well staffed (+6 DRM). McClellan had placed his army on the southern bank of the James where he threatened Richmond and covered both Petersburg and Norfolk. But the position in the arms of the river was a very dangerous one: there would be no retreat should the Union lose a battle in that hex. Lee made his move, but the opportunity here was a slim one. If McClellan's cavalry was up to the job, the Union commander would have ample warning of Lee's move and extricate himself from the killing ground before the attack could be delivered.
Unfortunately for the rebels, Sheridan's troopers were alert. McClellan withdrew to the north bank of the James. Lee's grandiose scheme for dispatching Little Mac evaporated. A disappointed Lee fell upon the Union garrison at Petersburg, which McClellan's move had left vulnerable. Blunt's command was overrun.
One of the things I love about this game is that although it is nearly impossible to destroy an army, every now and again a situation like this presents itself. An army with its back to a river is vulnerable to destruction due to lack of a valid retreat. Part of what makes it so interesting is that getting the attack in place is almost always a long shot and it is likely to cost you something strategically. VGCW captures the supply and maneuver elements of the war better than any game I've come across. Against an experienced opponent the effort to kill an army can become opportunity for a powerful counterblow once you shift an army from its assigned defensive task to offense.
In this case things should be OK for the CSA. Richmond remains covered and the supply line to the southwest will not be easily turned in the short term. McClellan has been nudged over the James river and will not find it easy to resume his post. Norfolk has become a weak point for the Union and although McClellan is no longer depending upon his supply base there the Union will not want to lose so valuable a VP city along with the resources it has there.
Dave is a very good player and will put the East back in the vise before long. I probably won't see too many other chances to destroy one of his armies this game.
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Dave Turansky
United States
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I hope not. In order to attempt to destroy the Army of the Potomac, the Confederate player had to have 6 CP's available in the East, then have at least a 4 dice difference in a pulse where the Union moved first. Lee would have to attack at poor odds, then rally and hope to win the next initiative roll by at least 2 so that he could attack a still demoralized AoP. The AoP would also have to fail 3 reaction rolls. However, it was a chance worth taking, especially since the AoP would likely end up north of the James.
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Shannon M
United States
California
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Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Shannon
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rick coyne
United States
Missouri
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To me the main benefit of this was taking Petersburg.
However the threat to the AoP was real although a low % chance.Still Dave had to act
at lunch at work
I really miss having my own game going but i will not give in until im sure i have the time to play well and finish
I will say when i do i want to play with replacement leaders
ie the game Dave and Pete play.
I have decided to give up on the FW also
A THOUGHT.... WHAT WOULD THE SITUATION BE IF DAVE WOULD HAVE REACTED TO PETERSBURG WHAT WOULD PETER HAVE DONE WITH HIS LAST MP?
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Peter Walsh
United States
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
100 eyes and he still can't see.
In Magic Realm my Magician spends most of his time as a squirrel.
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rtcoyne2000 wrote: To me the main benefit of this was taking Petersburg.
However the threat to the AoP was real although a low % chance.Still Dave had to act
A THOUGHT.... WHAT WOULD THE SITUATION BE IF DAVE WOULD HAVE REACTED TO PETERSBURG WHAT WOULD PETER HAVE DONE WITH HIS LAST MP?
It was definitely a low odds chance to kill the AotP. In a way, that's my point. Occasionally you see a long shot like this in the game and you're faced with some interesting choices. Do you go for the remote chance of the kill? What will it cost you? What is "plan-b" if the attack fails?
If Dave had not left an SP north of the river, I'd have had the ability to build an ironclad at Richmond which would've prevented a withdrawal over the James. But Dave is a good player so he protected his line of retreat.
The compensation for the failed attempt to destroy the AotP was getting Petersburg. Had Dave moved into Petersburg I'd absolutely have attacked, even at the odds. The CSA was primary in the East, the US was secondary. By moving into Petersburg, the AotP would've been out of supply. There are times when going off the secure supply line is a great move. I don't think this was one of those times. I think it would've created problems for the Union. Dave took the smart option. Petersburg isn't going anywhere - he'll be back.
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rick coyne
United States
Missouri
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BTW what is a standard game (options) used by the 2 heavys in this game
I want to play the same set when i get back at it
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Peter Walsh
United States
Bethlehem
Pennsylvania
100 eyes and he still can't see.
In Magic Realm my Magician spends most of his time as a squirrel.
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We're using:
non-army reaction
red tape
additional leaders
variant leaders
CSA supply by river
Lyon/Jackson promotable (only if Lee, Grant or Sherman are KIA)
I think that's it.
EDIT: Dave's got the full list with references to the rules below.
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Dave Turansky
United States
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Thanks for your interest, and please be careful about calling me "heavy". We are using the unofficial rules revision with the following optional rules:
20.1 Jackson/ Lyon
21.1 Confederate Supply by River
21.3 Revealed Leaders
21.6 Confederate Navy
21.7 Stacking
21.9 Non-Army Leader Reaction
22.0 Variant Leader System
The AoP could have accepted combat in hex 5211, just SE of Petersburg. However, after Ft. Magruder on the James Peninsula was cleared, the AoP could draw supply from The York River and Ft. Monroe. It was early in the game, and the ANV was powerful. In order to draw reinforcements, an army has to trace supply to a source in a friendly state, not including by sea. South of the James, the AoP could only draw reinforcements by way of naval transport. Even north of The James, the AoP is in great position for the mid-game. The ANV cannot risk leaving the Richmond area while the AoP is sitting on the doorstep. The CSA player caught me temporarily without Lyon. Most players wouldn't see as much as Peter does. If the USA has to always be on the lookout for sudden Rebel offensives, it affects the USA player's desire to take risks. A good CSA player will retain offensive threats, while remaining mindful of attrition. Peter keeps me off balance by threatening attacks that don't actually happen, so he conserves his troops.
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rick coyne
United States
Missouri
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thanks for the list . This will be my standard game from now on. Im hoping for sometime this early summer or late spring to get back at it.
By that time the house should be complete even the outside !!
in the meantime i will just look in from time to time
I have studied my game with Pete that i bowed out on turn 12.
I felt my game was good till thru turn 7 then i just fell apart which is one of the reasons i took the break..
I never want to be in a position where i have to "Get a move Done" as if it is just another chore.
Keep posting its great to see the experts go at it
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