TDG: Cody's Top Ten U. S. Civil War Games (February 2023)

Join Cody as he looks at his top ten games featuring the American Civil War, 1861-1865.
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Cody Carlson, PhD: / @codycarlsonph.d.5591
Facebook: / thediscriminatinggamer
Twitter: / codyk76
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[@deadfalltropics6422]

I purchased the gmt US civil war game almost entirely because of the board. Closest I ever came to playing it, me and my friend ended up spending the entire time pouring over the board and marvelling at the detail and how the history must have played out because of the geography.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha! It is a beautiful board.

[@rabbakahn]

I have never tried the new US Civil war game. Mine is the one from Victory Games. Very good game. Another favorite of mine Terrible Swift Sword, and all of the following battles from it. I own WBTS but have never really delved into it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I don't think I've tried those editions. Thanks.

[@pickledblowfish6178]

I'll have you know, it took a solid 15 second for "I forgot the zipcode" to sink in, and I'm horribly ashamed I actually laughed out loud.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I'm glad you enjoyed it - even if it was involuntary.

[@inwyrdn3691]

Battle Cry will always be a favorite of mine - such an easy game to teach and play, and always fun. I taught it to my oldest daughter when she was 7, and though she now prefers Memoir 44 we still bust out Battle Cry pretty frequently.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's a fantastic game!

[@christophepinardouze952]

My madeleine de proust: Gettysburg 125th anniversary edition, great entry level wargame

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@christophepinardouze952 Publisher?

[@christophepinardouze952]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamerahhhah job i did already a long time ago ...

[@wartable]

Used to play the Milton Bradley Battle Cry back in the day

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I'll bet that was fun.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Great list Cody! And I'm just finishing up the last book of Shelby Foote's American Civil War trilogy! Good timing on the list!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I planned it that way. Thanks.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Ha! 😄

[@michaelfrench7295]

My Dad also bought us the pair of American Civil War and Napoleon in Europe together for Christmas back in the early 2000s. Really wish we still had them now!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great games!

[@BorisCaro]

Battle Cry (the 150 anniversary edition) the best gateway game in the C&C system. I played the whole 30 scenarios, and it was a blast. I even painted a bunch of 1/72 miniatures to replace the original ones. For the other games, I have only played A house divided, solo. I hope my son will play with me when he grows older. Thanks of the list. Always interested in hearing about historical board ganes.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you, sir.

[@dhmcarver]

I was very interested in this list. Given the age (and out-of-printness) of many of these games, perhaps board game designers need to turn their attentions again to the Civil War. The contrast with WW II games is particularly striking. Thanks for this top 10.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you!

[@siraulu1]

Avalon Hills Games did a civil war game back in the 1958 that my brother and I used to play throughout our childhood called Gettysburg. It was a complex game but one that I will always cherish.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds like fun.

[@marinewillis1202]

I had the updated version and played with my dad in the 80s-90s. The original that he had played (probably same one you did) had metal counters instead of the cardboard ones from newer models. Loved playing that with him.

[@jacktyler2880]

This was the first wargame I ever encountered, a friend trotting it out for us to play in 1961. I went on to wargame for about 30 years, by which time two things had developed in parallel: The games had become harder than my job (looking at you, ASL), and computers were reaching the point where they could deal with all the rules minutiae, leaving you free to concentrate on strategy. Panzer General is an early example. My favorite Civil War game on the hexes was SPI's American Civil War. The command control system blew me away. Every hex had a four-digit number, and each turn you rolled a die. You could only move units that started their turn on hexes that ended in a certain number. As the game went on, you could develop and promote leaders who mitigated the effects, so early in the war the Union player would have this huge stack of counters in DC that could almost never move. But you could create a leader out west, promote him a couple of levels, then move him to Washington, at which time the war would usually turn against the south, as "Grant" replaced "McClellan." The South's challenge was to have it almost won before that happened. Great memories around that game! Thanks for triggering them, Cody. Love your channel!

[@rabbakahn]

I still own the one they made, Advanced Gettysburg. i love that game.

[@bludragon77]

I’m actually reading black powder second edition to get in on historic war games. It also covers the civil war with separate book

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Excellent.

[@waynewhitfield409]

Thanks for the video . Battle Cry was one of my first war board game great game ae well as American Civil War by Eagle games . I Also have 150th edition Of Battle Cry.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you. Great games.

[@maverickjake]

I just purchased The American Civil War because of your review and my love of Axis and Allies style games. Hope it's good.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I really like it. Enjoy!

[@captainnolan5062]

House Divided was originally a GDW game, designed in 1981 by Franck Chadwick. They Mayfair version was the Fourth Edition, and came out in 2021.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

The Mayfair one is the one I own.

[@andrewwilson6726]

Another good one is Avalon hills American civil war 1983. It's definitely a more detailed game. I think that's why I enjoy it. It has fort battles, normal battles, cavalry, naval battles and is the only ACW board game I know that extends all the way to new Mexico and Texas. But its not everyone's cup of tea as it takes forever to complete and set up haha.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds like a bear - but fun.

[@christopherhunt1957]

I still have Eagle Games' American Civil War and Napoleon in Europe. Both are epic. Neither have hit the table in eons. It makes me sad.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great games.

[@BillyTheRealDeal]

So glad to see Battle Cry up on the list. I too got rid of it many years ago and picked it back up. Such a great game. Now I'm painting the miniatures.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great game.

[@thegamesninja3119]

That is a reversal!

[@rhorto01]

It is nice to see a different perspective. My Top 10 would probably include none of the games mentioned here. lol (Which is actually a cool thing, as it means there is a lot of great stuff out there on the topic.)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. A lot of great Civil War games out there.

[@jasonstapley1265]

My favorite is Worthington's Brigade Series. The Kickstarter for Volume 3, Seven Days Battle, just arrived. Simple, very streamlined hex and counter game but a lot of fun.

[@johnhoffman2745]

Own all three volumes. My favorite brigade-level system and Worthington makes such high quality games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I will have to look into it. Thanks.

[@gamerdom4481]

It's nice to see battle cry on here.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I love that game.

[@gamerdom4481]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I have it though it's been years sInce I last played it.

[@terryp3034]

Terrific list. Very pleased to see the Shiloh game there at No. 10. Hot tip: Half Price Books in Dallas has seven or so copies, still in shrink wrap, for $14.99.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Cool. If only I were still in Dallas.

[@jamesellis4664]

The American civil war is my number one also, but one I would have on my list is Worthington games Brigade series.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@RottenJeeves]

Great list Cody! Check our Brothers at War by Compass games. New for 2022. Great Tactical level war game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Interesting. I'll look into it. Thanks.

[@tonymammel3542]

No GBACW or GCACW even made an appearance!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope. Niether did URCUTE or URMOMSHOT.

[@raymondhall3682]

Yes! Eagle Games' "The American Civil War" is deservedly the best grand strategy Civil War game title ever published.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It’s great! My favorite!

[@kirkoa1]

VG Civil War

[@markbrush8927]

"Across Five Aprils" - Victory Games has been my fave!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Haven’t heard of that one. Sound interesting.

[@dabearz27]

Your videos are great, Cody, keep it up! I really want to try Lincoln, and I’m in the process of learning For the People. I’m a big fan of Battle Cry though. Still probably my favorite Commands and Colors game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks a ton. Much appreciated.

[@erkocab]

my fav remains Terrible Swift Sword.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic!

[@josephmeyer9411]

Try the Worthington Civil War games of Antietam 1862, Shiloh 1862 and the recently released Seven Days Battle 1862.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I just got a copy of Seven Days. We'll see how it plays. Thanks!

[@get_the_lead_out]

One game that should have at least gotten an honorable mention is SPI’s Terrible Swift Sword. Three maps, hundreds of counters, I believe it was something like 175 turns - - a classic!!! Definitely not a game for the faint of heart!!😁😂

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven’t played it. Sounds epic.

[@get_the_lead_out]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I played it back when I was in school (about a hundred years ago), usually during the summer when I had plenty of time to myself. These days I can’t even imagine having enough time to complete a game - but one can dream. I am looking forward to seeing Worthington’s new Brigade Series on Gettysburg. It’s not TSS, but it’s likely to be as close as I’m going to get!😁

[@riff2072]

Cool. I need a Civil War game. Thanks Gamer.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help.

[@johnsakelaris7]

A few years ago you gave a mixed review to The US Civil War, greatly praising it on most counts but warning of it being very complex. At that time I chimed in with a comment about how I like A House Divided. Now, that is still a very good game in my opinion, but recently I took the plunge and got The US Civil War. And, yes, it is complex. But if my local opponent and I can figure it out, I know we will have a real treasure.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It is complex, one of the reasons I only rarely got it to the table. But its a great game if you have the patience to get into it.

[@przemekbozek]

I'm currently exploring ACW for the first time and have already tried a few of the "groggier" systems - MMP's RSS/LOB, GMT's The US Civil War (latest edition) that I've really enjoyed. Currently learning Look Away from against the odds and GCACW but noted down a few titles from your list, might be good for a quick evening😀

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. Happy to help.

[@texigander5]

Have enjoyed Herman Luttman’s Crossed Sword system quite a bit.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I need to check that out.

[@douglaspearson4853]

I didn't pick up US Civil War as I had The Civil War Victory Games (AH) It looked like an upgraded version and like you I had a hard time getting it played. I also like Battle Cry but I play with C&C Napoleonic rule leaving out Squares. I like 2 games not on your list For The People and my Favorite Across 5 Aprils. There was talk of Another A5A with 5 more scenarios but it never happened very disappointed. I played one of my favorite games loosing as the Union at Gettysburg. I stopped a Pickett's Charge and an assault on Culp's Hill. I did not notice a victory hex on Little Round Top. I was kicked off, I kicked him off, he retook it and I could not get enough troops there to retake it. Thats how I lost. It ended at the end of day 2. Six hour game but one of the best games I played.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks for sharing.

[@don6538]

Cody, you totally missed the Civil War game that got the most plays of any game ever (except the original "Risk" back in the late 50s) in my gaming group, "Ironclads" from Yaquinto Games. Many scenarios and the ability to make your own scenarios gave it multiple years of almost weekly games. And it could accommodate any number of players each a captain of their ship. Also from back in the day, GDW "A House Divided", AH "Battle Cry", Eagle ACW, and from about 10 years ago Columbia "Shiloh: April 1862", a command driven area bock game. But you entirely missed a ground-breaking monster of a game, SPI "Terrible Swift Sword" (Gettysburg in great detail).

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played them. So many games, so little time...

[@don6538]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yeah, tell me about it. Hah! Seriously, "Ironclads" is amazing. I mentioned a few titles that you had on your list to let you know we were there too.

[@Jeff-jc9fk]

Love to see a list of American Revolution games!!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Maybe somewhere down the line. Stay tuned.

[@Jeff-jc9fk]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Great, enjoyed this and going to try your #1 tomorrow actually with the Missus. Seems more approachable than some hex and counters.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@Jeff-jc9fk Great game. Best of luck

[@Jeff-jc9fk]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Wife's opinion: "Boring" (she prefers heavy Euros). Oh well maybe try another time. I'm slowly working her into wargames.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@Jeff-jc9fk Sorry it didn't work out. Hopefully you'll make a convert out of her yet.

[@waynezimmerman1217]

Ever try A Gleam of Bayonets or Terrible Swift Swords? Great games if you haven't. Used to play them all of the time.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven’t played those. Thanks for the tip.

[@waynezimmerman1217]

Anytime@@TheDiscriminatingGamer

[@matthewsimpson9124]

Great video!! I have the GDW version of A House Divided... Great game. Thanks for the suggestions about other Civil War games!! Have you tried any of the White Dog Civil War games?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't tried any White Dog CW games. Fun? Thanks!

[@matthewsimpson9124]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Confederate Rebellion is solo (has a tacked on 2 player mode) and is enjoyable. I have not played their Jeff Davis game.

[@willannand9988]

Wow Cory, we must have different tastes in wargaming, not one of your top 10 would make my top 10. On my top 10 would be Eric Lee Smith's The Civil War from Victory. Also Yaquintos Ironclad & Expansion, as well as 3W Shot and Shell. Also for tactical, any of the many battles in the Last Full Measure Series from Uhlan Games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's Cody. I waged battle with the Corys years ago and came out the victory, but only barely. I haven't played any on your list - they sound like fun. What a terrible world it would be if we all liked exactly the same things. Take care.

[@michaelwild888]

I have The Guns of Gettysburg by Mercury Games on a shelf since the Kickstarter. I have read the rules repeatedly but never even tried it with myself playing both sides. Have you ever done a Bowen Simmon game?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I have not. I heard good things about GoG, but never played it.

[@lukaswernig9721]

just got A House Divided in a trade. Loojing forward to playing it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fun game!

[@stephenloniewski8248]

Surprised you didn’t mention For the People, Cody

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Years ago, before I was really a "gamer" I tried to play it but fudged the rules so badly we gave up. I'd like to try it again now.

[@CaptainFritz28]

Ah ha! Eagle Games strikes again! The American Civil War and Napoleon in Europe are by far my favorite board games, and The American Civil War is definitely deserved of number 1 on this list.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. Thanks.

[@michaelfrazier9537]

If you had to choose between Battle Cry and American Civil War, which would you choose? I don't like tons of detail, but I don't want super light either. Thank you so much for the video!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@michaelfrazier9537 Gun to my head I’d say Battle Cry. I’m a sucker for the C&C system.

[@michaelfrazier9537]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Thank you!

[@Heathcoatman]

I was kind of expecting more hex and counter games. While I enjoy simpler or more abstract 'parlor' type games, when it comes to 'The best of the genre", realism takes center stage for me. If you (or anyone) plays computer games, there is a really good one called 'Ultimate General: Civil War'. Really fun solo computer game where all of the major battles and many smaller ones are fought, and you decide how to organize your forces. There is a lot to this game, if anyone is interested. Also fun are the John Tiller games, particularly the Civil War ones. Very good games but the AI is SOOOOO bad that the only way to play them is PBEM.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. Of course, these are not the "objectively best" Civil War games, but they are my favorite. I appreciate your comments.

[@Heathcoatman]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer These games all look fun, though. They look like the type of game that you could convince someone to play, unlike my hex and counter ones. Good video, as always

[@DrRGIII]

Would love a quality basic play-through of A House Divided but seems there are slim pickins online.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. Maybe one day.

[@devinmccane8343]

I take it based on this list that you’ve never played any of the Great Campaigns of the ACW series?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I have not. Good?

[@devinmccane8343]

It’s my favorite ACW game series. Hex and counter. Roads to Gettysburg 2 by MMP is phenomenal but it’s slightly heavier than The US Civil War. If you like hex and counter operational maneuver games then you’ll love it

[@kirkoa1]

Is this your favorite light games? No GBACW games? Avalon Hill’s Devils Den? The best strategic game made is Victory Games Civil War. No Campaigns of the Civil War? Civil War Brigade Series?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope. None of those. I generally tend toward lighter fare. I don't know if you've watched the channel before, but i've made the point several times than I am no more a heavy wargamer than I am a heavy Eurogamer. Fortunately, there's enough games out there for everybody's tastes.

[@kirkoa1]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer To be sure, everyone has different tastes. The fun thing about lists is debating different tastes, no?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@kirkoa1 Indeed.

[@micheleb1421]

Cody, as you're a fan of Columbia Games (Julius Caesar, Hammer of the Scots, Napoleon etc.), I was wondering: did you ever hear of Bobby Lee (3d ed.)? Maybe they could send you a copy for review... I'd surely love that!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah, I’ve seen it but haven’t played it. Maybe I’ll hit it down the road.

[@micheleb1421]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I really think you should! It uses e.g. the same battleboard of Napoleon, a game you're extremely fond of IIRC.

[@don6538]

Shiloh: April 1862 is a better game. It is a command driven area bock game. Very tense and violent.

[@micheleb1421]

@@don6538 I never tried it so I can't comment on that one but, after 5 games of Bobby Lee (3d ed.), I totally recommend the latter. Terrific game that any enthusiast of Napoleon (as Cody is) should fall in love with!

[@don6538]

@@micheleb1421 Nothing wrong with Bobby Lee. Been there done that. Could apply to all Columbia block Games, most of which I have played. Btw, my favorite Columbia game is "Crusader Rex 2nd edition". Been playing wargames since early Avalon Hill back in the late 50s and early 60s. Have the longbox Gamma Two version of "Quebec 1759"'. Gamma Two was the original name of Columbia games. Shiloh 1862 is a streamlined version of their Gettysburg game with areas instead of hexes.

[@martafdez6761]

What do you think about Gettysburg from Martin Wallace and Warfrog?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played it yet. Have you? Good?

[@martafdez6761]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer In my opinion Gettysburg is a very interesting game with a "euro flavour". You give order by wooden order discs and you must think a lot your orders. For me, much better than its "brother" Waterloo.

[@brycesuderow3576]

Are there any Civil War games for the siege of Petersburg? I’m asking because this is my area of expertise that I write about.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’m sure there are, but I haven’t played any. Are you published by any journals?

[@brycesuderow3576]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer have you ever heard of a magazine called north and south. Back in 2000 I published three articles for them. In either October or November. I’m also going to publish an article. Do you think I could call you so I can tell you a little more about myself and my interests.

[@brycesuderow3576]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I want to add that I co-authored with Edwin bars a book of two volumes called the Petersburg campaign. This work was published by Ted Savas of Savas Beatie.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@brycesuderow3576 Feel free to shoot me an email. Kind of difficult to schedule a call with all I've got going on right now.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@brycesuderow3576 Very cool.

[@markburkley42]

THE ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR GAME - AVALON HILL 'GETTYSBURG' is not on your list???

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope. Haven’t played it.

[@markburkley42]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Okay, it is 60+ years and long out of print. AH was the beginning of boxed war games with their TACTICS II. 2001 I moved away from my gaming group, so it's only PC games now.

[@keithbogart6381]

Have you had a chance to play A Most Fearful Sacrifice?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played that one. Good?

[@keithbogart6381]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, very.

[@Tombonzo]

Fantastic list, I own 4 of those. I want Battle Cry, hard to find at a reasonable price. You might also like these ….. In Magnificent Style Jeff Davis Mosby’s Raiders (reprint soon) Rebel Raiders (GMT) Brothers at War (Compass)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks.

[@gunnarjohannesson5858]

Vad kul att du gillar battlecry jag har det också spel med minis är definitivt roligare än papp brickor

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Jag gillar kartongplattor - jag är ingen som behöver minis. Men de är roliga. De tillför en riktig "leksakslåda"-faktor till spelet.

[@justgettothegame6331]

usually love your stuff, but as a civil war buff, this list is terrible.. Not having For the People on here, but having Gettysburg solitaire is blasphemy :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I’ve often been called a heretic. To each their own.

[@thegamesninja3119]

Hard choices. Every wargame Cody plays in the US is civil. Wait, did I read the title wrong? 🥷

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@thegamesninja3119]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer 🥷