Initial Impressions: A Most Fearful Sacrifice from Flying Pig Games - The Players' Aid

[@hermannluttmann1637]

Wow! Thanks so much Alex and Grant! Watching a video like this from you guys is a great start to the new year for me. I really appreciate the kind comments and observations. Your references to At Any Cost are also much appreciated. And yes, I do design with the idea that a wargame can (and should) generate narratives that reflect the historical battle or era. Your point about not having to "look for that last factor to get 3:1 odds" is a driving force behind most of my designs. I think wargames should elicit visceral feelings in the players about what's happening on the battlefield. In addition, war is chaos and as you point out, that means nothing is definite or 100% predictable. I also agree that this was Rick Barber's grand finale and masterstroke of graphic design and artwork. He is missed. I also want to give a nod to Jose Faura and his work on the counters. There is a section at the back of the Scenario Book where I comment on all the subtleties of the counter graphics. There is some wonderful nuance there that adds to the atmosphere of the game. As far as the player aids, those were misprinted on smaller cardstock - they were supposed to be 11x17. That has been rectified with the 2nd edition and there is also an upgrade kit available. Thanks again and happy new year!

[@de4dlyjackal697]

My most anticipated game for 2023. Backed the second printing on Kickstarter

[@hermannluttmann1637]

@@de4dlyjackal697 Thanks for the support! Hope you enjoy it.

[@grantkleinhenz6789]

You are a great designer Hermann and it always a pleasure to play your games. I have Volters Lead the Way on my table at home right now and am slowly getting into it.

[@hermannluttmann1637]

@@grantkleinhenz6789 Thanks buddy - you're the best! Hope you enjoy Volters ... just as realistic as AMFS! 😁

[@born2bwildne744]

@@grantkleinhenz6789 .... and The Plum Island Horror currently on GMT's p500 is quite fun - solo or cooperatively...

[@fredwmanzo8580]

Thanks for your very kind words. The player’s aid size was a printer’s error and was corrected in the second edition. Also there is a large font file on BGG. For your information, Rick Barber’s maps were all hand drawn. You can tell his map from just about any other map maker’s after you’ve seen one of them. I believe this was his last really large map and his penultimate produce. While the second Kickstarter for AMFS is over, I believe there are still copies available for sale.

[@Stiglr]

I liked the discussion (8:10) about the mix of "grognardism" and "gamey" mechanics in this system.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

AMFS is a modern, instant classic in my humble opinion. Gilbert Collins is going to want to have this game, as I truly believe this is the game all other Gettysburg games will be measured against for a long, long time to come. Hermann Luttmann's ACW games, Blind Swords, Black Swan and his new game Champion Hill, are the "next gen" as far as ACW games go. I once heard Hermann say in a KZbin video the games he was playing on the ACW weren't playing like the way he was reading about how it was. So he wanted to design a game that played the way he was reading about how things were. I'd have to say he nailed that one! Devine inspiration maybe? Rick Barber would have been super proud of this game, I'm sure. It really brings the history of this battle to life. Throw the game at someone!? I can see it now; Colonel Chamberlain orders the 20th Maine, who have run out of ammunition, to all get out their games of A Most Fearful Sacrifice, and charge down the hill into the rebel attack, bonking confederate soldiers over the head with their AMFS games! "FIX AMFS ... CHARGE!" 🇺🇲

[@hermannluttmann1637]

Thanks so much, Robert! And I laughed out loud at the last bit - well done! 😆

[@robertmoffitt1336]

@@hermannluttmann1637 Could be a good Monty Python skit, Grant could play Chamberlain! 🙂

[@kennethatherton568]

Blind Swords is great. I was impressed by how clean and easy to use it is.

[@robertmoffitt1336]

@@kennethatherton568 Game #8 in the series is on deck with Revolution.

[@johnsy4306]

The three Fs: The Friction of War, The Fog of War, and the Fortunes of War

[@kennethatherton568]

I’ve got Revolution Game’s Bull Run game (the name escapes me) with one of Rick’s maps and it is GLORIOUS. I think this one is mounted, yes? I seriously want to buy it just for that map. That panning close up you did had my finger’s twice for my credit card.

[@grantkleinhenz6789]

AMFS has two gorgeous and huge mounted boards.

[@cwhalen3141]

Rick drew/colored the map by hand and it took him forever to complete it. If he had wanted to do something grand at the end of his career, this would be it.

[@de4dlyjackal697]

Gentlemen Stop! My heart can only take so much excitement in one day! Can’t wait to get this game.

[@kirksellman1999]

Looking forward to my Kickstarter copy.

[@Stiglr]

12:00 Fun watching you guys discover the intricacies of Base 6 combat systems. La Battaille has been doing that for years!! Where've you two been? :)

[@66morningview]

Not playing La Battaille that's for sure! 🙃

[@fpgowner]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Excellent video.

[@derMikester]

Mssrs A & G: Great review as always. You guys do such an amazing job of concisification (my own made up word btw) the essentials of a WG review into the most relevant facts so your review videos are relatively short and very effective. Kudos on the recent CSR Award too; well deserved (just don't let it go to your heads now! :P ) As many have already noted Mark - Hermmy - and Team @ FPGs already have the Kickstarter out. I think it's actually closed. Just recall I already pledged it quite a few weeks ago now.

[@matthewharris2463]

Also, I believe the 2nd printing will be addressing the players aid issues.

[@jamesvaughan9471]

I never saw a Gettysburg game that I had to have until now! Looks great. Must buy for me.

[@AndyP998]

Could be the ultimate acw tactical wargame for me, its just clicks on so many levels and its actually playable Gettysburg battle without taking so many months. I would definately buy more of this series if there is anything in making.

[@fredwmanzo8580]

There are a number of smaller but similar games. I’m thinking of “The Devil’s to Pay - The First Day of Gettysburg” and the brand new “The Hill of Death - the Battle of Campaign Hill.”

[@fredwmanzo8580]

“The Rock of Chickamagua” has just been announced for a Kickstarter campaign in the Fall. As far as I know it will be exactly the same physically as AMFS.

[@manders7868]

Great game, and the right scale for such a huge and long battle. I hope that the next in the series will cover, say, Chickamauga -- another battle of similar scope.

[@hermannluttmann1637]

Thanks! Chickamauga is indeed the plan for the next game in the series. Finding a map artist who wants to tackle that battlefield at this size is the first task.

[@manders7868]

@@hermannluttmann1637 Wonderful! Glad to hear it.

[@billyriley492]

@@hermannluttmann1637 please make a smaller map...max 35" deep 🙏

[@JohnPywtorak]

Need a telescope to read that CRT. Good thing we have updates from Flying Pig and alternates on BGG.

[@grantkleinhenz6789]

I think a microscope would be more appropriate!

[@JohnPywtorak]

@@grantkleinhenz6789 thanks for the tip, but I was watching you on the TV from a comfortable seat. Think about it, kinda why sailors, like me, don’t use microscopes.

[@michaelgentile69]

Played this for two full days last week at GMT East. Very approachable monster game. Highly recommend. We blew up the charts (absolutely necessary). Reprint has 11x17 (now available online).

[@matthewharris2463]

I have been waiting for this one. I own it, but haven't had the opportunity to play it.

[@jeroenkoopman3368]

I received my 2nd edition of A most fearful sacrifice this week! Its impressive.

[@hexaedre]

Great review as always! Not sure I can fit that size of a map either though... And the game is out of stock on the Flying Pig Games web site.

[@fredwmanzo8580]

AMFS has just been put up for pre-orders on the Flying Pig site. There were enough copies left over from the kickstarter to supply retail outlets here and in the UK and Europe plus some directly from Flying Pig.

[@hexaedre]

@@fredwmanzo8580 Great news! Thanks for the info. And I see there will be larger PCAs, very cool.

[@mitchellmeyer8652]

Great content, thank you! You missed the "r" in "Fearful" in the video title.

[@ryansutter5869]

The 2nd printing kickstarter already ran a few months ago.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Yeah we shot this ages ago, sadly.

[@fredwmanzo8580]

I don’t know for sure, but the Kickstarter fulfillment probably didn’t consume the entire second edition print run.

[@fredwmanzo8580]

Flying Pig opened pre-orders for AMFS today!

[@CJ_esc.artist]

Nice use of B-roll!

[@timmeyspankey]

The game looks fantastic! AARs would be much appreciated.

[@thehistoryexpert82]

My friend got the 2nd edition and those player aids are doubled in size

[@johnsy4306]

I regret not supporting this game on Kickstarter when the second printing came out

[@fredwmanzo8580]

Keep looking. I believe, but haven’t been told, that the Kickstarter pledges didn’t consume the entire print run.

[@johnsy4306]

@@fredwmanzo8580 Where should I look? I cant get them from Flying Pig. Do you mean on the secondary market?

[@fredwmanzo8580]

@@johnsy4306 I’ll check more closely, but I’ve unofficially heard that there are enough for retail sales at your local game store. (I’ll try to hunt down the details over the next day or two.)

[@fredwmanzo8580]

Flying Pig is opening it for pre-orders right now.

[@johnsy4306]

@@fredwmanzo8580 OMG!!! Just put in my pre order. Thank you SOOO much. By any chance, are you related to Irene Manzo?

[@jacklitt]

What a great looking game. Yet again a great stream , thanks Alexander and Grant. Unfortunately, we in the UK and EU excluded from the Kickstarter...a real shame. I would love this 2nd edition , as I believe that fixes the issues you both pointed out. But , please ask why oh why is the EU excluded from Kickstarter...

[@fredwmanzo8580]

I don’t know for certain about Kickstarter, but the cost of mailing a game this big to the UK or Europe would run close to $100 per copy. In other words, you might be paying more to mail the game then you did for the game. (When you pick up the box your first reaction is to imagine the map was mounted on sheets of lead or armor plating.)

[@jacklitt]

@@fredwmanzo8580 Hi Fred, I agree on that BUT surely game manufactureres in USA could collaborate with companies i.e SecondChance to overcome that. If the gaming world relies on a single market then we may as well kiss goodbye to the industry. I know assault Horizon in Germany is taking the hit on most of the postage cost for its games to usa market and thy are actively looking for a producer in usa to stock its games .

[@hermannluttmann1637]

The issue with European shipping was indeed the extremely high cost of shipping + VAT. No one would have pledged the game if it had been offered for $225. But don't worry - the game will be available through the normal European retailers after it prints.

[@jacklitt]

​@@hermannluttmann1637 Hi Hermann, very much appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thats great news that it will be available with EU retailers. This is one of the games I wish to play in 2023 as so many good things have been said , Grant and Alexander, have praised your design as have many other youTubers

[@Stiglr]

I might have given a better explanation about the arcane terminology of the "flavors" of this system. Blind Swords, Black Swan, what do all these "code names" mean, and how do they still hang together to be considered to be in the same system?

[@fredwmanzo8580]

“Blind Sword” games have regiments as their maneuver elements. It’s name comes from the epic poem “John Brown’s Body” by Stephen Vincent Benet. All “Blind Sword games” are published by Revolution games. The “Black Swan” games maneuver by brigades and all come from “Flying Pig” games. The name comes from economic theory and means “an unexpected and unplanned for event”. Something out of left field. I believe it was chosen mostly because it has the same initials as the “Blind Sword” games. Now each game is slightly different as the situations were different. But if you learn one of them you can pick up the others fairly quickly. The biggest differences between the “Blind Sword” games and the true “Black Swan” games is that the former use chit pulls and the later use cards as triggers.

[@strelnikoff1632]

One of y'all's best

[@georgedeppner418]

Thanks very good information. Now it's more of a priority ! LOL

[@gre8132]

Love all his maps. I think Summer Storm is my favorite map. Kind of a toss-up between SS and this one. Great system. I wish the charts were done like the ones for The Devil’s To Pay

[@drizzle952]

This game looks good.

[@flaviusbelisarius3240]

Could that unnamed company be Clash of Arms? I have been admiring their games but they are pricey!

[@dalerobinson8051]

Thanks again. But, Greg, you know what's "more easy" to say? "Easier." And Alexander: "cool" instead of "more cool." It's the comparative suffix. Try it it. You'll like it. OK, I know "everyone" is saying "more" instead of using "-er" but it doesn't make sense to say things in a harder way (or should I have said "more hard way"?) when English has this wonderful feature most languages do not have. Alexander, you may be an American now but I trust you haven't forgotten the Queen's (oops, make that King's) English, so help your new fellow citizens recover our wonderful language. At least I haven't heard either of you say "very concerning"--that drives me up the walls more fast--uh, I mean faster yet. I watch all of your videos and can't wait for the next video in which I hope you'll speak more better--Your friendly Grammar Geek.

[@grantkleinhenz6789]

Wow. I guess I have to get my textbooks out and sharpen up my English. I will try more hard! HAHAHAHA

[@billyriley492]

I desperately wanted this game because I love ACW and it looked amazing...but my table doesn't go to 44"...my gaming space is 35"x80" Thanks for the impressions. Love the new technique of talking whilst showing close-ups of the game components

[@scottbeall2212]

A large number of the scenarios only require one of the maps.

[@billyriley492]

@scottbeall2212 yeah I read that somewhere...but I just know i would want to play the full campaign