TSMaster: My Thoughts on the Warlord Games ACW Epic Battles Starter Set

[@drummerdanny1269]

I am so glad I saw your video before purchasing this boxset. I was going to get for myself for Chinese New Year,but not making a distinction between both sides is a deal breaker for me. I played many games and love to paint minis and terrain,but I don't see myself fixing these issues. Hobby time is limited. Warlord should have done this. It's not my job to fix their mistake. I will look into Kallistra. Thanks again for the video.

[@willcorlett7630]

Nice video and you bring up a lot of the concerns many people have spoken about. The sprue design is contentious but was most likely driven by cost above all else. Once the decision was made to go for 10 man strips then going as generic as possiblle was always going to be the choice, yes a "union" sprue with just forage caps would have been great, but then again I know some would be asking for a sprue in frock coats etc. As it is because these are plastic and if you are willing to go for absolute accuarcy, cutting and trimming is relatively simple, but in all honesty on table seen from the wargamers height, caps and hats look much the same especially if in a uniform colour. The 13.5 size is awkward but turns out to be a bonus as it sits nicely between kallstra 12mm and Peter Pig 15mm which can be used to give variety and plug the gaps - eg Kallistra cavalry mounted/dismounted are better value than the Warlord box sets. My biggest gripe are the rule proposals which are just a port direct from Black Powder, with 5 base regiments as standard etc. 5 bases is one foot on table and mosyt of us do not ghave the luxury of 12 foot wargames tables. This flows into the sggested scenarios in the booklet, one which needs not only wave 2 and 3 stuff but multiple starters, very GW , very uncool. For myself a three base standard regiment seems to be the way forward (oooh 20 regiments in the box now) abeit you need to supply extra command (did I mention Kallistra?) and use cms instead of inches for measurements albeit for convenience I have actually been halving the inches and lately have found even dividing by three gives nice tabletop results. This three base regiment can also be considered as three two point bases for rules like Picketts Charge or Peter Pigs Civil War rules or even maybe three points for fire and Fury? Bottom line the boxed set at least in my opinion represents really good value and serves as the core of a ACW wargaming collection, being adaptable in itself and with at least two other manufacturers

[@johnrohde5510]

I'm no expert but I gather the major cost of production is cutting the steel for injection moulding. For an exploratory range, that may have made a difference. The hat thing reminds me of that last scene from the Audie Murphy, Red Badge Of courage, film, when our hero tosses aside his kepi for a rebel slouch hat.

[@alistairbain6149]

Dude, awesome work 👍🏼 Thank you! Especially appreciated your *constructive* criticisms - very rare these days Great stuff!

[@KingMATTtheSuperior]

Great video bud :) I agree with all your points. I’m hoping with its success warlord will put some more love into this range. And if they did epic AWI I would definitely pick some up

[@doshutokeshi3877]

If you watched Warlord Games John Stallard's video on his thoughts on this range, he said that this was a starter set with the idea of the figures designed to be used for either side. It kinda works. Sort of. These figures are better for the Western theater. Unionists wore hats more than kepis. Remember, most of the higher-ups from Warlord, are ex-Games Workshop. This follows the GW recruiting model. They're looking to get new gamers into Black Powder, not existing ones, because they'll have to buy new armies not existing gamers who already have armies (and who know better and about different companies aka Kallistra)

[@Careoran]

Agree with many of your cons, I would have like to at least the union sprew being with Caps only. But bottom line its still a great release and I bought the Starter Set plus cavalry and now the skirmishers and unmounted Cavs (plus 2 sets of Command strips) :) I think I am perfectly set for many ACW battles and not just with BlackPowder but also other rule sets like Fire & Fury etc What I like the most is the scale in roughly 15mm, which is so much better suited for tabletop battles than 28mm and I can use lots of my scenery of my WW2 setting too

[@GenghisVern]

This was actually helpful, the part about all the sprues in the big starter set being identical just different colors. If I get into a collection I might go with separate brigade sets.

[@craigfarrow6617]

Agree that the mixed headgear is not accurate. Really sad.

[@gmlogan4889]

Nice review. I just bought this set. I’ve started into ACW on/off over the last decade in 6mm, 10mm, 28mm, and was even looking at 3mm recently. This set was a no-brainer for me. I just couldn’t justify spending almost 3x the price for 6mm when I could get “big 10mm” (really what this is) for $120. I’m also someone who likes to “kit bash” and add my own details (cut away hats for forage caps, add green stuff to cannons to make James Rifles, Ordnance Rifles, etc). I also play primarily Western or Trans-Mississippi Theater, so this kit was perfect for me. I’ve already added about 500 Kallistra miniatures to fill in the gaps (Zouaves, Cavalry, etc). The expansion sets are just ridiculously expensive and I won’t be buying them.

[@thestuGmaster]

This set is absolutely perfect for people like yourself that don’t mind filling in the gaps and are looking for a set to really add numbers to your army and cheaply. You and me have the same interest. I’m not much off a kit basher though

[@gmlogan4889]

@@thestuGmaster Also agree with you, if they come out with this in AWI, I’m buying it immediately. But again, the boxed set is an outstanding value. The resin/fine cast expansions don’t fly. Way too much.

[@155gunchief]

As a Civil War buff, and living historian I love the video, please do not jump on the "historically accurate" band wagon. The union soldiers were issued bummers, not kepis(these were private purchase) slouch hats were used in great quantities on both sides, and so where blanket rolls. The issued knapsack was uncomfortable, and cumbersome.

[@mattblowers]

I love this set. Every wargame is a compromise between historical accuracy and playability. This set is ultimately playable. As a bonus these look really good from 3-5 feet away that you will be playing them. I supplemented this box with about 600 alternative sculpts in cannon, cav, infantry, and skirmishers. I'm really happy with it so far. But the task to get this table ready is soul sucking. I'm nearly 4 months in and it is crushing.

[@mattblowers]

They gave us a great product at a good price. Are there things that could be improved? Of course. It looks good on the table. Mix in some Kallistra and you're good to go.

[@clarkcommando1983]

As I’m new to miniatures this set is what drew me in and is perfect imho. Looks good on the table. I’m slowly painting mine but have played as I go 😊 even in painted

[@kiermac]

I agree that they need to make some changes and better show the difference between the two sides. No need to go too crazy with super small details, just a few changes to make everything more historically accurate. If they decide to make a AWI range they can take my money too. Good review.

[@dupeesfashionconsultant4204]

Great video. I did like this set, u pre ordered all the unit releases and have been happy with them all. Most came as metal special editions. YeA the union hats and generals and the guns were a let down

[@jonathanowen9917]

Excellent review and balanced praise/criticism. What Civil War rule set do you use?

[@leonleese4919]

I’ve watched the first 15 minutes of the video, I’ve saved it to view it without interruption ;-) I’m a long time wargamer, since the mid 1950’s with Britain’s Toys 54mm figures, I has the Rebs. However I’ve not bought my own wargame army, instead I’ve played Napoleonic, but the warlord games sprue set me thinking yes you are right about the Starter Set. To my mind a quick play basic rule book, the sprue’s should have separate command sprue, 2 bases of infantry plus the command would give more regiments to begin with additional sprue’s in reinforcement packs. Also the sprue’s should have had the option of cutting the down so that 30mm bases could be made 5 files in 2 ranks. Just my 2P worth.

[@greyjedi4794]

Historical side note: but Union regiments in the western theater tended to wear more slouch hats, not just kepis. Maybe not as common as Confederate, but uniforms are not always "uniform."

[@RalphAstley]

Great review. As someone with 15mm armies already there is nothing to appeal to me. If I didn't I would probably still not be interested as there are already a lot of ACW players in my community who own 15mm armies and I would be obliged to conform with them. This is my thoughts with Napoleonics as well. I have some 28mm figures but was contemplating 15mm. Why would I want to acquire a range in 12/13mm that might have all the deficiencies you describe when there are a plethora of excellent 15mm ranges out there that can give me a comprehensive, varied and historically accurate army if I pick and choose from each range? Brilliant, thought provoking and articulate review - thank you.

[@peteraussie7606]

I bought the starter with a view to using each base of 20 as a regiment to fight big battles. This works well with the blackpowder rules. The add on figures are way too expensive even worse down under . You can get all the figures you need in metal from Kallistra miniatures for at least half the cost. If you want specific generals Peter pig miniatures do some excellent sculpts. I hope Warlord don't do any more periods in this scale if they are going to charge such crazy prices for the resin figures.

[@warpaint9385]

All they had to do was swap the heads out in the 3D modelling so all union had Kepi’s. The rest of the equipment whether present or not doesn’t really bother me. Some people have gone to the trouble of trimming the hats. Heck of a job. Yeah so I’ve wondered myself why they had only one sprue design.

[@colin_painting_adventure]

Have you played Ultimate General: Civil War? I think you would enjoy that.

[@andyrmac7733]

An excellent review. I agree with your concerns and for me feel the concerns outweigh the positives so I wont be buying. I am wanting to start a big ACW project but have reached a stalemate having tied myself in knots regarding which scale to use, 15mm or 6mm I can see merits for both. I traditionally go 15mms and have a very large Naps collection that I have been building all.my adult life in and off. Which ever i.would go i.would I tend to go large with corps for 15mms and Army for 6mm. I have been really impressed with your 6mms army so at present I just don't know.!!! Thank you for posting im.really enjoying your channel.

[@TheodoreCooper]

not all union soldiers wore kepis. Most western soldiers wore Hardee hats or other hats like pork pie hats. Several Confederates did were kepis. I think they did the best they could because there was no Army standard headwear at the time. Or at least it wasn't enforced.

[@waynekozik525]

They did this on the cheap if it had failed then they haven't spent to much on the molds.

[@acsmith70325]

We need you on my future Civil War podcasts.

[@thestuGmaster]

I was going to ask you but you already beat me to it, I’m in.

[@maryhinge6334]

Interesting thoughts. It seems to me like they’ve just played a classic marketing trick. Suck everyone in with a cheap starter set and then screw them by charging way over the odds for all the added bits. It seems there’s and easy solution though. Just use the warlord base set for your rank and file and buy everything else for Kalistra. Hopefully enough people work that out and then they’ll have to start pricing things a bit more sensibly. 👍

[@osty4253]

I see hank sr. In the background!

[@erics745]

I am fed up trimming the hats to make them kepis for the yanks !!

[@155gunchief]

Then don't. It's not historically accurate.

[@horuslupercal9936]

The generic uniforms almost put me off but I'm still gonna give them a try.

[@thestuGmaster]

Go for it Warmaster! If you like them then perfect! Been a long time since I made this video and they’ve came out with a lot more products! Happy painting and victory to the Luna wolves!

[@TheByteknight]

They bit the bullet and prioritized cutting costs rather than historical accuracy..

[@e-4airman124]

because they saw it as a cheaper way to go more profit for them.

[@pbeccas]

Great balanced review. Definitely not for me.

[@ratelmike8825]

Sorry I lasted just 9 minutes into this yet another bitching and moaning session. At this scale are you really going to be that fussed about some of the miniatures looking alike when you openly acknowledge that many of the uniforms in the ACW were very similar. Thats what keeps the price down on the plastics. Perry miniatures even in 28mm do exactly the same. A box can do either side. The cost of moulds for hard injected plastics is very expensive and this period and theatre where uniforms are very similar is an excellent way to go. I would wager that Perrys would not have even ventured into ACW if they listened to the bitching and moaning brigade and want all factions separate moulds and separate sets. Napoleonics have a big market and many rule sets and therefore that makes financial sense for hobby companies to make so many different kits as there is no way you could model French and British from the same kit. Now on the subject of how pricey kits are outside the starter sets. Well many a hobby company does that. From what I have seen some of the other kits are in metal like the Calvary and the Iron Brigade so therefore the price is going to go up. Considering how much comes in a set Im not surprised on the price. Again shop around the independents you get pretty damn good discounts on these kits. In conclusion, this hobby .....like every hobby costs. Nothing in life is free......no matter how much you bitch moan and whine like a pussy. A fucking computer game on PS4 or Xbox cost well over £50 so what in the hell are you bitching about. Going out for a meal for two knocks on £50 or more. Hell even a takeaway nowadays costs over £20....