Altar of Freedom - 1st Bull Run

For Loose Games & Shows.
Post Reply
Ilkley Old School
PurpleBot
Posts: 769
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:15 pm
Contact:

Altar of Freedom - 1st Bull Run

Post by Ilkley Old School »

I have had Altar of Freedom (AoF) for nearly 4 years. I finally got my first game played last week and played the first battle of Bull Run or as the sesesh call it 1st Manassas.

Image

Image

I used my 10mm figures which are based for DBACW with Infantry on 40 by 20mm and artillery on 40 by 40mm and played on 4.5ft by 3ft table. AoF uses Infantry on 60 by 30mm and a 6 by 4ft table. Each unit is a brigade.

Image

In the game the Federals decided to defend Centreville. This allowed Beareguard to take the initiative and once he had got across Bull Run to launch attacks on the defending Union troops particulary on the flanks.

Image

Image

By move 7 not only had the rebels taken Centreville they had destroyed 5 union units.

Image

On reflection the Union should have defended the Bull Run crossings and been more aggressive although McDowells personality traits do not help him coordinate only allowing 1 division to activate per priority level. This is a tough one for the Union to win and needs the Union player to try and isolate and pick off any isolated Confederate units before they can consolidate and use their better brigades to gain the advantage.

A fun game with an interesting bidding system and use of priority points.
User avatar
Count Belisarius
Grizzly Madam
Posts: 4363
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2017 2:13 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Contact:

Re: Altar of Freedom - 1st Bull Run

Post by Count Belisarius »

That looked fun
User avatar
World2dave
Jezebel
Posts: 2556
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:31 am
Location: In the Middle
Contact:

Re: Altar of Freedom - 1st Bull Run

Post by World2dave »

Nice looking game! I've got the rules and they certainly seem to capture the feel of the period for big battles.

PS. Andy, are you feeling ok, you used the word 'fun'?
User avatar
Essex Boy
Grizzly Madam
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 4:22 pm
Location: South Essex
Contact:

Re: Altar of Freedom - 1st Bull Run

Post by Essex Boy »

That's a very impressive looking table, Mark.

Iain
Post Reply