From: "Thomas Kassel" Subject: Blue vs Gray:The Civil War Card game I've just purchased this excellent game and have been having a lot of fun with it. I have just a couple of rules queries. 1. Exactly what constitutes the full blockade? Certainly holding either all Gulf or all Atlantic ports plus one naval squadron in the East does the business. My guess is that either holding all ports on both coasts (without the necessity for any naval squadrons in the East) or two naval squadrons (without holding all ports on either coast) would also be a full blockade, but there is no explicit statement as such. 2. Step 1 draw cards When the USA rail network is cut, the rules say draw one less card. I assume that this can't override the requirement to draw two cards from the deck each turn. Otherwise the USA player could delay the 1864 election unduly. 3 Surrounded city combat results. I assume that riverine forces remove cities adjacent via river links for the CSA. Specifically, when the USA attacks Vicksburg from Jackson, Vicksburg is surrounded even if the CSA holds Port Hudson or Memphis. 4. Optional Rules. Political Favor. I assume that this is a misprint and should have read "no commander with political disfavor can have as many troops as a commander with political favor in the same theater". 5. Fort Monroe Attacks to/from Fort Monroe aren't restricted in size. I assume that the USA is still denied add reserves because he is supplied by sea. Tom Kassel From: PzLehr130@aol.com Subject: Re: Blue vs Gray:The Civil War Card game In a message dated 3/22/99 11:18:18 AM Central Standard Time, TKassel@btinternet.com writes: > I've just purchased this excellent game and have been having a lot of fun > with it. > > I have just a couple of rules queries. > > 1. Exactly what constitutes the full blockade? Certainly holding either > all Gulf or all Atlantic ports plus one naval squadron in the East does the > business. My guess is that either holding all ports on both coasts (without > the necessity for any naval squadrons in the East) or two naval squadrons > (without holding all ports on either coast) would also be a full blockade, > but there is no explicit statement as such. First, I check out the site at: http://www.qedgames.com/BGHq.htm Lots of good info and a good Q&A / errata on the game. Failing that, here is what I've come up with re your questions. This is just what I go by on my rules reading. For number 1) you have it right. The easiest method is probably 2 naval squadrons in the East -- as you start with 1 already. > > 2. Step 1 draw cards > > When the USA rail network is cut, the rules say draw one less card. I > assume that this can't override the requirement to draw two cards from the > deck each turn. Otherwise the USA player could delay the 1864 election > unduly. I continue to draw a min. of 2 cards as the USA in this sit. > 3 Surrounded city combat results. > > I assume that riverine forces remove cities adjacent via river links for the > CSA. Specifically, when the USA attacks Vicksburg from Jackson, Vicksburg > is surrounded even if the CSA holds Port Hudson or Memphis. "If the USA has naval squadrons in the West, the CSA can't trace supply, attack, or retreat along rivers, even if the USA hasn't reached that part of the river yet". -- Rule Card #23. I'd say surrounded. > 4. Optional Rules. Political Favor. > > I assume that this is a misprint and should have read "no commander with > political disfavor can have as many troops as a commander with political > favor in the same theater". You are correct here. This is explicity addressed in rules errata. > 5. Fort Monroe > > Attacks to/from Fort Monroe aren't restricted in size. I assume that the > USA is still denied add reserves because he is supplied by sea. I treat Ft. Monroe as a special case of Rule Card #24, and that the USA CAN add reserves here. They certainly could have historically. BTW, while I like FTP, I LOVE Blue v. Grey as a strategic ACW game. The card format can fool you into thinking it's "not all that". Well...it IS!, as much as "Up Front" is a great squad level game. Maybe even moreso since it is so easy to get into the game. And it can present more decisions at the proper level than many, many other games in this league. I've played the campaign game 3 times -- to completion -- in ONE weekend , and will be back for more! More on this gem later. Regards, Stan