Does the confederacy always get the initiative

[Iron Brigade]

Do they always get to attack me first when I can't do anything about it or is there any way I can mount a hasty counteroffensive?

[Longshanks]

need some context here .... describe the situation

[Iron Brigade]

When I start the grand camping the south always gets the first strike which I get but I can't mobolize anyone till a few turns later cause all my troops are locked and what I'm asking is if there's any way to mount an early defense By unlocking any troops

I assume this is a complete newb question btw

My first game I got super pissed that my marines wouldn't move lol

[caranorn]

Well the Confederates also start with most forces locked. The exception being the Charleston forces (which afterall were actively besieging Fort Sumter around this time), a small unit of Militia near Harpers Ferry (to simulate the "coup de main" on that arsenal) and another small Militia unit near Norfolk (who took the naval station). Actually of those I believe even only the Charleston force starts active in the w/Kentucky campaign scenario (as Virginia hadn't seceded yet by that date)...

A few turns into the game most major forces of both sides will have unlocked, leaving only scattered garrisons permanently locked. So by that time it's up to you the player to seize initiative or not...

By the way, about the only agressive moves the Union could have made around the time of Fort Sumter would have been to reinforce the garrison (and therefore break into the harbour) and possibly order Union regiments trying to withdraw from Texas to resist capture/disarmament (about two regiments worth of regulars surrendered to Texan militia). But of course that could have triggered a speed up of the secession movement, lead to added anti-Union feelings throughout the south and lower support in the north (the Union seen as starting the conflict). Maybe some events could be added to cover these issues if ever we get an AACW-II...

Oh one offensive action of the Union not covered in AACW is the West Virginia campaign. I had once planned to mod in a more realistic portrayal of that area, but in the end I grew disilusionned as I don't see how the 3-month volunteer system (volunteer regiments recruited for 3 months of service, after which they would return to their home state to disband) could be modelled into AACW and that was after all crucial for that campaign (also for a realistic Bull Run campaign)...

[ohms_law]

The whole "that could have triggered a speed up of the secession movement" aspect is one big reason that I'm an advocate for a more involved political system for AACW 2, as I mentioned yesterday in the AACW2 wishlist thread. The whole start of the war could be completely different (1854 ACW scenario, anyone?).

Proper modelling of the various volunteer systems that sprang up during the war are another issue that should be addressed.
(I'm doing a bit of campaigning to get AACW 2 firmly on the map next, after PON development settles down a bit, by the way).

Anyway, as to the topic at had, if the Union player were allowed to bring everything to bear on the Confederacy right from the get go, then there really wouldn't be much of a game. If you really want you could mod the scenario so that all of your units start unlocked. It might be fun to rip the South to shreds in under 6 months, once.

[Iron Brigade]

I think politics is the only part that bugs me about this game because since both sides are sworn enemies there can't be an organized cease fire like there can be in some other games (pretty share you can do it I empire total war but never. Actually experienced one cause I just wanted to see how fast I could conquer Europe lol)

This is why people shouldn't let me get bored cause if i do I'll go off and conquer France( virtually of course)

[charlesonmission]

I ususally start the game in July instead of April. The July start eliminates some of unusual April moves because in July both the Union and CSA have active forces.

Charles

Do they always get to attack me first when I can't do anything about it or is there any way I can mount a hasty counteroffensive?