Starter strategies(union)

[Iron Brigade]

I just got the game on Saturday and started the union campaign to get a feel for the game
I just need some start up strats to get me going( organization is my biggest problem)

[charlesonmission]

Do the tutorials first. They focus on organisation.

Charles

I just got the game on Saturday and started the union campaign to get a feel for the game
I just need some start up strats to get me going( organization is my biggest problem)

[youkali]

As the Union, you have a lot of options and the luxury to explore them. I recommend playing 18 mos. or so just trying different strategies--naval emphasis/Anaconda plan, militia or regular troops, defense and industrial buildup, whatever appeals to you while getting a sense of what the South can do. Just going through the division and corps creation process will be a real learning experience, since the nature of the game changes pretty dramatically at those points. This is a deep game, and probably the best strategy game out there, so there's no point in rushing up that long learning curve. Good luck. There's tons of good advice here too.

[oberst_klink]

I just got the game on Saturday and started the union campaign to get a feel for the game
I just need some start up strats to get me going( organization is my biggest problem)

Perhaps care for a PBEM? I recently got into AACW and I also share the same question... Like one of the lads here said; the best way is to see how it goes from April - December 61. Then you get a feeling where your opponent strikes (Athena) and adapt your strategy.

Klink, Oberst

[Mickey3D]

I just need some start up strats to get me going (organization is my biggest problem)

At the start of the game you can't create division before october 1861 and corps before march 1862. But you should think ahead to be able to create balanced divisions when the time will come : one sharpshooter per division, one or two cavalry, some artillery (not everybody agree on the number, I generally put 4 of them) and the rest infantry.

From a strategical point of view, Manassas is critical : not owning it in september will make you loose 10 National Moral (NM).

Try to hold fort Monroe, it can be used to threaten the confederate flank.

Build up your forces in the West (ground as well as naval forces) and be ready to strike when Kentucky will choose its side (or you can try a "preemptive" strike and invade it) : Paducah, Fort Henry and Bowling green are all valid targets.

Later in the game (1862) you will have to move near Richmond (2 regions or less) to avoid loss of NM.

[Lparsons7641]

I play a little to conservative I think, I'm a very cautious general. My first USA game isn't going great, I control Missouri (did that in '61)

But I'm bogged down around Island 10. (Sept 62) Grant besieged it and failed. Sherman took Forts Henry-Donelson. Kentucky is completely controlled by me as well.

I've launched an invasion of New Orleans, that went well, taking it Fort Pike, and Ft. Jackson, I'm attacking the 3rd fort now.

I have another division ready to land somewhere, I was thinking Texas, as I just lost Ft. Monroe and the Ft. Near Pensacola

In Virgina I'm near Fredricksburg, but afraid to move south. I'm just so disorganized, my Corps are all different sizes and strengths, nothing is uniform. I have leaders all over.

[rattler01]

Use that division to take all the forts, rotate your best leaders commanding it to get them promoted.

[GraniteStater]

I play a little to conservative I think, I'm a very cautious general. My first USA game isn't going great, I control Missouri (did that in '61)

But I'm bogged down around Island 10. (Sept 62) Grant besieged it and failed. Sherman took Forts Henry-Donelson. Kentucky is completely controlled by me as well.

I've launched an invasion of New Orleans, that went well, taking it Fort Pike, and Ft. Jackson, I'm attacking the 3rd fort now.

I have another division ready to land somewhere, I was thinking Texas, as I just lost Ft. Monroe and the Ft. Near Pensacola

In Virgina I'm near Fredricksburg, but afraid to move south. I'm just so disorganized, my Corps are all different sizes and strengths, nothing is uniform. I have leaders all over.

My only comment is that (a) you're not doing that badly, and (b) Ft. Monroe is important. CSA possession interdicts everything coming in and out of Chesapeake Bay, interfering with your most natural assembly point for overseas landings - Baltimore. Ft. Monroe will be tough to take back - you've lost any Peninsular campaign or threat you might have had - I would recommend a solid overland campaign in northern VA - guard Washington and Harper's Ferry, etc.