MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES

GAME DESIGN BY JOHN THEISSEN

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 8.0 COMBAT PHASE 3

2.0 OVERVIEW 1 9.0 RECOVERY PHASES 4
3.0 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS 2 10.0 SPECIAL EVENTS 5
4.0 SET-UP 2 11.0 SPECIAL RULES & EXCEPTIONS 5
5.0 SEQUENCE OF PLAY 2 12.0 VICTORY CONDITIONS 5
6.0 REINFORCEMENT PHASE 2 DESIGNER’S NOTES 6
7.0 MOVEMENT PHASE 3 PLAYER AID BACK
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the summer of 1862, Major General John Pope took
command of the new Army of Virginia, and he wanted to
bring a more aggressive posture to the Federal command.
When Stonewall Jackson's Confederate wing moved north
around the Union flank, Pope seized the opportunity to
attack, and attempt to destroy, Jackson's force. Robert E.
Lee, in overall command of the southern army in the area,
had no intention of sitting passively. He aggressively sent
Longstreet's wing to Unite with Jackson, hoping to disrupt
the US forces and commit to battle on favorable terms, even
though the northerners had superior numbers. A number of
battles were fought during this campaign, including the
major battle of 2nd Bull Run.
2.0 OVERVIEW
More Aggressive Attitudes is an operational-level game for
two players exploring the 1862 Virginia Campaign. It is played
with 88 counters, 1 mapsheet, 2 Display Sheets (one for each
player), and a six-sided die. Each turn equals one day, and
each Strength Point represents about 3,000 men.
2.1 Map
The mapsheet represents the terrain over which the campaign
was conducted. Each hex represents about five miles and
contains a specific type of terrain (Clear, Mountain, etc.) which
may have effects on movement and combat, as defined on the
Terrain Effects Chart. Rivers flow along hexsides.
2.2 Combat Units
Each Combat Unit is represented by one or more counters,
and indicates certain pieces of information about that Unit.
Unit ID: The name of the Combat Unit's commander.
Some formations (e.g., Jackson) have more than one Unit
due to their size, as indicated by a "1" or a "2" at the end of
the Unit's name. These are treated as separate Combat
Units for all purposes, but may share one Movement Roll
when they begin the phase stacked together.
Strength Points: The number of Strength Points
currently possessed by the Combat Unit. As it takes Step
Losses, this number will decrease by one:
The first step loss a Combat Unit incurs will cause the
counter to be flipped to its reverse side, indicated by a
white stripe.
1
The second loss taken by a Combat Unit will cause it to
be replaced by its Replacement Counter, indicated by
the small "R" in the lower-right corner.
The third loss is represented by flipping the Replacement
Counter to its reverse, white-stripe, side.
A fourth loss will result in the removal (Elimination) of
the Combat Unit from the game entirely.
Some Combat Units have fewer than four steps of
Strength: for example, a three-step Unit is Eliminated
upon taking its third loss.
Leadership Rating: How well the Combat Unit is led.
This has an effect on its abilities in Combat. Note that when
a Combat Unit is stacked with a Leader counter (Pope or
Lee), that Leader's Leadership Rating is used.
Unit Type: Infantry or Cavalry. These generally function
the same, but see 8.1 for an important exception.
Army: US Combat Units may belong to either the Army of
the Potomac ("P") or Army of Virginia ("V"), as indicated
in the lower-left corner of the counter.
Garrisons: Garrisons are a type of Combat Unit that cannot
Move or Attack, but can Defend. Their Strength Point is in
parentheses as a reminder of these limitations.
2.3 Leaders
Leader counters represent the overall Leaders of the
respective sides, and are indicated by a portrait of the
Leader in question. Leaders do not have a Strength Point
rating, but do have a Leadership Rating.
2.4 Special Event Chits
Each side has a set of Special Event Chits; see 10.0.
2.5 Game Markers
Various game markers are used to track certain game
functions and statuses.
2.7 Display Sheet
Each player has a Display Sheet with off-map holding boxes
and an explanation of their Special Event Chits.
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES 2
2.8 Glossary 4.2 CS Set-Up
SP = Strength Point or Points Hex 1208 (Cedar Mountain)
CS or CSA = Confederate; represented by gray counters Jackson (1)
US or USA = Federal or Union; represented by blue counters Jackson (2)
Stack = one or more Units in a single hex Note that Cedar Mountain is identified for historical interest,
Combat Unit = any denomination of strength points but is not a Mountain hex in game terms.
VP = Victory Point or Points
CRT = Combat Results Table 4.3 Reinforcements & Replacements
Reinforcement Units are placed on the indicated space of
3.0 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS the Turn Track.
There are no "Zones of Control" in this game. There are no Replacement counters (small "R" symbol) should be placed
stacking restrictions in this game. to the side of the map.
Fog of war: Players cannot examine the contents of
5.0 SEQUENCE OF PLAY
opposing players' stacks. Strengths must be revealed at the
moment of combat, and the attacker cannot cancel the attack Each turn consists of two player turns, and each player turn
once Units are revealed. Concealment counters can be is conducted in phases. Each phase must be completed in
placed on top of friendly stacks to disguise Units. the order listed below:
CS Player Turn
If stacks get too large to handle, the counters may be placed
on a player's Display Sheet. These boxes are for Units 1. Reinforcement Phase
stacked with a leader or with a Concealment counter. Place 2. Movement Phase
counters in the appropriate box or take counters from the 3. Combat Phase (A)
box and place them on the map in the appropriate hex 4. Recovery Phase (B)
whenever a player finds it convenient. 5. Victory Point Check
There are no supply rules: enough supply is available for all US Player Turn
Units - whether carried, acquired, or captured - during the 1. Reinforcement Phase
period of this campaign. 2. Movement Phase
3. Combat Phase (B)
4.0 SET-UP
4. Recovery Phase (A)
The US Player sets up first, followed by the CS Player. The
5. Victory Point Check
Game Turn Marker starts on the first space (August 9).
At the end of the Game Turn, the Game Turn Marker is
4.1 US Set-Up advanced one space.
Hex 1211
Important: the first Game Turn consists only of the US
Sigel
Player's Combat Phase; see 11.7.
Hex 1109
Banks 6.0 REINFORCEMENT PHASE
Hex 0507 (Fredericksburg) Reinforcements arrive on the specific Turn indicated on the
McDowell (1) Turn Track. All US Reinforcements enter via Alexandria.
Parke All CS Reinforcements enter via any Southern map edge hex
(row 27xx), paying normal movement costs to enter the map.
Reno
For both sides, the Units must be placed in a hex not occupied
Hex 1110 (Culpepper) by enemy Units. If Alexandria is enemy occupied, delay US
McDowell (2) reinforcements until Alexandria is unoccupied by CS Units.
Pope (Leader)
Hex 0515 (Manassas Junction)
Supply Depot
Hex 0309 (Aquila)
Supply Depot
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES
7.0 MOVEMENT PHASE
Movement potential is not printed on the counters.
Movement is made by one Unit at a time. Roll for each
Unit on the Movement Roll Table, which gives the
Movement Points for that Unit for that Movement Phase.
For "split" Units (such as Jackson), the two Units may
share a single roll provided they begin the Movement Phase
stacked together; these Units must still move separately.
Movement may be modified by Special Events.
Units that do not begin, end, or at any time become
adjacent to enemy Units during the Movement Phase
add "2" to their Movement Roll.
If a Leader starts the movement phase stacked with a
Unit or Units, the Leader may (though doesn't have to)
move along with one of the Units, using the Unit's
Movement Roll. The Leader then doesn't roll for
movement points in this case.
Units pay a cost to enter a hex and to cross a river hexside.
See the Terrain Effects Chart. It costs +1 MP to stack with
a friendly Unit (even for "split" Units). Exception: It doesn't
cost extra to stack with Leaders and cavalry, and Leaders and
cavalry doesn't pay the extra movement point.
Units cannot enter enemy occupied hexes. CS Units cannot
enter or attack Alexandria September 1 and 2.
Units may exceed their movement allowance if they move
only one hex in that movement phase, but may never move
into a prohibited hex. Garrison Units may never move.
8.0 COMBAT PHASE
Units may attack adjacent enemy Units in the combat
phase. Garrison Units cannot attack. A single Combat Unit
may be attacked multiple times in a single Phase, but each
Combat Unit may only attack once. Leaders alone cannot
be attacked. Leaders alone cannot block enemy movement.
An enemy Unit can move into a leader's hex, and the leader
must then move one hex. The attacking player indicates
which stack or stacks will attempt to attack (without
revealing their Strength Points) which specific adjacent
enemy-occupied hex, and then follows these steps, in order:
1. Retreat Before Combat
2. Reveal Combat Units
3. Coordination Check
4. Leadership Rating Comparison
5. Odds Ratio
6. Combat Results Table Roll
7. Casualty Table Roll
8. Disruption, Fatigue, Retreats, and Advances
3
8.1 Retreat Before Combat
Once a target of an attack has been announced, the targeted
Unit(s) have the opportunity to Retreat Before Combat if
able to do so. This is optional and up to the owning player's
discretion.
Infantry Units roll a die: if the result is 3+, they are
successful and may retreat one hex. The attack does not
commence, and one or more of the attacking Combat
Units may advance into the vacated hex (the advancing
Unit(s) may not attempt to attack again this phase).
There is a die roll modifier of +1 if the attack was to
have been made across a river hexside.
There is a die roll modifier of -1 if the defender is
stacked with Pope from the August 23 turn onward.
Leaders alone and Cavalry Units may Retreat Before
Combat automatically, with no die roll.
If the attacker consists solely of Cavalry, defenders may not
Retreat Before Combat (though a Leader may).
Garrisons can never Retreat Before Combat.
If the attempt to Retreat Before Combat is unsuccessful (or
is not attempted), proceed to the next step.
8.2 Reveal Combat Units
The Attacker reveals the Combat Units with which he
wishes to attack, and the Defender reveals the Units in the
target hex. The Attacker may not call off the attack, even if
that attack is now seen to be ill-advised.
8.3 Coordination Check
If the Attacker is attempting to attack with Combat Units from
more than one hex, he must make a die roll on the Attack
Coordination Table. If he receives a "separate attacks" result,
then each hex must attack the target hex separately, with each
attack resolved separately. If that hex is vacated as a result of
one of these combats, the stacks in adjacent hexes are still
eligible to attack any other hexes. All Units in a hex defend as
one force, with a single combat strength.
8.4 Leadership Rating Comparison
The Leadership Ratings of the two sides are compared.
All Units stacked with Lee or Pope take their Leader
Combat Rating (for Pope's rating, see 11.1).
Otherwise, if there is more than one Unit participating
on a side, take the average rating.
Jackson Units have a rating of 2 attacking and 3 defending.
If there is a whole number difference in the ratings, the side
with the higher number gets a favorable column shift on the
CRT (left for defender, right for attacker). If a difference of
2, then the higher side gets two column shifts.
Fortifications, however, negate any attacker advantage by
Leader rating.
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES
8.5 Odds Ratio
Compare the attacker's and defender's Strength Points and
convert to an odds ratio, rounding odds in favor of the
defender. 4 attacking 3 is 1:1, but 3 attacking 4 is 1:2.
Each side's Strength Points may be modified as follows
(these cases are cumulative):
Fortification (Alexandria): Defender's SP is doubled.
Gap: Defender's SP is doubled.
Defender Disrupted: Defender's SP is halved.
Attacker Fatigued: Attacker's SP is halved.
August 10: Jackson and Banks SPs are halved when
attacking.
Apply column shifts to determine the final odds column
(these are cumulative):
Shift for Leadership advantage (8.4)
Shift for Defender if attacked across a river hexside
8.6 Combat Results Table Roll
The die is rolled on the Combat Results Table, cross-
referencing the final odds column to determine the result.
The Combat Results Table uses the following abbreviations
to indicate the results:
A: Result effects Attacker.
D: Result effects Defender.
r: Indicated side must Retreat.
+: Attacker may advance two hexes instead of one.
E: Indicated side is Eliminated.
-: Inconclusive; no effect.
*: Indicated side is Disrupted, and must retreat one or two
hexes.
1*: Indicated side loses 1 SP, survivors are Disrupted.
-?: Roll the die: 1-2, both sides Disrupted, but no Retreat,
and no Advance; 3+, treat as Inconclusive.
*?: Roll the die: 1-2, both sides Disrupted; 3+, treat as
Retreat.
F: Both sides Fatigue one Unit.
FF: Both sides Fatigue two Units.
Before implementing the result, both sides must first roll on
the Casualty Table.
8.7 Casualty Table Roll
After determining a result on the CRT, the attacker rolls on
the Casualty Table. Use the column on the top that shows the
minimum number of SP on both sides (round down).
Example: if 17 SP attack 13 SP, use the 12 column as it is
closest to 13, rounded down. Make one die roll only; the result
on the Casualty Table applies to both sides. This is the amount
of SP each side must lose. The Casualty Table losses are in
addition to those on the CRT, if any.
4
8.8 Disruption, Fatigue, Retreat, and Advances
After resolving the Casualty Table roll, and any additional
SP losses indicated on the CRT, the other results of the
Combat, if any, are resolved.
Retreat: Retreating Units must move into a hex not occupied
by enemy Units. The Unit may move into a hex adjacent to an
enemy Unit - even the enemy Unit(s) that attacked it - so long
as the new hex is not actually occupied by enemy Units. If a
Unit must retreat due to a combat result, but there is no legal
hex to move into, the Unit is eliminated.
Advance: If the defender's hex is vacated by combat, the
attacker may advance into the hex the defender previously
occupied. All, some, or none of the attacker's Combat Units
(and Leader, if any) may advance. Units allowed to
advance two hexes ("+" result on the CRT) must first
advance into the defender's vacated hex, then may advance
into any other eligible hex.
Disruption: Disrupted Units are marked with a Disruption
Marker. Upon becoming Disrupted, the Unit must retreat 1
or 2 hexes (owner's choice). Disrupted Units cannot attack,
and on defense their combat strength is halved.
Fatigue: Fatigued Units are marked with a Fatigued
Marker. The Fatigue result affects one or two Units on each
side. Owners choose which Units are Fatigued. Fatigued
Units' combat strength are halved until they Recover in the
appropriate Recovery Phase.
8.9 Combat Phases A and B
During Combat Phase "A" (the CS Player's Combat Phase),
Units that become Disrupted or Fatigued are marked with a
Disrupted "A" or Fatigued "A" Marker, respectively. They will
recover during Recovery Phase "A" (during the US Player's
turn).
During Combat Phase "B" (the US Player's Combat Phase),
the Disrupted and Fatigued "B" Markers are used; these Units
may recover during Recovery Phase "B" (during the CS
Player's turn).
9.0 RECOVERY PHASES
Recovery from Fatigue is automatic during the appropriate
Recovery Phase (Fatigued "A" Markers are removed during
Recovery Phase "A", and Fatigued "B" during Phase "B").
Recovery from Disruption is not automatic, and instead
requires a die roll on the Disruption Recovery Table. Roll
once for each Disrupted stack, again during the appropriate
"A" or "B" Phase. If the Unit fails to Recover from
Disruption during the appropriate Phase, they may then
attempt Recovery in any subsequent Recovery Phases; affix
that stack with a "Disrupted Any" marker.
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES
10.0 SPECIAL EVENTS
Each Player has a set of Special Event chits, which become
available beginning on the August 15 turn. A player can
play any number of Special Events per turn, deliberately
and at any time, except a Unit cannot force march more
than once in a turn. Some chits may be placed on friendly
and enemy Units as a reminder of their effects. When played
and the effects implemented, the chit is permanently removed
from the game. See each side's Display Sheet for more
information.
11.0 SPECIAL RULES & EXCEPTIONS
11.1 Pope and Lee (Leaders)
Certain Special Events may benefit Units stacked with their
Leader. Leaders, as other Units, have a Leadership Rating
for a possible CRT modifier. Pope's Leadership Rating is
determined by a die roll. Use the rating based on the
outcome. See Pope's Rating Table.
Leaders alone cannot be attacked. Leaders alone cannot
block enemy movement. An enemy Unit can move into a
leader's hex, and the leader must then move one hex away.
11.2 US Attack Determination Roll
US Units Sigel, McDowell, Porter, and Parke, if attacking
alone or stacked with others on this list, must roll to see if the
attack is carried out. If stacked with other US Units not on
this list or with Pope, this rule is negated. This roll takes
place immediately before the potential CRT roll, and
succeeds on a 1-5; a roll of 6 means the attack is not made.
11.3 Alexandria Fortifications
US Defender SP is doubled in combat when defending in this
hex, and those Units may ignore Dr results. The CS Player
may not enter or attack Alexandria on September 1 or 2.
11.4 US Garrisons
Garrisons cannot move, attack, or retreat before combat.
11.5 Halleck's Orders (August 9 - August 22)
This rule is in effect from the beginning of the game through
August 22. South of the Rapidan/Rappahannock Rivers
line, no Union Unit can move to be more than one hex
away from this river line. In other words, US Units can be
adjacent to the river line south of it, but no further away.
There are no restrictions north of the line. On August 23
this restriction is lifted for the rest of the game.
11.6 Weather (Rain Turns; August 22-23)
Crossing the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers in Rain
Turns is prohibited; this includes Retreats and Advances.
Forced March Event Markers cannot be used in Rain Turns.
5
11.7 First Turn (August 9)
Ignore the Sequence of Play on Turn One. There is only a
Union Combat Phase. Banks II Corps Unit must attack the
adjacent CS Units.
11.8 Heat Fatigue (August 10)
On August 10, all Jackson and Banks Units have their attack
strength halved. Their movement allowance is 2 (don't roll).
11.9 Truce (August 11)
On August 11, all Units on the map are prohibited from
attacking.
12.0 VICTORY CONDITIONS
Both players can earn Victory Points by causing enemy
defeats. There is no limit to the amount of VP a player can
earn in the game by this method:
If one side, of a strength of 8 SPs or more, suffers
Disruption or Elimination on the CRT, and the other
side is not disrupted or eliminated in the same combat,
the other side receives 1 VP.
If the same happens, but the side that suffers disruption or
elimination is 16 SP or more, the other side receives 2 VP.
The CS player can gain 1 VP each by occupying the
following cities at the end of the game:
Fredericksburg
Manassas
The CS player can gain VP (1 each) by
occupying Rappahannock Station before August 25, and
Alexandria before August 27
The CS player can gain VP by destroying Union supply
depots. At the end of a CS player turn, if a CS Unit
occupies a Union depot, the marker is removed from the hex
and the CS gains 1 VP. If the Manassas depot is
captured/destroyed, the US player must place an alternative
depot anywhere on the rail line that runs from Alexandria to
Rappahannock Station (but not in Alexandria however).
VP Track: Each time a VP is earned, the player moves his
marker along the track.
At the end of the game, subtract US VP from CS VP.
CS side wins if it has 6 or more VP than the US.
Otherwise, the US side wins.
John Theissen MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDES
DESIGNER’S NOTES
When General John Pope became the new leader of Union
forces in Virginia, his plan was to unite his troops with those
of McClellan, then move south and defeat Lee. Robert E.
Lee understood this danger, so he planned to strike at Pope
before Union numbers increased. Jackson was sent out first
to try to do some damage. The game begins with the
situation of the historical battle of Cedar Mountain, a
meeting engagement of Jackson's and Banks's formations.
The first turn rules preserve the unclear nature of Pope's
orders to Banks, as well as the desire of both Jackson and
Banks to attack each other. The historical campaign
produced the named Battles of Cedar Mountain, Groveton,
and Chantilly, as well as the two day Battle of Second Bull
Run/ Second Manassas.
There really was a truce on the 11th of August for the
purpose of burying the dead from the battle of Cedar
Mountain. This is the reason for the special rule.
The Attack Roll for certain US units reflects the lower level
of command for Parke, less than great competence for Sigel,
and problems of transmitting and complying with orders
between Pope, McDowell, and Porter. It may be a fair
assessment to say that McDowell hated Pope. Other Union
corps commanders didn't care for their new commander
either. The uncertain Leadership rating for Pope gives the
Federal player a better chance by not being restricted to a
uniform low rating.
The cost to stack with friendly units represents traffic jams on
the roads with troops and supply wagons. Disruption from
combat represents disorganization, need to resupply, possible
demoralization, and the like. Players should note the effects of
combat before committing a force to battle. Disruption, fatigue,
and casualties can occur, as well as gain or loss of victory points.
These are realistic considerations I believe.
6
When a corps or an army didn't want to fight a battle, they
usually could retreat before combat. Of course this was not
always the case. Thus the die roll, reflecting how much surprise
was attained by the attacker, or problems with deployment or
orders being carried out, etc. The Retreat Before Combat
DRM for Pope's hex starting August 23 is for the removal of
Halleck's orders which mandated caution, and reflects Pope's
increasing confidence (or over confidence).
Attack Coordination is another effort that is subject to a die
roll. It wasn't easy to coordinate widely dispersed columns
before the age of radio communications. There is however a
possibility that, on a roll of 6, the attacker achieves some
surprise or turns a flank, and that is the one column shift
right on the CRT. Also, to clarify, on roll of 1 or 2 the
attacker may choose the order of separate hex attacks.
It is hoped that players will not be bogged down by too
many rules, and will find this a playable game. Historical
content is in there too. My ideal wargame is one that is as
playable as possible and as realistic as possible at the same
time. Hopefully players will find this game to be enjoyable
and also reflecting some of the history of the Virginia
Campaign of August 1862.
Credits
Game design: John Theissen
Map Art: Patrick Tremoureux
Cover & Counters: Tom Russell
Rules Layout: Mary Holland-Russell
Copyright 2017 John Theissen, under license to
Hollandspiele. Contents of this edition copyright
2017 Hollandspiele.