Let me confess something right up front. I’ve never really been the “hardcore American Civil War gamer.” I know… shocking, right? Especially for a guy who pushes cardboard around like it’s a second job.

I’ve had A Most Fearful Sacrifice, Pipe Creek, and this particular title sitting on my shelf for a good long while. Beautiful games. Solid reputations. Plenty of history baked in. And yet… there they sat. Collecting that fine layer of gamer dust we all pretend isn’t there.

Now I already know myself. I’m not the guy who’s going to dive headfirst into the deep end of the GBACW or GCACW systems. Those are fantastic for the right crowd, but I also know my limits. If the rules overhead starts feeling overwhelming, I’m out. I don’t want to feel like I need a staff officer and a logistics train just to move a brigade.

I did what any rational gamer would do. I started asking around for a Civil War system that would better fit my style. Something clean. Playable. Engaging without needing a weekend seminar.

Suggestions started rolling in.
“Try Blind Swords!”
“Black Swan is your answer!”

And then it hit me like a sledge hammer!

Wait a second… I already own the Black Swan games.

At that moment I realized something important. I was doing what so many of us do. We hunt for the “perfect system” while perfectly good games are sitting ten feet away on our own shelves.

So I stopped.

No more searching. No more system shopping. No more convincing myself that the next purchase will finally unlock Civil War enlightenment.

I walked over to the shelf, pulled down Black Swan, and said, “Alright… let’s do this.”

Sometimes the answer isn’t buying something new.
Sometimes the answer is simply playing the games you already have.

Revolutionary concept, I know.

First Steps at the Front – Scenario #2 “An Isolated Brigade

I decided to ease myself into this whole thing with Scenario #2: “An Isolated Brigade.” Smaller footprint. Fewer moving parts. Less chance of me accidentally launching a full-scale historical disaster because I misunderstood a rule.

Smart move.

Right out of the gate, my first impression? This thing sets up pretty smoothly. Counters are clearly marked (thank you, game designers, for not making me squint like I’m deciphering ancient runes), and visually the game is just flat-out gorgeous. It really is a beautiful production.

Now, because this campaign is heavy on forest terrain, the map can feel a little busy at times. There’s a lot of green happening. But the dots in the center of the hexes? Absolute lifesaver. That small design decision makes a big difference. It helps you determine exactly where a unit sits without breaking out a magnifying glass.

The rulebook deserves some credit too. It walks you through the system step by step, clearly outlining the flow with solid examples of play. I never felt like I was being thrown into the deep end without a life jacket. It felt more like the designer saying, “Alright, let’s learn this together.”

The card setup was the only part that made me pause for a minute. Mostly because I hadn’t done it before. But once I laid everything out and started working through it, the system clicked. After that, it was pretty painless.

And I’ll admit something else: I love setting up games. I take my time. I enjoy it. For me, setup isn’t a chore, it’s part of the ritual. Laying out the map, sorting the counters, building the decks… that’s all part of the experience. It’s like tuning the engine before a long ride.

So far? Solid first impressions. Manageable scenario. Smooth setup. A system that feels approachable.

Now it’s time to see if I can actually command this “isolated” brigade without isolating it permanently.

Cards, Cannon, and Commitment: Why I’m All-In on Black Swan

Two turns.

That’s all it took.

I am officially hooked.

The game just flows. There’s no clunky start-stop rhythm. No constant rulebook diving. Once it gets moving, it moves. And playing it solo? Absolutely works. The card-driven system injects just enough randomness to keep you guessing. You can’t perfectly predict what’s coming next, which creates real suspense.

You find yourself leaning in a little closer to the table thinking,
“Okay… what’s about to happen?”

That’s a good sign.

Combat is clean and easy to follow. No convoluted math gymnastics. The player aids are laid out in a way that actually helps instead of confusing you more. Everything feels designed to keep you in the action rather than buried in procedure.

And here’s the dangerous part: I’m already thinking bigger.

I’m going to finish out this scenario properly, but after that? Something larger is hitting the table. If the small engagement feels this good, I can only imagine what happens when more brigades start getting involved.

Now let’s talk brass tacks.

These games are not cheap. But hear me clearly, the production value, the artwork, the counter quality, the design detail… it shows. You can tell care went into this series. And for me, that matters. If I’m investing time into a system, I want it to feel premium.

If you want to check out this game and the rest of the Black Swan series, head over to Flying Pig Games here:
👉 https://flyingpiggames.com/shop

Sometimes we hesitate because of price. I get it. But in this case? You’re getting what you pay for.

Two turns in and I’m already planning the next battle.

That’s a win in my book.

What’s Next? Antietam on the Horizon

And now… here’s where things get really interesting.

Rumor has it that Hermann Luttmann and the team are already hard at work on the next volume in the series. This time they’re heading to Antietam.

Yes. That Antietam.

From what I’ve heard him say on a couple of podcasts, the research is deep. The artwork is coming along beautifully. The design sounds like it’s going to carry forward everything that makes this series so strong. It includes clean mechanics, immersive feel, and that cinematic battlefield tension that keeps you leaning over the map.

If the current volume is any indication, Antietam is going to be another heavy hitter.

So here’s where I land after a few turns and some honest table time:

• I’m not a hardcore Civil War system junkie.
• I don’t need 47 charts and a staff college degree.
• I want flow, tension, and decisions that matter.

And this series delivers.

I’m finishing up this scenario, then something bigger is hitting the table. The hook is set.

Break the Shrink. Push the Counters. Join the Fight.

If you’ve been on the fence about these games, maybe this is your nudge. Pull one off the shelf. Set it up. Play the thing.

And if you’d rather not fight alone?

Shoot me a note.

Let’s get it on the table.