Official GMT Support ==> GBACW 4.5 Living Rules - Official Revised 2nd Disorder Table (supersedes the 3DoG 2004 version) - Official Specific Game Errata
Unofficial Support ==> Unofficial Compilation of GBACW 4.5 Rules Clarifications and Errata - Unofficial Compilation of 3DoG 2004 Errata - Rules Explained
Replays and Other Resources ==> Replays - Player List
Consimworld Discussion Folders ==> GBACW 4.x - 3DoG - Gringo!
In 1995 GMT Games introduced a new regimental level wargame by Richard H. Berg on the Battle of Gettysburg called Three Days of Gettysburg (3DoG 1st Edition). The game introduced a new, more highly evolved version of his popular Great Battles of the American Civil War game system (GBACW 2.0) that had spawned several games by SPI, TSR/SPI and SDI starting with SPI's groundbreaking release of Richard's own Terrible Swift Sword: The Three Days of Gettysburg (TSS) in 1977.
While many parts of 3DoG 1st Edition borrowed concepts from the earlier GBACW game system, 3DoG 1st Edition introduced what become known as the GBACW 3.0 game system which included a more detailed treatment regimental level tactical combat including such issues such as command and control while simplifying other issues such as artillery limbering. The game also included stunning new counter graphics by Rodger MacGowan and a new groundbreaking map by Rick Barber that included historical and cartographic details never before seen in a game on Gettysburg.
3DoG 1st Edition won an Origins Award for Best Pre-20th Century Boardgame in 1995. However, there was some dissatisfaction with the complexity, playability and clarity in the 3DoG 1st Edition rules. The dissatisfaction with 3DoG 1st Edition led to the introduction of a new outside developer for the game system (John Alsen) and Richard refining his new game system further. The result of this was GBACW version 4.2 which was first released during 1999 with GMT's River of Death (RoD) covering Chickamauga at the regimental level in a board game for the first time and the 3DoG 2nd Edition Upgrade Kit (3DoG 2nd Edition). In the latter, GMT provided updated maps, the GBACW 4.2 system rules and the counters necessary to convert 3DoG 1st Edition to work under the GBACW 4.x game system. The updated 3DoG maps were still based on Rick Barber's groundbreaking research, but as drawn on a computer by artist Joe Youst with some minor errata corrected. GBACW 4.2 kept the new detail where Richard thought it was critical, but refined and simplifed a large number of areas of lesser importance. This resulted in a relatively clean and efficient game system that preserved the key breakthrough ideas introduced by Richard in 3DoG 1st Edition.
RoD and GBACW 4.2 were very well received by the gaming public with RoD receiving a three out of four-star "Groovy, Dude" review from the members of Consimworld and a Charles S. Roberts award for Best Wargame Graphics in 1999. GMT has since published Red Badge of Courage (RBoC), covering 1st and 2nd Bull Run (Manassas), in 2001 and Gringo!, covering battles from the Mexican-American War, in 2004. Most recently, GMT reprinted Three Days of Gettysburg in a new special 2004 Edition (3DoG 2004 Edition). 3DoG 2004 Edition corrected past 3DoG errata, updated the counters based on recently uncovered historical information, provided a complete graphic makeover and introduced a new greatly clarified game map by artist Mark Simmonitch based on Rick Barber's original map research, but without minor slopes. The GBACW System Rules have also been clarified further along the way and now stand at release level 4.5.
The next game in the series will be David Powell's remake of Dead of Winter covering Stones River (Murfreesboro) on a 100 yard scale based on Dave's well respected research. It is currently under playtest and expected to be placed on GMT's P500 pre-order list in early 2007.
GMT's GBACW offers something for every boardgamer interested in the study of grand tactical combat during the period of 1845 through 1865 from the very small, short Mexican-American War battle of Churubusco to the immense full three day battles at Gettysburg and Chickamauga. GBACW lends itself well to 2-player, solitaire and team play.
Solo Replay of 1st Day Scenario from 3DoG 2004
This is my best unofficial attempt to explain some of the GBACW 4.x rules that on occasion give newcomers some difficulty.
March Orders Stacking Under Advance Orders - Line of Sight
3DoG 1st Edition - River of Death - Red Badge of Courage - Gringo!