Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:21 am
This is a great game no matter which scenario you play. I have never played House Rules because I am certain the game balance is pretty well set. That said, some thoughts.
I know many players hate Hard Activation. That is, if a commander is not active, he is locked. This is a simply way to make 1775 and 1776 'historical.' I am not sure I would advocate hard activation in any game except WIA. But the leaders of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War), the American Revolution and the War of 1812 were often very poor. For the European troops in the virgin American world, inertia was often a response to conditions not suited to European battles of open warfare.
This would be one thing to try. The British player will hate it.
The 1775 start will always be unbalanced due to limitations on American recruitment and the demand for the Americans to take Montreal or suffer penalties; as well as early British initiate, as you state. It is a challenge to have sufficient forces to delay British success while needing to invade Canada. However, the American cause can win 1775. They need to preserve one area, New England or Upper South as a minimum, until the French arrive. If you like the 1775 start, locking the British into Boston is a decent solution.
In the 1776 the Boston British are limit by supply. An aggressive British move to New York can succeed, but the Americans can deploy much stronger forces to counter this move. This is part of the reason I asked this question on the forum. I find 1776 lays out the war, while 1775 is not as accurate for reasons such as you state. All start dates are not equal.
Americans are the harder side to play against balanced opponents with equal familiarity of the game. Literally as the game information says for 1775, the Americans need to be aggressive and then play a waiting game. I do prefer the 1776 start, because the more historical limitations on British initial objects and strength causes this to happen.
Last thought. House Rules are a nice fix for issues which cannot otherwise be explained. You force a much more historical play with this house rule. But if history games are about the 'what if' then you have eliminated one channel of the what if speculation.
I think you will both find with more play, the Americans have war winning options with either the 1775 or 1776 start. Difficult to thread the eye of the needle or should I say, “These are the times which try mens' souls.”
My recommendation, try hard activation where leaders are locked if not active and see if this solves your concerns.
If not, try your house rules. My guess is with balanced players the British will continue to win. The critical year does not depend upon early British success, but upon good use of British forces in 1776 no matter the game start.
And if the House Rule work, play away and let the forum know how this worked.
If the House Rules do not work, try more hit and run away as the Americans and less Defense of Posts.