
- BGG rating
- 8.4
The Skirmisher #1
- 2 players
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 1999

1993
Rules assistance for Here Come the Rebels
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Here Come the Rebels is a board game released in 1993 for 2 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Joseph M. Balkoski and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Hexagon Grid.
This is the second game in the Great Campaigns of the American Civil War series. It covers the Antietam campaign. This simulation of the Antietam campaign is the second volume in Avalon hill's new series of strategic Civil War games. Unlike most Civil War games, which concentrate on specific battles, Here Come the Rebels! portrays an entire two-week military campaign. The Confederate player's objective is to secure Maryland for the South, the Union player's goal is to drive the Rebel army out of Maryland. Here Come the Rebels! is easy to learn, and several scenarios can be played to completion in an hour. The two beautiful maps in the game portray northern Virginia and Maryland as it was in 1862, including roads, turnpikes, railroads, rivers, mountains, cities, and towns. These highly accurate maps are based on original Civil War maps in state and county archives. In the game, players control Union and Confederate armies in turns representing one day of real time. The game's interactive system of play assures that each scenario will be unpredictable, exciting and competitive. An extensive historical article, detailing the day-to-day activities of the actual campaign, is included in the game. Here Come the Rebels! is sure to appeal to all those with an interest in this dynamic period of American history. FEATURES ¤ Corps Leaders * Infantry and Cavalry units ¤ Artillery values * Union forts * Railroad movement ¤ Force marches * Burning Railroad stations * Rain ¤ Union command paralysis * Union garrison of Harpers Ferry ¤ Flank attacks * Grand assaults ¤ Depots * Foraging * Pennsylvania Militia ¤ C&O Canal aqueduct SCENARIOS South Mountain Harpers Ferry-Crampton's Gap McClellan's Opportunity The Baltimore Raid The Battle for Washington From Frederick to Sharpsburg (Advanced Game, short version) The Maryland Campaign (Advanced Game, long version) How to Join Stonewall Jackson's Way (Volume I) with 'Here Come the Rebels! CONTENTS: 2 Counter Sheets 2 22" x 32" Mapsheets Rules Booklet 2 Charts and Tables Cards 3 Display Cards 2 6-sided dice 1 Counter Tray TIME SCALE: One day per turn MAP SCALE: One mile per hex UNIT SCALE: Divisions and brigades (with corps leaders) PLAYERS: One, two, or teams PLAYING TIME: 1 hour for introductory scenarios, 2 to 12 hours for other scenarios (from the back of the box)
Here Come the Rebels supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Here Come the Rebels is 180 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Here Come the Rebels for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Here Come the Rebels has a complexity rating of 3.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Here Come the Rebels belongs to these categories: Wargame and American Civil War. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Here Come the Rebels are: Joseph M. Balkoski. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Here Come the Rebels as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.