- BGG rating
- 7.3
Battles of the American Civil War
- 2–8 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 1995
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,753
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Volley & Bayonet
1994
Rules assistance for Volley & Bayonet
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 240 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Volley & Bayonet
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Volley & Bayonet is a board game released in 1994 for 2–4 players, 240 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Frank Chadwick and Greg Novak (I) and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Secret Unit Deployment, and Paper-and-Pencil.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 9.0
Jacobite 1: History, Background Colour & Three Scenarios for Miniatures – A Volley, Bayonet & Glory Supplement
- 2–8 players
- 180 min
- 1999
- BGG rating
- 9.0
Jacobite 2: Campaigns, Scenarios, & Information for Miniatures – A Volley, Bayonet & Glory Supplement
- 2–6 players
- 180 min
- 1999
- BGG rating
- 8.0
The Rough Riders: A Volley, Bayonet, & Glory Supplement, volume 1
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 1999
- BGG rating
- 8.0
The Rough Riders: A Volley, Bayonet, & Glory Supplement, volume 2
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 1999
The Campaigns in India During the Seven Years War 1756-1764
- 2–6 players
- 180 min
- 2000
- BGG rating
- 9.0
Austria Stands Alone: The 1809 Campaign – Volley and Bayonet Scenario Book
- 240 min
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Napoleon Returns: A Scenario Book for Volley & Bayonet Covering the Exciting Waterloo Campaign
- 2–4 players
- 180 min
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About the game
[From the back of the Manual] Take control of the great battles of the 18th and 19th centuries with Volley & Bayonet. Created by the people who brought you Command Decision, Volley & Bayonet gives you the ability to recreate the full scope of the epic battles of the black powder era. Each turn represents one hour on the battlefield but can be played in only fifteen to thirty minutes. Suitable for 5mm all the way up to 30mm. Alternatively you can simply tack down your existing stands onto V&B sized bases, and you're ready to go. Volley & Bayonet covers the entire period from the adoption of the socket bayonet (about 1700) up to the widespread issue of machineguns and magazine rifles (about 1890). The rules, with a few modifications to provide period flavor and to cover newer weapons, allow players to fight out battles throughout that entire dynamic era. All the battles and campaigns of Marlborough, Frederick, Napoleon, Lee and Grant, and Bismarck are at your disposal, and the rules include complete scenarios for almost a dozen battles. Three scenario books published: Battles of the American Civil War (GDW)--10 scenarios and a Campaign System using 'A House Divided' boardgame. Napoleon Returns (Emperor's Press)--1815 Campaign. 4 scenarios, background and extensive info on the armies and uniforms. Austria Stands Alone (Emperor's Press)--1809 Campaign. 5 scenarios, background and info on the armies and uniforms. Expanded by: Napoleon Returns: A Scenario Book for Volley & Bayonet Covering the Exciting Waterloo Campaign
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games)
- On Military Matters
- Midwest Wargamer's Association Newsletter
Questions and answers
Volley & Bayonet supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Volley & Bayonet is 240 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 Volley & Bayonet for ages 14 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.
Volley & Bayonet has a complexity rating of 2.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light 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.
Volley & Bayonet belongs to these categories: Wargame, Napoleonic, and Miniatures. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Secret Unit Deployment, and Paper-and-Pencil. 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 Volley & Bayonet are: Frank Chadwick and Greg Novak (I). 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 Volley & Bayonet 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.