Play test Scenario 1 Defend a prepared position with units on different base sizes

 

 

For my first play test I used a French 1500 point NAW based army playing against an Austrian 1500 point Lasalle based army.

 

The French Infantry Division consisted of:

 

3  Infantry Brigades each consisting of 1 Line Infantry, 1 Light Infantry and 1 Conscript Infantry Battalion

 

1 Grand Battery , 1 Heavy Artillery, 1 Medium Foot artillery

 

1 Light Cavalry Brigade, 2 Chasseurs regiment.

 

The Austrian Infantry División consisted of:

 

2 Infantry Brigade each of 5 Line Infantry.

 

1 Light foot artillery Battery

 

1 Light Cavalry Brigade, of 1 Hussar regiment and a Chevaux leger Regt.

 

After my failure to get the reserves on in the tournament in Barcelona, I decided to for the moment make my armies from organic and support forces. Even though the forces are more expensive, you are more or less depending on the scenario guaranteed to have all your forces on the table in turn one. 

 

 

Intial setup the Austrians are defending the right flank objectives , the French attacking with two Infantry brigada.

 

I played this game solo over a duration of a week, playing the Austrian or French phases of a turn in one sessión and then leaving the table for a day so I could come back to play the opponents phase of the turn from the opponents view.

 

The French cavalry are deployed in the centre to exploit the Austrian Infantry open flanks.

The Grand battery begins to bombard the Austrian Infantry who are defending the Left flank objective.

 

The French cavalry charge the Austrian Infantry flank and because the infantry fail to form square they are destroyed with the help of the breakthrough charge riding down the remnants of the battalion.

       The other French cavalry unit manage to charge the flank of the Austrian Infantry in the enclosed field, also destroying the infantry unit in the breakthrough charge. The lesson for this is I should have had my Austrian cavalry just behind the flank of the infantry to be ready to counterattack any potential attack.

 

In the Austrian turn, I move the cavalry to protect the flank of the remaining infantry battalions of the Austrian forcé

 

The right flank Austrian Infantry brigade readys itself for the French Infantry attack

In the French turn two, the French columns attempt to charge the Austrian line but both fail their Elan test and fall back to begin a firefight.

Both French battalions lose their  fire fight and fall back in disarray and the French attack breaks down.

 

 

Both cavalry forces charge each other and each side loses a unit , making them take a forcé morale test, which they both fail, with no side now having cavalry support the battle will be decided by the infantry.

 

 

The French Infantry rally and advance in mass column to attempt to take the objective.

 

On the Austrian right flank the French assault goes in and succeeds in in destroying one Austrian unit and making the other retreat through the enclosed field

On the Austrian Left flank, the first two assaults by the French battalions was respulsed but the the final third attack with the support of Grand Battery is successful, and destroys the third Austrian battalion, meaning the Austrian Infantry Brigade have to take a forcé morale test and fail and rout leaving the first objective in the French hands.

 

 

    On the Austrian Right flank, an attack by a French Infantry battalion in line on the Austrian infantry battalion in the enclosed field is a success and having now been forcéd to take the Force Morale test they also fail and rout off the battlefield. This means the Franch attackers are victorious in Turn 3 of the Attackers phase.

Conclusions;

The main reason to play this game was to see if you can play with different bases systems and use smoke markers instead of base removal without to much confusión. In my opinión there is no problem, the only time it may be a little confusing is when a unit is in attack column if you place the first smoke marker on the back bases and then it recieves a second casaulty put it on the front bases. This will remind you to that a base is missing on the placing of the second marker when counting for firing.

I have used the smoke (cotton wool) as markers before in games. It is inexspensive (free if you nick it of your mrs) , It looks good, In Napoleonic times you couldn't have a battle without a lot of smoke. Unlike other type of markers, due to them being placed on the bases they move when a unit move.

Even though I played this game over a few days, if I played it  in one session I would expect it to take about 2 hours.

I played the Grand battery special rule because I have found them pretty deadly when I have played against them (A bit like flamethrowers in Bolt action). However due to my terrible dice throwing in this game they were helpful but not decisive. The Grand Battery rule will be looked at in depth in a future article.

 

 

 

Napoleon at War Variations Part 1 Base Sizes

The guys at Napoleón at War when publishing their rules decided on a unique dimensions for their base sizes. This may be no problem for players who are new to the period, but it means many players who already have their Napoleonic armies based, will not even attempt to play the game, due to not wanting to rebase their figures even if they like how the game works.

Due to this being a major stumbling block for attracting new players here is my solution:

The main comercial rules competition for this level of playing, where we are presenting individual battalions, regiments and batteries that I have come across is Lasalle and FOG N, these rules use the same basic basing system and so most people I know, have hundreds or even thousands of figures based for these rule systems.

If both players are using armies based for Lasalle or FOG N there is no problem, just go to the section below about how to deal with casualties etc.

Also remember in Napoleonic wars no two units were ever the same size and so if its just a friendly and with the agreement of both players they could play using different base systems. Just visit the section below about how to deal with casualties

If a NAW based army player is playing against a player based for Lasalle or FOG N follow the procedure below to play an equal game in a competitive enviroment.

Infantry

In NAW Infantry units are comprised of 6 bases 26mm wide and 32mm deep.

In Lasalle and FOG N normal sized infantry units are comprised of 4 bases 40mm wide and 30mm deep.

The footprints of each full strength formation are as follows

                               NAW                                                Lasalle and Fog
Line                 156mm wide by 32mm deep     160mm wide by 30mm deep
Attack column  78mm wide by 64mm deep       80mm wide by 60mm deep
March column  26mm wide by 192mm deep     40mm wide by 120mm deep
Square               78mm wide by 64mm deep       70mm wide by 70mm deep




Left hand side Lasalle based battalion, right side NAW based battalion 

As you can see by the photo and the dimensions above, the actual size of the formations are basically the same with only a few milimeters  difference. The only formation that is different is March column formation with the NAW column being deeper.

In my experience the march column is used less frequently in NAW than Lasalle due to the formation moving the same rate as an attack column unless on road and armies initially deploying further up the table, than in Lasalle. Therefore my solution to represent a March Column with Lasalle bases would be place them in line (usually they would be on a road) but alternate the facing of the bases to represent that they are in march column and not actually in line see illustration below. This gives the march column of 30mm wide and 156mm depth, still 36mm short in depth but I feel not enough to make a great difference.

 If the unit has at least one skirmish base this could be placed at the back of the formation to make up the short fall.



Top, NAW based battalion in March Column, below Lasalle based battalion in proposed formation for march column.

 Cavalry

In NAW Cavalry units are comprised of 4 bases 45mm wide and 40mm deep.

In Lasalle and FOG N normal sized cavalry units are comprised of 4 bases 40mm wide and 30mm deep.

The footprints of each full strength formation are as follows

                                                             NAW                                                Lasalle and Fog
Line (ordre mince)                    180mm wide 40mm deep             160mm wide by 30mm deep
Attack column (ordre profound) 90mm wide by 80mm deep        80mm wide by 40mm deep
March column                             45mm wide by 160mm deep      40mm wide by 20mm deep  



Left hand side Lasalle based cavalry, right side NAW based cavalry 

          
The foot prints of the unit fornations are a little bit different between the two rules sets. My solution would be, due to the Lasalle bases being smaller it is posible to place the existing base onto a NAW sized base fixing it temporarily with Bluetac.

Artillery

In NAW Artillery units are comprised of bases 45mm wide and 40mm deep.

In Lasalle and FOG N Artillery units are comprised of bases 40mm wide by 40mm deep.

Again not much difference but with the Lasalle base being Little smaller frontage it may make a diffrence to the firing zone when a battery is placed in line, so they may be put on a NAW sized base like the cavalry.

Limber

Limber                              NAW                                          Lasalle
Foot Artillery         35mm wide by 120mm deep          40mm wide by 80mm deep 
Horse Artillery       35mm wide by 159mm deep          40mm wide by 80 mm deep

Limbers again are basically markers, but due to combat and target considerations my solution is to add one artillery base to the back of Lasalle sized limber base if it is Foot artillery making it the same length and 2 artillery bases if it is Horse Artillery.


Top NAW Horse Artillery limber base, Bottom one Lasalle limber and two Artillery bases.

Top NAW Foot Artillery limber base, Bottom Lasalle Artillery  and  limber bases.



Top NAW Horse Artillery limber base, Bottom two Lasalle Artillery limber bases.
 

 Skirmishers

Skirmishers are basically a marker so the dimensión is unimportant the normal size Lasalle 20mm x 15mm is aceptable (NAW skirmisher base is 30mm by 15mm).

Officers

NAW                                            Lasalle
Sub commanders          26mm wide by 32mm deep           20mm wide by 30mm




Left Lasalle Sub-Commander base, Right NAW Sub-Commader base

Commander                  45mm wide by 40mm deep           40mm by 40mm                                    




Left Lasalle Commander base, Right NAW Commader base

Again these can be placed on NAW sized bases with bluetac as a temporary solution.

Dealing with Casualties etc

One of the main problems with using other size infantry bases is the removing bases as casualties. One of NAWs main game mechanism is that when you lose a base it is removed.The idea for this  there is there are less markers cluttering up the table.

This however  can créate problems in mantainng the correct formation for the unit and when bases are missing for that particular turn,  having to remember that the bases that have been removed are still accounted for, when firing and charging in the same phase or turn.

 Also many players spend alot of time and money on their figures, so they would like to see them on the table as long as posible.

Therefore my solution when using other bases, is this;

Use markers to note any base losses, personally I use a piece of cottonwool as a marker (see photo). It is cheap, aesthetic (looks like smoke) can be placed on a base so will be moved when the base is moved. Also it is also useful to note placing the second smoke marker on a unit in attack column that notes that it can only fire 2D6 or 4D6.

For infantry units if they recieve four smoke markers the unit is lost. For cavalry or artillery units, if there more smoke markers than half the bases in the unit then the unit is lost.

Smoke marker signifies that the unit has lost one base.

 

Two smoke markers signify that the unit has lost two bases.
 

If a NAW based army is playing against another rule based army , I suggest both players use smoke markers to avoid confusión.

At the moment I am test playing a NAW based French army agains a Lasalle based Army, will let you know the results next week.

Im sure knowing how Wargamers love collecting figures, that when they decide to collect a new army, after trying out these excellent rules. They will base it permanently for NAW ( I am half way through painting my NAW Prussian army)

Thanks Phil

Napoleon at War rules variation section

                                                                       Introduction

I have been playing Napoleón at War for over 12 months, I have played in two tournaments and quite a few friendly games to be pretty familiar with the rules without looking too much at the rulebook, even if I havn't completely mastered of how not to lose.
In the next few weeks and months, I am hoping to put together a series of articles on how to play Napoleón at War,and also a few solutions for the stumbling blocks of why more people are not playing these excellent rules.

Some of these percieved problems I have heard commented from dissatisfied players are listed below:

Having to rebases (unique base size).
Musketery is to powerful .
Grand Battery special rule is too powerful and not historical.
Overstrength should be represented with extra bases to be taken in consideration when firing and combat
Bricole movement is too flexible.
There should be a Discipline Test for the defender initially when facing a charge .
Reorganisation move should be for the defenders to move out of the ZOC of the attackers not the other way round.

 The first article will be about people not wanting to rebase to see the article click here http://wargaminginthesun-phil.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/napoleon-at-war-variations-part-1-base.html
.

Napoleon at war Tournament at Montmelo, Barcelona 13th Sept 2014



"I say Picton how many of these damn peajes do we have to march through"

A few weeks ago I was invited to a Tournament of NAW in Barcelona, this came with impeccable timing because  my youngest daughter was starting university there, so we could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

The event was the second NAW tournament in a year and had changed venue to a Little town, North of Barcelona called Montmelo and was hosted by the kind fellows from the Ludus Historiae. The venue came with its own free parking and was bigger than the hall we used before in Gava. Unfortunately due to it being a Bank holiday weekend in Barcelona, there were quite a few players that could not make it . In the end there was six of us , three French armies, two British and one Austrian

This time I wanted to play British but not wanting to defend all the time. I decided to go with a Heavy Cavalry Brigade with all my other forces being in reserves.

                                       My 1500 points Heavy Cavalry Division consisted of;
                                       
                                                                      Organic

                                      1 Heavy Cavalry Brigade of 3 British Heavy Dragoon Regiments

 

                                                                      Reserves

                                      1 British Infantry Brigade of 3 line Battalions and 1 Light Battalion

                                      1 British Guard Brigade of 2 Guard Battalions

                                      1 Brunswick Infantry Brigade of 3 line Battalions

                                      1 Brunswick Hussar Regiment

                                      1 Brunswick Horse Artillery

                                     

 

               The list was a bit of a gamble due to having only one forcé starting on the table at the beginning of the games. But with my terrible dice throwing I was sure I would get the reserves on quite quickly. Also it was the only British list which you can attack with.

The first game was against Eloi's French Infantry Division and was the scenario, "Attack on a prepared position" from the rule book.

 On turn one, one of my cavalry regiments charged a infantry in line. Eloi decided to stand and fire, I succesfully rode down both of his skirmishers and his regiment fired. He managed to get one hit and you guessed it , I rolled a one and lost a base, I then failed my unfavourable Elan test and so fell back. If I was able to charge into combat I probably would have eliminated two infantry battalions and exhausted one of his forces straight away. Instead my cavalry limped away.

 

My Infantry brigade arrived on the table on turn 3 and I directed them straight ahead to try and capture his objective in the enclosed field. With my cavalry protecting their left flank from the French Dragoons.

 

My two forward infantry regiments formed line and advance to attack, unfortunately they lost their firefights and fell back behind their supports.

 

With the French centre and left flank being kept busy with my Brunswick reinforcements, on turn 5 my two Infantry support battalions charge the French and rout them. Also my cavalry finally charge the French dragoons after a stand off and rout them off the field. Afterwards they wheel and threaten the flank of the French Infantry.

 

My cavalry charge the surrounded French infantry in the enclosed field capturing the objective. Unfortunately with time running out. I lose due to needing 1 more VP point to win.

 

There was quite a few lessons learnt from this loss, one was independent cavalry regiments are very weak. I lost my Brunswick Hussars in the final turn. It was either being blasted by the French Artillery, or charge some French Hussars. I chose to charge and lost with the unit being eliminated.

 

After the first game we left the venue to go for lunch. It was then I remembered that when my Heavy cavalry went into Close combat they have an advantage (2D6) for being brave and with both opposing cavalry brigades being Battle cavalry they would cancel each other out. If I had remembered that during the game I would have charged earlier on and avoided the stand off. After a lovely meal with good company we returned back to the venue.

 

My second game was the third scenario in the book, Rearguard. I was playing against Jose Luis and his French Light Cavalry División, as we both had Agressiveness of 3 we had a dice off to see who was the attacker, unfortunately I lost and was the defender. With only only my Heavy cavalry Brigade on the table I placed two regiments far up the board to keep the French away from the Objectives and kept one regiment in reserve. Unfortunately the Jose Luis could deploy where he wanted and deployed his Grand Battery in front of my cavalry.

 

 

Luckily both my forward regiments just about manage to survive the artillery onslaught. There was no way I would be able to charge the cavalry, the only option would be to retreat out of the fire zone and attempt to rally.

 

 

A French light brigade  advanced around my left flank and captured the first objective, so I advanced my reserve regiment to contest the objective. I made a mistake of trying to rally my other two regiments instead completely moving out of the fire zone of the Grand battery and lost them  to the Grand Battery. With the special rule of not being able to roll for reserves until turn three I had no chance of surviving and lost in turn two.

 

With plenty of time on my hands, I helped Bob and Julian,  newcomers to the rules with their game.

 

 

My last game was against Bob's French Infantry División. The scenario was flank attack, I was the attacker so decided to use my cavalry to clear his left flank for my reinforcements to come on. Bob decided that keeping his infantry in line and firing was a good option, however my Cavalry finally lived up to their reputation and began riding down the french infantry for the fun of it and quickly destroyed two of his brigades. Bob,  a little war weary from a whole day playing a new set of rules conceded defeat, and I won without my reinforcements appearing, a total reversal of my second battle. 

 

 

Jose luis was the winner with his French Light Cavalry División

 

 

I came fourth and won some Man at war French Imperial Guard Infantry, just actually  was on my shopping list to buy next, so I was very pleased 

 

 

Players and umpireat the end of the tournament. 

 

 

I really enjoyed this tournament and of course the excellent company . I definitely will be there in Febuary for the next tournament to attempt to reclaim the title for Alicante. I also learnt a few lessons;

 

1) Have your forces as organic and support, they may cost more but will start on the table on turn 1.

 

2) If you do decide to choose a forcé that is reserve, make it cavalry so it can move quicker into the action.

 

3) With equal points it's alot harder to attack than to defend.

 

4) Dont take one unit independent forces, when they are eliminated you lose a victory point.

 

5) Check what forces the other player has before deploying, so you don't have any surprises like facing Grand batteries.

 

6)  Make sure you take dice that have fives and sixes on them. Im sure mine didn't.

 

On a little side note, there was a few small issues that came up from the players that were experienced with playing Napoleonics but were new to playing the NAW rules. I know from experience you can't please all the people all of the time and everybody has their own opinión of how a Napoleonic battlefield should feel. However to attract more players to this great set of rules I have a view ideas that I will be writing in different articles on my blog in the next few weeks in the section on NAW rule variations. Will keep you posted

 

Phil