The Loose Association of Wargamers

You've come up with some interesting twists, Donald. I look forward to the AAR, mate.

I've decided I won't take a side and merely referee. Two of my pals can lead the 2 armies.

This will allow me to modify VB's suggestion & add this to the Russian player's briefing notes:

"NB Spies have reported that Napoleon has sent 2 brigades under Ney who may arrive from the north during the battle. Be ware."

Needless to say, these extra troops will not arrive but may give the Russian commander something to think about. The French commander will be unaware of*this*.

donald

I posted shots of the set-up yesterday-and I want to post my thoughts about the game.

We chose the slightly modified scenario from the website _ Assault. In 8 game turns, the French managed to hold out a relentless Russian force as night fell. Each force had 6 brigades, losing only one each as damaged brigades can leave the line and be rallied if your army is large enough.

We finished the game in a fairly timely manner & I have bad news. I may well have played my last game of General d'Armee, Shako & other Napoleonic rule sets. And this is because 'V&F' ticks nearly every box. Yes, it's that good IMO.

I should say these rules were not what I expected. They're touted as simple & as fast play. They are more than this - there's a lot of subtilty in them and the individual army sheets stop them being bland.

I like a game that looks like a Napoleonic battle & the rules encourage a use of correct formations & combined arms:







The various elements seem in the correct balance. Artillery is useful but not overwhelming. Infantry battalions & brigades used open order, line, attack columns & march columns as needed. Cavalry had a genuine role apart from fighting other cavalry. Command needed to be carefully managed to ensure you got what you wanted. I am very impressed that the rules allowed a competitive game between the often over-rated French Imperial Guard & the often despised Russians. The two armies were not identical but each had its strengths & weaknesses, allowing for a compelling game.





Because they move at a cracking pace, you can position the armies at a distance & manoeuvre without this taking all day. Although we began at the far ends of the table, shots were fired in Turn 2 & charges happened in Turn 3.



This isn't the proverbial beginner's rule set. Although brief, they expect the gamer to have a considerable knowledge of the era & of Napoleonic gaming. Written by professional expert rule writers, they encapsulate a lifetime's knowledge of the era.



Are they 100% perfect? Of course not. There are some aspects you may not agree with (use of skirmish lines for me) but some compromises make this an eminently playable set of rules.





Clearly, people will have other opinions. I was looking for a Big Battle show set of rules but I think I've found our go-to Napoleonic rules.

donald

Interesting to read your positive views on these, Donald, and I shall pass them on to the Perrys and Jervis Johnson (author of Black Powder). As the author of the army lists/cards for the Brunswick (1809, Peninsula and Waterloo) and Bavarian (1809 and 1812-15) forces - the latter would be worth considering for taking on a "Guard army" - I was very pleased to see you liked that aspect of the game, also.

I sound like a gormless, teenaged girl who's found "the One".
All I can say is these rules don't spit on the carpet, get on with my Mum & don't steal my dad's booze.


donald

Very nice.


Willz.

They gave you a good game, mate, which is all you need from rules.

All I can say is these rules don't spit on the carpet, get on with my Mum & don't steal my dad's booze.

Since when did youse banana benders get manners?

[quote=Spanner post_id=100091 time=1673209782 user_id=159

Since when did youse banana benders get manners?
[/quote]

At the risk of offending all our Antipodeans can I amend that to "Since when did you Aussies get manners?"
The answer is probably, "That's part of our charm" but it's still a fair comment.


donald

At the risk of offending all our Antipodeans can I amend that to "Since when did you Aussies get manners?"

that's a lovely collection Donald