Black powder but not black powder

[tim.w]

So my recent tinkering with my very long Napoleonics project has sparked my interest again but I've found myself wondering what the end point is? I origionally started basing them for Black Powder and intended to just have enough to contribute to a bigger game should one occur somewhere one day. I've read some debate on the net about how/if BP can scale down, for example if I just want to play a small game of say 5-6 units a side and most opionion seems to be that it wouldn't work or be over in 10 minutes. So I'm wondering where I'm aiming for now in terms of a game? I could break units down or arrange them for smething like Neil Thomas' rules? Thinking out loud a bit here but feel free to throw me some ideas. I keep thinking I should have kept the SYW project instead so I had something for possible future Aytons but was too far on with the Nap Prussians compared to the one painted Russian SYW figure with unpainted units of foot I sold on (to Jamie I think?) Might do both..

[Norman D. Landings]

Is it too big to be thinking Sharpe Practice?

[Penda]

Phil, Jon and I have played BP in all sorts of size configurations. None has been over in 10 minutes and all have flowed really well. For example, we've played F&IW games with four units as side, the trick is in adapting the structure and command of each unit. It plays almost as well as a skirmish level game as a wargame. In our 1914 adaptions each battalion commander stands for a Brigade commander and each of four companies can thus be ordered individually as if they were a battalion.

[Ilkley Old School]

I am thinking of using NT Napoleonic rules with my classic figures with 6 stands per unit.

I may need to tweak them though as I cant get over fail a morale test lose a stand.

You could of course use 'Charge' which can easily be played with 6 units a side. How many figures do you have in a unit?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

I would give my vote to either Sharp Practice, or Charge! if you want a simple, low-level game. Charge! is probably a lot easier to tinker with if you find there's anything lacking.

[tim.w]

Is it too big to be thinking Sharpe Practice?

Hadn't thought of that but wasnt thinking skirmish level necessarily. Do you not need individual bases?

[tim.w]

Phil, Jon and I have played BP in all sorts of size configurations. None has been over in 10 minutes and all have flowed really well. For example, we've played F&IW games with four units as side, the trick is in adapting the structure and command of each unit. It plays almost as well as a skirmish level game as a wargame. In our 1914 adaptions each battalion commander stands for a Brigade commander and each of four companies can thus be ordered individually as if they were a battalion.

Yes I do now remember a game of AWI long time ago when BP was new 2012? We had small units then around a main body of infantry each. The arguments against I read online seemed to be from fairly inflexible thinkers to be fair.

[tim.w]

Thanks gents all good food for thought. I think Charge is the way to go. Hadn't even considered it despite it being the most recent book I bought. I am no Napoleonic expert so may even go Imaginaps to an extent as with the Charge theme. I'm liking the new Perry Saxons so they might be the next unit.

So far I only have a 36man unit of Prussian line, 2 guns and a stand of Landwehr painted from years ago and more recently the horse gun. Cavalry still to paint. I can't see me with more than two or three line units a few guns and a couple of horse units done in the next few years alongside everything else. But that would be perfect Charge material.

[Paul]

Imaginaps....oh........F%&@ just stop it!

Surprised no one suggested Bruce Quarries Airfix Guide rules
The first Napoleonic rules I used (at age 11) and absolutely fantastic. Although still the reason I can be found rocking gently in a corner muttering about march rates of Prussian Jaeger when anyone talks skirmishers.

[Jeremy]

Is it too big to be thinking Sharpe Practice?

Hadn't thought of that but wasnt thinking skirmish level necessarily. Do you not need individual bases?

Nope. Just use casualty markers. TFL rules have always been basing agnostic