I wrote some time earlier about the challenges of playing Austrians in 1805 under Throne & Altar rules. The experience is clearly different from that of playing Russians, and it is fair to say, I think, that man for man the Austrians are more difficult to use well. At the same time John has expressed some views on the utility of Russians based on his experience in the campaign. Some of these I think are insightful and some perhaps less so. Let me offer my view from above...
Like the Austrians, the Russians do not play the same way as the French. What is it that makes the Russians distinctive, and what is the way to take advantage of those special characteristics? I suggest that there are four things that set the Russians apart. Two of these are a matter of a special rule that apply specifically to Russians (a bit like the no-support rule for the Austrians, although that is not unique to them). Another is a matter of historical orders of battle, and the third (closely related) is a matter of command structure. The right question is: Does the game reflect the historical reality appropriately?
