National Characteristics

The first axis of troop differences I identified as having to be addressed in a Napoleonic rule set was the tactical roles filled by various troop types.  This has been dealt with already.

The second was tactical doctrine, by which I mean the differences in behaviour for ostensibly identical troop types across different armies, and even the same army at different time periods.  It includes also the effects of differing cultures and social relations between members of different armies.  The relations between officers and men were quite different, for example, in the British army as compared with the French, for the societies they came from were founded on different principles.  Likewise for Austria, Russia and so on.  The differences discussed below are all expressed on the battlefield as simple bonuses and deficits applied to certain troop types.

Troop Types

To alter a set of rules written for the American Civil War to be suitable for Napoleonics, a number of changes need to be made.  The first and most obvious is the range of troop types available.  All of what follows (in terms of actual modifiers, move distances etc.) can be found on the Quick Reference Card.  This post sets out the thinking behind the rules - the justification and reasoning, to give y'all something to take issue with.

Foundations

I wrote a few weeks ago that I would expand, in due course, on the Throne & Altar rules, and I want to do that in a couple of steps.  I have already said that the rules are based on Greg Wagman's Altar of Freedom.  First, I want to give an overview of those rules, and then I will go on to set out what changes I have made to make them suit Napoleonics rather than ACW.

Bailén AAR - August 2018

At the August meeting of the Northern Sydney Wargames Club we played the first public test run of a set of grand-tactical Napoleonic wargames rules that I have been working on in odd moments.  I will post more on the rules themselves another time, but want to start with an after action report while the event is still fresh.  I do have to say, though, that the rules are based closely on the Altar of Freedom ACW rules written by Greg Wagman.  My rules, in homage to Greg's, are called Throne & Altar, with reference to the counter-revolutionary principles that animated the opposition to Revolutionary and Imperial France.

I give my thanks to the four players who commanded during the battle: John and Michael on the French side, Robert and newcomer Tony on the Spanish.  The battle was hard-fought and tense, with serious plotting going on throughout.  Although the scenario puts the French in a very difficult position (as they were historically) the outcome remained in the balance until remarkably late in the day.

With that brief introduction out of the way, on with the game, which represents the battle of Bailén in 1808.  A French corps, of fairly indifferent quality and laden with the loot of the city of Cordoba, is trying to escape pursuit and get back to the safety of Madrid.  Having marched all night, they are horrified to see, at dawn, Spanish troops blocking their way.