Aim: To play
Napoleonics using the Maurice rules with minimum meddling to the core rules or
resorting to house rules. Therefore, the proposed tweaks only restrict army
composition and introduce a combination of existing advanced rules to achieve a
more fluid battle and balance of arms, true to Napoleonic warfare.
To represent the
greater mobility and dependence on dense formations for assault and counter-cavalry
manoeuvres, all nationalities have the National Advantages of Cadence and En Masse. Specific nations have additional National Advantages as
follows:
Austrian - Cavaliers
British – Lethal Volleys, Steady (only nation
allowed over 30pts of National Advantages)
French – A la Baionnette, Skirmishers
Prussian – Lethal Volleys, Professional Train (horse artillery)
Russian – Artillery Academy, Rally
To reflect the
greater shock impact of cavalry on the battlefield, infantry and cavalry
quality is re-jigged such that there is no elite infantry and a maximum of two
trained infantry per army (representing grenadiers or guards in this period). The
attacking side is entitled to another trained infantry unit for free (see p.22
“Mercenaries” or in this case a battalion of grenadiers hastily brought up from
reserve). All other infantry is conscript or irregular. There is no restriction
on the quality of regular cavalry (the average is trained). All armies must
contain more infantry than cavalry and the principle arm rule applies (infantry cannot exceed cavalry by more than 3 to 1).
A couple of advanced
rules are adopted to provide armies with the more dynamic command and artillery
appropriate to this era:
DYO Cards – Shuffle the
three DYO cards into the deck. Each DYO card is played as a “Coordinated” event
card, allowing two forces within 12BW of the CinC to march or rally in a single
round.
Light Artillery –
Artillery units may be included in an infantry force to march (including for
the purpose of removing smoke from previous bombardments) or rally.
SAMPLE FRENCH
ARMY
2 Trained Regular Infantry (Consular Guard)
@ 12 pts
4 Conscript Regular Infantry (Line) @ 16
pts
3 Irregular Infantry (Legere) @ 9 pts
1 Elite Regular Cavalry (Cuirassiers) @ 8
pts
2 Trained Regular Cavalry (Dragoons) @ 12
pts
1 Irregular Cavalry (Chasseurs รก Cheval) @
3 pts
4 Artillery @ 10 pts
National Advantages: 30 pts
Total: 100 points Army Morale: 13
SAMPLE AUSTRIAN
ARMY
2 Trained Regular Infantry (Consolidated
Grenadiers) @ 12 pts
4 Conscript Regular Infantry (Line) @ 16
pts
2 Irregular Infantry (Grenzer) @ 6 pts
2 Elite Regular Cavalry (Cuirassiers) @ 17
pts
2 Trained Regular Cavalry (Dragoons) @ 12
pts
2 Irregular Cavalry (Hussars) @ 6 pts
4 Artillery @ 10 pts
National Advantages: 21 pts
Total: 100 points Army Morale: 14
SAMPLE BRITISH ARMY
2 Trained Regular Infantry (Foot Guard) @
12 pts
5 Conscript Regular Infantry (Line) @ 20
pts
1 Irregular Infantry (Light Infantry) @ 3
pts
1 Elite Regular Cavalry (Horse Guard) @ 8
pts
2 Trained Regular Cavalry (Dragoons) @ 12
pts
2 Irregular Cavalry (Light Dragoons/Spanish
Guerrillas) @ 6 pts
3 Artillery @ 6 pts
National Advantages: 33 pts
Total: 100 points Army Morale: 13
You've certainly come up with some good mods to the core rules. Fine looking troops too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the work with the modifications. I am anxious to give them a try. Presently using Lasalle for the period, but a change to the card driven Maurice would be fun.
ReplyDeleteJust came across this- I have just thought to use Blucher for this very scenario! Great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMike B
Despertaferres.wordpress.com