Wargame Rules, Ratios, etc


RAISING MINIATURE ARMIES FOR THE LATE 18TH CENTURY

I am very keen to keep my wargame rules as simple as possible, yet capture the character of the 1790s. Morale dominates the games as the opposing sides are very different. Most of the French troops are 'levee' battalions, which I have chosen to base in column as their ability to change formation on a battlefield must have been limited, nor do I believe their volley fire had any great value. Of better quality, able to change formation, will be white-coated regular and blue-coated volunteer battalions, aided by a fair number of skirmishers. The British, Austrian, Dutch and German armies are often outnumbered, but they maintain the discipline and order of typical 18th century armed forces. Interestingly, French revolutionary cavalry have little in common with their later Napoleonic counterparts, the former are few in number, often poorly mounted, and no match for those in the service of the Allies. All figures are 28mm in scale, using a 1=25 ratio.

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Monday, 26 October 2015

French Revolutionary Game, c1793 (Photos)

Just fought with friends a fairly large action between a British/Dutch/Émigré force numbering 206 figures, with George commanding, and a French Revolutionary army, 400 strong, with Chris commanding. It was a simple scenario inspired by the actions about Hondschoote in 1793. The French making numerous assaults against the Allied positions, including a strong redoubt. Despite large numbers involved, we completed the game in under five hours, with results which seemed fair and appropriate, but it must be said several situations became strange due to particularly poor dice throws by the Allied player. On one occasion the Marine Battalion had an 85% chance of standing, and scored 89, while the British Light Battalion had a 95% chance of standing, and scored 96. No rules can compensate for that level of chance influencing the game. Although many levee battalions were broken in the assault, the French cavalry and white coated regulars were covered enough by levee troops to approach and engage the Allies, and when the French cavalry took the Allies right flank, there was no possibility of stemming the French numbers on two fronts. Once more, the game fully captured the period, and gave us a chance to experience aspects of this conflict. MGB

Here are the casualties from the game. Allies: 26 K+W, 56 missing. French 69 K+W, 43 missing. Noteworthy, it is very likely 40 Allied missing 'would' have rallied at the nearest location had time allowed.







  
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8 comments:

  1. tidders27 October 2015 at 05:02

    Neat looking game

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    Replies
    1. MGB27 October 2015 at 08:07

      Hi Allan, Hope to devise a system to use the smaller coastal boards in conjunction with my main board. And have started on constructing some road sections too. But it was a good game, and everyone is keen for more, so it must have worked! Michael

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  2. Captain Brummel30 October 2015 at 14:11

    Well that certainly looks like a fine way to spend a sunday afternoon. Thank you for posting the pictures, they are indeed inspirational. I am most certainly inspired to get some more FRW figs at Crisis in Antwerp next saturday. Your postings of superb FRW games like the one pictured above keep motivating me to sit at the painting table ...and you know what?... I am really enjoying myself.

    Best regards
    CB

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    Replies
    1. MGB31 October 2015 at 12:10

      Thank you, CB, I regularly visit several blogs to inspire me to clear my lead mountain. Pleased mine has similar value. We concluded with enthusiasm for another FRW in a few weeks time. I know it may seem repetitive but just seeing if the levee advance or rout in their attacks does seem to make an exciting game. Mind you, the demi-brigade system, typically 60 figures strong, is quite effective in slightly later scenarios. The Allies must decide to try and break the higher morale/musket firing center battalions, or panic the charging column battalions. Its good fun. Michael

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  3. James Fisher11 November 2015 at 20:25

    Sounds like a most interesting game Michael.
    Lovely photos!

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    Replies
    1. MGB12 November 2015 at 02:33

      Thanks James, it worked well, all seeking another 'fight'. Michael

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  4. Graham3 June 2016 at 22:03

    Hi Michael
    I am building a French army circa 1993-4 and am curious about the British possibilities. The figures on the photos look fabulous! Where are they from?
    Graham

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  5. Graham3 June 2016 at 22:03

    Hi Michael
    I am building a French army circa 1993-4 and am curious about the British possibilities. The figures on the photos look fabulous! Where are they from?
    Graham

    ReplyDelete

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