Another great FoB game at the Sgt's, where I sadly let the spirit of Napoleon's Old/Mid guard down. Oh well.
Still a fresh system, even after a number of plays - always giving great narrative and new lessons to learn (push those columns through dammit!)...
I ended up sacrificing too much of our Army morale trying to turn the Russian flank, leaving the glory of my fellow general's cavalry charges (where superior French cavalry dominated the field) an empty vessel, as we had lost the initiative and
esprit de corps through a badly timed assault from the Guard. (You don't get a narrative like that with other rulesets...well, you do, but you have to work at it!)
The centre left. Lots of defending Russians, but superior French guard.
The French left...accurate Russian artillery...I can take it! (?)
Hmmm...a little stalling of the old Guard in the centre.
Cavalry starts to mass on the right.
The centre become a meatgrinder for the old Guard.
Cavalry starts to dominate the right.
...left and centre become French holding actions, the Russians starting to push the flank backward.
The glory was the French cavalry's (and the Russian infantry's)...but by game end and the Army morale roll, the French were handing away morale such that we could never hope to win back the initiative...some lessons to learn.
Another great game, with unpredictable results and a sequence of events that tells a realistic story of events in a battle, and finished in 4 hours. This is wargaming!
Good game you just cant beat the 'dice demon' its uncanny how he rolls high just a right time. Even the Guard succumbed !
ReplyDeleteBut I agree no other rule set I have tried (and they are legion) builds such a battle narrative and yet plays so quickly and yet is such damn good fun ! its good to be my FOB beeatch :-)
Yes, though I made my share of mistakes too. Though, it's probably easier to learn from these with FoB.
DeleteI'm convinced the same principles can be used across a lot of periods and scales. Must do that Bulge game with FoB WWII and of course the Vietnam Hue scenario...I even made special cards (well half made at the minute) for that one.
With FOB it is usually at matter of learning better tactics not some quirk of the rules.
DeleteOh btw just found your coffee travel mug whilst clearing table
ReplyDeleteAh, great stuff. Will pick it up next time.
DeleteLovely looking game as ever sir
ReplyDeleteCheers sir. There is a fantasy version (hostile realms) which is very good. I will get the plastics directed toward it, so that I can post on the secret (shhh) blog.
DeleteErrrr what blog, can't think what you mean.......
DeleteNice looking action - you must have been rattled if you forgot your coffee!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Jack, indeed. I'm convinced that my lack of pushing through with columns on the left, and forming into line and a most decisive moment, was simply down to lack of caffeine. I understand that Napoleon himself had the same problem (or was that piles in his case...).
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