After last month's basing exercise, we finally got to grips with a relatively small V&B game (it still took 4 hours though), based on the Allied / French battle of 1760 during the 7yw, near Wesel.
Again, the elegance of V&B shines through, and we had many reversals and nail-biting finishes to melees.
Some refresh and ref to the rules was necessary during play, of course.
French units line the river, but there not enough of them to avoid leaving a gap for Allied units to exploit.
The Allied/British centre
There would be a cavalry flank action on the French left.
Advantage for the French, as they adopt stationary positions on the bank - doubling fire dice
"ze thing about ze small buildings, is zat I can not fit inside when ze shooting starts..."
The French right, which would see a stalemate until near the end, when French units were urgently required at centre
The cavalry action does not go well for the French
British troops ford the marshy stream and start to hit the open French flank
...even shooting off some cavalry
The main event happens, as fronts change, in the centre
Things were looking to go the way of the Allies as we finished, though they still had a number of brigades to rally. All in all, a great game.
I also saw the beauty of the fire-counterfire system at work, in line with turn sequence. Said sequence does mean that there is a lot happening in these rules as the units numbers increase - although getting used to things again does make things go remarkably smoothly.
Wow...I missed the attack of the lesser spotted death tape, until you pointed it out - nicely done. ('Lesser Spotted Death Tape' ...may be another perfect name for a podcast)
I found your blog post about Klosterkamp 1760 really intriguing, and it's clear that you have a deep passion for history. Your insights and the level of detail you provide are truly impressive. https://www.frugalishness.com/promotions/all-stores
I get a chance to give V&B a first try in a couple of weeks. Hard to believe I have never played this game before.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back into the SYW.
Thanks Jon - I had sent you an email - as I want to try FoH with 7yw too. I think a VERY good fit.
DeleteGood stuff! Which version of VnB were you playing out of interest?
ReplyDeleteNeil
Thanks Neil - yes t'was the 'Rod to Glory' so all up to dtae, and with slightly different dice nos for linear regiments, but all still works well.
DeleteThe hex tiles are looking good. Really must give V&B an outing
ReplyDeleteYes, those hexes are 10 years old this year :O
DeleteAye - will be interesting to hear your thoughts on V&B disorder and rout rules.
Another great game, also nice to see the giant death tape measure in the wild.
ReplyDeleteWow...I missed the attack of the lesser spotted death tape, until you pointed it out - nicely done.
Delete('Lesser Spotted Death Tape' ...may be another perfect name for a podcast)
I'm very adapt at death tape spotting, my kids have wiped out whole units with them in the past!.
DeleteYour rebased figures look very nice in this game, not that I am saying rebasing is a good thing, you understand!
ReplyDeleteThe first rebase is always free... ;)
DeleteI found your blog post about Klosterkamp 1760 really intriguing, and it's clear that you have a deep passion for history. Your insights and the level of detail you provide are truly impressive.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.frugalishness.com/promotions/all-stores