Ian Godwin's 'Emperor of the Battlefield' is an excellent Divisional/Corps level set, with units as battalions, but written such that Napoleonic tactics (not exactly my usual dish of choice) work, doctrines are easily written into the rules and where units can be brittle such that managing reserves becomes absolutely critical. An excellent game which we enjoyed immensely for our Christmas bash.
Cuirassiers charge to the 'sound of the rules'...
At its heart is the 'control' test and the 'morale' test - control gets stuff done, morale lets units get hit (units are brittle) and/or stand.
That there old ordre mixte thingie...
Unit traits are simple and movement and units in melee, though not overcomplicated, has a nice feel to how you can play tactics or choose to throw units into the fray and/or lose them to rout.
For the first time ever, I found myself using 'ordre mixte' with a French Brigade and it worked in terms of shooting in an assault column...which was nice...
Ian previously wrote 'King of the Battlefield' for the 7YW and this is an extension of his Napoleonic notes after that - I believe that KotB is getting the 'new edition' treatment in light of EotB.
To battle...
The scenario represented the afternoon at Quatre Bras, when Ney's caution has abated, but it's all too late...
The guys' superb 15mm collection
The 'Emperor's Widget' design copied from that in the rulebook - encompassing movement and arcs and distances in a single place
Bachelu's Division readying itself to get its ass kicked...
Most of the Allied centre
British units in the centre
French on the march - two strong flank attacks, with what would prove to be a feint in the centre
On the French right
Vive la D10!
The widget in use
The French left - heavily forested - the flanks would decide the battle
The French right, as artillery moves to get flank control, the Allies venture from the woods
Centre and French right
The centre holds against a French feint
On the French right, there is cavalry action and infantry assaults
Lancers and light cavalry crossing the river
More action on the French right
The centre holds with neither side gaining advantage
French columns assaulting on the right
Note: the mass of Allied reinforcements at centre
Attack columns!
Into the woods
Attempting to break through at centre right, the French are stymied...
A sizable Allied contingent moving to reinforce their left
...as the centre continues to play space for time
The French left has devolved into a draw, though the Allies have British guards moving to reinforce - they think it's all over...
French now on the defensive in the centre...
Cuirassiers arrive to reinforce, but it's all too late
Dutch cavalry now free to roam in the centre
Disarray on the French right...it's all over now.
A great set of rules - very Napoleonic and very tense. More to follow from this one I think...suggestions that I might have been inspired to write some notes for 'Duke of the Battlefield...1670-1720' are simply rumour... ;) ...
