Hello,

I think this is a great game, but did have one question concerning the rules.  On the 1d10, is a 0 result a 10 or a 0?

Sorry for the stupid question.

Thank you,

James

I want to add to my question, as we got a chance to play two of the scenarios today:

Scenario 4: Los Arapiles

Scenario 2: Cerro De Medellin

We had two experienced miniatures players, and one hard-core board wargamer, and all enjoyed the game.

Our experience was two decisive wins for the English, but honestly, I can't say if that was because of

good luck or good play or this being our first time at it.

And we had a couple of things that we were not sure of.  I'll describe what the situation was, and what we did, and hopefully

someone can chime in and let us know if we interpreted the rules right, or not.

1.  Use of the CC carrying out orders.

The only way we could figure that you would not use the CCs modifier would be if you gave a dispatch, and then moved the

CC so that he was not in range of the UGC that the dispatch was given to.  Is this correct?

2.  Use of modifers in melee

-  Commanders modifier.  We only used for the attacker, and not for the defender.  As far as we could tell, the

UGC or CC in defense was only good for any defender morale check.

- Use of unit modifer.  Again, we only used for the attacker.  If the defending unit had a plus on the card, we though

that this only applied when that unit attacked. 

- Number of figures in the unit.  This we applied only to the attacker.

- British in line. This was a modifier we used when the French attacked British in line. We figured that this must be

a modifer for the fact that the British used two-rank lines vs the French three-rank lines, but wern't sure.

(or is this meant to be a minus instead of a plus?)

We also found that having the melee and fire ranks tables, and also having the modifiers, was somewhat confusing.  We followed the examples on this.

Hopefully, in the future we could see some new charts?  The one improvement we could see was some more clarity on the charts and when to

use the modifiers.  But for those reading the forums to decide whether or not to purchase the game, let me say that this is a very minor quibble on what

was 4 fun and exciting hours of gaming.

Thanks in advance for any advice, answers, or general comments.  . 

James

Burto001 said:

That is something that is puzzling me as well. Alle my reading suggests that it was in fact not easier but more difficult to attack a British line.

Hey all - played scenario 4 with my son and had some similiar issues. 

The ranks/bonuses in Fire & especially melee were confusing.  Why is there an attack and defense value on teh melee table?  Is this an opposed role (we didn't play that way).  We added both modifiers...

We kept forgetting t move the CC...and had lots of trouble with the calvary on the right...they were going against a unit in square and it was obvious that a single unit fighting a square wasn't going to work.  We didn't remember the 'support' rule, which would be important nor did we use the calvary optionals yet. 

My son did try to give an artillary an attack order.  He knew they couldn't move, but wanted to give them the advanced initiative.  I could swear that I had read artillary couldn't have an attack order...but I couldn't find it. 

We noticed that a unit that is forced to retreat (rout)...but rallies...is basically out of the game unless a commander goes gets them.  (Rule states they can't move when out of command.)  This was harsh.

Overall, we had fun even though it was a draw.  (I just couldn't do anything with the calvary - we'll be re-reading those rules again.

Arkobla,

I think I can help you on the artillery...

The artillery can move on an attack or defense order, but can't move on a maneuver order.  That's at least one place in the rules on page 24, under Maneuver Order.  To move the guns, you first need to do a formation change to change the guns to limbered formation (page 14).

Remember the two phases, so we found we could shoot the guns in phase 1, limber in phase 2, move forward (if attack order) in phase 1 of the next turn,and unlimber in the phase 2 of that next turn (if we understand the rules correctly, that is).  Unlimbered guns can't move, and that's on page 30 under movement.

On the infantry routs, yea, we had the same situation occur.  Remember that your commanders can move two (we, uhh, missed the rule that the UDC can move two when we playedl), and that all you have to do to rally is be in command range of your UDC or CC.  I guess it's a choice sometimes of using your leader to lead the attack, or using your leader to rally and bring up troops.

I'm glad to hear that others were having some problems with the charts, and exactly what modifiers apply when. 

James

James,

Thanks for the answer.  We'll try that with the Artillary.

We were doing the formations - and finding that the disorders were often immediately dismissed with the next formation change (basically just taking the tile off)  It has the effect of not letting the unit do the fire or melee in that segment, of course.  And it prmoted focused fire when possible.

In scenario 4, the green unit for the british on the left flank had two units forward and two units two hexes behind.  Where did  you place your UGC? I put him walking by himself between the 4, which seemed a bit strange.  But I think if I hadn't, two of the units would be out of command.  True?

(course, I could have put him with one of the two behind and walked them up to the others, placing them back in command...I guess...)

Arkobla

A "0" count as "10".

"1. Use of the CC carrying out orders.

The only way we could figure that you would not use the CCs modifier would be if you gave a dispatch, and then moved the
CC so that he was not in range of the UGC that the dispatch was given to. Is this correct?"

Yes, it is correct.

"2. Use of modifers in melee

- Commanders modifier. We only used for the attacker, and not for the defender. As far as we could tell, the
UGC or CC in defense was only good for any defender morale check.
"

Correct!

"- Use of unit modifer. Again, we only used for the attacker. If the defending unit had a plus on the card, we though
that this only applied when that unit attacked.
"

Correct. The key design concept is that you only need to look at your stats and what you've on the table to assess all the modifiers to a roll - the stats on the opposing unit do not ever relate to your roll, but the unit composition may (for example, the ranks of the defending unit, its formation, and so on).

"- Number of figures in the unit. This we applied only to the attacker."

Correct. The ranks are relevant, but number of figures is not.

"- British in line. This was a modifier we used when the French attacked British in line. We figured that this must be
a modifer for the fact that the British used two-rank lines vs the French three-rank lines, but wern't sure."

Correct. It is a plus to the attacker (the French).
 

Cybernex - thanks for the response - this helps alot.  Question - How is the British Rate of fire reflected in the game?  Event cards only?  Or is that just a flight of fancy derived from too much Wooden Ship interest (where the brits did have a better rate of fire on the high seas) plus a bit of romance from the Sharpe movies...

Cybernex,

Thanks a lot for your help.

James

Arkobla,

On the disorder, that's what we understood (and were finding) as well.   

Question:  Do the cards that prevent formation changes, or allow reactions to formation changes, also apply to someone removing disorder in the change formation step?

For your question on the green group (unit card 22, right?) I think you are correct, though we actually messed that up ourselves, as we used the command range on the UGC, but it's clear you are right from page 27, from the chain of command (third para).  I guess you can put him on any of the three hexes between the two green lines.

Definitely finding this forum useful!

James

James,

Yes, Unit 22.  The game has such a strong personality when it comes to 'Orders' and I'm afraid we didn't get too deep into it in game one.  We are considering a game soon and I hope we can have a better play test. 

I agree, the forum is useful.  I'm looking forward to when more folks have the game and join us.

Arkobla

Arkobla Conn said:

British Infantry indeed has, on average, a Fire factor which is quite higher than the French fire factor (the French have most of the time +0/+1, the Brits +1 to +3).

Other differences between the two armies and their respective strengths come across through the Event cards.

Burto001 said:

Disorder is removed during the Formation Change phase, but  removing disorders is not the same as changing formation, so the events which apply to formation changes don't apply to removal of disorder.

Ah, good to know about Removing Disorders not actually triggerig Formation events

Hello,

Two more rules questions from the event/reaction cards:

Card # 53 has a melee 'Vive l'Empereur' as a reaction.  How can I play that?

Card # 32 'Fall Back', If someone supports the original attack with a line (say they are attacking with both a column with a line in support) would the line still be disordered?

Thank you,

James