Empires at War (v4.2) - Major Update

It's been a while and a lot of work but I think I'm closing in on the "final" version of Empires at War.  Play testing has been completed (but is always ongoing) - many years and revisions have gone by on this.  I'll be porting the changes over to the ACW (This Hallowed Ground) and AWI (Liberty or Death) rules over the next month.

You can download Empires at War (v4.2) here.

The core of the rules are presented in a "quick reference/crib sheet" style. Also included are a large number of army lists that can be considered a baseline for the many different nations that fought during the Napoleonic wars.

I've included pictures of the various unit formations as well to add clarity.

I'll be running a Napoleonic game this week using the new version.

Screenshots below of the core pages.

Epic History TV - Napoleonic Wars

Sharing this as an excellent resource that is free on YouTube.  Looking for some great wargaming related things to watch while we are all hunkered down?

Epic History TV has an very well produced series of videos covering key battles throughout the Napoleonic Wars.

You can access the full set of videos here.

Some of the key videos I recommend:

• Austerlitz 1805 (18 minutes)
• Jena 1806 (16 minutes)
• Friedland 1807 (20 minutes)
• Spain 1808 (19 minutes)
• Aspern-Essling 1809 (19 minutes)
• Wagram 1809 (14 minutes)
• Spain 1809-1811 (20 minutes)
• Salamanca 1812 (17 minutes)
• Borodino 1812 (18 minutes)
• Leipzig 1813 (33 minutes)
• Waterloo 1815 (14 minutes)

These are very "digestible" documentaries, not running on and on for hours.  Most are roughly 20 minutes or less.  The maps displayed are beautifully detailed and more importantly are animated to show troops/formation movements and key events!

Even if you are not all the interested in Napoleonic's, the channel covers many other periods with the same format.  Highly recommended!

I also highly recommend watching the War and Peace (2016) mini-series by BBC that is available on Amazon here.  Excellent actors and a telling of the classic story that I very much enjoy.  Of course the original movie is also still excellent to watch as well!

Napoleonic Scenario: Austerlitz, 1805

Napoleon's triumph at Austerlitz is a well known battle often played in 15mm and 6mm scales.  Just as I did with Borodino, I wanted to create a scenario that covers the entire battle in a way that is achievable in 28mm with a decent sized Napoleonic collection.  Of course this scenario can be easily adapted to other scales and rule systems (this is created for my own rules, Empires at War).

There is a lot of complexity to unpack for this scenario in order to make it playable.  "Flattening" out the map was a challenge - as well as the distances between the various villages/towns.  These have been normalized with "playability" in mind.  Additionally, to avoid several special deployment/scenario special rules, the initial troops dispositions are purposely skewed to reflect the challenges faced by both sides during the battle, while at the same time providing strategic and tactical options to the players within the scope of the major locations of each corps.

For example, the initial position of Soult's IV corps is such that it will quickly engage the units protecting the town of Pratzen - and should be able to take the Pratzen Heights, however the corps will be unlikely to hold it until the end of the game without reinforcements.  There is also Lichtenstein's 5th (cavalry) column to deal with - which is sure to wheel to engage the central French advance.

For the French - things are very much against them on the French right flank - which is only to be a holding action.  The Russo-Austrian army can't ignore Sokolnitz and Telnitz as they are worth VPs at games end - easily earned points with the overwhelming numbers on that side of the battlefield.  But, how much to commit to taking those objectives versus recalling units to counter a massive French advance on Pratzen?  If units aren't turned early in the game they may not be in a position to help fight in the center before the game is over.  The Austrian's have many large units while the French have several better quality units.

Can the French break the Russian Imperial Guard and take Besowitz while holding on to Pratzen?  While the forces are lopsided to begin with, corps are positioned to be able to be redeployed to critical areas of the battlefield within ~3 turns if the commanders decide to do so.  But act too late and you'll be conceding almost guaranteed VPs to the enemy ...

SCENARIO MAP

Below you will find the table layout and starting positions for all forces involved.

The table size is 16 feet by 6 feet. Each small square on the map represents a 1 foot by 1 foot section.

Stream:  The stream is fordable at all points - counting as difficult terrain.

Victory Points:  Standard VPs apply, with the following additions:

• Pratzen
  +20 points for the side that controls this feature at games end.
• All other villages
  +10 points for the side that controls this feature at games end.

LA GRANDE ARMEE

Army Command:  Napoleon

Imperial Guard (Bessieres)
1 x Grenadier a Pied (Large)
1 x Chasseurs a Pied (Large)

1 x Grenadier a Cheval
1 x Guard Chasseur a Cheval

1 x Guard Foot Artillery (Large)
1 x Guard Horse Artillery (Large)

I Corps (Bernadotte)
1 x Light Infantry
4 x Line Infantry
1 x Foot Artillery

III Corps (Davout)
1 x Light Infantry
3 x Line Infantry
2 x Dragoons
1 x Foot Artillery

IV Corps (Soult)
3 x Light Infantry
8 x Line Infantry
1 x Chasseur a Cheval
1 x Foot Artillery

V Corps (Lannes)
2 x Light Infantry
6 x Line Infantry
1 x Hussar
1 x Foot Artillery

Cavalry Reserve (Murat)
1 x Carabiniers
2 x Cuirassiers
2 x Dragoons
1 x Hussar
1 x Chasseur a Cheval
2 x Horse Artillery

ALLIED ORDER OF BATTLE

Army Command: Kutusov (Alexander I, Francis II)

Russian Imperial Guard (Constantine)
3 x Guard Grenadiers
1 x Guard Cuirassiers
1 x Lifeguard Hussars
1 x Foot Artillery (Very Large)

Russian Advanced Guard (Bagration)
3 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Dragoon
1 x Hussar
1 x Cossack
1 x Horse Artillery (Very Large)

Austrian Advanced Guard (Kienmayer)
2 x Austrian Grenz Infantry
1 x Austrian Hussar (Large)
1 x Austrian Uhlans (Large)

1 x Cossack
1 x Austrian Horse Artillery (Large)

1st Column (Doctorov)
4 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Grenadier
1 x Foot Artillery (Very Large)

2nd Column (Langeron)
2 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Grenadier
1 x Foot Artillery

3rd Column (Przbyswski)
1 x Austrian Jager (Small)
1 x Austrian Infantry
2 x Musketeers

4th Column (Kollowrath)
2 x Musketeers
1 x Grenadier
4 x Austrian Infantry (Large)
1 x Austrian Foot Artillery (Large)

5th (Cavalry) Column (Lichtenstein)
1 x Austrian Uhlans (Large)
2 x Austrian Cuirassier (Large)
1 x Dragoon
1 x Mounted Infantry
1 x Cossack
1 x Horse Artillery (Large)

Napoleonic Scenario: Borodino, 1812

This is a scenario for my Empires at War rules but can easily be adapted for other rule sets.  This is a large scale game that scales the forces down to something a large 28mm Napoleonic collection can handle.  I also provide two versions - one that includes the fighting around Utitsa (Poniatowski's V Corps) and one that removes that part of the battle.  One could argue that the action around Utitsa isn't all that important to represent in the battle and that it is better to focus on the fighting for the "great redoubt" and the fleches.

The other benefit to removing the Utitsa part of the battle is you remove a large chunk of the non-French troops that fought in the battle - making it a little easier to achieve the forces necessary for the battle.  For the rest of the French force, it is really only difficult to not represent the Wurttemburg units - but I plan on using my Bavarian units to represent them (close enough).

The other consideration is the French guard.  They didn't take part in the battle, although there are opinions that they should have been sent it to secure a decisive victory.  I've included them as a reserve in the French OOB --- but once again, they are not necessary for achieving the forces necessary to play this scenario and frankly throw the forces involved a little over the top for the French side.  But, it is an option.

SCENARIO MAP

Below you will find the table layout and starting positions for all forces involved.

The table size is 20 feet by 6 feet if playing the full scenario.  If playing without the Utitsa section, the table is 16 feet by 6 feet.  Each small square on the map represents a 1 foot by 1 foot section.

Stream:  The stream is fordable at all points - counting as difficult terrain.

Victory Points:  Standard VPs apply, with the following additions:

• Raevsky Redoubt
  +25 points for the French if in control of the Great Redoubt at the end of the game.  +10 points for the Russians if in control of the Great Redoubt at the end of the game.  If contested, +5 points for the French.
• Fleches
  For each of the three small redoubts on the Fleches.  5 points for each held by the Russians at games end.  +10 points for each held by the French at games end.
• Utitsa
  +15 points to the side in control of the town at games end.

RUSSIAN ORDER OF BATTLE

Army Command:  Kutuzov

1st West Army (Bennigsen)

Raevsky Redoubt
2 x Foot Artillery (Very Large)

(Combined from IV, V, VI, and VII corps)

II Corps (Baggovut)
4 x Musketeer
1 x Jager

1 x Foot Artillery

IV Corps (Tolstoy)
2 x Musketeer
1 x Jager
1 x Grenadier

V Corps (Constantine)
3 x Musketeer
1 x Jager
1 x Grenadier

VI Corps (Dokhturov)
3 x Musketeer
1 x Jager

I Cavalry Corps (Uvarov)
1 x Hussar
1 x Cossack

II Cavalry Corps (Korff)
1 x Dragoons
1 x Hussar

1 x Mounted Jager

1 x Horse Artillery

III Cavalry Corps (Korff)
1 x Uhlans

1 x Mounted Jagers

2nd West Army (Bagration)

VII Corps (Raevski)
3 x Musketeer
1 x Jager

VIII Corps (Borozdin)
3 x Grenadier
2 x Musketeer
1 x Jager

1 x Foot Artillery

IV Cavalry Corps (Sievers)
1 x Dragoons
1 x Uhlans
2 x Cuirassiers

1 x Horse Artillery

III Corps (Tuchkov)
3 x Grenadier

NOTE:

The grenadiers from III corps were detached to reinforce the fleches.  These units are held in reserve and can enter the game on turn 4+ via the designated table edge behind the fleches.

OPTIONAL:

If playing with the larger scope including Utitsa:

III Corps (Tuchkov)
2 x Musketeer
1 x Jager
1 x Opolchenie
1 x Cossack

1 x Foot Artillery

FRENCH ORDER OF BATTLE

Army Command:  Napoleon

I Corps (Davout)

12 x Line/Light Infantry

1 x Foot Artillery

1 x Chasseur a Cheval

III Corps (Ney)

7 x Line/Light Infantry

1 x Foot Artillery

2 x Wurttemburg Line Infantry

1 x Wurttemburg Light Infantry (Small)

1 x Wurttemburg Chevauxleger

NOTE:

For wargaming practicality, Bavarian's could be substituted for Wurttemburg units if your collection has Bavarian's but no Wurttemburg units.  Roughly speaking, the uniforms had several similarities.

IV Corps (Eugene)

8 x Line/Light Infantry

1 x Foot Artillery

1 x Bavarian Chevauxleger

VIII Corps (Junot)

5 x Line/Light Infantry

1 x Foot Artillery

I Cavalry Corps (Nansouty)

1 x Hussar

1 x Lancer

1 x Dutchy of Warsaw Uhlans

3 x Cuirassier

1 x Horse Artillery

II Cavalry Corps (Montbrun)

1 x Hussar

1 x Chasseur a Cheval

1 x Lancer

2 x Cuirassier

1 x Carabinier

1 x Horse Artillery

III Cavalry Corps (Grouchy)

3 x Dragoons

1 x Horse Artillery

IV Cavalry Corps (Latour-Maubourg)

1 x Zastrow Cuirassiers

1 x Saxon Guard du Corps

NOTE:

The heavy cavalry from IV corps was detached to support a renewed attack on the Raevksy Redoubt.  This detachment is held in reserve and can enter with VII corps on turn 3+ in the same area (between the Reavsky Redoubt and the Fleches).

OPTIONAL:

Guard formations are optional and if used, held in reserve (can enter start of Turn 4 onward at any point along the French side table edge)

Imperial Guard (Mortier)

1 x Old Guard Grenadier (Large)

1 x Old Guard Chasseurs a Pied (Large)

2 x Young Guard (Small)

2 x Vistula Legion (Dutchy of Warsaw)

1 x Old Guard Foot Artillery (Large)

Guard Cavalry (Bessieres)

1 x Grenadier a Cheval

1 x Empress Dragoons

1 x Guard Lancers

1 x Guard Chasseur a Cheval

1 x Les Mamelukes

1 x Gendarme d' Elite

1 x Guard Horse Artillery

OPTIONAL:

If playing with the larger scope including Utitsa:

V Corps (Poniatowski)

4 x Dutchy of Warsaw Line Infantry

1 x Dutchy of Warsaw Foot Artillery

1 x Dutchy of Warsaw Chasseur a Cheval 

IV Cavalry Corps (Latour-Maubourg)

1 x Dutchy of Warsaw Uhlans

General Update - The Summer of Basing

I've been busy this summer.  I have a backlog of painted figures that need basing so I've hunkered down and started "The Summer of Basing" --- although hopefully it doesn't take me that long ...

I'm currently basing ~1,750 figures spanning AWI British and Americans, and Napoleonic's spanning French, Russians, and Austrians.

I have most of the units on bases at this point ... still finishing up a few for this "wave" of basing (2 x French Line infantry at 36 figures each, and a Russian Grenadier unit at 36 figures).

You can see most of them arrayed together on my bar top below.

From closest in the picture to farthest - the first 3 "rows" are AWI --- which represents about 1/3rd of my AWI collection --- 2/3rds needs basing straight after this batch.

Next is French Napoleonic - 4 units of light infantry and 4 units of line infantry.  I have 2 more line infantry to base.  Behind the infantry (for the French row, and behind the Austrian row) is French cavalry, a unit of Lancers, 2 units of Dragoons, Hussars and Carabiniers.

The Austrian row has 5 new "large" (48 figure) German line units, with 1 regular (36 figure) German line unit and 1 Grenz unit.  I have 8 more Austrian infantry units to base at 36 figures each.

The last two rows are my Russians.  12 x Musketeer units (36 each), generals, 2 artillery batteries (6 guns each), Dragoons and Cuirassiers.  Basing a Grenadier unit currently to add to this pile.

Above you can see a closer look at the AWI units ...

Above you can see a closer look at the French Napoleonic units ...

Above you can see a closer look at the Austrian Napoleonic units ...

Above you can see a closer look at the 1st part of the Russian Napoleonic units ...

Above you can see a closer look at the 2nd part of the Russian Napoleonic units ...

Above you can see a closer look at the Russian High Command ... excellent set by Perry Miniatures.

Very soon I move on to getting sand on the bases, static grass, tufts, etc.

I'll have both AWI Breeds Hill (Bunker Hill) and Guilford Courthouse on the game table in September - looking forward to those games.  My Wagram scenario is hot on the heels of that, with Borodino being ready in the new year if all goes to plan.  Borodino is a very large game ... will need ~8 players per side ... so hoping that can be run at a convention after COVID finally passes ... but we'll see ...

With that I'll wish you all health and happiness during these troubled times.

Blood and Plunder - First Game & Impressions

A somewhat spontaneous game of Blood and Plunder happened today.

Dan Kerrick was to come by to pick up some stuff from my place.  He had some time on his hands and I had been speaking with Roy Scaife at the same time who was also otherwise not engaged.  The result, I pulled out some Blood and Plunder stuff and dove right into my first game.

I was able to quickly make a small island
settlement in which to fight over ...

 

I quickly pulled together some terrain.  Buildings I have from Crescent Root Studio, the mat we've used for the Battle of Scariff, and the associated palm trees, etc.  Scatter terrain is also from Crescent Root Studio.

Arrrrgh!  Here be plunder!
(Coins used to mark activated units)

I must count myself remiss - in that I've had the miniatures ready to go for this game for well over a year but have not actually played a game!  Shame.  Shame.  Shame ... march me through the city naked for my insolence!

Before I dig into a few thoughts on the same ... some close up pictures for you all ...

Now that you've seen some eye candy (more to come) ... a few thoughts.

This game is awesome.

We had a blast.  From knowing nothing, we played through our first game - 100 point lists each (the start armies each for England, Spain and France) - from start to finish, in 3 hours.  The rules are extremely well written and laid out ... additionally they are at the exact level of complexity (in that they are not complex, but offer a lot of strategic play options and are not overly dumbed down in any way).

After the first turn it was auto pilot ... even the special rules are easy to remember.  We moved along at a great pace.  Note that we only played a land battle and not a sea battle.  In reading the ship rules, that does add a whole extra layer of stuff in the game.  I do look forward to that though!

Multi-player works.

The activation system moves along.  Our first game was a 3 player game.  Many skirmish systems I've played would fall apart quickly when there are more than 2 distinct sides.  This moved along swimmingly!

It left me wanting more ... a lot more.

You know it's good when you are ordering stuff in the middle of still playing the game ... right?!  Yup ... that exactly what I did ... I ordered additional buildings from Crescent Root Studio ... and more stuff from Firelock Games.

I want to fill out my existing factions more - and finish the factions I have already from the No Peace Beyond the Line Kickstarter.  Oooo ...and ships ... yes!

If you haven't looked at or played this game ... I say take a look - really.

Now for some in game pictures and such from my lovely phone camera ...

I look forward to more here ... much more.  I have the models, ships and such ... it is just a matter of getting more painted/done ... and this game provided some good motivation.