Tuesday 8 May 2018

Napoleonic wargame trying out reserve rules

This last weekend I was able to find sometime to have a Napoleonic game. The aim of the game was to test out some changes to the reserve rules.

Spencer Smith hit the tabletop again. This time its Napoleonic.
To get some inspiration for the game setup. I searched the command and colours napoleonic website for game maps and came up with a game based upon the battle of Schleiz - 9 October 1806. The tabletop and troop deployments were then setup.

French move up with reserves represented by the standard (more about that later in the post).
The French centre with reserves (again marked with a standard).
The rules I use are very much in the one-hour wargame style and use D3 dice (D3-1, D3, D3+1) with units eliminated after accumulating more than 6 hits.

In the rules reserves are represented by a standard which is attached to a unit. Up to 3 reserves are allowed in a game which can be anywhere, but typically are positioned on either flank and in the centre.

Reserves well positioned to support. The removal of the 5 hits seems most likely.
My initial reserve rule was at the end of a player's turn each reserve was allow to reduce 1 hit from any infantry or skirmish unit within 6 inches forward of a unit representing the reserves. All this approach seemed to do was to slow down the attrition rate on units and also slow the game.

Reserves can be seen in support of a French attack
My second attempt at a reserve rule allows players at the end of their turn to reduce all hits from one infantry, grenadier or skirmish unit within 6 inches forward of the unit representing the reserves. This is only allowed once for a reserve unit and the standard removed to indicate reserves are used. The unit with the attached standard still remains in place as a normal unit.

The reason I quite like this approach is it means the timing of reserves is important. Feed them in too early and you don’t get the benefit. For example, sending in the reserves to relieve a unit with 5 hits is much more beneficial than one with just 3 hits. However, leave it too late and the unit may be eliminated.

Alternatively you can throw in the unit with attached reserves (standard) as a shock force to break an enemy line. Commit the Guard! Using reserves on the attached unit itself as and when hits mount. Quite effective when used with a guard unit.

Rather than these rules I suppose I could deploy another unit on the tabletop and have another unit held in reserve. However, this approach does force me to use and deploy reserves.

A final photo of some artillery units


12 comments:

  1. Peter,
    I do like your Terrain with the various types of Trees set out...it all looks very suitable for your Spencer Smith Napoleonics- and your Painted Cloth covering looks terrific too. Cheers. KEV.

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    1. There is a combination of trees, home-made and purchased, which are placed on green felt. I am quite please with the painted cloth after I had another go at it with a sponge (a suggestion from Norm).

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  2. Interesting post Peter. Excuse my ignorance here; if the unit you are planning to bolster with reserves is eliminated before your reserves are used (because you hung on too long) what happens to the reserves?
    Beautiful figures by the way - those guns are magnificent.

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    1. I did not clarify that situation. If the attached unit is eliminated before using the reserves, then the reserves are lost. It helped (forced) me keep the reserves back and out of the fray. It is possible to move the unit forward and deploy reserves in the same turn.

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    2. Thanks. I like that extra risk involved in pushing forward with the reserves.

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  3. lovely to see the napoleonics out.

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    1. I do like deploying them on to the tabletop.

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  4. Just to clarify, can the reserves only be used on the attached unit? In other words the General has to commit them not just to a given wing or segment of the battle but to a certain unit?

    I suppose the General could still hang onto an ordinary unit as a reserve to react to enemy actions or fill a gap as opposed to this special designated close support reserve strengthening an assault or a key defensive position.

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    1. I was not very clear on this. There are two options with reserves: they can be used on any unit in front of the unit to which the standard is attached, or can be used on the reserve unit itself to assault a key defensive position as you suggest.

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    2. ok makes sense. Will tuck the idea aside.

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  5. Nice looking game, handsome minis and terrain!

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    1. Thank you. I do like the traditional look of the Spencer Smith of miniatures.

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