Any players of this series here? I'm looking to get into it as I hear it's the best game that there is at the scale that I want to play Napoleonics at (regimental). If so, do you use the "Regs" or the "Marie-Louise" version of the rules? Any thoughts on those or the system in general is appreciated-
I played some a very long time ago, so can remember little about the game. I had a friend who was well into the system, but, not being much interested in that period myself I did not really absorb very much. One thing I do remember is that the counters were designed to represent the uniforms of the units, which, whilst impressive was confusing if you're not a Nappy fan :-)
Thanks Bob - yeah, Nappy stuff is new to me (was more an ACW buff) but my brother is all into it now and so I started to do some research on a boardgame that we might try playing together and everybody seemed to be pointing towards "La Bataille". It reminded me of The Gamers "Civil War Brigade Series" a bit so thought I'd look into it. I have the opportunity to pick up a reasonably priced copy of one of the entry games to the system so thought that I'd get some opinions from fellow gamers here. Seems that the "Regs" rules are pretty intense and will require a good bit of studying and that the "Marie-Louise" rules are akin to the Starter Kit rules for ASL. I'm going through the rules for Regs now just to see just how steep a learning curve they are.
I do seem to remember being pretty baffled most of the time (yeah, I know - par for the course) and that the rules did not flow very well, but that may well have been me just not knowing the system.
I've yet to play anything in this series, though I think Cyrano has. There are a number of entries about it over at Big Board Gaming, however. I intend to give it a try when next I'm in a Napoleonic mood.
I've steered more toward the OSG games. I'm more interested in the Grand Tactical and Operational scales. However, if you want something similar to the Civil War Brigade Series, why not try the Napoleonic Brigade Series, also by The Gamers? Basically the same system, adapted for Napoleonics?
Have not kept up with the games, or changes to the system.
After the first five or six games, it seemed the best "game" was the first on Moscowa (Borodino). Still pretty straightforward rules and a fairly straightforward situation that either side could win.
Quote from: panzerde on June 01, 2016, 05:48:51 PM
I've yet to play anything in this series, though I think Cyrano has. There are a number of entries about it over at Big Board Gaming, however. I intend to give it a try when next I'm in a Napoleonic mood.
I've steered more toward the OSG games. I'm more interested in the Grand Tactical and Operational scales. However, if you want something similar to the Civil War Brigade Series, why not try the Napoleonic Brigade Series, also by The Gamers? Basically the same system, adapted for Napoleonics?
Thanks PD - yeah, we did play "Marengo" and it was enjoyable but it seemed like a "dumbed down" version of CWBS so we're looking for something with more depth. I could certainly live with NBS though however it has very few games and is very much a dead series. I understand that Elias is working on an update to the series and I've been following that and will surely give that one a try once the first game in that series is released.
I have "1809" and have been thinking of having a look into that series as I have also heard great things about Zucker's games (they seem to be "the" go-to game for that scale). If we can't grok La Bataille, that might be where we go (though again, I like a bit more tactical).
"1809" is definitely operational. OSG has a much larger series that is more brigade scale, with a focus on individual battles rather than campaigns. Not terribly rules heavy, but detailed enough to be interesting.
Quote from: bob48 on June 01, 2016, 12:19:41 PM
I played some a very long time ago, so can remember little about the game. I had a friend who was well into the system, but, not being much interested in that period myself I did not really absorb very much. One thing I do remember is that the counters were designed to represent the uniforms of the units, which, whilst impressive was confusing if you're not a Nappy fan :-)
Did this series include
Zorndorf from CoA?
I recall owning that long ago, but never got around to it.
The mention of the counters having the uniform artwork reminds me of it, though. I thought that was pretty cool at the time. But the map was quite the opposite, being a single yellowed parchment color with terrain in simple black ink. I suppose they were going for the simple hand drawn look, but it was a stark contrast which seemed rather odd at the time.
A glance at the rule book gave me the impression it would probably be a long scattered slog to get through, which is why I never ended up spending the time to learn it. About two decades ago, though, so it's all a bit fuzzy.
Quote from: Nefaro on June 01, 2016, 08:47:16 PM
Quote from: bob48 on June 01, 2016, 12:19:41 PM
I played some a very long time ago, so can remember little about the game. I had a friend who was well into the system, but, not being much interested in that period myself I did not really absorb very much. One thing I do remember is that the counters were designed to represent the uniforms of the units, which, whilst impressive was confusing if you're not a Nappy fan :-)
Did this series include Zorndorf from CoA?
I recall owning that long ago, but never got around to it.
The mention of the counters having the uniform artwork reminds me of it, though. I thought that was pretty cool at the time. But the map was quite the opposite, being a single yellowed parchment color with terrain in simple black ink. I suppose they were going for the simple hand drawn look, but it was a stark contrast which seemed rather odd at the time.
A glance at the rule book gave me the impression it would probably be a long scattered slog to get through, which is why I never ended up spending the time to learn it. About two decades ago, though, so it's all a bit fuzzy.
Zondorf is from what seems to me to be a more interesting game system, the Battles from the Age of Reason series. There's a primer for the series. It uses the Fontenoy map, but sometimes with counters from earlier games in the series.
I prefer Battles from the Age of Reason to the Nappy stuff (of which I had more than enough in the 1980s and 1990s).
That was it.
Kinda wish I still had Zorndorf, but it'd probably just continue collecting dust for a long time until eventually getting to it. I also prefer the earlier stuff to Napoleonics.
Counters looked pretty amazing. The rest looked a bit messy.
Good Age of Reason games are thin on the ground. I'd certainly like to grab something of that era. I like my Napoleonics, but I certainly am as much interested in Marlborough or the Seven Years War. I have to say that Fontenoy from the Battles of the Age of Reason is looking tempting...
Quote from: panzerde on June 02, 2016, 05:59:20 PM
Good Age of Reason games are thin on the ground. I'd certainly like to grab something of that era. I like my Napoleonics, but I certainly am as much interested in Marlborough or the Seven Years War. I have to say that Fontenoy from the Battles of the Age of Reason is looking tempting...
Fontenoy is definitely a good game, but I would get the primer too. The intricacies of the simulation are even more daunting for the 1740s. It's no wonder those battles seem so
weird. It think (as with the age of sail) the standard terminology or standard view of cause and effect is based on how things were in the 1805-1815 period yet in say 1780 to 1800 things were quite different and in 1740-1780 almost unimaginably different.
Quote from: MengJiao on June 02, 2016, 06:15:34 PM
Fontenoy is definitely a good game, but I would get the primer too. The intricacies of the simulation are even more daunting for the 1740s. It's no wonder those battles seem so
weird. It think (as with the age of sail) the standard terminology or standard view of cause and effect is based on how things were in the 1805-1815 period yet in say 1780 to 1800 things were quite different and in 1740-1780 almost unimaginably different.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll go hunting a copy tonight I think.
People trying to sneak a peak at my final Waterloo piece..
"La Bataille" and I have a very, very strange relationship. I go into more detail in the piece, but it's the first system I can recall that I both really enjoyed and that simultaneously made me think the designer had gone one bridge too far.
The analysis of the ML rules above is a fair one vis-a-vis the comparison to the ASL Starter Set and I might go so far as to join with those who prefer to play the Starter rules and the ML rules to the full-on Regulations. Everyone will have his or her own unique threshold and mine with Napoleonics is very high indeed -- I played Empire...a lot -- but, perhaps it's the time available or some other factor, but these rules no longer draw me in as they once did.
Quote from: Cyrano on June 10, 2016, 01:57:44 PM
People trying to sneak a peak at my final Waterloo piece..
"La Bataille" and I have a very, very strange relationship. I go into more detail in the piece, but it's the first system I can recall that I both really enjoyed and that simultaneously made me think the designer had gone one bridge too far.
The analysis of the ML rules above is a fair one vis-a-vis the comparison to the ASL Starter Set and I might go so far as to join with those who prefer to play the Starter rules and the ML rules to the full-on Regulations. Everyone will have his or her own unique threshold and mine with Napoleonics is very high indeed -- I played Empire...a lot -- but, perhaps it's the time available or some other factor, but these rules no longer draw me in as they once did.
You should look at the Battles from the Age of Reason. I got very tired of Napoleon and company and I found the Age of Reason stuff weirdly refreshing. For example, skirmishers are rare and strange and wonderful in the Age of Reason.
Quote from: MengJiao on June 13, 2016, 01:54:01 PM
You should look at the Battles from the Age of Reason. I got very tired of Napoleon and company and I found the Age of Reason stuff weirdly refreshing. For example, skirmishers are rare and strange and wonderful in the Age of Reason.
What is the best system for the period, covering specific battles? Also which one, from a grand strategy perspective?
After mentioning that old CoA system, it made me start wondering what all is out there. Preferably something in print/stores too, although that's often asking too much in the wargaming world these days. I must've got spoiled, with the widely available AH stuff, back in my youth. Now you have a 2-4 month window before it's sold out, and you're forced to sign up for yet another reprint that may take years to get.
I just completed my order for "La Bataille des Quatre Bras" (The Battle of the Four Bras is what I think that means). I'm looking forward to it. I was chatting with the map artist and he said that that the scale of the map is wrong in the game however....about 140/hex making the defense too strong. However, he has some versions that he did independently that are at the proper 100/hex and I'm going to try and obtain a set of those.
This discussion has really sparked my interest in Age of Enlightenment warfare. I'm going to keep my eyes out for any of the Battles of the Age of Reason titles or similar games while at Origins this week, and then order something if I don't find anything at the show. In the meantime I'm placating myself playing Rise of Prussia Gold and Horse and Musket Vol I, which is quite the good game despite it's age and graphics.
Quote from: Nefaro on June 14, 2016, 01:06:36 PM
Quote from: MengJiao on June 13, 2016, 01:54:01 PM
You should look at the Battles from the Age of Reason. I got very tired of Napoleon and company and I found the Age of Reason stuff weirdly refreshing. For example, skirmishers are rare and strange and wonderful in the Age of Reason.
What is the best system for the period, covering specific battles? Also which one, from a grand strategy perspective?
After mentioning that old CoA system, it made me start wondering what all is out there. Preferably something in print/stores too, although that's often asking too much in the wargaming world these days. I must've got spoiled, with the widely available AH stuff, back in my youth. Now you have a 2-4 month window before it's sold out, and you're forced to sign up for yet another reprint that may take years to get.
I haven't looked into it much. Rise of Prussia is a pretty good (perhaps the very best) AGEOD game. 20 bucks I think on Steam.
Battles from the Age of Reason (the name of the CoA pre-napoleonic system) is interesting, the system covers a few Frederician battles and some American Revolution battles, but for me Fontenoy was the big hit. Beautiful map, slightly nutty rules. Get the Primer for the system which is mostly in terms of Fontenoy.
Quote from: MengJiao on June 14, 2016, 10:18:16 PM
I haven't looked into it much. Rise of Prussia is a pretty good (perhaps the very best) AGEOD game. 20 bucks I think on Steam.
Battles from the Age of Reason (the name of the CoA pre-napoleonic system) is interesting, the system covers a few Frederician battles and some American Revolution battles, but for me Fontenoy was the big hit. Beautiful map, slightly nutty rules. Get the Primer for the system which is mostly in terms of Fontenoy.
Thanks.
I have RoP from AGEOD. O0 Also have Horse & Musket Vol I, from Matrix, although it was glitching on one of my computers last I tried it.
As for tabletop ones covering individual battles, the CoA ones are still the ideal then? That's kinda sad considering it's been around for so long.
I also recall picking up one, around the same time, covering a couple battles from the War Of Spanish Succession. Wasn't CoA, though. Actually got that set up and a small bit of play, since the rules were easier on the eyes, but still don't remember a lot about it other than the look of the counters & map... and something about a special caracole rule for the pistol-armed cavalry. Found the war, and the battles, quite interesting.
I noticed GMT put up the American Revolution Tri-Pack (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-568-american-revolution-tri-pack.aspx) reprints on P500, so signed up for that. Not familiar with that system yet, but sounds like it's on the lighter side (not necessarily a bad thing IMO). Plus the AR battles will be different than the European ones so I'll keep a look out.
Quote from: Nefaro on June 15, 2016, 04:00:25 PM
Quote from: MengJiao on June 14, 2016, 10:18:16 PM
I haven't looked into it much. Rise of Prussia is a pretty good (perhaps the very best) AGEOD game. 20 bucks I think on Steam.
Battles from the Age of Reason (the name of the CoA pre-napoleonic system) is interesting, the system covers a few Frederician battles and some American Revolution battles, but for me Fontenoy was the big hit. Beautiful map, slightly nutty rules. Get the Primer for the system which is mostly in terms of Fontenoy.
Thanks.
I have RoP from AGEOD. O0 Also have Horse & Musket Vol I, from Matrix, although it was glitching on one of my computers last I tried it.
As for tabletop ones covering individual battles, the CoA ones are still the ideal then? That's kinda sad considering it's been around for so long.
I also recall picking up one, around the same time, covering a couple battles from the War Of Spanish Succession. Wasn't CoA, though. Actually got that set up and a small bit of play, since the rules were easier on the eyes, but still don't remember a lot about it other than the look of the counters & map... and something about a special caracole rule for the pistol-armed cavalry. Found the war, and the battles, quite interesting.
I noticed GMT put up the American Revolution Tri-Pack (http://www.gmtgames.com/p-568-american-revolution-tri-pack.aspx) reprints on P500, so signed up for that. Not familiar with that system yet, but sounds like it's on the lighter side (not necessarily a bad thing IMO). Plus the AR battles will be different than the European ones so I'll keep a look out.
The CoA Battles of the Age of Reason system is slightly different from (and I think better or at least more convincing as a simulation) the CoA La Bataille stuff. For me it is pretty ideal even thought it has been around since Koelen came out in 1994-5. The rules are in the third edition and work well in many ways for battles in the 1740 to 1780 period. I have seen some simpler systems (eg Prussia's Glory and a few French things), but all-in-all the later games in the Battles of/from the Age of Reason such as Lobositz and Fontenoy seem pretty good and definitely slightly strange (as should be expected since the period is not very popular unlike say Napoleonics or WWII or the ACW).
Cool. Thanks MJ. I'll take another peek. 8)
Looks like CSI has Fontenoy for $60, as opposed to the regular $80.
Going on wishlist for next time.
Picked up GMTs , Prussia's Glory II, Germantown, and Saratoga today at Origins. Enterprise Games has a deal on several games, 2 for $60. Interested to see how these represent the era and then to compare then to BAoR. Without even playing them, I'm sure the system is quite a bit simpler than BAoR, but that doesn't mean bad.
:-((
They have 2nd Edition A Las Barricades Bob. $69. Want me to grab it for you?
Thanks Doug, you're a pal, but the budget won't stretch that far this month, especially when you add shipping costs. Now if it had been a copy of 'This Cursed Civil War' I may have weakened.
Have fun brother!
Early Father's day from my son...arrived today. Can't wait to wade into the pool....
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.garykrockover.com%2Fuploads%2FQuatre_Bras.jpg&hash=94c65a39dc2d3b62bc5c1912f6bb284d49fea724)