Zorndorf with Black Powder 2, very quick and very brutal

Black Powder game of Zorndorf played today and a very brutal affair it was for Russians !
Frederick (Mr B) set up his 5 gun batteries in a line opposite Gallitzins Brigade (thankfully at long range) and managed to destroy one opposing gun battery and putting a couple of hits on my Infantry.
On my left Prussian Hussars targeted some Cossacks but pulled back once a unit of Horse Grenadiers crossed the stream.
On my right I advanced my Cavalry en mass against Schlorlmers 2 Cuirassier which saw Frederick try to move some Dragoons over from other flank.
However these were not needed as the Prussian horse destroyed 2 Russian Cuirassier in short order (the better 'saves' for Prussians was key) which broke the Russian Brigade (Brutal event number 1).
I had brought up an Infantry Brigade in support but this now had to use the stream as defence whilst facing off the victorious Cavalry instead of attacking.
I then managed to charge the Hussars with my Horse Grenadiers but of course they lost that combat and wavered which saw my right wing Cavalry Command break as well as only the Horse Grenadiers are 'Battle Cavalry' (Brutal event number 2)
The Prussia Infantry then advanced through the Stein Bruch and a wild fire fight ensued between 2 lines of Infantry but with Prussians re-rolling 1 miss per volley whilst Russians re-roll 1 hit it was the Prussians in ascendancy.
After 2 rounds of firing by Prussians I had 4 out of 5 Infantry wavered breaking my central Brigade (Brutal event numero 3) and therefore Russian Army retired from the field.
Certainly a quick game (4-5 turns) with decisive outcomes galore !



Black Powder certainly does 'what it says on the tin' generating a very quick and easy fluid reasonably fun game.
I do think it is essentially a 1970s style game (ala Don Featherstone) with a modern veneer (ie the use of standard units, morale hits rather than casualty removal and replacing written orders with 2D6 on the fly rolls) with its buckets of dice and basic 4+ hit systems, but not necessarily any the worse for that.
There are deeper more dramatic rules (I would include my favoured FOB in that) but not many that can handle big numbers of units with such minimal rules overhead.

Prussian left wing with massed batteries

Central Prussian deployment

And their right wing

Impressive line of cannon

Prussian foot begins to advance through Stein Bruch

Emerging to engage Russian foot

Disaster strikes on Russian left

As Horse Grenadiers target Prussian Hussars on right

However twas not to be as right wing also defeated

Firefight in centre, note lots of hits on Russian units (couple already Shaken)

Prussian Dragoons and Cannon keep my supporting Infantry Brigade in check

Russian left shoring up exposed flank