Lasalle 2 a solo learning session - Prussia versus France 1813ish

Having obtained the Pdf version of Sam Mustafas newest rule set I actually managed to generate enough enthusiasm after a read through to put some figures on the table for a solo (ye gads this is feeling relentless) game.

Used one of the generic scenarios with balanced forces (ie equal points values, some scenarios feature unequal forces) and using the Large points totals.

I selected Prussians vs French (Guard option) and this yielded 18 units of Prussians in 5 Brigades vs 16 units of French in 4 Brigades.

French taken from Elite Corps (ie Guard) Prussians based on early 1813 period.

The ‘Army lists’ in Lasalle 2 are somewhat generic in nature although not a problem basing around historical types.

As per older Lasalle all measurements are in Base Widths with mine being 40mm wide (based as per original rules) with standard 4 bases per unit (2 for Artillery Batteries).

Scenarios use a standard 4 x 6 square grid but each grid square equals 6BW so a somewhat smaller table than my standard 6’ x 4’ mat. Technically my table should be 144cm x 96cm but I used 150cm x 50cm as I could use 50cm square carpet tiles.

If playing again I would just use 6’ x 4’ (180cm x 120cm) table as did seem a tad squashed to my sensibilities, do not believe it will effect game at all.

French deployment

Prussians deployed

Overview

I decided to use Basic rules as learning system but to be honest none of the Advanced rules seem that complex, although the advanced Skirmishing or Command Intervention rules might consume a bit more time.

Anyhow played through first turn of game (scheduled for 10 turns) and found it to be a very slick system to use.

I can see the influence of Blucher with the MO (Momentum) system. I rather like this as it puts a plausible limit on a sides activity each turn.

The Complications are a very nice and simple way to model difficult terrain and suchlike (extra MO expenditure)

Lots of nice decisions as to how to spend MO as you can potentially issue several orders to units per turn, as long as no order is repeated, so one could order a unit/formation to Move and later Shoot and maybe Change Formation but not any of these individual orders twice.

MO is based on numbers of Brigades, intact Baggage and can be increased by use of a General.

Also Skirmishing can increase MO, this is highly abstracted as units are rated for Skirmishing ability you each then roll that number of dice seeking sixes and the excess difference can be converted into MO (the advanced rules have an alternative use of the Skirmishing rolls to generate Voltiguer stands used to ‘annoy’ individual enemy units), in my game Prussian start with 28 dice vs 24 French (this reduces as units as lost).

Some Orders are issued by Brigade (Force Orders- Rally or Movement) others can be issued to all units (Global order - Change Formation, Bombard, Volley) and all costing MO.

After certain orders the enemy can Interrupt to swap initiative generally when shot at (not Artillery bombarding) or units acts within 4BW, this leads to a fairly constant swinging back and forth of activity until MO spent. You can pass but mutual passing ends Orders phase.

In basic rules the General can Intervene prior to Orders phase to allow MO free changes of formation at a small risk (the advanced game has several additional options for Intervention such as Artillerist, Charismatic, Steadfast and others)

Shooting and Combat are pretty simple dice six systems (very akin to Blucher) generally based on X number of dice per unit or stand depending on circumstance/status with some nuance for Artillery (including bounce through). An artillery unit Bombarding rolls maybe 4 dice but at canister range (4bw) its 8 dice (ie 4 per base).

Units are rated by Strength Points (again very Blucher like) with several possible Traits such as Shock or Resilience and similar. Once reduced to a certain level (based on quality) they become Shaken.

Units can however take Disruptions (sort of half hits) in lieu of permanent losses. One dices for Disruptions inflicted to see if converted to full loss. Disruptions can be Rallied off but a failed Rally causes conversion to permanent loss.

Rules use printed out unit status sheets (or single roster) but I prefer to use dice/markers.

As just in first turn I have not conducted a Melee as yet but this seems pretty straight forward as well with outcomes looking plausible.

Obviously a very brief and wholly incomplete look at the rules thus far but hope to complete a few more turns to try to get a good handle on system. Upon first read I thought “nice systems but not so sure its very Napoleonic” but upon playing it has a nice ‘feel’ to proceedings especially Command (abstract as it may be). Certainly not as ‘historical’ as something like General d’Armee but much slicker in many aspects.