Bataille Empire at Ulster Wargames Society

Game with Stephen today at UWS (which we both formally joined for 2020) using Bataille Empire.
I tried Prussians for Autumn 1813 against French from same period both using 200pt armies.
Lots of Landwehr types for Prussians but did field 20 units so probably largest force I have used yet.
Was asked by Jeremy the Club Chairman before Stephen arrived what we were playing and I advised it was BE and therefore likely to be a ‘shouty game’ !
I had been reticent to use BE as we have really fully comprehended or absorb them but it was a last gasp choice after yesterdays game.
And so it turned out with ‘discussion’ (not too loud I hope ? Note to Dave if you think was us being over competitive or upset just wait until the dice start targeting head areas !) regarding a couple of aspects of shooting and ricochets (bounce through) and Rallying troops under Attack Orders.
BE is a tad ambiguous at times which I do think is often down to translation issues from original French but there is I feel a good flavoursome Napoleonic game therein (well unless fielding Russian Musketeers) hopefully worth the effort expended to learn them.
We failed to finish as Stephen had an HMV event to attend but I did find the Prussians much more viable opponents than Russians without resorting to gimmick/novelty tactics/army composition

Also at club there was a large 6mm Sudan Wars game run by Lesley which I think he said was using a variant of Pony Wars rules.
A Field Of Glory 3 Ancients game as well (Late Roman vs Carolingian)
I failed to take any pics of either of these, must do better !,
Club also had its AGM and decision made to have an open day at September meeting with Lesley making us all feel very old with his desire to recruit new blood before we pass on
A admirable aim but I do think it will be hard to entice todays ‘oiks’ to take up Historical Wargaming (a niche within a niche especially in N.Ireland) but time will tell (if we are not all dead in meantime !)
Also tried to produce a ‘programme’ of games throughout year and I have offered (what was I thinking !?) to run a FOB game at end of February.
I was also almost ‘nominated’ as club bouncer/enforcer :-)

Bataille Empire - Jaskowo scenario played

Game with Bataille Empire again today with Stephen using the Jaskowo scenario I had already set up table for.
I used Russians (glutten for punishment) attacking the French.
Bataille Empire definitely ticks a lot of 'historical' boxes for us and plays much smoother now as we know the basics (although remembering everything is a task).
But by heck the Russians Musketeers are poor compared to French.
French get +1 or +2 for their Skirmishing ability whilst Russian Musketeers have 0 factor (meaning they cant inflict any Skirmish hits even on a 6 roll unless support fire used) however they also suffer as Poor Shots in Volley fire and in Combat (mitigated by being Tenacious) and French count +1 for better skirmish level, so if support and suchlike are equal (seldom the case) the French usually 1-2 factors better before dice are rolled meaning Russians need to win dice rolls by 2-3 !!
Their Jager and Grenadiers are better but still outclassed by French Legere and really only on parity with French Line.
I actually rolled decent dice today actually outscoring the 'demon' in Shock Combats (no point trying to get into firefight with French) on most occasions but only winning 1 combat taking a village area as I rolled 6 to French 1.
Every other encounter I either lost roll or was 'out-factored'.
Not so sure Russian Musketeers (not Militia) where that outclassed ?
Russians do get Large Artillery units but again the +1 for being large is negated by being -1

Prussians a better bet as they have Skirmish 1 and not poor shots so can at least attempt a firefight with French at near parity.
I get what rules are simulating with poor shooting (ie bad powder/marksmanship etc) but when combined with French 'extras' its a big swing (as with any D6 based rules when a +1 and -1 are BIG factors).

We have both fielded Russians now and find them tough to use effectively and I don't see how to, unless I am missing some 'trick/gimmick' (quite possible !).

Another lesson from today was that Artillery is pretty vulnerable unless in midst of a formation as it needs Supports and Safe Flanks or it dies.
I had a battery that got caught by French Hussars breaking through (after forcing my large Hussars unit to flee) with only 1 flank secured.

++++Don't tell Stephen but I will be using French from now on in BE :-) ++++






The battlefield from Russian perspective (1.6m x 1.2m to suit our 40mm basing = 1UD)

Jager Division attacks

Initial French defenders

Large Russian Hussar unit moves forward (was creamed by French Hussars)

Tried using Attack Orders and Attack Columns

Reserve Divisions clash (this is Russian Division of Musketeer peasants note 1 fleeing)

One Jager has taken town section but rest suffering reverses

Russian Grenadiers on my right (small units) 2 in line 2 in column with 12pdr support

Lots of Disorders and Hits on Russians not so on French the tale of the game

Bataille Empire - solo game

Played a solo game of Bataille Empire (mainly to try to keep rules in my skull) using one of the historical scenarios contained therein.
Scenario is entitled 'Jankaow' and set in 1812 during invasion of Russia by Grand Armee, although Russians are actually attacking.
Uses a 6' x 4' table with set up zones pre-defined (quite large so good degree of latitude for where to place units) with both sides having re-reinforcements arriving.
Sort of think I have basics of rules pretty much down now by continue having 'brain-barf' over rolling for Pips for each command !!!

Must give this scenario a try with Mr B.

Bataille Empire - Russia vs France 1814

Another run out with Bataille Empire rules today with Mr B.
He wanted to use 1814 French and so I fielded 1814 Russians at 200pt size game.
I tried using 2 Cossack Irregular units and 2 Large Dragoon units along with standard Foot.
Cossacks are flexible (being an Army Reserve) but impotent, the large Dragoons are ok but maybe the flexibility of 3 standard units is better ?
We both rolled a waterway so a large stream dominated on one flank along with 2 buildings and a field each.
As ever we waffled about other rules sets and general stuff before starting game so failed to finish.
But we did learn more stuff we had been doing in error the main issue being, we had failed to observe that all Cavalry is Disordered after a Shock Combat win or lose, we certainly had not been doing this.
Otherwise I think am at last getting a handle on rules, it is not that they overly complex as such just quite involved (as they cover just about all Napoleonic 'box ticks') and some key rules are scattered about the set.
For instance the author (on forum) had mentioned in answer to another query that all Cavalry are Disordered after melee, but damned if we could find this stated anywhere despite looking in sections on Disorder, Charging, Shock Combat,  finding it eventually in Outcomes section.
Maybe we are just becoming 'hard of learning' !!??
The rules do give a nice flavoursome deep game but are essentially quick playing due to small number of units in a 200pt game, today it was a Battle scenario which is essentially a both deploy and go at it scenario.
The will speed up once we stop the pre-game waffle and just play !
Cavalry do seem pretty powerful although now a bit less so with Disordering effect.
May try one of the historical scenarios next.