Impromptu Games

I am calling for a rematch since the outcome generator had us at a draw.

You held the objective quite firmly, so in terms of goals for scenario the battle was won by you.
I don't think it's possible for French to win unless Russian side makes some totally disastrous move.

I'm a bit disheartened by how fight looks like... it all comes down to who knocks out enemy artillery(usually with cavalry like in Total War, or with counter-battery fire). Artillery is way too powerful at long range and too quick when moving (often preceding infantry columns).

I'll make scenario that cuts artillery batteries size by 1/3 and also keep the experiment from last time where cavalry was represented by half-regiment units - which encouraged players to actually put cavalry in line formation.

Although difficult, I think the French can win this fight. If it had been a 3 hr. scenario the first time we played it, the French would have had a good chance of taking the objective.

In this 2nd play through the French divisions did not unite until the larger one had already been badly damaged. At that point, I don't think the French had much of a chance to win.

Artillery is queen of the battlefield, as Napoleon said. It's not surprising that it does a great deal of damage when the distance to a target is only 550-650 yd., as was the case in this battle. Most of your guns were lost to counter battery and infantry fire. I think the cavalry only captured two guns and that was because they chased their intended victim, a skirmish battalion, through the battery.

Although difficult, I think the French can win this fight. If it had been a 3 hr. scenario the first time we played it, the French would have had a good chance of taking the objective.

When I played on Russian side I wasted most of my small division to buy some time. I don't know how Mike wasted Russian Elite Heavy Cav - or did he not? So I made quite a mistake in the first battle and still French didn't take the objective. Maybe slightly more success to French side heaving 3 experienced players vs 2?
Russian just need to move both divisions towards objective - they are closer, they have better cavalry and more firepower - how in the world is this possible to win by French without major mistakes on Russian side?

In this 2nd play through the French divisions did not unite until the larger one had already been badly damaged. At that point, I don't think the French had much of a chance to win.

so I was supposed to wait for other French division - away from Russians (I guess)... and then attack? couple problems with that:
1) both Russian divisions would sit on the objective while French were uniting forces
2) probably about 30-40 minutes would take to connect French forces and another 20-30 minutes to march and attack somewhere - Russian left and centre? or both flanks? - nothing would be surprise for Russians and they could easily shift forces to where attack was coming from.

I suggest changing deployment for this scenario as it turns out to be Attack-Defence with attacking force not having much in their hand (I only can think of Guard Horse Artillery) - If Russians were further away from objective or French divisions closer to it (and/or to each other), this scenario would be more like Meeting Engagement, and fairer.

as for the last point I wasn't referring this battle only... I repeatedly get slaughtered at long range at rate of 30-50 men lost by single shot. Sometimes I call retreat on my cavalry couple times and even among and behind other friendly troops they still get shot at as if there was GPS targeting. Queen of the battlefield or not it simply wasn't as effective.

The Russian cavalry was slightly better and had 120 more men than the French. The Russians had 2 more guns than the French, but the French had better quality overall. The French also had slightly more infantry. Overall, the normalized quality was 1.03 in favor of the Russians. Neither side had a terrain advantage. That's about as even a battle that one can have.

Your division was attacked by the entire Russian force from two directions for a short period of time with the entire Russian artillery arm firing at you. The chances of survival in that situation are not very good.

Historically, it is estimated that artillery was responsible for 50% of the casualties during the Napoleonic wars. Most of our battles have artillery casualties in the 30-35% range. We need better artillery!!!

This battle saw Russian casualties due to French guns at ~66%. The French had ~55% artillery casualties. The overall casualties were, 4009 Russian and 4156 French.

Neither side had a terrain advantage. That's about as even a battle that one can have.

Russians starting closer to the objective gives them huge advantage.

Historically, it is estimated that artillery was responsible for 50% of the casualties during the Napoleonic wars.

citation needed... I tried to google it and so far I got statements that it's impossible to tell and someone tried to assess it was about 20%...

Your division was attacked by the entire Russian force from two directions for a short period of time with the entire Russian artillery arm firing at you. The chances of survival in that situation are not very good.

Yes... and if there was teleportation available for another French division there would be a chance of improving the situation. I don't understand why are you ignoring the fact that French simply couldn't get there together at the same time as Russians.

Who got there first is not important. It's important to launch a coordinated attack with the full force. We have many battles where the defender starts at the objective and the attacker does not arrive all at once.

The outcome of the battle had nothing to do with Kevin's scenario make up or Miko's tactics.


It was all ME and my superior operational awareness!!!!

Until Gonzo showed up with the 4 guns super battery and tore me to shreds.

It was all ME and my superior operational awareness!!!!

will give you that in Phil's absence

Anyone free for today?

This could be my last game ever if all the fruitcake hurricane predictions comes true. 100 mph sustained winds and 22 inches of rain.



On a lighter not the official forecast is sustained winds at 35 mph and only 5 inches of rain.

I will work to redeem my scenario making mishaps too.

Looks like the AARs thread is dead!

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT.

Looks like the AARs thread is dead!

well... it's easy to derail discussion here from arranging games to AAR... and I really didn't want to discuss this battle. If you ask for replay, I'll post in AAR thread, though

Now that we have lost Mike to mother nature, I am finally going to start making scenarios myself. I welcome everyone to join me tonight for a grand ol' time.


The scenarios themselves will be unconventional and played on either the DLC maps or one of the mod's maps. Participation is mandatory. Having fun is a requirement. Mike must not be there.*






*Mike can be there

We survived the hurricane that never came. It pushed north into Nicaragua so much for witnessing the first hurricane to ever strike Costa Rica in modern history, all we got was thick fog and a few showers.

But that 7.0 jolt we go from off the coast of El Salvador that lifted the house up for a moment made up the disappointment of missing the hurricane.

I should make it today barring a direct hit from a meteorite.

With a Thanksgiving like this who needs excitement.

The scenarios themselves will be unconventional and played on either the DLC maps or one of the mod's maps. Participation is mandatory. Having fun is a requirement.

I have my scenario ready with alternate history path where Prussia becomes Napoleon's ally and comes to aid Poland to repel Russian invasion while Napoleon is occupied with prolonged war in Spain.

As regarding to fun - If I see Russian 12lbs paired with cuirassiers again, facing anything else than their French counterparts, I'll be very disappointed.

I can play at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT.

I couldn't finish my scenario in time yesterday as it turned out to be pretty finicky to set up but I have it done for a game today. Regular time - 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT.

I am not going to be there!!!!!!*













I will be there!!!*

I can play today.

Anyone interested in try the Ligny map today?

I have it and can make the scenario on that map as well but I don't think Kevin has it.

I bought it last night. I am currently making a command map for it.

I do not have it but I will on the first week in December.

If you are going to use it today let me know, I got several things I can do today.

If you plan to get it soon we can wait. Would give Kevin a chance to get a minimap done for it as well.

Anything going on today?