Impromptu Games

I might be 30 minutes late. See you then.

For when we next meet I have a PvP scenario set up for a minimum of 5 players. 1807, Smolensk map.

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

For when we next meet I have a PvP scenario set up for a minimum of 5 players. 1807, Smolensk map.

does it involve river crossing?

I can play as usual.

does it involve river crossing?

Would that be a problem?

Would that be a problem?

I hope not... these bridges are really hard to take when defended by human player. Just afraid it might be very one-sided...

Not interested in a Smolensk river crossing it is a nightmare. The idea of 2 DIV v 3 DIV is not to inviting either.

Just my opinion.

I wanted to experiment. We found that defending a town needs higher attacking odds that almost equal sides. We found that at Posen as well. I wanted to pitch an attacker with considerably more strength at a town and river to see what odds we do need in order to balance these kinds of battles. I designed the sides very carefully.

I am finding that with our usual almost-balanced sides the defender wins almost every time. I'm looking for a game balance that gives the attacker a chance.

sounds interesting... however can't see Phil on-line yet... not sure if we get 5 players tonight - could you or someone else make a back up 2v2 scenario?

Sorry I had to leave so quickly but we had visitors show up.

Only thing that might have helped us out was stronger guns but that Fr pigpile was going to be a hard one to beat.

Nice game.

I had the Russian gunners at 4 Exp. I have edited the scenario to make them 5s. The French gunners were a mix of 5s and 6s. The Russians had 36 guns: 16 12pdrs, 8 18pdr Licornes, 8 6pdrs and 4 10pdr Licornes. The French had 46 guns: 12 12pdrs, 13 8pdrs, 9 6pdrs, 6 4pdrs and 8 6pdr Howitzers. Apart from one battery of 6x12pdrs the French batteries were all mixed with light guns alongside heavies which made their task a little harder. Apart from the one 12pdr battery no other battery had more than 2x12pdrs in and several had none.

The French C-in-C made a careful decision that all the divisions would deploy and get their guns in action at the same time which I think was a contributory factor.

I agree the Russian artillery fire was too weak but then the Russians kept their batteries under fire a good while after it was becoming clear they were losing the exchange. Pulling them back sooner would have helped.

I can shift the objective to the middle bridge next time so that the defensible city of Smolensk is available. In that situation I should think the Russians will hold up the French for the full 3 hours. I'd be very happy to play Russian in that situation.

Given that Ljubiwiczi was a wooden town and not defensible I think this ratio of forces is necessary for an attacker to take a strong position / river crossing.

I want to try a similar problem on another map as well, the even wider river crossings at Posen should make a good and unusual fight.

We had our batteries in line waiting for the French. Usually moving/unlimbering artty is a great target. I sent Kevin a message saying this will be Russian New Year Celebration BUZZ Nope LOL. The Fr artillery just kept crawling up like snails and leaping like frogs right up on us. Regardless it was a good scenario and the crossing was a pile of poor souls sent to their death for cause.

The surviving artillery crews have been sent to Siberia for remedial training.

It would be interesting to see how these odds would work at Posen.


Is anyone available for today?

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

I'm putting together my scenario on Spain_PCL1 - French trying to escape after looting some Spanish City (and stealing British garrison's Christmas Pudding)... Spanish and Anglo-Portuguese are trying to stop them before they could reach safe haven

Scenario is ready - ideally for 6 players but will work well with 5 or 4...
Wed, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. - Get ready, Generals!

I find the premise behind the battle implausible. Take the pudding, yes. But leave the silverware behind, never.

I find the premise behind the battle implausible

Well, I thought whole city looted wouldn't be good enough reason for British gents to get involved so I added up Pudding... silverware is missing by default

Miko, Kevin would get more eroused I mean interested if you said pudding and pudding servers.

Just my honest opinion.

Just my honest opinion.

I need to work on my pre-battle narrative

So are we fighting the battle of the Stolen Christmas Pudding and Pudding servers?

I'm only in it for the sterling.

I think you once said that civilized people use spoons so I am sure there will be some spoons around and maybe some silver serving bowls too.

I wish I had added baggage trains and actually naming them by what they contain... sterling, milkmaids, etc - might be a good idea for next scenario and I hope everyone would be pleased

You can label wagons, showing what they carry. I have done that several times. I don't think anyone has noticed though. The opposing side can't see the information anyway.