Work on my latest book is progressing quite well ... even though real life has a habit of interrupting me when I least want it to!
So far I have written the introduction, a chapter about and containing the first set of Napoleonic wargame rules that I wrote fro use on a gridded tabletop (these rules were based on the HORSE AND MUSKET and FRONTIER ones written by Joseph Morschauser), and a short, illustrated chapter about how I organise the units that I use. I am currently working on the chapter that will contain the Brigade-level rules, after which I will add a chapter that details how the rules work using an exemplar battle.
Although I have lots of notes, the process of setting down the rules takes time, as does taking the photographs I want to include. As a small taster of the latter, here is a photograph of a brigade (with caption) that I will be including in the book.
So far I have written the introduction, a chapter about and containing the first set of Napoleonic wargame rules that I wrote fro use on a gridded tabletop (these rules were based on the HORSE AND MUSKET and FRONTIER ones written by Joseph Morschauser), and a short, illustrated chapter about how I organise the units that I use. I am currently working on the chapter that will contain the Brigade-level rules, after which I will add a chapter that details how the rules work using an exemplar battle.
Although I have lots of notes, the process of setting down the rules takes time, as does taking the photographs I want to include. As a small taster of the latter, here is a photograph of a brigade (with caption) that I will be including in the book.
A typical brigade-sized force. This brigade consists of three infantry battalions, a detachment of rifle-armed infantry, a cavalry squadron, and an artillery troop, all commanded by a Brigadier General. Assuming that all the units are rated as Average, it has a total Strength Point value of 27 SPs and will reach its Exhaustion Point when it has lost 9 SPs.
Bob, good to read that you're making progress with the Napoleonic PW rules and book!
ReplyDeleteA small query about usage: I take it you are using Brigade-level to mean that the player's command is a brigade, as shown in the photo, rather than that the Brigade is the smallest unit/formation represented for calculation of fire, close combat &c.?
The term 'Brigade-level' seems to be used with both meanings in wargame literature; perhaps you should explain/define your usage clearly to avoid any confusion amongst readers.
For this level, the Anglo-American War of 1812 offers many real battles for suitable scenarios, and imaginary ones with this level of force would not seem unrealistic - your blue-coated French could pass for US troops with the addition of a new flag.
Best wishes,
Arthur
Arthur Harman (Arthur),
DeleteThanks for the suggestion. I'll probably rename the chapter 'The Brigade Game' to make matters clear.
Funnily enough, I was thinking of using a scenario from the War of 1812 for the exemplar battle that will follow the chapter containing the rules. I had thought of using my Dutch-Belgians for the US troops as their uniform is very similar to that worn by the US Army.
All the best,
Bob
Interesting question from Arthur - I assumed that it meant the Brigade was the smallest unit in the game...?
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. That's the sort of Brigade size I could manage to paint.
Maudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteIt will be designed for battles featuring a brigade-sized force per side, and the battlefield will be an 8 x 8 squared grid or 8 x 9 hexed grid.
All the best,
Bob
Thanks Bob. Sounds perfect for my time budget!
DeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteWith luck the book will be published by Christmas.
All the best,
Bob
I have always assumed that 'Brigade level' meant the size of the game (which, I believe is the usage that Paddy Griffith favoured in his book 'Napoleonic war games for fun\'. Most games people played he considered to be 'Divisional level', that is to say, the amount of troops on the table would really amount to a Division (say, eight infantry battalions, a couple of cavalry regiments, and a battery or two).
ReplyDeleteI infer from the above that although a fine game could be played between single brigades. Two or three of these could make up a Division, and two or three of those an Army Corps. Even a 3x3 Army Corps level game would be quite manageable, with 198 foot 36 foot, and 9 cannon. Personally I'd cut the cannon back as Div troops plus Corps reserve - 3+2 = 5 cannon, say - but that is simply a matter of personal preference, and the expense of the artillery arm!
I'm looking forward to more of this, Bob!
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteI want to make it absolutely clear that the rules I am currently working on are intended for a bridge-sized force of three to four infantry battalions (plus the possibility of attached artillery and cavalry units) fighting a similar-sized enemy formation. A simple change of name should remove the chance of any confusion ... I hope!
It would be possible to scale such a game up (if one has a large enough table) so that the rules could be used for a division vs. division battle (or even a corps vs. corps battle), although I do plan to write a separate set of division vs. division rules where the units represent infantry brigades, cavalry regiments, and artillery batteries.
You are right to point out that artillery should really be seen as a divisional or corps asset (as should cavalry), but I have included cavalry and artillery in my brigade rules so that players who choose to can deploy them as part of their brigade, even though battles involving small all-arms formations were relatively rare outside of the Americas.
All the best,
Bob
Quite right: you want all-arms battles! Rearguard actions, flying columns to secure a strongpoint or control of a defile, flank guards, reconnaissances in force, foraging expeditions in hostile territory - such clashes, for all they don't enter the history books, must have been pretty frequent!
DeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteA small all-arms fornation should give players the opportunity to build up a couple of wargane armies quite easily and cheaply that they can use on a small tabletop. Like you, I am sure that there were lots of small actions fought during the Napoleonic era that these rules will be ideal for.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThe brigade looks great! Over the years I've acquired a lot of miscellaneous Hinchliffe Napoleonics--not really enough of anything for the usual-sized wargame unit, but just right for the various units shown in the photograph. I do hope the book is ready by Christmas: my birthday is a week before then, which will give me 2 opportunities (excuses?) to buy myself a copy! :)
Best regards,
Chris
Chris,
DeleteI suspect that there are quite a few wargamers in a similar situation. They own a few odd figures, but not enough for a 'normal' Napoleonic wargame. I'm hoping that the Brigade game will appeal to them.
The plan is to get the book written in time for its publication to take place before Christmas, but one can never be sure about timescales when writing a book as real life has a habit of interfering with ones plans!
All the best,
Bob
Having just completed my first ever game with my 7 year year old daughter using the portable wargame early period rules i look forward immensely to the Napoleonic iteration. Kind regsrds Mike
ReplyDeleteUnknown,
DeleteThere's nothing like getting youngsters involved playing wargames to ensure the long-term future of the hobby. I hope that your daughter found the rules easy to understand and use, and I can assure you that the Napoleonic ones (which are heavily based on my earlier rules) will be as simple as possible.
All the best,
Bob
Eagerly looking forward to it, Bob ! Are there any simplified rules for ECW, similar to the Portable Wargame series ? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRick Krebs,
DeleteA set of ECW Portable Wargame rules has been written by one of my regular blog readers, but I have yet to publish them. Hopefully they will be included in a book that will be published next year!
All the best,
Bob
Please do include full battle reports in the book - that's what made the first Portable Wargames book so good IMO
ReplyDeleteTim Spanton,
DeleteI'm really pleased that you enjoyed my PORTABLE WARGAME book.
I intend to include detailed battle reports in the next book. I enjoy fighting the example battles and writing up the battle reports ... and I know that readers find them both helpful when it comes to understanding the rules and enjoyable to read.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, just to agree with Tim: the battle reports are very helpful in showing how the rules work, and are entertaining in their own right. They also offer simple scenarios readers can use/adapt for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI won't ask whether the battle reports are of genuine wargames or whether you 'fudge' or even 'script' - the development of the engagements so you can demonstrate the various aspects of the rules, as I realise you couldn't possibly comment!
Regards, Arthur
Arthur Harman (Arthur),
DeleteI always loved reading the battle reports in the early wargame books, and as I'm more than a little 'old school' it made sense to follow their example. I also think that they help readers to understand the rules and give them a scenario they can emulate.
I don't script my example battles as such ... but if the opportunity arises for me to use a situation to illustrate a particular rule, I'll use it.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob, very, very happy to hear that your Napoleonic PW rules are being written as we speak! I was even more excited to read in an earlier post that you may be publishing some ECW PW rules next year-I have a considerable collection in 54mm. Best wishes, Anthony.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Morton,
DeleteThe work on PNW is on hold for a couple of days whilst I get ready for next week's CONNECTIONS UK conference at King's College, London and get the latest issue of THE NUGGET out to members. I should be back working on it by Saturday, at which point I hope to begin writing up the example battle for the PNW BRIGADE rules.
I have a draft of a set of ECW rules that have been written by an antipodean wargamer and another set being written by a UK-based wargamer. As this is not a period I know much about, I hope to be able to publish one or both of these sets of rules on behalf of their designers. How soon that will happen is difficult to say, but I am hoping that it will be in the first half of next year.
All the best,
Bob