Hi all, in answer to a query here is an idea for some of the stats I have been allocating to units in my napoleonic "squares" rules. Units are rated for skirmishing/fighting/morale
French infantry, typically these have:
1. reasonably good skirmishers (d10),
2. average to good fighting ability so an average quality small unit might get d6, an average quality, average sized unit would get d8 and an average quality large unit would get d10. If the unit was higher quality then I might up these by one dice type, but try to avoid d12 and instead split the unit into two smaller ones.
3. average to good morale: d8 or d10.
So, units of St Hilaire's experienced Division at Aspern-Essling tend to get d10, d10, d10 but much more "average" units in Tharreau's Division are more like d10, d8, d8
Conversely, Austrians are usually worse at skirmishing so an "average" unit of infantry would get d8, d8, d8. If a unit has Grenzers or Jagers attached then the skirmishing increases to d10.
I try to keep most units to d8s and d10s.
d6 skirmishing applies to infantry who did not routinely send out many skirmishers, even if they could do so in theory (Austrian grenadiers, 1806 prussians perhaps, 1809 saxons)
d12 skirmishing I'm not sure about but perhaps British brigades which include a substantial numer of riflemen
d6 combat for very raw or small units
d12 combat for very experienced AND large units
d6 morale for very poor units (Spanish, 1809 saxons, neapolitans?)
d12 morale for guard or very experienced units (Old guard, British guards, British penninsular veterans)
All this is of course very, very subjective. With four dice types and three categories there is plenty of wiggle room!
Cavalry are similar but have no skirmish die
Artillery only have a morale.
French infantry, typically these have:
1. reasonably good skirmishers (d10),
2. average to good fighting ability so an average quality small unit might get d6, an average quality, average sized unit would get d8 and an average quality large unit would get d10. If the unit was higher quality then I might up these by one dice type, but try to avoid d12 and instead split the unit into two smaller ones.
3. average to good morale: d8 or d10.
So, units of St Hilaire's experienced Division at Aspern-Essling tend to get d10, d10, d10 but much more "average" units in Tharreau's Division are more like d10, d8, d8
Conversely, Austrians are usually worse at skirmishing so an "average" unit of infantry would get d8, d8, d8. If a unit has Grenzers or Jagers attached then the skirmishing increases to d10.
I try to keep most units to d8s and d10s.
d6 skirmishing applies to infantry who did not routinely send out many skirmishers, even if they could do so in theory (Austrian grenadiers, 1806 prussians perhaps, 1809 saxons)
d12 skirmishing I'm not sure about but perhaps British brigades which include a substantial numer of riflemen
d6 combat for very raw or small units
d12 combat for very experienced AND large units
d6 morale for very poor units (Spanish, 1809 saxons, neapolitans?)
d12 morale for guard or very experienced units (Old guard, British guards, British penninsular veterans)
All this is of course very, very subjective. With four dice types and three categories there is plenty of wiggle room!
Cavalry are similar but have no skirmish die
Artillery only have a morale.
Me again!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that reply.
It has raised a question though. You mention smaller units; either to reduce d12 or just a lower die because they are small.
I thought that all infantry bases have the same amount of men, so where does the smaller units come from?
Mike
Occasionally you come across an OOB where the usual 2500 or so infantry just won't work such as in smaller Austrian avant-garde divisions or where cavalry have been split into half-regiments and so a base is actually representing less than the normal 1,000 or so horsemen. It isn't always needed but modifying the dice a bit helps smooth things out.
ReplyDeleteSteve
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteThe pic's of your games look superb - the basing is a joy to see [this is probably why I have been drawn into Naps!].
Do you have a link [or a copy] of your Aspern game's roster?
Cheers
Mike
Some flexibility is needed whenever the 'large' units (above brigade/squadron/battery) are to be represented.
ReplyDeleteSo far I like your idea of the different dice approach ... it reminds me of doing the old Chainmail games and early RPG's from the late 1970's and early 1980's.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteis the maximum hits rule valid for the "Square rules" also ?
Mario
Hi Mario
ReplyDeleteNo
They are completely different sets of rules so don't assume anything is shared. In squares, units keep accumulating hits until rallied off or the unit is destroyed.