"Preliminary Thoughts on Lasalle" Topic

Hi,
I received "Lasalle" a couple of days ago. A beautiful looking book, extremely well produced. The rules look quite straight forward, although I have not really had time to have a good look. The concept of base widths to measure distance is brilliant as it removes most issues associated with variable base size.

There are many diagrammes to illustrate the rules (they are by far the best I have seen in any rule book). Looks also like a few nice scenarios. I have not had a chance to look at the specific army sections.

I am still going through Black Powder and I understand RtoE is on it's way.

So many things to look at and so little time.

John

I like the idea of base sizes to measure distance. the polemos rules have been using it for sometime and it means ,as you say, that I can base up as required for my small table (I game in 6mm)

Mick

I received Lasalle yesterday and grazed through it last evening.

The rules are beautifully written and well organized. The editing is superb.

The presentation of concepts unfolds naturally, and follows a logical progression. When things need to be explained "out of order," there are signposts in the text, reminding us where we are in the turn sequence.

The writing is patient, and clear, but not patronizing.

Design choices which might raise eyebrows among napoleonics players are explained in special text boxes. I suppose one might disagree with the choices made, but one comes away appreciating that the rules author knew his material and made reasoned choices.

The illustrations are excellent, and appear to occur exactly when needed. I don't demand photographs of miniatures and dioramas in my rulebooks, but the photographs in the book are some of the best I have ever seen.

I like how there seems to be a plan for whatever figure scale and bases one already has. Photographs of miniatures in all scales are scattered through the text, and this reinforces an impression of inclusivity.

I walk away feeling like these rules have been really thought through. The rulebook, and the companion web site, inspires confidence in me to proceed.

"Design choices which might raise eyebrows among napoleonics players are explained in special text boxes. I suppose one might disagree with the choices made, but one comes away appreciating that the rules author knew his material and made reasoned choices."

cotedelachevre,

Do you have any particular examples of this that stood out for you?

How does Lasalle compare to Black Powder?

Old Bear: Sorry if I was not clear. I was not trying to suggest I had any issues with the mechanisms. The point I intended to convey was that I was impressed with how the author seemed to anticipate questions and concerns, then explained why design choices were made one way or another. I suppose the text boxes on pages 12, 13, and 63 and 79 would be examples.

My experience is that Sam Musstafa is currently the best wargames rules writer. His games are always well done and presented and edited to the highest professional standards.

You may not like/agree with the methodology, but you can't argue with the professionalism.

No, I am not a sock puppet.

What is the scale for Figs 1.20 1.60 ??

No scale of 1.20, just 4 or 6 stands equals a battalion. See the basing guidelines on the Honor site. link

No scale, units are battalions for the infantry four stands @ 500-600 men,for larger Austrian or Britishunits, six stand units @ 800-1000 men.

Shifter beat me to it. : )

Whoa… feeling the gamer love. Thanks, guys.

George: for scale information go to the website:

sammustafa.com

Click on "Downloads" and then "Units and Scales."

I must say that I have just read these rules and they have changed the way that I think about miniature wargaming. I am so impressed with the professional look of the rules and the clear and consice way that Dr. Mustafa is able to explain his concepts. It is clear that Dr. Mustafa has a great deal of knowledge about the subject. He conveys this knowledge through his rules in a way that is clear and not condescending. I am so appreciative that all of the armies and options are presented in one rule book. It is a relief not to have to spend funds repeatedly to buy a book that only has army lists in it.

I must admit that I am relatively new to Napoleonics, but I feel that these rules with have a positive and long lasting impact on the way that I game in the future. I was beginning to lose hope that wargame rules would be either very expensive with spiraling costs for additional supplements needed to play the game, or would be long, overly detialed and complex, riddled with contradictions and ambiguities. These rules by Dr. Mustafa will now allow me to enjoy a historical period that I have always wanted to get into gaming. So, in that way I guess these rules have changed my life. Kudos to you Dr. Mustafa for providing a new and dynamic way to game.

So, in that way I guess these rules have changed my life. Kudos to you Dr. Mustafa for providing a new and dynamic way to game.

I hear that Sam is turning his attention next to the U.S. health care issue and then to formulating U.S. strategy in Afghanistan.

He's better than Obama! Yes he CAN!!!!

Now, can I buy them in the UK? Calling Dave Ryan…..

I think I know who the psyclonedoc is… And he delights in embarrassing me with over-the-top hyperbolic praise. (But he *did* get himself a new French army for Lasalle… so maybe he's a little bit hooked, after all!)

Sam

Marc,

We still have them available for preorder until copies arrive – they apparently left Chicago at 5.22 this morning…. :-)

link

Mike

So, in that way I guess these rules have changed my life.

ROFL Any reports of miraculous healings yet? :oP (only ribbing)
regards
Max

Mr Black hat
I guess it's up to the speed of delivery, but any chance that you'll have this book at Warfare this weekend?

Si

It is in the lap of the gods (or USPS), as I said the tracking information says it left Chicago on Wednesday morning. If it gets here on Friday I will have it, otherwise not…

Mike

I think I know who the psyclonedoc is…

I would have thought he'd reserve such praise for a Napoleonic Zombie game.

I've checked out the website and found the info there very interesting. Unfortuantely I won't be able to have a closer look before deciding but one thing that has struck me is musktry. Can anyone who has a copy please let me know if there is only one musket range (4 WB is how it appears) and whether there are any variables for close range fire? there also doesn't appear to be anything regarding rifles. I emphasise that these observations are based on VERY limited access to the rules so might well be completely wrong!

I do like the overall impression though.

Thanks.

There is one musketry range: 4BW. There is a section of "Advanced Rules" for adding various unit-specific attributes, and that's where you'll find rifle volleys. But in the basic game, the added capabilities of rifle companies are handled as part of the skirmish rules, by enhancing the SK levels of the battalions which they support.

Thanks for clarifying that SF. Having given the single rangeband some thought I'm liking it more and more. I've played in so many games where players have their units open fire at the most extreme ranges hoping to get lucky with the dice but, in reality, just wasting a lot of playing time by us having to go through the calculating of factors, etc, for no effect. This 'x range is effective' approach will cut all that out so it's getting a thumbs up from me.

The skirmishing rifles solution sounds a neat one too.

The rules are coming across as a set which adopts a 'let's get on with the game' approach so I think I'll have to open the wallet again, taking great care my moths don't escape!

In that case, may I recommend you do so today, as the early-order discount expires tonight.

Hey Sam, congratulations on your rules. They seem to be popular.

I spent some time this weekend reading thru Lasalle and agree with many of the positive comments above…well thought out mechanics…clearly and precisely written…innovative…I like the scale and novel approach…beautiful rule book…cant wait to try them…working towards our first game sometime in December…Faron.

Greetings

I had a quick read of a friend's copy on Saturday night that he'd bought at the Warfare show in the UK. They look very nice and appear easy to understand. I'm toying with basing up my few 10mm French for them.

Regards

Edward

Oky. Because my Battalions are currently organised as 16's I thought I'd at least try the game at that scale. Of course that means Guns now equal 4 instead of 2. Will that throw the game completely out of wonk?
regards
Max

It would be best if your guns are mounted as 3 or 4 bases (up to 5 for Russians) to a battery…1 model = 2 guns…the bases theoretically should be about the same size as the infantry / cav bases….ie., all my 28's are on single 1" stands for Sharp Practice…Im using 2" sabots with magnets and placing everything on a 2" base…

I guess you could use bigger stands w/ more guns represented per stand as long as you can keep that sorted out in the game…ie., one or two large bases = a entire battery…all artillery batteries roll 2 dice for close combat, regardless of size, so it probably is workable…