"March Attack Napoleonic Rules" Topic

I'm just curious if anyone has read or played these rules from Crusader Publishing? The rules came out last year but I haven't seen any posts on them on TMP.

Get them for free:

TMP link

Yep I saw that, I am curious if anyone actually read or played them.

Ooops sorry.

I copied my responses to this question from earlier threads, below. However, in brief, they are a streamlined set of rules that abstracts combat and command just enough to play multi-corps battles very quickly and convincingly, and with battalions rather than brigades. I've played and enjoyed many Napoleonic rules sets, but this is currently my favorite for anything larger than a division per side.

Cheers,

Christopher

The initial release:
TMP link

The rules manage to achieve that elusive balance between using battalions as the basic unit – and keeping their maneuvers and actions meaningful on that level – and abstracting combat enough to be able to quickly play complex multi-formation battles. The use of Combat Values for quick resolution of fire and charges, quality tests for maneuver in the face of the enemy, and formation level skirmishing, morale checks, and rallying, all provide a unique game with a familiar feel. I've been around a while and played a *lot* of different types of rules, but these have me convinced.

Some of the first discussion:
TMP link

I can give these rules a very enthusiastic recommendation. I have had two playtests now, one a small straightforward smash-and-bash, and the second a very complex meeting engagement based on a hypothetical development of the battle of Pordenone 1809 (the day before the battle of Sacile).

In short, the rules use streamlined mechanics – most importantly an abstracted unit Combat Value system – to achieve speed of play while still maintaining a very convincing "feel" to individual unit maneuver and combat; we were blazing through turns even with complex situations like town combats, mixed up cavalry melees, and deploying large formations from the march. It all looked and felt like a battalion level game in the sense that decisions on that level mattered and gave a detailed look to the game, but the overall ebb and flow across the table was based on larger formations. I've been playing Napoleonics a long time and have always looked for a set that could maintain this balance – March Attack has succeeded.

And some more:
TMP link

CA thanks for those links, when I searched TMP it didn't come up with anything on the topic.

One thing I've learned is that it's both easier and more effective to Google "TMP" plus your topic rather than use the TMP search function.

Another google search method

March Attack site:theminiaturespage.com

The site: function will only search the site you specify.

I have been playing these rules and love them. They are very well written with good, clear examples.

I have converted mine to a regimental unit game rather than battalion. They are rules that are easy to modify if desired. It is not necessary to make changes, but most old time wargamers have their own ideas about a few things and want to monkey around.

What I like about them is the fact that they are easy to learn, well written, simple mechanics for fast resolution of combat, but yet they are still truly Napoleonic. You feel you are fighting a Napoleonic battle.

As stated above, they are streamlined, but not at the expense of the Napoleonic flavor that I have to have.

The download is very reasonably priced too.

Tom

Are they only available as a download ? I prefer to buy printed rules.

No they do a glossy book as well I believe.

Yep, I have both. The book is softback, but very nicely done.

How are they for solo games? Matt.

Well, I suppose it's neither better nor worse than the usual suspects for solo gaming. There's a good command and control section that would allow you to issue formation orders and stick to them, and there's very little micro-managing involved – so from that point of view they might work pretty well.

Own it, use it, love it.

I have them but haven't played yet. Bit worried that the winner in a melee doesn't take casualties. Has this caused anyone any problems yet?

I understand the concern, but so far (with limited experience) it hasn't been a problem. This is largely because units tend to shed CV's pretty quickly once they enter engagement range anyway, from skirmish and fire combat. It would be easy to try a house rule that gave the winner a chance of losing 1 point, for instance, however if you think about your average battalion having a CV of 6, then losing even one point is a major reduction. One thing we did try and liked was to make the winner of a built-up area combat disorganized, which offered the opportunity for a quick counterattack before they rallied.

Marshall Mark@-I just ordered the book from Crusader/Northstar-it's £9.00 GBP at the moment down from £20.00 GBP

I've just looked there and they seem to be £20.00 GBP

This is a decent set of rules for large napoleonic battles and for £6.00 GBP download is a bargain.It is a simple fairly robust system which will allow tweaking and slight modifications-CATenWolde has spotted some embellishments and my group have found decreasing the power of artillery and reducing the damage done in cavalry/cavalry melees give a better game.Im surprised the 6mm guys havent jumped on this set of rules as they do not require figure removal.

Played our first test game today and I was pleased with the way the rules played out. I can see one or two potential issues but overall they give a good game. Is there an FAQ or forum for the rules?

crusader forum;

link

That's what I had found. Looks like the forum is down.

As the forum appears to be down can anyone tell me the tweaks that they have introduced.

tweaks---
-1 per 6" for change of order
initial artillery strength is reduced by one and all modifiers for artillery fire are reduced by 1 (we thought guns were too destructive)
Infantry in column fire at half CV
cav v cav melee -cv damage is reduced by one (cav combat is less decisive)
We are playing another game on Sunday and are hoping to finalize our alterations in preparation for a Waterloo refight

Mike

Thanks for your thoughts. In our first game we had thought that artillery was too weak. Light guns at point blank tried to fire counter battery and ended needing a 1 to hit. Whereas infantry fire was devastating. I like your idea on cavalry melees.