| Arteis | 27 Jan 2012 10:05 p.m. PST |
I see BAR mentioned a lot in the thread about big battalions. Although I'd heard the name, I must admit knowing nothing about this set of rules. Are there some players' write-ups about BAR anywhere (though I have now already checked the summary on the rules website itself). Just looking for information on how people found it to play. I use 65-figure infantry battalions in my 'Barry Lyndon' army (rank and file based on nine 6-figure bases, officers, drummers, NCOs, standards etc based individually), so I'm looking for a suitable set of rules to use these with. However, as it takes me ages to build up such large battalions (I only have three infantry battalions done after a year of painting!!!) the rules would have to cater for pretty small battles (eg no more than a few battalions, maybe a cavalry unit and an artillery gun per side. |
| 21eRegt | 28 Jan 2012 8:18 a.m. PST |
Here is a link to my blog and last year's Winter Game at the home of the author.
link It will give you a feel for the pagentry and visual impact of the games. For size of game, I'd try Grant's Tabletop Teasers for a starter series of small(er) engagements as you build your forces. It is addictive. I have nine 54 or 60 figure battalions completed and two more building.
link Enjoy. |
| Florida Tory | 28 Jan 2012 8:37 a.m. PST |
Here is the author Bill Protz' web site: link Rick |
| pessa00 | 28 Jan 2012 12:17 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the link 21eRegt, fantastic. Good read and looks like a fun game. I had a chuckle at this: "In an era of linear warfare it took a moment to realize that the grenadiers weren't going to deploy. "My God they are coming on!" I play against a few who might try this on. I'm just looking into this set of rules, so it was a timely read for me too.. |
| pessa00 | 28 Jan 2012 2:19 p.m. PST |
Just a quick question (it'll be a while before I buy these, given how much I have been spending on the hobby lately!), what's the max number of figs you can put on a base in these rules and still have them be able to perform all the needed formations? I guess in the main, line to column and back. I noticed in the game above a lot of movement trays (probably very sensible) but it would be nice given the size of the battalions to have some decent big bases for once… |
| kustenjaeger | 28 Jan 2012 3:01 p.m. PST |
Greetings The examples given in the rules (p46-) has battalion in open columns of division. In the case of an Austrian battalion this is four divisions of 12 figures (4 files of 3) plus the colour party of 2 files of 3 (grenadiers not present). For the French battalion it is 4 divisions of 12 figures (4 files of 3) plus two piquet/grenadier companies of 2 files of 3. Regards Edward |
| pessa00 | 28 Jan 2012 3:18 p.m. PST |
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| Arteis | 28 Jan 2012 5:31 p.m. PST |
Hmmm … my basing is absolutely fixed on two ranks (the bases of six figures each have two ranks of three men). There is no way I could do three-rank formations. Will this affect their usefulness in BAR? |
 Der Alte Fritz  | 28 Jan 2012 7:53 p.m. PST |
You can play the BAR rules with 2 or 3 ranks. It doesn't matter. As long as your unit frontage per figure is the same, you could use either and it will work just fine. We use 3 ranks because our battalions and squadrons are at a 1:10 ratio, resulting in very large battalions and squadrons. We decided that the overall size of said units made it possible to deploy them in three ranks, as they did historically. At a 1:20 or 1:30 (30 or 20 figure units) it would make more sense to base them in double ranks rather than three, if for no other reason that it would look better. The only adjustments to make are to allow only 2 ranks to fire, rather than 3 ranks; and only allow 2 ranks to melee (instead of 3) during the first round of melee.. Movement, firing, melee and morale work the same, mechanically, regardless of the number of figures or ranks. We have been using 24-30 figure battalions for our Jacobite Rebellion games, using the BAR rules and find no difference in the pace of the game, other than the fact that you have more open area and flanks than you would with the larger 60 figure units. Check out my blog – most of the battle reports depict our 1:10 BAR battles. Fritz |
| 21eRegt | 29 Jan 2012 10:34 a.m. PST |
I've done several games with 24 figure battalions as well. In fact I've used my OLD beloved MiniFigs mounted for Tricorne to play. There you have six figures on a 2x2 base. The frontage (2") is correct for six figures, I just don't have as much artificial depth, which is one of my private quibbles with the visual look. So I commit that heresy without qualm in my own games. The main thing as always is that things are consistent on both sides of the table. Cheers |
paints brigs for the British fleet.
