"FoG Napoleonic" Topic

Well my copy arrived today (from Amazon) and I have skipped through it quickly, before settling down to a proper read.

They seem to have assigned national armies as "reformed" with light companies and use of column tactics or "unreformed" without integral light companies and using linear tactics. Unfortunately their logic is flawed and inconsistent but presumably could be corrected by those (like me) who wish to be historically accurate.

I would really need to play a game using these rules before deciding whether I like them or not. My gut feeling is that, of the recent "glossy" rules, Black Powder is probably still the best and most capable of adaptation to players own particular requirements.

Rod

So, what you are saying is that as Napoleonic rules, they are innacurate:-)

Thanks for this information – another good reason not to buy them, as far as I'm concerned!

"national armies as "reformed" with light companies and use of column tactics or "unreformed" without integral light companies and using linear tactics."

What are the British?

There was information in there? I prefer not to judge rules based on someone's views after 'skipping' through the book. But, of course, it's FoG branded so it can't be any good, eh? I'm not a FoG player, but I'll pay attention to proper reviews before making a decision.

"national armies as "reformed" with light companies and use of column tactics or "unreformed" without integral light companies and using linear tactics."

What are the British?

British, KGL & Portuguese (1810-1811) move as unreformed, but fire as reformed. However in fact British had light companies, but Portuguese did not. In practice British amalgamated battalion light companies into converged brigade light battalions, making British brigades very similar to Portuguese ones with their Cacadores battalions.

Spanish (1810-1812) are unreformed (but in fact had light companies from 1810).

Oddly Prussians (1813) are reformed, but in fact had no light companies, forming their skirmishers from 3rd rank personnel.

The whole reformed/unreformed logic seems to assume that reformed units attack in columns and that such tactics were more advanced. In fact most, if not all, Napoleonic drill regulations were based on the principles of Guibert which stated that troops should manoeuvre in columns and fight in lines, which is what the British always did. The French distorted this by sometimes attacking in columns. This was not an improvement, failed against determined opponents, and after the Napoleonic Wars all nations reverted to proper tactics of columns for movement and lines for fighting.

Different people want different things from rules. I am not anti-FoG as such, and always think I can learn something. I just like rules to be tactically accurate, which very few are.

Rod

Yes, it is hard to judge rules after a quick flip through, but thanks for posting your initial impressions.

I really try not to judge things because of their "branding".

I have ordered it, so hopefully shall get it soon, maybe to just add to my collection. Who knows! I will look forward to a more in-depth review.

The big thing for me is readability, ease of play, and then tactical accuracy. I do though like to think that they will give me an accurate result.

John

I am also waiting on FOG to arrive.

John, I second everything you said. They may just end up on a bookshelf, but I do like to collect rules!

Still haven't seen anything that suits me better on the Napoleonic front than Lasalle. I'm waiting on my FoG rulebook but expect that after a read through it will stay on the shelf.

-- George Krashos

So how many 'Regiments' do you need to play a game, and how many bases to a Regiment?

Are the rules element centric like the FOG ancients?

"Oddly Prussians (1813) are reformed, but in fact had no light companies, forming their skirmishers from 3rd rank personnel."

So a Prussian regiment consisting of 2 battalions of Musketeers and 1 of Fusiliers has no light elements that would skirmish!? Must re-read the regulations as I thought the Fusiliers were specifically deployed as skirmishers.

From my incomplete reading to date, the rules are based on 'regiments'.

Chad

Liberation Prussians can purchase skirmishers, officers, artillery and even cavalry as attachments to their infantry regiments and divisions. Infantry regiments must purchase 1 base of skirmishers each, and half of these skirmishers must be rifles.

Purchase?

Send away to Slitherine and Osprey for, to buy certificates that will allow you to field those units and level them up in international tournaments, only when you get approved miniatures first, painted in approved colours as per Osprey limited edition painting guides.

but more, it is a point based system so you spend/allocate points to purchase your units. In this case, rifle skirmishers cost 10 points per base.

A number of rule systems have gone through this same exercise to reflect the varying doctrines of the period – moving from linear to columnar, or to the third way, 'impulse'.

Looks like they are incorporating Nosworthy's concepts, and more power to their elbow for trying to do so.

however, as has been pointed out, there are minor anomalies in armies of most nations of the doctrines described above, and the Brits whole ethos is problematical. It shouldn't work (linear doctrine tactics) but it did, time and time again.

Age of Eagles plumped for the Brits as being Impulse troops, and Volley and Bayonet also gave them a doctrinal boost throughout the wars.

Isn't there a "British always win" special rule? It's the exception to the "French always win" rule…..

Isn't there a "British always win" special rule? It's the exception to the "French always win" rule…..

No, you thinking of Empire, but there it was "French always win"…

Send away to Slitherine and Osprey for, to buy certificates that will allow you to field those units and level them up in international tournaments, only when you get approved miniatures first, painted in approved colours as per Osprey limited edition painting guides.

Dude, I just unlocked Marshal Ney!

Dude, I just unlocked Marshal Ney!

Lock him back up or you'll waste your cavalry!