The basic mechanics remain the same, with a few (very few) subtleties added. The main differences between the first and second editions:
- The game can be played either at the "divisional" or "brigade" level; that is, movement and combat are performed by "cohesive formations" consisting of either divisions or brigades.
- A system of cumulative disorder is introduced, to represent the effects of friction and fatigue.
- Rigid base sizes, weapons ranges and movement distances are replaced by the use of "spans" as a unit of measurement, as explained below.
From the rules:
"1.2 Scale and basing. The game can be played at two different levels, depending on the scale of battle the players wish to represent. At the "Brigade" scale, the basic organizations used to constitute players' commands are the Infantry Brigade and the Cavalry Regiment; at the "Divisional" scale, the Infantry Division and the Cavalry Brigade are the basic organizations. When the term "brigade" is use in the text, it should be understood to refer to the Cohesive Organization for the Scale of game and the particular arm. The rules are written for the Brigade Scale, but the adjustments necessary to play at the Divisional Scale are given in Appendix C. At either scale, the units represented on the table are infantry battalions, cavalry squadrons and artillery batteries.
Many of you are probably experienced wargamers and may have miniature armies already. Your existing miniatures can probably be used with this system without rebasing. Napoleonic Command is a frontage-based system, and there is, therefore, no "figure scale". The actual numbers of miniatures is irrelevant; they are only there to indicate the nationality and type of units represented by the base, and to impart to the game the aesthetic quality of a battle panorama. What is important is that they give the best possible visual impression, consistent with the time and resources that go into assembling a miniature army.
The infantry battalion must be represented by at least two bases, this being the minimum necessary to show all the possible formations the battalion might assume in the course of a battle. Four-base battalions work best, with three or more figures per base, in one or two ranks. Exceptionally large battalions can then be represented by five or six bases, and small ones by three. A cavalry squadron or artillery battery should be two bases. Cavalry bases should have at least two figures, to give the impression of mass and to distinguish them from Commander bases (which can be made round, or some other shape, to further distinguish them from their troops). An artillery base should have a gun, and at least a couple of gunners. Commander bases need at least a figure representing the general, but may also include aides, musicians, or standard bearers. Commander bases can be any size, but keep in mind that Commanders will sometimes have to squeeze into tight spots in the deployed Brigades to steady a shaky unit, so they should be as small as practical; a single mounted officer on a base just large enough to hold it upright works well. Commanders at higher levels of command can be as simple or elaborate as the players desire, being anything from a single figure to a mini-diorama.
The distances on the charts for ranges and movement distances are in "spans", which is a distance representing approximately the frontage of an infantry battalion, at typical field strength, in line formation (about 100 to 150 yards). Any number of bases can be used, but four works best for most purposes. Choose the number of bases that will represent your battalions, and measure the width of one battalion with the bases lined up side by side. Round to the nearest inch (or centimeter, if you prefer metric measurements); this is the "span" for your game. The total width of a cavalry squadron or artillery battery should be about half to three quarters of a span."
The second edition rules take up 9 pages, with all the charts fitting on a single page.
As for a release date, they will be available as soon as I am happy with the new layout, and have illustrated them with photographs of miniatures in actual game situations. I honestly can't say how long that will take.
Jeff
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.
