I was throw off by the description:
Leipzig is the ultimate battle of the Napoleonic wars, the "Battle of Nations." This was the conclusive act of the 1813 Campaign in Prussia. This 4-day battle was the largest ever in Europe before World War I (101 years later!)
Leipzig was the ultimate Napoleonic battle? i.e. Leipzig is the biggest? Sure. Leipzig is the epitome of Napoleonic battles? Eh… I'd disagree.
It was the conclusive act of the 1813 campaign but that campaign (and the battle of Leipzig) was in Saxony not in Prussia. I suppose parts of the campaign were in Prussia but by the time we reach the battle – we're not in Prussia.
As Widowson noted the guy added Swedish artillery because "he wanted to" as the sample page states:
Of special note, I specifically added one battery to the Royal Swedish Army (when they were actually quite short of earning it) just because I wanted them to have at least one battery. (Congratulations King Charles-John, aka Bernadotte.)
The other part I found curious – not necessarily bad or telling but something that would cause me to look at it more strictly regarding what game balance the designer desired is the deployment rules offered on the sample page.
For the southern fight the Allies deploy first (bad for them), the French deploy second (good for them) the Allies move first (good for them).
For the other two fights the French must deploy first and roll dice to determine if they move first or second and Napoleon is required to delegate command of the eastern battlefield to a marshal, he can't do it himself (or give it to Ney or Murat). Though he can sit in that "sector" and provide a command benefit.
There is a special rules section in the sample text that talks about French allies defecting:
Rule for French Ally Defections (Game Master Sheet only) – If the Imperial forces in any sector roll one or more "6s" on an army morale check, have the player roll 2d6 on the Ally Defection Table. (Do not let him know why unless there is a negative result on the table).
On an 8, 9, 10 Germans might defect – OK, historical… some did.
On an 11 or 12 then Italians or Poles might defect (respectively), including Guard units – really? Polish Guard is going to defect during battle from the French… ever?
Might be a good scenario but not to my taste. I don't know that the author hates the French but the samples pages indicate to me the author really wants certain things to happen during the game, that is the *feeling* I got reading them, not that they indicate specific things must happen. Too heavy on the guidance for me.
Cheers,
The Bandit
paints the Dogman from the Flintloque starter set.
