Okay, so let me start out by saying I'm completely new to Napoleonic wargaming and that I have zero experience in wargaming that era and that my historical knowledge of the period ranges from spotty, at best, to completely ignorant.
I recently purchased the box for Empire III, and I would like to solo play the game. I want to build up two sides, and have big battles replaying the history of the Napoleonic wars. I have several questions that I'm hoping experts on TMP can help with.
1) What scale should I play?
I'm aware this is a loaded question, so perhaps I should clarify what I'm thinking. The rulebook itself mentions 15mm, 20mm, and 25mm. Personally, I'd be okay with 15mm or 1/72 scale plastics, probably HaT. As I'm solo playing, though, I can honestly pick any scale. I've also considered 10mm, 6mm, and 3mm (more on that in the next).
2) What model ratio should I play?
This is highly related question to the first. I notice 60:1, 30:1, and 20:1 all being highly discussed, with the 60:1 being more for 1/72 and 20:1 being more for 10mm. To be insane (which I find tempting), I think it'd also be interesting to try a 1:1 at 3mm. I'm not sure just how much space this would take, or how long it would take to accrue, but the concept of having thousands of models on the table, each actually being a representative of a single soldier is highly appealing. For table space concerns, I have a 4ft by 6ft table currently and I plan on building a 8ft by 6ft or a 10ft by 6ft table when I move into a house next month.
3) Is there a good resource online to learn the system?
I'm not an expert at learning wargaming systems, and this one is supposedly much more complex than some. I've flipped through the book casually, but I think it'd be highly helpful to read some high level "basics" and then delve further and further into the minutiae of the game.
4) Is there any recommended books for learning the era?
I'm currently a couple chapters into Tolstoy's War and Peace and I'm enjoying it thus far (we'll see if that lasts!). Are they any great books you can recommend to me to learn the history behind everything?
5) Any suggestions for two armies?
This one is much more open ended than the rest. Any suggestion to two armies to solo play against each other that can give a variety of both battlefields and "battles that could've happened" with the same kit would be great! I would like to start with two armies, all built, and then try to see how much I enjoy it. I'm always down for less "common" choices. For example, in my adventures in solo gaming WWII in 1/72 scale using Flames of Wars rules, I play Soviets vs Rumanians and have a great time!
Thanks in advance for answering my questions! Hopefully the post is not too lengthy!