"Grand tactical napoleonic rules" Topic

I'm pretty much sorted for my low level games and will either go for GdB or Divisional Commander (depending on reviews).

What are people's ideas on larger scale games? I like the look of Blutcher but don't no if they count as grand tactical?

I'll be doing this in 6mm (either Baccus or Adler, not sure yet)

My only requirement is that it has a napoleonic feel (I know this subjective!)

BP does not interest me at all.

If by "grand tactical" you mean army-level where you are fighting full scale engagements like Waterloo or Borodino, I think there are plenty of good options out there. Our club has played Blucher (in 6mm Baccus) and found it fast-moving and enjoyable. Sam Mustafa's older version, Grande Armee, is also an excellent set of rules for army-level actions. In 15mm our club has played Age of Eagles for many years, and if you're a fan of the Fire & Fury core mechanics, this would appeal to you.

But since you're talking about 6mm, I think the best places to start exploring are Blucher (the new shiny system of the moment), Grande Armee (an older classic), and Volley & Bayonet (very classic, very easy to play, doesn't "feel" as Napoleonic to me, which is a highly subjective assessment as you noted). Happy hunting. You'll find plenty of fan boys and supporters for a variety of systems, one of which is sure to be appealing for you.

And check my Rules Directory at DeepFriedHappyMice.com for lots of rules summaries…might help you decide.

I like Grande Armee so much I bought therights…

My go to set is Age of Eagles. Each unit is a Brigade or Large Regiment. I've had new players pick up the basics in 2-3 turns. Well supported with Scenarios and Rules questions

All the above are good options. Snappy Nappy would fit the bill as well,with the plus of being able to do the Campaign in a Day thing of and when you so chose.

link

"Shako" also has a grandtactical variant.

Es Sans Resultant
Each player commands a Corp size force.
Battalion, squadron battle groups and batteries are represented.
The feel is like fast play version of Legacy of Glory with some aspect of Empire.
6mm troops would work splendid!
I use 15mm which work ok but 6 or 10mm would be that much better for true mass of units of the times.

MG

Morale Napoleon is Army level.

link

Second Blucher for multi-corps battles.

YouTube link

We played large battles like Gross beeren Waterloo and Austerlitz with Age of Eagles in 6mm and find they realistic and challenging.At this level you have to have a fertile imagination

davidgrech.blogspot.com

Et Sans Resultat is growing on me after a difficult start. If you want to break free from old-school thinking then this is definitely worth a look. It is based on a deep understanding of how warfare works at the grand tactical level.

And as you are considering Baccus for your project, you must have look at 'Marechal d'Empire' which is firmly in the Grand Tactical bracket.

The rules come with the boxed set starter package which is a great way to get into the period and the scale. link

We find Volley and Bayonet excellent for this period.

Try Napoleon's Wars! Free hybrid between Grande Armee and Napoleonic Fire and Fury. Complete with troop and leader values. Awesome.

link

Age of Eagles or Napoleon's Battles. Both offer plenty of Napoleonic flavour, but if you're coming from a lower level of command, then I'd say Age of Eagles would have the edge, as many of its mechanisms are less abstract than those of NB.

DBN for me, it is grand tactical and is great for refighting big or small historical battles.

Et Sans Resultat has some really interesting mechanics for maneuvering whole divisions---rather different than other games. You really get the feel for a division as a mass of troops that has to be hurled in at the right time.

link

6mmACW sums it up well and everyone has their favourite. Mine at the moment for this kind of thing is Blucher.

You might like to consider the possibility that a grand-tactical game CAN BE played with tactical units.

Grand tactics are a logical extension to tactics: it is the manoeuvre of units in larger bodies – generally in a succession of lines.

Examples of how these formations could be manoeuvred are at:
TMP link

The universal element of the period that made the management of individual units possible in practise was the regulating battalion or directing unit.
link

Orders and operating practices applied to whole brigades and divisions… there was none of the micromanagement that slows down many of wargamer`s games and their rules.

About Grand Manoeuvre Rules…
link

More of the Waterloo games (and various other grand formations) at: TMP link
…these are on pages 2-3.

I hope you enjoy the look and maybe get some of the flavour from these pictures :)

Hello The Young Guard!

Don't know if you checked out all the options that Baccus offers so let me ramble a bit.

The rules that Peter mentioned are two rule sets in one. One is for large battles and the other for smaller actions. So you could possibly cover off both of your objectives with the purchase of a single rule set.

Baccus also sells their figures to match their basing which is also used for both rule sets, if you use the 60mm x 30mm bases. The other benefit here is you can play almost any other rule set out there with this basing. Some might require some minor rule amendments. I'm not aware of any popular rule set that can't be played with these bases.

Best regards,

Glenn

Check out the release of 4th Edition (Maréchal) Napoleon's Battles on the Caliver Books website.