"First time playing Sharpe Practice force composition" Topic

Greetings,

I'm trying to set up our first game of Sharpe Practice here, localy. I'm thinking of going the easy route and just making both forces the same (British vs. French):

Level 3 Big Man (Mounted)

Level 2 Big Man
2 Groups of 8 Light Infantry (Good)

Level 2 Big Man
4 Groups of 8 Infantry (Good)

Level 1 Big Man
2 Groups of 8 Infantry (Good)

Does anyone foresee any problems with this setup? Too much for a first try? Thanks

Looks good to me. And not too much at all.

And from the horse's mouth…

The chart on page 41 of the rules indicates the number of Big Men you have would be sufficient for four Groups of Good Troops. That tells me you have not enough Big Men or too many Troops. Eight Groups is a lot for a Sharp Practice Game if you are just starting out. I would recommend starting with no more than six groups. Lets us know how your game turns out.

I looked at the chart. I've also read a lot of comments that say there should be about one Big Man for every two groups. I am given to understand that too many leaders causes the troops to fight to the death. I decided treated it like I had half the number of groups on the field as I was actually fielding.

Just got a text from a buddy asking to play on Wednesday (Veterans Day in the US). I still have 2 British Light Infantry and 24 French to paint for the above fight.

If I were to bring it down to the following would it still be balanced?

British:
Level 3 Big Man
3 Groups of 8 Infantry (Good)

Level 2 Big Man
1 Group of 8 Light Infantry (Good)

French:
Level 3 Big Man
4 Groups of 8 Infantry (Regular)

Level 2 Big Man
1 Group of 8 Voltigeurs (Good)

If I were to bring it down to the following would it still be balanced?

Depends what you mean by "balanced"?

Are these two forces roughly equivalent? Is this a fair fight? Does 32 Regular quality Fusiliers equal 24 Good British Center Company troops?

We're just trying out the rules so the objective will be to maneuver and slug it out until one side runs away.

You are fine with what you have chosen. Believe me, I know.

Rich

Thanks, I'm simply more used to point systems. Trying to go on instinct with rules that I've never played before is… interesting. Thank you you all very much! I appreciate it.

Are these two forces roughly equivalent?

Equivalent in what way? Who knows?

Is this a fair fight?

Your guess is as good as mine … and why should a fight be "fair"?

Does 32 Regular quality Fusiliers equal 24 Good British Center Company troops?

Depends what you mean by "equal"?

First a question: How does one bring forces onto the board? Is it in the rules or is it something one just decides with the game scenario?

I thought I should post some pics from the game. It went fairly well for a first game where neither of us knew the rules in any practical sense. Also, it really helps to make sure ALL the necessary Big Man cards are in the deck before the game starts (I'd accidentally left out both French officers at the start of the game.)

Turn one ended as soon as it started with the Tiffin card at the top of the deck.

From there, the British advanced with the Light troops lagging because the only person that seemed to be giving them orders was their Level 3 who really needed to tend to the Center Company men. The French stood around for far to long before finally advancing and putting themselves into line. The Voltigeurs advanced into some woods and drew first blood from the British. The French Line got off one volley before the British Light troops suddenly ran forward and placed themselves on the French left flank. At that point things kinda degenerated with the enfilading fire devastating the French Line. The Voltigeurs moved from the woods to behind a wall and gave a good acount of themselves until the Center Company charged and forced them into the house. The French Level Three did his best to rally what troops he could. That turned out to be four men of the 32 he had started with. The British Light troops continued to pour in the fire finally lightly wounding the French officer and driving the last French line off the board. We had fun. We missed a few rules so the next game will certainly be different.

Very nice.
Troops normally come onto the table as blinds; the figures are only put on table when they spot each other. This gives some fog of war.