"Suggested Size for our 1st "Black Powder" Battle ???" Topic

This will be our first game. Neither of us has seen or played these rules.

Table is 5' x 8' (150mm x 240mm). Troops are 25mm early 18th century (WSS/GNW). It would be a simple "meeting engagement' in order to learn the game mechanics.

Frontage Standard Battalion = almost 10" (240mm)
Frontage Standard Mounted Regiment = 11" (280mm)

How many/few Battalions & Regiments would you suggest for our first exploration of the "Black Powder" rules?

-- Jeff

I would suggest four or five infantry units, a couple cav units, and a couple of arty units. And only play on half of the table. You'll have enough to get a feel for how the rules work and how to coordinate the units with one another but not so many that you become overwhelmed and the game slows to a crawl.

1 infantry brigde of 4-5 battalions. And two cavalry brigades of 2 cav units on each side of the infantry center. Pr player. As hangerflying says use half the table.

HangarFlying & Gunfreak,

Half of my 8' table would be four feet . . . which given that each type of unit is close to a foot in frontage . . . thus there would be only four units in play (with no room to maneuver).

I can see reducing the table size somewhat but half seems excessive.

By the way, a look at the opposing armies can be seen here:

jeffswsa.blogspot.ca

Scroll down through the blog to see both armies (or use the links on the right) . . . and open photos in a separate tab to get close-up views.

-- Jeff

Are there any other suggested sizes?

-- Jeff

First time new rules, I would go small. A brigade of foot, a horse unit and a gun per side on a 4x6 table. You get to sample all the core aspects of a battle in the rules, move, fire, charge, etc. Plus your nose will be in the rule book and its no fun setting out this huge battle and you manage to to only move a portion or not even get close to a finish.

First time game isn't about winning or playing out Fontenoy as much it is about learning the rules.

Half of my 8' table would be four feet . . . which given that each type of unit is close to a foot in frontage . . . thus there would be only four units in play (with no room to maneuver).

Thats how it's done.

4 infantry and 4 cav is just 8 units.

Given that many people pay with 20+ units on 8x5 table.
It's not that odd. You generaly never ever have room on a table to make a line with all your units.

With 4 infantry in the center, you have 2 front 2 back in suport.

Same with cav, 2 behind the other.

So in even tho you have 8 units you almost never have more then 4 in front line. As you get an advantage you can swing the reserves back ect. It will seem crowded, but thats how you play these types of games. Less manouve, more about reserves and exploting enemy gaps and plugging your own gaps.

Gentlemen,

We followed your instructions and played our first "Black Powder" game as you suggested:

link

-- Jeff

Re-match kicks off in a couple of hours.