"Empire (3). What to expect?" Topic

So I have a soft spot for over-convoluted games and this carries the reputation of being the archetype for over-convoluted, so I ordered a copy off Nobleknight games.

3rd edition specifically.

What size of game can it do in a reasonable afternoon and what period of the era will give the best game?

I'm not tied to specific nationalities, I like basically everybody in the Napoleonic period.

In other words, if I am to give this a test play, what's the ideal setup for the first time?

Thanks!

1 playing agaist another player or group?
Or Solo?

Oh sorry, Solo first, then with players with somewhat modest wargaming experience.

Either case, I'll be the one putting on the game and setting it up.

I do play solo but I can set up and play for 2 weeks straight, but it all depends on how many manuver elements you are controlling at a time. But even on a long day I only got in 1 hr of play maybe two, a evening 1 impulse. But I was fighting two fairly large armys. More people could pick up the pace and as I say time isn't my concern.

I do have the luxury of a large table that can remain permanently set up actually :-)

One of the best additions to a gamers life, I'd say.

Start with a 2 or 3 manuver elements Infantry (division)each side and a cavalry element (brigade).

Weasel: I know your question concerned Empire 3 so I am hoping I am not far off topic here. A friend and I play Empire 5 on a regular basis with two players using a corps on a side and usually complete the game in four or maybe five hours. Doing the 1809 campaign, we have completed the afternoons bloodshed in three hours on a couple of occasions. As with all rules, the design of the scenario is important in achieving a fun game for all hands, that is decisive in a reasonable time frame. I may be mistaken as it has been a long time since I played the 3rd edition, but I would think that the two are close enough to come to the above conclusion for both. Good luck in you endeavors, thanks, John Miller

Appreciate the suggestions mates!

Sounds like starting with a division and working towards a corps is reasonable then?

I have no strong feelings on specific editions, 3 is just what happened to be available :-)

Once you are proficient with the rules,you should be able to push a corps or it's equivalent.

Mike

Using 3 we started with a Division and worked our way up. That was many years ago. It is my opinion that, as 14Bore says above, playing a Corp is the ideal level for an individual player in these rules. John Miller

Very cool.

Any thoughts of what armies and year to play at first for a reasonably close fight?

We like France vs. Austria in 1809. We also usually avoid the Guard. Massena's Corps contains units of varied quality so using his 4th Corps make for interesting games. The Austrians are pretty resilient. John Miller

The peninsula conflict offers lots of opportunities as well, especially if you mix in some Spanish troops. If you stick with historic encounters they are smaller battles so much more manageable. Those and 1809 as mentioned are our favorites.

You'll need to quit your day job to be able to play the battles to a conclusion. I'm half kidding. They sure did seem to take a long time to determine who would "probably" win if you had more time to play it out.

Appreciate the warning Coopman :-)

I have a big table where I can leave things set up for extended periods, so taking a turn now and again is fine.

One or two things to be aware of.

Keep an eye on Imperial Guard Horse Artillery who seem to pre date Panzer Battalions and be aware that Austrians have a tendency to be superglued to their starting positions.

Having a table you can leave for extended periods is a major, major advantage!

Box is in the mailbox this morning, wish me luck :)

Dumb initial questions: ME's are divisions typically yes?
and "dice" are just D10's right?

to the OP – be prepared to write lots of house rules to clear up the ambiguities and pro-French bias in the rules.

Infantry Division is basic ME but elite troops ban be smaller brigades, Cavalry is a brigade.
Dice are 2 D-10s

Gotcha thanks.

For teaching the game would anything break if we used brigades as ME's to get started?

Might be a way to get a handle on the initiative/tactical system without running more than a division each at first.

Weasel: Just an opinion but I would stick to Divisions for infantry MEs while learning. John Miller

This is for Empire "V" but might help.

link

That does help, thanks!

Another question regarding skirmishers:

The skirmish table has results that will say things like "loser takes 25% casualties".

Is this to be read in the same way regular fire works? (I roll 1-25 to remove a guy) or is it 25% of the enemy skirmishers I defeated?