"Column fighting in GdA" Topic

As I'm solo testing General D'Armee I'm finding a very fine set of rules in a book that is easy to navigate. (and it does lend itself to solo play!)

Inevitably, there are issues. Here is the first.

Compared to many rules I've played, I was surprised to find infantry in column to be classed the same as infantry in square on the Charge Table mods (most times this is a crushing no-no). I'm sure Mr Brown can offer some excellent historical rationale for this choice but it jumped out.

Along with that comment, a question: Infantry firing from square or column have their casualty results halved – however, it seems any rolled DT result (Disciple Test on the target unit) remains in place. Again, it seems reasonable to suppose a volley from a square can cause enemy Discipline Tests but it seems they should be much less possible from a column. (based on very preliminary test games, it seems the best reasoning for this step is once the charger contacts the column, there is an excellent chance the column is Dispersed, ie vaporized). Any clarification on this?

Hi Vlad……this is similar to General de Brigade……..it is true that column and square share a +2 in the Charge but a square has its own table versus cavalry……..very difficult to beat a square with cavalry whereas a column is rolled for on the regular cavalry versus infantry table. My guess for the shared +2 is that a column could close ranks and form a better defense than say … a unit in line formation.

My guess on the fire is that a square might be a more solid formation from a musketry point of view and therefore it might issue a bit more effective fire.

Would love to hear other veteran GdB players' views on this.

I agree, I'd like to hear from some GdB players and Nappy veterans. I want to stress that aside from wanting some discussion on this point, I'm really impressed by these rules.

vlad48,
You should pose your question GdB Forum as Dave is on there all the time and also quite a number of gentleman who were playtesters to the new rules.

V48,

Three points:

a) Columns and squares have two very different and separate results lines on the charge table. A win to cavalry vs. a column will see a rather dangerous melee situation for the column and if it loses badly it's dispersed. End-Ex!

Whereas squares are far more likely to drive off cavalry, indeed there's no melee situation whatsoever. The vast majority of results will see the square drive off the cavalry; the only other result is the square being crushed, if very, very unlucky or more likely is worn out, with high casualties, etc, and up against good quality cavalry such as heavies or lancers.

b) The modifier to a column does indeed represent the closing up of the ranks and presenting a more solid formation to oppose cavalry. Thus cavalry are less likely to close against a fresh, formed column, but of course, that's not guaranteed…..far better to be in square!

c) The rules are designed to "encourage" players not to charge cavalry at fresh infantry formations. Players will find cavalry has far more impact against worn or even slightly worn infantry. That's also the reason the Discipline Test stays for a column at the higher end of the volley results, (after halving and then rounding down any casualties caused). Its steady (and that's important) infantry delivering a sharp volley as the cavalry close, but heaven help your infantry if they are worn, holding casualties or unformed!

Hope that helps, see you on either the TFL or GdeB site if you require any further.

DB

Nice explanation of design goals

Thanks, David. We'll see you at TFL in the future.
-

Re Infantry not in square versus cavalry; I can only speak to GdeB. I raised this issue on the GdeB Forum about two years ago in the context of the melee Factors chart.

Basically, the chart does not have a minus factor for infantry not in square versus cavalry. I thought this unrealistic as did several others. However, David Brown offered an explanation similar to his B above, which I found unsatisfactory.

So, our group has a modification to the Melee table of -4 to reflect this situation (as do many other rules). IE.; Infantry are either in square or not in square when it come to melee versus cavalry.( Note in square they are +4).

BTW I think GdeB is the best Napoleonic Rule Set!

IronDuke – have you played GdA yet? If you like GdB it would be very interesting to know your thoughts when you try it.

Teppsta – No I haven't. I have been waiting for someone to conduct a comparison of two before I commit to GdA.