"I've been told Black Powder can handle big battles" Topic

I hope so because I've just set up Zorndorf for a test game. There will be two to three players, possibly four if I can find someone else willing to join in for two or three Wednesday evenings.

Question is, will Black Powder be able to handle it in a pleasurable fashion.

I've posted the full BP scenario on my blog. It's picture heavy if you like that kind of thing.

link

It looks pretty good from the Prussian side of the table – but only if you put the blinkers on – that Russian line goes on for ever!

Comments welcome.

Our game club has played some pretty big battles using BP. Maybe not *quite* as big as yours but close. Like you we game at a leisurely pace, and have the luxury of being able to leave the game set up. So most of our games run over 2 or 3 weeks.

Not everyone is a fan of BP but that's a rules issue, not a game size issue.

I do suggest you ignore blunders on the first few turns. Nothing worse than feeling you lost because of a blunder on game 2 you were not bale to recover from.

Later on in the battle that feels more "right."

Funnily enough it was "blunders" that got me hooked on BP. My first game saw my British army facing some numerous rebellious Americans with only an advance guard on the table initially. I brought on the second brigade- all well and good so I commenced to attack with the advance guard. Next turn the orders to the second brigade to attack and support the advanced guard were badly misunderstood and they promptly retreated leaving my light infantry and dragoon command in serious trouble. Fantastic- I've played them ever since.

We have played some pretty big battles with BP – if you can get that 4th player it would be a great help

We also have had some interesting things happen because of early games blunders (like your Prussian cuirassier brigade exiting stage right on the first turn – but i) they did return and ii) the Prussians won anyway)

I am interested to see how it handles an historical scenario

We have played some big games using BP. With 4 & 6 people it went pretty fast.
That is a beautiful table and well laid out order of battle. Look forward to more pictures as the battle unfolds.

Just a few reminders- get players to clearly announce the intended moves- before rolling commands rolls.
Be careful to use corps commanders last.
If the unit is in march column or limbered, it gets to execute 1 move…even if the command rolls fail.
My favourite neat trick, when cavalry charge foot, measure the move, they stop short 3, then may use the rest of their move to flow around, move back – whatever.
You don't need to worry about wheeling or interpretation.
Remember page 23 (?)- play for fun, all other considerations are insignificant.
Personally, I find the rules a bit exasperating, but our group are a bit tried of learning new rules for different periods.

Weird to look at the pictures of your lovely game, as we gamed the same battle yesterday.

Another vote in favor of 'blunders'. That said, in a battle this big as Crispy notes, it may be better to ignore them until the sides start to engage, especially if you are introducing new players to the system.