"General D'armee: Game # 1" Topic

Napoleonics was my first, & for a long time only, period. We used a variant of the olf WRG rules but I found them increasingly unsatisfactory. Hence, the look for something new. And I think we've found it!

'General D'armee' seems to tick all our boxes: unit & army size, Napoleonic tactics, relatively quick & decisive games &, not least, a load of fun.

Our trial game was the scenario from the rule book but with Confederation of the Rhine forces opposing the Russian army.

The battlefield:

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We managed to run about 9 turns (out of a possible 16) in under 4 hours. I was the only one who'd read the rules & there was much leisurely explaining & discussing. With a little experience (next game!) I think the whole battle in 3 hours is realistic.

The game relies on your ability to plan & lead your small soldiers. Things don't always work out as you'd want them:

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Just before a potentially game-winning charge, my C-o-tR cavalry brigade became hesitant & refused to move forwards.

Turn flanks, screen your advance, seize strong points & terrain features – it's a challenge.

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Whilst the Russian cavalry seized the centre of the battlefield:

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Certainly just as exciting as the actual shooting & melee was manoeuvre: both sides jockied for position.

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Although units exist as battalions etc, the key element is the brigade: with all its components. Here is a Bavarian-Wurtemberger brigade with line infantry in columns, skirmishers to the fore & the brigade commander & ADCs controlling everything.

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And a Westphalian-Polish brigade as well.

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Difficulty in in the variety. Units are graded according to size & training. Large but poorly trained Russian Opolchenie must be handled appropriately in order to function constructively:

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Although the game wasn't finished, The Russian artillery held the high ground & looked formidable:

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I felt the rule book is lucid, the supporting You Tuibe videos useful but even after one game, I think the intuitive nature of the rules means you are gaming confidently.

donald

Thanks mate, great overview.

From NSW to QLD, that's a compliment!

Thanks.

Thanks for the report!

A few extra photos:
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I'm in 1/72 heaven. Great figures.

Fantastic game and good to see a garage being put to good use!
The general d'armee rules certainly capture the difficulty of getting units to do what you want, when you want. Gone is the omnipotent reach of the wargames general

Your collection of little men do you proud. My project is currently in 10mm
Very good to see nice scenery on the table too. A very enjoyable AAR looking forward to #2.
I am reliably informed there are scenario books in the pipeline for general d'armee.

Very nicely done. It really is a good ruleset, I have seldom seen a new Napoleonic ruleset played so much and with so few negative comments.

John

Very nice looking game. How does the "although units exist as battalions etc, the key element is the brigade: with all its components" thing work?

Whirlwind Command and control is at the brigade level not battalion – plus you can add "staff officers" to brigades which may help them do what you want but (as sometimes happens) you still cannot guarantee your troops will comply.

Young Dave – the existing GdB scenario books will all work with GdA with simple adjustment to large / regular / small battalion size

@ Whirlwind: what Teppsta said.
Another factor is winning initiative. As usual you dice for it but as charges & firing are *not* simulataneous, there is a genuine importance in having initiative.

I have yet to try these but good to see the 1/72 guys out in force