"Mindreaders " Topic

I have been looking for a replacement for the WRG rules I have tended to use for Napoleonics, and have been checking out Le Feu Sacred mark 3. I rather like these, but wonder about the mechanism for testing to attempt a charge. Basically troops testing to charge low quality type D troops get a bonus making them more likely to charge. My query is simply one of how are the troops or their CO supposed to know what they are facing. If its Landwehr or similar they might be able to tell, but under the rules identially uniformed line troops of most nations can be class B, C, or D.

The quality of the plumes?

I would imagine Banners would be the primary way of determining the unit your troops were facing.
Also, there was info gained from spies/recon etc
Units could also be assessed by odd things like how well they marched, and if their formations looked steady.

Formed troops looked like formed troops, regardless of what morale level they might have enjoyed.

The narratives speak of some really obvious distinctions like mitres or bearskins, or famous units, but generally what a cavalry unit [not just the commander of the force] would see would be the group behaviors.

I think that disorganized units could increase the chances of an enemy unit charging them… that was something every cavalry unit looked for… However, I haven't ever read of a cavalry unit being encouraged because they had identified a 'low quality' unit by uniform or flag. I suppose it's possible, but it doesn't seem to be common at all.

"These guys are terrible shots, their volleys are all over the place, they don't want to advance and their line is all ragged and strung out. Lets get em' it'll be easy. Charge!"

Hi, I'm the author of LFS. The rules are heavily influenced by John Keegan's "the face of battle", and this mechanism derives from his discussion of factors that influence whether cavalry will charge home.

It has nothing to do with plumes, shiny boots or size of moustaches :-)

Daz