"Which Nation?" Topic

I'm considering a force in 28mm (ideally plastic) for 1813. I have French; so as opposition, do I go for Austrians, Prussians or Russians?

Austrians were consistent enemies and might be considered a simpler painting challenge.

If nothing else going with Prussians a brigade (division) really is a good little of everything in a package.

Bavarians are nice, not a big army, fought with and against the French.

Arguments for Russians:
(1) There are only minor uniform changes from 1812 through 1814, so all of the Russian campaign scenarios are yours to play in addition to those of 1813+;
(2) The Russians are in the thick of it throughout 1813, whereas the Austrians are on Spring Break and the Prussians have only some of their men on the field (no Landwehr for the first half of 1813);
(3) While the infantry uniforms are a bit dull, the same is true of the Austrians and Prussians but the Russian flags are a multicolored delight;
(4) Plus there's lots of color in the hussars and uhlans;
(5) Several flavors of elite (Grenadiers and low-numbered Jagers in addition to the actual Guard, which itself is of varying levels of elite-ness as it was being continually expanded);
(6) There's nothing really like Cossacks, except Cossacks;
(7) Green is just such a nice color (ok, I'm stretching to find a seventh reason…).

I would say Austrians or Russians – I myself have both but way more Austrians; if nothing else, the line infantry are pretty easy to paint

Eumuelus has good points – from 1812 on Russian uniforms were pretty similar (for example, the new cuirassier helmets introduced in 1812) and the green uniforms do look good – plus as a lineal descendant of the Ukrainian Cossacks you will never go wrong with a sonita or two of Cossacks

I like the Russians, but be prepared to buy a lot of artillery. The Austrians will probably get you an army on the table quicker.

Who has the prettiest hussars?

I picked Austrians ;-)

Huzzah!

I'm not sure the Austrians would be easier to paint than the Prussians (getting all that white to look right might be beyond me).
Good replies all. The Prussian organisation is interesting, but the Russians appeal as well (great thoughts on them, thanks).
As for learning the history – that will come, but for the moment I'm looking for a bit of Horse and Musket action. Hence posting in the 'Starting Napoleonics' board.

White uniforms can be as easy or as difficult as you want them to be. For brush masters, all of the shading and layering for great-looking whites is a lot of work, for a Philistine like me, a spray can of white paint will do the job.

The "If you don't know your Napoleonic history, don't bother." attitude is what pushes players to 40K and GW fantasy rather than historical gaming. Historical gaming is a process. I started Napoleonic gaming with an Osprey book on the KGL.

I second 79th's comments. The book that got me interested in historical gaming was a 1960's article int the "Reader's Digest"with photos and description of Brits playing Napoleonics whilst wearing ties and sweaters and smoking pipes. I've still got the pipes but don't smoke them any more.

Thanks, Shagnasty and 79thPA. I may have seen that article too!
With 50 years of gaming and a D Phil in History, I can cope with the odd snarky comment. ;)
My favourite was someone looking at some very nicely painted 15mm chariots (not mine, I hasten to add) , whose only comment was that "They don't have the correct number of spokes on the wheels".

I went for Russians 1812 to 1814 when I started Napoleonics in 25mm over 45 years ago, (although I did have Airfix Brits before that )
I think Eumelus has listed a number of excellent points for this army as a first choice, not least being that it is easy to recognise a particular regiment by its distinctive " coloured" flag, and, of course, they have Cossacks!
I switched to 15mm about 40 years ago and rebuilt the Russian 2nd West Army. After a good few years of painting and collecting 15mm, I now have the beginnings of a Prussian army and a large British/Portuguese/Spanish force, as well as numerous contingents, such as Poles and Westphalians to support the French. I have also collected 6mm and here I have Austrians, as well as the Russians and French., with Italian allies
Take a warning, once you start on Napoleonics, it becomes a lifetime interest [or, as my wife calls it, an obsesssion :-) ]

Another vote for Russians. I have always liked their armies and their reputed toughness and heavy artillery. However, Putin's invasion of Ukraine really has dampened my enthusiasm for my favorite "Napoleonic" army. I'll call them Ukrainians!

If you are going to stick with 1813-14 only ("my toy soldiers must wear the right hats and jackets"), then remember that the Prussians tended to be in combined formations with Russians (but not always the other way around). The Russians and Prussians were in action for longer than the Austrians too. In all honesty, the Russians are the best bet here by a fair margin, because you get 1812 for free.

On the other hand, if you are going to paint up armies for 1813 but use them for actions throughout the Napoleonic Wars, then pick Austrians.

1813 I personally would do Russia, as from my own (rather limited) looking into it they were involved in more battles in that year itself alongside Prussia than Austria, which kind of only came back the end and into 1814.

Whirlwind, my later French have already fought stovepipe-shako-wearing Brits. I'm not precious about re-using figures where I can.
Lots of points in favour of Russians, the only negatives being the artillery and, well, they are Russian. Prussians can be used for 1815 as well, but I'm not feeling much love for them here.

The only Nation I don't "like" playing the era is the Brits. I will take a Prussian or Austrian army any day of the week over hem

Russians followed by Austrians.

advocate, just as a matter of interest, which one did you pick in the end?