"Elites: Fighters or Stayers?" Topic

Who amongst French Napoleonic players doesn't have at least a few Old Guard units? I have an Imperial Guard corps!

Napoleon Bonaparte certainly prized his Guard but they're not the only example. British infantry have a similar allure on the tabletop: steady, reliable, and often rated as consistently superior.And most armies have units of superior quality infantry.

Which raises the question: what do we really mean by "elite"?

In many games, elite units get clear tactical advantages—better combat outcomes, stronger shooting or melee and an edge in most engagements. Unsurprisingly, they often become battle-winners.

But historically, was their real value tactical or moral? Were elites actually better fighters or were they simply more reliable under pressure, less likely to break and better at holding or delivering a decisive moment when it mattered?

In other words, is "elite" less about killing power and more about not collapsing?

Are our wargames overplaying the tactical edge of elite units, and underplaying their morale and reliability?

How do you handle elites and what role do they really play in your games?

I try to balance the ability of our elites by making them less good at something else. For example French Guard Grenadiers get plus 1 for morale and melee, but minus 1 for skirmish. British riflemen get plus 1 for skirmish but minus 1 for volley fire.

We decide all combat and morale by using 1D6, so a plus or minus 1 does not make a great difference. The roll of the dice is far more important

For morale tests all troops get plus 1 for their commander within 4" and also formed supports within 4". Again more important than the plus 1 for being elite.

I will impudently quote myself, from this earlier TMP thread on the subject TMP link

IMHO, for wargaming purposes "Elite"-ness in the Napoleonic Wars could refer to a number of distinct traits:

Training – ability to perform combat evolutions and deliver combat power in rapidly changing or unusual circumstances, such as quickly forming square under battle conditions, defense of built-up areas, or attacking over broken ground.

Enthusiasm – ability to absorb the shock of a sudden infliction of casualties while retaining combat power in the attack or defense. This trait can often be found in patriotic but green troops.

Steadfastness – the converse of Enthusiasm, this is the ability to absorb a long and steady accumulation of casualties or other battlefield shocks while retaining combat power. This trait is generally associated with veteran troops, and is sometimes also linked to national psychology such as the archetype of the stoic Russian infantry.

Self-Regard – Also known as esprit de corps, this is the degree to which the unit holds itself to a high standard, knowing (or imagining) that their reputation and honor demand a certain level of performance. This might be the only distinction of "grenadier" or "guard" units for an army that has been at peace for many years, such as the Prussians in 1806.

Reputation – the converse of Self-Regard, this is the degree to which the unit is held in high regard by the _enemy_. This is a much rarer trait to encounter, most troops and officers being not particularly aware of differences in enemy units, uniforms, etc. But certainly the appearance of the blue greatcoats of the French Guard, for example, would be likely to have a morale effect on the enemy.

"Elite" troops under this taxonomy would have higher-than-average ratings in one or more of these traits. Was a Prussian grenadier battalion – superbly well-trained and with a high self-regard – "elite" versus a French line infantry battalion in 1806? The French unit might be nondescript in terms of numerical designation and uniform distinction, but in 1806 it would be composed almost entirely of veterans with a high degree of devotion to the Emperor (enthusiasm) and long-standing combat experience (Steadfastness), as well as being equally well-trained at this point in the wars due to the preparation at Boulogne as well as the aforementioned combat experience.

Depends a bit on level and game mechanics. I don't think that elite Napoleonic heavy infantry were better shots, for instance, but I'm OK with giving them a plus in volley fire on the assumption that they've reserved their fire until just the right moment. If there were a separate roll for firing range, that's where I'd give them the advantage. Even more so in melee, which in this period seems to have been more a willingness to close than actual proficiency with bayonet and musket butt.

Eumelius, I have my doubts about "Enthusiasm" as described here. Patriotic true believers might go without pay or on short rations and not desert, or come back after a rout, but in my reading the units which stayed in ranks while suffering high casualties were not necessarily patriotic and certainly weren't green, but they were intensely drilled, often over a long period. Spanish "New Levy" units were patriotic enough, but when you needed men to die in ranks, you needed the old pre-1808 regulars. Can you give me some examples of these green diehards to research?

Good point on reputation, but as you note, this was quite rare: you might make it a special rule only applicable for Imperial Guard in bearskin and blue overcoat. (I'm remembering that battalion at Waterloo--4th Grenadiers or 4th Chasseurs which was mistaken for militia because they were wearing bicorns. I wonder what color their overcoats were?)