Massena and Karl dice for the new initiative, and Karl wins. Fearful of what might happen if he allows the French 5 cards, he chooses to go first.
The first of the 5 Austrian cards is LEADERSHIP. This card has changed the most in FoB3. In addition to its former function of allowing movement of all of the Army's officers, and rallying of their troops, it now has also taken on the function of the old MANEUVER card, which has now disappeared.
The Austrians have only one unit needing Rallying - the Hungarians who were routed from the Suburbs of Caldiero. Rallying attempts are always made against a D8. The command Groups leader has an LD 10, buit iot is shifted DOWN 1 each for the unit being rourted, and for it being within 12" of the enemy; hence the D6 rolled. If the modified LD roll exceeds the oppoasing D8, that is enough to rally from routing, or remove Disorder from a unit. For every 3 pips the LD roll exceeds the D8 score, 1 UI is recovered. Morale Points lost previously, however, can NOT be regained in this fashion. Here, the attempt fails.
The Napoleonic QRS for reference once again.
ALL 17 of the Field of Battle Quick Reference Sheets are available for free download from the Piquet website; use the Coupon Code FREE DOWNLOAD to get it for free.
ALL 17 of the Field of Battle Quick Reference Sheets are available for free download from the Piquet website; use the Coupon Code FREE DOWNLOAD to get it for free.
The next Austrian card is Artillery Firepower. Charles is pleased, while Massena... is not.
The next battery reloads, and holds its fire.
A "fully loaded" battery takes a "free" shot... and misses! The Legere are Crack, and roll their D8 Defense die.
Another loaded batter fires and reloads; It qwins by 2 but ODD and thus has no real effect either.
Another shot; this one wins by 1 and EVEN, so it pushes the french unit back 1 inch in Disorder.
Karl is not amused!
Another battery reloads without firing.
And another.
Another LEADERSHIP card is turned; this isn't really a good thing, as the Austrians only have 2 in their deck to start with.
First and ten, do it again!
The Austrians fail to rally the routing Hungarians the second time as well.
The fourth Austrian card is TACTICAL ADVANTAGE. This car is saved and used to modify any die roll EXCEPT the ARMY MORALE check UP 1.
The final Austrian card of this initiative is MELEE/ The ability for (in the Naopoleonic era) Cavalry and Attack Columns to move 1/2 distance forward and initiate Melee was new in FoB2. The one significant change now is that the attacking unit cannot interpenetrate a friendly unit in the process.
The only Austrian unit that could use this card right now is the garrison of Caldiero, and there would be little value in doing so, so they pass. Just like that, Karl has burned through 5 cards, with little to show for it. Massena is relieved!
Another fun installment Peter, with excellent as blow-by-blow narrative as usual.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. It's a lot of work, but is also helping me be more aware of the changes from the 2nd edition to the 3rd.
DeleteNicely done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. Working on the French initiative now...
DeleteYes a few changes are more subtle or significant than others. I keep forgetting that units can Manoeuvre on Leadership cards. Probably biggest change is that Routing units now Rally if winning Morale Rolls with no need to Rally back a UI (that can be an additional bonus). Will be interesting to see if you are tempted to use Officers ‘Daring Deeds’ as things develop ?
ReplyDeleteYes, I keep forgetting about the Maneuver on Leadership as well. Daring Deeds have been thin - the risk is pretty big. The Austrians may be tempted with all those D8 leaders. Of course, that then increases the risk they won't be able to maneuver if the officer buys the farm!
DeleteAh but their heroics could possibly lead to a better replacement but with only 2 Leadership cards tis a big risk
DeleteYes, there is a SMALL chance their replacement could be better, but...
DeleteThe Austrian command have a tough ask! Lovely looking game, very methodical ,I didn't realise quite how much work I was letting you in for when adding my voice to those in favour of a report!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain. It's a lot of work, but I am enjoying doing it. It is also helping me identify the more subtle changes from FoB2.
DeleteThe Austrians have significant reinforcements of their own on the way, but it will be a while until they arrive!
Thanks for a great run through FoB3. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
ReplyDeleteExcellent; glad you're finding it useful!
DeleteTremendous read again Peter. Lovely to look at the scope of your wargaming and the campaigns etc. Very inspirational.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Carlo. I would say the same about your own efforts, of course!
DeleteSuch a good read again.
ReplyDeleteLater on, I'll be interested to read more of your impressions of changes that are improvements and those that are not (along the lines of the brief discussion with Gary above). So often versions past the first merely mean tinkering and a blurring of what was a fine set to begin with. Perhaps not so in this case? The inclusion of manoeuvre with the Leadership card seems to be an example of a sensible change. I shall wait for your detailed assessment once you come to a summary post—not that I am in a hurry to see these marvellous posts end! :)
Thanks for the kind words, James, and I am glad you are enjoying the series. Ultimately, there will be a separate post about FoB3 as it compares to FoB1 and 2. Other than the changes in cards and deck composition, the changes are generally more subtle.
DeleteCan't wait to click on the next part!...
ReplyDeleteI understand now how the difference in pips is used for both players :)
Great!
DeleteOnce you grasp a few key concepts, the rules are a much simpler (and faster to play) than they seem at first. Of course, that can be said of many other rules sets as well!