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Sunday, April 17, 2022

Austerlitz a la Morschauser, solo continuation.

 

I finally picked up with the rest of the Austerlitz game solo, the French being next to move. 


In the process, i decided a few tweaks were needed for internal consistency, and to address a few weaknesses in the rules. 


This past Thursday was gorgeous - sunny and 80 degrees, so the dogs went for a trip to Lake Waramaug.


Get the Ball!


"Smoke" is now used to mark units that have fired; units without smoke may shoot during the opposing move under certain circumstances. 

All "smoke" is removed at the start of a player's move. 


Lots of shooting as the infantry lines close to close range! 


Austrian cavalry follows up on their previous success with new charges! 


The Allies issue some very effective musket fire! The yellow and green dice indicates hits; the red die is the Morale Test for units taking 2 or more hits. 


Even long range musketry can do some damage. 


Mostly Russian cannons firing at the Southern end of the battlefield. 


Resolving the second big cavalry charge; the French Chasseurs are overwhelmed and destroyed, whilst the Austrian Hussars are severely outclassed by the French Cuirassiers; not only the Hussars are eliminated...


but Liechtenstein, who was leading the charge, is as well! The Austrian cavalry now lack command as well as rallying ability. 


Overview from the South at the end of the Allied move. 


Murat's cavalry reserved has taken 50% losses and is SHAKEN; it had to retreat 4 boxes!


On the following French move, some sharp shooting by the artillery on the Santon and the Legere in the village eliminates another Austrian Hussar unit. 


Limited French shooting in the South. 


Somewhat disappointing volleys by Lannes' infantry.
 

The beginning of the assault upon the Pratzen heights. 


Situation in the South; there are a lot of crippledunits on both sides!


Overview from the South at the end of the French move. 


Very effective fire by the Allies in the Northern sector!


To the South, Russian Dragoons charge boldly across the Goldbach bridge at Tellnitz.. 

With no "smoke, the French infantry may fire at their attackers, and they score a big 3 hits; the Russian cavalry passe morale, and thus continues the charge!


Down to just 1 hit left, the Dragons score a hit on the infantry in the melee, but are eliminated by the French infantry who score a great many hits themselves. 


Overview of the center. 


Russians manage but a few hits on the French around Sokolnitz. 


Overview of the North after the Allied move.


Overview of the Center and South from the Allied lines. 


French start their move with some effective fire on the far North, driving back one of the Austrian Cuirassier units with heavy losses. 


French fire by Lannes' boys  is more effective this time. 


French infantry and cavalry are threatening to isolate Kolowrat's Austrian infantry from the center. 


Situation in the North after all combat is resolved. 


Another view; bioth sides have several badly battered units. 


The attack on the Pratzen Heights reaches close musket range!


In the South, Davout's infantry boldly retakes Tellnitz, eliminating another unit of Russian cavalry in the process with their shooting. 


At this point, needing to get everything organized and packed up for the actual game next weekend, I ceased play. Another move by both sides would likely have seen several more commands go Shaken! I'll publish the revised rules after that game is played out...

16 comments:

  1. Very interesting stuff, the grid leads to a distinct symmetry to battle lines. Good luck running ‘proper’ game.

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    1. Thanks, Gary. I'm looking forwards to the game Saturday!

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  2. A good-looking run-through Peter. I'll be interested to see what modifications you have made, and the smoke markers look good and add to the spectacle.

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    1. It's one of the many things that i like about Field of battle, so when i needed a way to track "held fire", it was an obvious choice.

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  3. A splendid looking game. Good luck with the organised game.

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  4. This seems to have been a pretty balanced game, with neither side in the ascendency when you had to call time. Should provide an enjoyable contest when you put it on "for real" at the upcoming convention!

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    1. The number of units is equal; the Allies have an edge to start, then the French, and it gets redressed with the ? arrival of the Russian Guard. I did give the French some command advantages in the scenario for next week's game that i didn't use for this one. Tghey will help the French but will hardly be decisive.

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  5. Quite the effort. The game should be good to run live,now.

    Nice to see all the troops.

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    1. Thanks, Joe. I think the rules are still simple enough to work well with a group of Novices and yet give a flavor of the period!

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  6. Lovely looking game, sounds nicely balanced. Good luck for the real game!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, iain. I am looking forward to running it!

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  7. Always enjoy your Napoleonic games Peter. Looking forward to the continuation.

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    1. Thanks, Carlo! That's it for this iteration, but the actual game will be at the Library on Saturday.

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  8. This is awesome, and I see your tricks sir! Inserting swimming dog photos in the center of your gaming photos to see if we are paying attention;)

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    1. Thanks, Kevin; a few gratuitous Doggie pictures are par for the course here! :-)

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