After I had opened my newly arrived copy of
Command & Colours Napoleonics and had a quick flick through the rules, I set up the first scenario - Rolica - using my Hexon terrain tiles and 15mm toys and played through a few turns. A photo of the general setup appeared in an earlier post. Although I got a number of things wrong on this run-through, the game did have a nice 'feel' to it. The components - cards, reference cards, rulebook etc) are of very high quality and there are a number of tweaks specific to the Napoleonic period, including infantry squares and cavalry retiring and reforming. There are also a number of differences between troops of different nationalities - for example British infantry musketry is better then French, but the Frenchies are better in melee, and so on.
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The three infantry units forming the British centre. |
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The French right wing. The unit scale seems to vary between scenarios - at Rolica they represent battalions. |
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The early battle seen from behind the British centre. |
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The French left poised for action. |
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Some of the order cards used in the game. The number of cards reflects the varying command & control of the armies involved. At Rolica, the Brits have 6 and the French 5. |
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British light infantry advances supported by artillery fire. |
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The French launch an attack. The red counters mark the boundary between the centre and right sectors. |
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The French open fire. The dice show only a single infantryman,
indicating that one casualty has been inflicted on the Brits. |
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The British left wing moves forward. |
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The British lights suffer another French salvo. Each infantryman (blue face) indicates a casualty,
while the flags each cause the unit to retreat one hex. Ouch. |
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The British guns inflict two hits on their opposite numbers. |
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The French light cavalry gets ready to advance. |
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Meanwhile on the French left, more Hussars take on and beat their Portuguese opponents. As the Portuguese had a (British) general attached and suffered casualties a 'risk to leader' role was required. Not to worry though - he only dies if two swords are rolled. Oh. |
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The Portuguese continue to suffer - here their light infantry are wiped out by a French (off camera) salvo. |
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French Hussars charge the guns. |
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The British centre advances at last.... |
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...but sadly the French have been hoarding a card which gave them added firepower.
This was the result! I called a halt shortly afterwards. |
6 comments:
Good to see that I'm not the only one catching the C&C Napoleonics.
Conrad
How are you getting on with the game?
Well my latest report is up on my blog. Generally good - but good Lord do I detest those blocks. Ideally the plan is going to be to have a toy soldier setup at home with 20mm figures. However one of the great strengths of the series is that they are portable, so I may have to invest in a 2mm travel set to take to the pub because I'll be damned if I'm sorting blocks for the rest of my life.
Sounds excellent, but the price is a bit steep, shame they don't sell the cards seperately.
Conrad
I had a look at your blog earlier. I know what you mean about the blocks - mine are likely to remain unused!
Will
I agree about the price - but if they sold the cards seperately that's all anyone would buy!
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