|
Post by steve on Jun 21, 2014 14:08:57 GMT
I have played lots of different rules over the years. The one I liked best was In the Grand Manner - but that works really well at the Wargames Holiday Center with 12 people, 10,000+ figures and a 27 foot wide games table. With so many people there is no real need to represent command and with a hole weekend the rules did not feel slow.
When using for my 6mm it worked OK but there was an awful lot of referring to tables and recording of casualties and for an evening game it felt cumbersome. I moved over to General de Brigade and that is better but still a reasonably similar approach to the rules. I am sure it would get slicker with regular play but I was looking for something with more emphasis on command and control and less referring to tables. Having a lot of figures based up and a wish to stick to battalions that I can put into line, or column or square I was not attracted to a lot of rules sets that are built around larger formations and large base sizes.
I bought March Attack and have read the rules and they seem to be exactly what I am looking for. I hope to get a game with them soon when I have done some more basing. I will report back on how I find them in action but if anyone out there has played them and has a view to share I would be interested to here.
Steve
|
|
|
Post by tim on Jun 21, 2014 20:29:31 GMT
Over the years I have tried many sets of rules from many different historical periods. I settled on WRG for Napoleonics in 25mm but after brief experiment many years ago found out they ain't gonna work in 6mm. It's hard work finding those individual casualty figures you took from the table and reuniting them with their regiments!. So now after a very long absence from the hobby and after studying several sets of rules and reading reviews I have settled for March Attack as well. I'm in the same boat as you Steve in not having played with them yet but the impression I get from them is very good. I really like the concept of the strategic movement on the table, which in 6mm scale makes flanks exist to your army (not possible in 25mm unless you have a 20 foot table). I look forward to your findings when you get round to playing with them (I'm going to be while yet while I paint enough figures)
Tim
|
|
yorkie
Active membe
Posts: 32
Favorite army: Austria 1809
Favorite battle: Aspern Essling
|
Post by yorkie on Jun 27, 2014 7:29:46 GMT
I will have to check this rule set out too.
Steve
|
|
|
Post by ian on Jul 1, 2014 16:36:20 GMT
We are using our own at present but will follow your progress with interest
Ian
|
|
|
Post by ooiittee on Jul 13, 2014 9:18:52 GMT
Just a general off hand, throw away comment.....
What is with re-basing of miniatures? I would have thought by now that games designers would have realized that re-basing is a massive deterrent to adopting a new rule system and would have settled on a more general approach to the basing saga.
My 2c.
I am tempted to look into these rules though from the comments so far.
|
|
|
Post by tim on Jul 13, 2014 10:29:22 GMT
|
|
|
Post by mike1956 on Jul 22, 2014 6:03:56 GMT
Tim
Just had a quick look at the rules via the link. How have you found them? I've numerous rule sets, but still keep going back to Ebb & Flow by Anschluss. Mike
|
|
|
Post by tim on Jul 22, 2014 7:02:44 GMT
Not had a chance to try them in anger yet Mike but have read through them several times. They look good though, not saying they are perfect and I may put in some ammendments of my own, but they are reasonably uncomplicated and looks they will make for a fastish game which at the scale I will be playing at (Coprps level) is a bonus. As soon as I get my table built I will be trying then even if it is French against French.
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Jul 22, 2014 8:16:30 GMT
Mike1956 could you post us a battle report using ebb and flow so we can see how they play out ?
Richard
|
|
|
Post by mike1956 on Jul 23, 2014 6:27:35 GMT
Richard
Will get something together, when I can meet up with the lads again. We are all "Old Bill" and spread around the metropolitan area (about the size of London. In the mean time, there is an article in Wargames World 3 Magazine Spring 1989 edition, of a game put on by Peter Heath (author of Ebb &Flow). I've got a copy of the magazine, which if not contravening copyright, I would be able to scan and send you. Even better if Peter was a member and agreed to the idea. I make contact with the lads (those who may remember the rules) and get something done. Mike
|
|
|
Post by mike1956 on Jul 23, 2014 6:36:25 GMT
Richard
Sorry meant to add, the rules are not for everyone. 2 small master bases for a battalion, with a half base each made up for line and skirmish, allowing the battalion to deploy from column to line. You don't need a lot of mini's to a unit as long there's 2 master bases. It's down to battalion level, allowing you to play small or big actions (as long as you have the mini's), but requires a number of people represent Corps commanders. A bit of book / record keeping and orders, all old style gaming. Certainly not for a quick pick-up or comp game. Sorry I didn't even ask if you've seen the rules at all, but if you have you'll know what I mean. Mike
|
|
War Panda
New member
Posts: 14
Favorite battle: Waterloo
|
Post by War Panda on Aug 14, 2014 3:40:22 GMT
Would this be a bit too advanced for a newbie?
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 14, 2014 9:22:42 GMT
I was advised by Tim and Steve.m about march attack, I have read the rules and they look good,
Tim do you know what figure ratio I should use for these rules as I don't remember seeing it ? I have only just started my armies for this so would be easy to adjust.
Richard
|
|
|
Post by tim on Aug 14, 2014 10:12:30 GMT
I think that March Attack do not specify (it's one of the sets of rules that don't). They say each base should have 8 foots figs, 3 cav figs or 1 gun. This is obviously aimed at larger figures and would look silly in 6mm. I do mine at approximately 20:1 so that makes a French battalion (paper strength of 720 men) 36 figs in 3 ranks. I also put 4 skirmishers on the front of the stands just for looks. So a total of 40 figs on 2 stands = a battalion. This gives a nice impression of massed troops which is half the reason we play 6mm is it not? Cavalry I put 20 figs in 2 ranks. Artillery is one area I disagree with the rules big time. A battery of 8 guns on the same frontage as a battalion column of companies? I don't think so. Any battery commander placing his guns that close together would be shot at dawn! French regulation distance state 6 metres between guns but in practice it was more like 20 to present a smaller target to the enemy. I mount my guns at a ratio of 2:1 on 20mm stands so 4 guns to a French battery. This also means you can include a howitzer model for looks. I even paint a caisson for each gun. People don't seem to appreciate the amont of junk sitting behind a battery. For instance a Guard 12lb battery had 5 caissons for each gun so thats 40 caissons each with its team stacked up to 200 metres behind the guns. Then you have stuff like the field forge and other spares and horses to consider! Anyway, enough of my pet rant To conclude, because the rules work on a combat value for each unit based on a real headcount of men not figures on bases you can put as many or as few as you like on each base. As long as it looks nice of course If I get time over the next few days I will do some top down photos of how I have mine organised. Tim
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 14, 2014 10:24:48 GMT
Thanks Tim that is really helpful, I'm going in the right direction then as I was going to base in 24 man stands maybe 36man for guard units.
Richard
|
|
|
Post by tim on Aug 16, 2014 11:05:02 GMT
Some quick piccies or how I have mine organised. Infantry in line: Cavalry in line: Deployed foot battery: Apologies for the quality, did them in a hurry handheld. Tim
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Aug 16, 2014 14:48:52 GMT
Thanks Tim very helpful, what size bases are you using, I was going with 60x30 and 30x30.
|
|
|
Post by tim on Aug 16, 2014 17:42:36 GMT
40x30 for inf and cav as per March Attack rules. 20x20 for each gun and 20x40 for limbers. 20x 60 for the caissons. I think my horse batteries have 20x60 for limbers as they have 6 horses.
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Jan 12, 2015 15:29:14 GMT
Question for Tim? How are you planning on basing your Brits I'm thinking of two rows of 6 for line infantry and light inf maybe with a mounted officer out front, and 3 rows of 6 for guard and elite regiments. I have some rifles ready for basing and I am am thinking of a loose formation of 12 per base.
What's your plans
Richard
|
|
|
Post by tim on Jan 12, 2015 20:00:19 GMT
Probably going to base mine 3 deep (that was the drill manual standard )but having said that, the amount of time it takes me to paint a full French regiment could be cut by a third when painting Brits is certainly appealing if I do 2 deep! Sooo jury is still out but I am going to have to make my mind up soon As for the rifles, if you can find me a battle when the 95th or 60th were present in regimental strength (10 companies all together) I might paint a full unit but the plan is to paint a small base to attach to the brigade commander to remind me to boost the skirmish value of that brigade (as you know skimishing in March Attack is somewhat abstract in concept), which is good in some respects that I am going to be fighting battles involving corps and don't really want to get bogged down in mucking about with skirmish figues. The other option is to put a couple of rifle figs on each base of the brigade put that restricts me a bit if I want to use them for other theatres. Hope that helps Tim
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Jan 12, 2015 20:27:14 GMT
Mmmmm I undecided myself, the 1st battalion of the 95th fought under picton at quatra bras, around 560 men so two nice bases of 24 should cover them. Will have to play around at basing.
|
|
|
Post by curlerman on Jan 13, 2015 11:47:48 GMT
I ordered a copy last night from North star . They currently have them discounted for 5 pounds gb
|
|
|
Post by tim on Jan 13, 2015 12:32:16 GMT
A bargain! I think I got mine quite cheap (can't remember where) but I have seen them for sale at £20 a go.
|
|
|
Post by ian on Feb 6, 2015 17:14:05 GMT
Well at that price I bought a couple of copies of the rules, really need to spend some time reading them I guess
Ian
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Feb 7, 2015 12:44:16 GMT
I have decided basing for my Brits, I'm going with 36men for all guard and elite regiments as these usually deployed at full strength, and 24 man for all other line regiments this should save time and still look effective. This should work with the Hanoverians and Brunswick. I will proberly follow the same format for French as they have a lot of line battalions , Cavarly 20men the front 5 an attached sqoudron if required . Artillery 4 for foot and 3 for horse
Hopefully should all work!
Richard
|
|
|
Post by captainchook on May 9, 2015 21:02:02 GMT
A few years ago I started gaming with 6mm Napoleonic figures. I tried a number of rules including Principles of War, Grande Armee and soon will try Blücher. So far my favourite rules have been March Attack. It seems a pity that these rules have not been marketed better as I think these are a good quality set of rules. I noted some of the posts here regarding basing. I think these rules could easily work with a variety of basing systems. I am sure that these rules would still work well with the 15mm figures I have based for General de Brigade. Differing frontages and unit sizes would not, I believe, break the rules. My figures were based for Le Feu Sacre, my infantry being two small bases and two large. This enables my columns to be 3 ranks deep and allows a square to be formed. This has caused no problems with MA.
I have also tweaked the artillery rules, but mainly around rules for effects at differing ranges. I have not found them under or over powered. Columns fire at 1/2 CV as already suggested above.
|
|
|
Post by tim on May 10, 2015 11:31:22 GMT
Anthony, Got to agree with your findings about the lack of marketing for March Attack, a lot of people have never heard of them and they have been overtaken by other(inferior IMHO) rulesets
|
|