|
Post by captainchook on Apr 5, 2016 9:08:41 GMT
In actual gaming terms, is there much point in painting Old Guard infantry? If you were mainly gaming battles of 1807 to 1809 the Old Guard are mainly just held in reserve and never really engage in battle. Do most of you play historically - guard are a reserve, or do you play in an unhistorical way and allow the guard to engage? Do you play rules that have consequences for sending in the guard?
|
|
|
Post by bruce on Apr 5, 2016 16:03:29 GMT
I think the Guard may have been rusty sometimes compared to veteran line troops, after spending so much time in reserve and living the relatively good life, perhaps reducing the impact of the fighting qualities that got them into the Guard in the first place. I think their rating factors could be somewhat reduced for gaming purposes, more along the lines of veteran line troops -who may even have been better in some cases, ultimately having more experience. I think the OG rating should not have too much of a disproportionate effect on the battlefield.
That sacrilege uttered, I think the commander should use whatever troops he commands. The consequences of committing reserves is often a dramatic moment - who doesn't want to feel the excitement and tension of crying "Send in the reserves!" - and should play out on the battlefield for gaming purposes.
The balance between historical accuracy and a good game can be difficult to find sometimes. For gaming I would not leave out the OG though. I think the rules should not make them supermen, but they were present and if you command, the choice should be yours and not the Emperor's via a rule - why not use them? So that's my two cents. Bruce
|
|
|
Post by captainchook on Apr 5, 2016 18:28:11 GMT
It is the problem of not playing a campaign or having to deal with the political realities of war. The Guard was important as an independent army within the army, not just a battlefield reserve but also played a political role. I have so many rules I can't remember which had these rules, but in one set there were added effects on morale if guard units were defeated.
I agree to some degree with your comments about the Guard potentially being rusty, but when they did fight they achieved some amazing feats. I would think this is more true of British guard units.
|
|
|
Post by bruce on Apr 5, 2016 19:57:30 GMT
I am not aware of such rules, but I can see your point. The ramifications of a Guard defeat would be immense and rules could reflect this. This doesn't mean you don't have them to command though does it? I can see making the risks involved in committing them greater by widening the impact if they are defeated. You can use reserves to defeat the enemy at a decisive point or to stave off defeat. I would want to make that decision in a game if it came up and would accept some additional consequences for losing. It would add to the drama. Cannot think of a game that might be the one you are referring to. Bruce
|
|
|
Post by ooiittee on Apr 5, 2016 21:56:20 GMT
I too have seen rules that have morale effects on nearby friendly units if the guard are broken, or even pushed back in assault.
To explore the use of the guard in gaming terms in line with Bruce remarks Re their quality. If a rule set has a morale rule for the guard losses then there must be a trade off to make it worth risking else you would never deploy them. If the combat quality is not much better than vets which I agree with (take a read of our post on quality v. Nationality) and the effect of them breaking or loosing a bout is felt by the army then I would encourage a rule that boosts morale when they are activated. Maybe a rally test for all troops or a boost the near forces morale.
|
|
|
Post by suchet on Apr 6, 2016 10:25:13 GMT
We gamed a series of 1814 battles last year. Montmirail, Craonne, Vauchamps. The french forces are primarily guard - with 8 batallion old guard present! There was a victory condition for each scenario where the casualties taken the old guard weighed more heavily than those to other units. The quateion should always be whether such thing are more relevant in a victory condition than in a ruleset.
|
|