Thursday, March 28, 2024

General d'Armee 2 - French vs Russians 1812 (Pick Up Game)

Stephen and I tried GDA2 again today using the Pick N' Mix lists to see how Russians fare under rules.

Stephen defended with Russians and I attacked with French.

Russians rolled a Commissariat (most likely result) and French had usual Campaigner.

French ended up with a Bold Brigadier whilst Ivans had no Bold nor Poor types.

The Commissariat meant only 1 CinC command available and reduced list of available orders and additionally the French gained an Adjutant (first we seen one of these), so Russians a bit less flexible overall but their actual troops are pretty much the equal of anyone else.


We are starting to fairly whizz through the basic phases of the game and the actions.

Only query we had this time around was use of Reserves which come on on central sector in that can they just move where they want or must they use a Redeploy order to enter the battle line (this concept we find a bit wholly as we did in original GDA).

I had less than stellar Initiative rolls (even when Stephen was rolling 3 or 4 dice) and lost initiative on 4 out of 6 turns we played although my adjutant did gain me some additional ADCs (he can re-roll one failed roll of 1)

I conducted a charge with my Veteran Battle Dragoons with support into lowly Campaign Hussars also with support but bounced at contact (ie went unformed) after Stephen rolled a 11 to my 7 and the Russian Hussars counter charged with Elan.

In the ensuing combat I had 5 dice vs Stephens 6 but lost 4 hits to 2 being Retreated.

On other flank I charged (just to see how this would unfold) a small Artillery Battery with my own supported Campaign Chasseurs but suffered 4 causalities and a failed DT test making my lot Unformed and then was forced to Withdraw in the charge resolution (another 11 by Stephen) narrowly avoiding becoming Broken.

Not unexpected and small Artillery are pretty good as they shoot just well as Standard or Large batteries, we sort of expected them to be diluted somewhat but no (although they do die if suffering 6+ casualties whereas others would just be worn).

We are both liking the style of game in GDA2 as it has a nice level of 'detail/chrome' within a playable system set at Division sized game.

  










Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Just a few Seven Years War pics

Have table set up for a GDA2 game with Stephen this coming Thursday so just used portion of it to fiddle about with some SYW Russians and Prussians.

Dabbled with aspects of Warfare In Age Of Reason, Honours Of War and Lace Wars and was for trying couple of other neglected sets but got distracted (so easily done) and got no further












Thursday, March 21, 2024

General d'Armee 2 hits table again - Osma scenario

Another run out with GDA2 at Stephens today and we chose to try a scenario from the Vittoria scenario supplement (designed for original GDA but easily adapted) namely Osma.

Stephen of course used his British and Portuguese and I fielded the French defenders. 

I suffered from low ADC activations twice rolling only a single success but did therefore get to use the Chief Of Staff CinC command (ended up with 6 ADCs afterwards when used).   

We both had terrible dice roll for our Artillery batteries with both suffering Fatigue Casualties, with mine also going low on ammo requiring expenditure of a Caisson.

I launched to counterattacks (using Redeploy order to move out of deployment zone) I did manage to chase of a couple of British Infantry Battalions (one in full retreat the other forced to withdraw) but despite rolling 6 CDs for retreat casualties I only inflicted one !

My left wing Brigade had failed however in a spoiling Infantry Assault and I had several units damaged. 

We only had a minor debate over how Withdrawls work (not sure of some of the wording) but otherwise game turns fairly whizzing by now in the main, slowed only by our discussions over merits of army and unit traits (I feel British are pretty good as they get an extra CD every time they fire being drilled and have a nice counterattack ability but French not far behind)

Another fun outing with this well improved rule set.




French left wing anchored on Osma village (note Artillery Assault ordered for my battery which saw them take 1 Fatigue go low on ammo and cause no hits !)







French right (they start with only 2 Brigades but 4 ADCs







Skirmish screens open festivities (Stephen used a ton of Skirmisher taskings as he had 5-6 ADC every turn)







Osma garrisoned, with rest of Firions Brigade arrayed to right 







General Reille with his 2 CinC order markers, 2 Caissons and his pool of 4 ADCs 







British moving forwards







My left wing ready to counterattack (Redeploy order in place) although it failed despite having 2 re-rolls for 2 supports and being led by my single Veteran unit







Lots of British skirmishers to fore







The two British units on right fell foul of French unit on right utilising a Charge and Follow On 




Wednesday, March 13, 2024

General d'Armee 2 - another test play

Another try out of GDA2 with Stephen using my Prussians versus his French in a 'pick n mix' type game again (we have not tried converting any of our old GDB/GDA scenarios as yet) to make sure we understand and are happy with rules systems.

Again we enjoyed the overall vibe of the new version and tried out various iterations of the new Taskings and those new CinC Commands (these need careful thought and timing) for instance I had a Brigade Falter so used the 'Stand With Me! to rectify the situation at cost of 2 ADCs plus 1 of these CinC Commands so useful but costly and a one time only (no repeat of same Command). 

Stephen also tried the 'Chief of Staff' which saw him increase his ADCs from 3 to 7 for that turn, again an impactful Command if used wisely.

We think we mostly (?) have the basics of system absorbed with only a couple of queries today over supports in charges and what thwarts/impacts them.

We are very much in that 'oh shiny new rules' mode at present



















++++ My iPad went on blink (too expensive to repair) a couple of days ago so ended up replacing it with newer version - an early 60th (!!!!!!!!!) birthday pressie and so messing about trying out its camera and movie functions and seeing how they interact with Blogger +++++ 






















Sunday, March 10, 2024

General d'Armee 2 - solo to further absorb rule changes and new systems

Set up a solo game with GDA2 to try to further comprehend the changes from GDA and familiarise myself further with new systems.

Table set up using GDB random terrain generator and the new 'Lists' from GDA2 with a French versus Prussian bash circa 1814.

Tried a different Prussian support option with a 5 unit Brigade of Landwehr who are classed as Enthusiastic (a temporary upgrade of sorts) but Recruits thus making the Prussians a large force. 

Prussians were in defence and French in attack both with 1 Bold Brigadier and both with Campaigner Generals.

Both held their Cavalry Brigades of-table as Reserve.

Play in GDA2 just seems to flow quicker than previous version with the movement being very liberal (essentially full going forward and half for sideways, backwards or in rough terrain) and the use of ADCs (still pretty random as to numbers available for use per turn) is slick with Orders seeming bit easier to use. 

Bold commanders are very good as unlikely to fail a command roll, unless you overload them with several taskings and you do get only one in 'pick up' games. 

Initiative seems more important than in GDA (maybe I misunderstood before ?) as going first is a potent advantage.

Charges are much easier to understand in terms of who can lead (max 1 unit per Brigade) and who can support and the charging process seems easier overall.

Shooting is pretty intuitive as to quality of volleys and adjustments and whilst Skirmishing has changed somewhat it still can be damaging as screens always seem to have decent numbers of dice to roll.

Artillery also easy to implement and Canister as deadly as ever.

Did manage a couple of melee combats and again easy to understand and process and the outcomes can be decisive if opposing scores diverge enough and supports get involved in a defeat.

Only things I needed multiple readings of to grasp were Retreats, Withdrawals and the differences pertaining to when and how these occur (ie from shooting or combat) and option to voluntarily withdraw to behind your supporting second line, which unlike a 'normal' withdrawal is marked as a Retreat (guess friends do not know it voluntary move) instead of usual Unformed.

Of course the new CinC Commands still need some absorption, I tried 'Now's Your Time!' but soon realised I had somewhat misunderstood its 'shoot and charge' concept especially when enemy pre-empted any charges with their own. 

These new Commands need to be carefully timed in the main and are a powerful but precious one-time resource.

Another game planned with Stephen this week which will doubtless highlight any mistakes in my understanding. 




Overview of initial deployments with Prussians on left occupying Village objective







French launch an Infantry Assault on town which threw out the lowly Landwehr defenders






Action all down the line.







The lead French column managed to get into combat without suffering casualties (a bonus indeed) and their re-rolls for support worked whilst Prussian re-roll failed






Clash of skirmishers with Prussians being out shot by larger French screen (they later dispersed voluntarily to avoid a Falter as not enough ADCs to assist)







French 2nd Line units (Reservists) push forward beyond the village but one Battalion suffered from a small Prussian battery (just visible beyond tree)







French stalled in center due to couple of Hesitant results but Prussians stuck due to Defend 'stance', you can use a Redeploy order to allow attacks beyond deployment zone but as ever ADCs needed













The effective small 6pdr battery visible







Central French Brigade is mainly Light Infantry so able to field units in Skirmish in open terrain in addition to Brigade screen








On Prussian left a Young Guard Brigade has pummeled them (and disrupted the 'Now's The Time!' Command order)






Prussians have two 6pdr Batteries side by side (from 2 different Brigades) but they have been ineffective as French not closed to canister range.







Prussian Light Infantry withdrew voluntarily from wood (where they could operate as skirmishers) but in Retreat mode but was unsure if they instantly drop out of skirmish as now in open (such skirmishing not allowed to their lights) but maybe sort of moot as will become unformed column once reforming from Retreat. 












 


Thursday, March 07, 2024

General d'Armee 2 a quick initial try

A brief try of new GDA2 today at Stephens (whose physical copy arrived just as we started) with a 1813/14 Prussian vs French match up using the 'pick n mix' Divisional lists included with terrain generated from the system in the GDB rules.

The lists are quite good generating plausible Divisional forces as you get 4 core Brigades (3 Foot 1 Mounted) with options to choose 1-3 more depending on size of game you want. 

Additionally you use upgrades/promotions to regrade some troops or add extra units with number of such upgrades determined by size of game and attacker vs defender (attacker also get 2 extra Line units). 

British and French benefit from access to more Light Infantry units which if 'bought'/upgraded to Veteran are very flexible as only they can operate  Deployed into Skirmish Order in the open (lesser quality Lights can only skirmish in cover/rough) 


We rolled for attacker/defender (much easier to sort this prior to a game as effects list options) and as defender I got option to choose a Redoubt which can be the Tactical Objective in a game (one is selected within defenders zone and can be a BUA or Hill or some such). Defenders deploy in own half of table and cannot advance into enemy half unless they are Skirmishers or Cavalry or a Brigade using Re-deploy command.

We only played a few turns as lots of discussion (as is our want) of new systems in rules and effects of new Taskings and especially the new CinC Commands.

Systems for shooting, charging and combat are simpler overall (and more intuitive we felt) with most situations/circumstances being either re-rolls or additional Casualty Dice or simple adjustment to 'quality' of shooting effect. 

Charges being limited to single units (with supports) is much easier to work out and cuts out need for several rules like Massed Columns.

Troop grades are simpler in that things like Grenadier or Reservist is a permanent state rather than old changes after X casualties deal, again making things simpler overall.

Artillery Brigades are no more (they felt out of place in Divisional game) with Batteries being attached to an Infantry Brigade with a maximum of 1 per Brigade and Artillery Assault is limited to a single Battery per turn so much less impactful than in GDA1 (they always seemed too good).

We tried a cavalry charge vs foot in Line who now must dice to form Square (or not) with option to choose to stay in Line being removed. 

As it turned out my Line failed to form square and became an Unformed Line but managed to bounce the Light Cavalry and supports due to a judicious re-roll.

I also tried new CinC Command 'Post of Honour' which gives a unit/Brigade enhanced charging/combat ability at cost of a couple of ADCs and a CinC Command chit (we had 2 each of these). 

The various CinC commands look pretty potent but are non-repeatable one-shot wonders so timing is key.

Overall very happy with new version and look forward to more game time with them to discover nuances and tactics.

They work well for a Divisional (4-6 Brigades) on our tables size and whilst not as fast playing as the similarly pitched Lasalle 2, they do add some nice tactical decisions/flavour to game play. 

There are rules included for larger sized Corps Level games (but bigger tables required) but I would stick with Glory is Fleeting, Shako 2 or of course FOB for such larger encounters.



Only a couple of pics as engrossed in activity