There are always large game of Napoleonic Battles running alongside the smaller tactical
battles. When such a game is being set up existing players will be sent an invitation
to take part.
The larger games involve lots of players, allowing for letters to be exchanged, although
the chain of command for each side has to be respected to reflect real command and
control.
On each side one player is designated as commander-in-chief. He can’t force other
players to follow his plan and orders, but since communication largely passes through
his hands he has a better idea of what is going on than anyone else (assuming of
course that the other players bother to communicate with him and the enemy don’t
intercept the letter as it is carried across the battlefield by a messenger!).
At the time of writing the large games available are as follows:
Talavera - the famous battle of the Peninsular War pitting the French against the
English and Spanish. Usually a fairly fluid affair until battle is joined up close,
then it is a matter of probing to turn flanks or deciding where to hammer your way
through with the reserves!
Borodino - a real slugfest, refighting the biggest battle of the Napoleonic Wars
with all units in play! This is guaranteed to be a bloody affair with plenty of frontal
assaults and horrendous casualties until one side is beaten to a pulp enough to give
up.
Blutzengutz - a hypothetical large battle removing the advantage of hindsight as
two huge armies fight for possession of three vital bridges over a major river. Elements
of each army are on the hostile side of the river, making for an exciting and fast
paced battle.
Each of the scenarios has its own flavour and decisions to face!
The battles are fought over huge maps but as a commander you only get to see a limited
section of the battle each turn, equating to a normal-sized battle map. This means
that the map edges are not secure and there are events going on just out of sight!
It also means your map view can change as you advance or retreat, or abandon the
bulk of your troops in desperation, riding off to see what is happening elsewhere!
Generals have also been known to rout away, which can cause all kinds of amusement.
All great fun! To take part just join the standard Napoleonic Battles and once the
next big game is being got ready we’ll get the details to you.
