Ok so Mark has given me a bee in my colpack, some thoughts on using low grade infantry.
Low grade units
- should be kept in reserve for counter attack purposes or for a sudden surprise attack
- When using them in attack do so in mass with other complimentary combined arms forces of better quality to prevent him counter attacking your counter attack
- Create layers in this attack so that if he does counter a rout your mighty farm boys you have formed units at the back to hit him again.
- Do not use them on defence unless no choice (because routs happen on defence not attack)
- Leave a gap of several hexes between them if they are defending and your reserves so the routs don't disrupt your whole line
- On defense employ them in line or square formation, with officers (if possible) with units on their flanks. This will boost their morale and when they get pushed back you can reduce the chance of them being fired in the flank. Think of Hannibals army here. They often put the low grade units in between high grade ones. So quality on the flanks of the rubbish.
- Avoid them being in an exposed position as once surrounded they will be routed easily and given certain rules setting eliminated at great cost (isolation rules/nme)
Remember if you are playing Waterloo you have the numbers over the French. The allied player must be patient and agree a house rule about the Brussells exit hexes. Ie remove them from the game :-} replace with 500vp. Muddy and I did this once.
The French guard can be hit over and over with superior numbers which ultimately generates high fatigue. The real secret here though is to attack the weaker parts of the French army as much as possible.
Final key tactic if you are Prussian Landwher - On sighting old guard crap yourself and run away, a very historical situation (reference Plancenoit, 2 old guard btns saw of '16 of the Prussians)
Now to my French brothers don't worry better posts coming in Pierre's soon!
815 the ADN's cavalry is superb in my view.