Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

Alright, it has been a long time since we have done this.

What are your favorite scenarios you can play over and over again, and why?

For me, it is

Battle of Dennewitz from Campaign Leipzig. This is a pretty balanced and pretty large battle. Both sides have good armies and both sides have opportunities to attack. I have played this 3 times and I want to play as the French.

Battle of Lutzen from Campaign Bautzen. Another large, swirling battle that gives both sides interesting armies and the need, at different times, to attack. A massive, but mostly low quality French army faces off against a medium sized, but high quality Coalition force that has a massive artillery and cavalry advantage. I have played it 3 times as the allies and want to play as the French.

Marengo from Campaign Marengo. Medium sized battle. Is close every time I play it. have played it 3 or 4 times. I have won this as both sides.

Five Days in April is a tremendous scenario for Campaign Eckmuhl, but, as the name implies, it takes a long time to play.


I also like The Battle of Ligny, from Campaign Waterloo, even though I have lost it 3 times and only one once. Also Quatre Bras. Also played 3 or 4 times, at least.

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I would break it down by scale:

Medium-sized scenario

Quatre Bras 1815 would be number one for me (in fact, it’s the most frequently played scenario in the club).
First of all, it gives both sides a decent chance to win (unlike the full Waterloo battle).

- The terrain is interesting and both sides must understand how to use it to their advantage.
- It has several interesting variants that add uncertainty.
- The scenario is large enough not to be decided by one lucky charge.
- It is fairly short — you do not need to march for 30+ turns before receiving feedback on your operational plan; the tension begins within the first hour of the battle.
- The two armies differ significantly in structure and capabilities (the French have stronger cavalry and artillery, while the Allied side has British infantry with its superior musket drill).
- The scenario allows for a few operational choices and outflanking manoeuvres.
In fact, it’s a perfect training scenario for new recruits, and I highly recommend that younger officers play it from both sides to master the fundamentals.


Larger battles

Borodino 1812 is historically fascinating because it demonstrates the horrific intensity of the fighting and the enormous losses. But in game terms it is more of a head-on clash and largely a tactical challenge, with only a few (though exotic) operational decisions.

Ligny 1815 is also a good one, with the caveat that the Prussians are badly disadvantaged. A stronger, more experienced player should probably take the Prussian side, while younger officers can safely practice their attacking skills as the French.


Huge scenarios

Leipzig #90 1813 scenario is the ultimate test and not for the faint-hearted. In my view, this is the apex of all scenarios. It requires you to account for multiple factors: complex and vast terrain, multiple river crossings, supply, reserves arrival, exit zones, multiple fronts — not to mention roughly 200,000 troops on the map per side.

The scenario does not have any pre-determined “recipes” for either side — anything is possible, although of course the French are in a disadvantaged position.


Campaigns

I have not played too many but the 1807 Spring Campaign is a very interesting one, with each side having its own strengths and weaknesses and a good mix of scenarios in terms of size and terrain.

_________________
General-Leytenant Alexey Tartyshev
The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty

Leib-Guard Preobrazhensky Regiment (Grenadier Drum)
1st Brigade
Guard Infantry Division
5th Guard Corps


(I don't play with with ZOC kills and Rout limiting ON)

Actually, I found it difficult to enjoy the Marengo scenarios due to force mix (limited of cavalry), the small-sized armies involved (one lucky charge can swing the odds of the scenario), the very long scenarios running for many dozens of turns and the difficult terrain (vineyards, broken ground). No complaints in terms of historical accuracy of the OOB or terrain — it is just not my cup of tea.

_________________
General-Leytenant Alexey Tartyshev
The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty

Leib-Guard Preobrazhensky Regiment (Grenadier Drum)
1st Brigade
Guard Infantry Division
5th Guard Corps


(I don't play with with ZOC kills and Rout limiting ON)