Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

I noticed that depending on the game, the <b>Column Fire Modifier </b>ranges anywhere from 1/3 to 1/4 to 1/5. Is this done for "game balance" reasons or is this done for "historical" reasons [?][?][?]

Example:
Jena - 1/4
Eckmuhl - 1/3
Wagram - 1/3
Russia - 1/3
Waterloo - 1/5

Basically it deals with historical formations, and how the various designers interpret them.

1/3 reflects the French and Austrian columns formed 'columns of division' which had a 2 compnay frontage, or 1/3 of a line.

1/5 covers the same ground but reflects a 10 company bn in 'column of division' only has a two company frontage, and that when the French deployed thier voltiguers they formed a column of companies, or 1 company wide out of the five available for line, 1/5.

1/4 shows Prussian, Russian and Saxon single column of companies, i.e. 1/4 frontage, with the French in column of divisions, two company frontage, 1/4 of a line and the voltiguers deployed.

It would be nice if each nationality could have its tactical doctrine reflected with seperate pdt factors for column frontages, march rates, etc, etc.

Colonel Al Amos
1erè Brigade Commandant
2ème Division de Dragons

Al:
Thank you for your reply.

I was hoping that the fractions were historical based because I really play the games due to my love of history.[:)][:)][:)]

But since there is a different space in the pdt file for each major nation's column fire modifier, so I do not underestand why what you say can not be incorporated too.

You're right. I was tired while writing, and I haven't tinkedred with the Nap engine in a couple of years.

Colonel Al Amos
1erè Brigade Commandant
2ème Division de Dragons

Al:
One more question (if you have the time or knowledge).

In the old Talonsoft Battleground series, there were only two slots for the column fire modifier versus the three slots for the newer HPS Napoleonic series and I do not know "who is who" on these slots since the Talonsoft series does not have a "parameter file" to check "what is what" (plus most of the pdt files have the numbers at 2 3).

As a result do you happen to remember if the first or second number is the French ???

Thanks for the help.

Try it and see. I have forgotten, but it is probably French, followed by Prussian, by Russia in Jena.

Colonel Al Amos
1erè Brigade Commandant
2ème Division de Dragons