The 28mm Napoleonic Peninsular War collection is a project not seeing action at the painting desk for far too long. Checking the painting log, the last time any troops crossed the workbench was almost one year ago. Those activities in early 2019 were spawned by a notion of wanting to switch cavalry basing from pairs to triplets per stand. The cavalry reorganization required painting one additional trooper per BMU to raise the total eight figures to nine.
Off the painting desk total is a battalion of Portuguese Cacadores. Figures are Front Rank. The pair of skirmishers represents the beginning of a reorg as well. In the past, skirmishers were fielded as single figures. My thinking now is to base skirmishers in pairs cutting the number of skirmish stands in half from before. Light infantry with have two, two figure stands (yes, I need to paint a second pair of Cacadores for this unit). Line infantry will field one, two figure stand of skirmishers. If I settle upon this scheme, I have a lot of skirmishers to rebase. Still hobbled (but improving!), more of my hobby time has been spent at the keyboard rather than two floors down in the game room and painting desk. More time at the keyboard leads to more data crunching and analysis, and a completion of the two part battle report for Kunersdorf. Two topics are in work. One, another study of WSS' Great Wargaming Survey results in response to a reader question and, two, a probability study on the charge sequence of Norm's Two Flags - One Nation. The TF-ON charge sequence simulation was prompted by discussion on DG's Sound Officers Call blog following one of his recent battles.
Lovely looking Portuguese light infantry, excellent finish, I'm glad to hear your leg is improving and as always look forward to further analysis! Best Iain
I find brown uniforms tricky to do as they can be too dull in 10mm, but these work a treat in 28mm. Keep up the good work and nice to know the movement is improving.
Lovely unit, the splashes of yellow and green against the brown are very eye-catching.
Look forward to your analytics on the TF-ON, particularly the statistical impact of the ‘1’s being rolled on the charge attack dice. Is it possible to show ‘total risk’ that encompasses both the fire when going in and then (if successful) the typical impact of harm from those rolls of 1.
As for the TF-ON analysis, I focused on the charge sequence, itself (Attacker 1st CT, Defender 1st CT, possible Attacker 2nd CT, etc.), and whether the attack is stopped or goes in either FULL or HALF-HEARTED. I may include a simulation of the actual close combat roll but primarily focused on the decision tree and associated, compounding probabilities of closing with the defender. I know, sounds a bit boring, right?
Great looking Cacadores Jonathan and very quick customer service response to your comments on MY blog! I too am pleased to read your leg is improving....keep off the snow and ice!
Lovely Cacadores, and I like the way you have managed to bring out a contrast between the brown uniform and black belts. We played our first game of the Napoleonic Command and Colors yesterday, so I thought of your previous reviews of that game.
The mechanics were simple-enough to learn and we enjoyed it. Two of us played the basic Rolica scenario and we appeared to have no problem with the rules, although we have agreed to run through them to find out if we got anything wrong. First impressions were that infantry squares seemed a little vulnerable to cavalry, but that was perhaps because my opponent could not activate that flank or bounce me off when he did which allowed me to keep whittling it away with a cavalry regiment. It seemed a bit strange having a flank engaged with units adjacent and not being able to melee, or within firing range and having to wait We should also next play a scenario with a few more victory flags required, as it came down to a bayonet charge on a French regiment which also managed to wipe out a leader, which seemed a little sudden as an ending.
That said, I do like the idea of card activation and, as one of the group mentioned, it means that you could play the same scenario many times and not expect the same result, unlike other boardgame simulations.
The other thing was that we managed to complete the game within three hours, which for a first run-through involving much checking of rules I thought was very good. We were so thoroughly involved that the three hours actually felt more like five, and I was genuinely surprised that it had actually taken nowhere near as long.
Very enjoyable, and I'm very keen to roll out the epic system and get a few more of us around the table.
Thanks a lot for your CCN recap! Sounds like you worked out the mechanisms without issue. As you say, the mechanisms are easy to pick up and quite easy to remember after a few games. For cavalry vs square, each only throws one die and infantry fire first. So, breaking square is still difficult. CCN offers combined arms attacks which are not present in CCA.
What seems odd to me is that the attacker always strikes first. To me, this makes artillery on defense vulnerable to attack. Still, it is an enjoyable game and, as you say, great replayability with no two games exactly the same. CCA remains my favorite in the series.
Games play fast, for sure. We can usually get in several games during one gaming session.
Man, I look away from the internet for just a little while and now I have 3 posts of yours to read. Lucky me! Glad the leg is getting better. 😀
These guys look great! It can be fun when an old project gets some attention after awhile. Reminds one why it was started in the first place. Doing that myself right now.
Don't look away, Stew! Glad you like them. I also pushed French legere into the painting and I am rebasing my skirmishers for this project. I know, I know.
Lovely looking Portuguese light infantry, excellent finish, I'm glad to hear your leg is improving and as always look forward to further analysis!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain! Glad to see you enjoy the analytical postings and thanks for the well-wishes.
DeleteVery nice looking figures. I hope your recovery continues to go well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aaron!
DeleteI find brown uniforms tricky to do as they can be too dull in 10mm, but these work a treat in 28mm. Keep up the good work and nice to know the movement is improving.
ReplyDeleteSteve, thanks for your encouraging words on both figures and foot.
DeleteLovely unit, the splashes of yellow and green against the brown are very eye-catching.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your analytics on the TF-ON, particularly the statistical impact of the ‘1’s being rolled on the charge attack dice. Is it possible to show ‘total risk’ that encompasses both the fire when going in and then (if successful) the typical impact of harm from those rolls of 1.
Thanks for the positive comment on the Cacadores!
DeleteAs for the TF-ON analysis, I focused on the charge sequence, itself (Attacker 1st CT, Defender 1st CT, possible Attacker 2nd CT, etc.), and whether the attack is stopped or goes in either FULL or HALF-HEARTED. I may include a simulation of the actual close combat roll but primarily focused on the decision tree and associated, compounding probabilities of closing with the defender. I know, sounds a bit boring, right?
Superb, Jonathan! They definitely look the part. They should make their voltiguer opponents tremble!
ReplyDeletePS very much looking forward to your TFON analysis!
DeleteThank you very much, Steve!
DeleteHope you find the analysis useful.
DeleteAwesome looking troops, Jonathan! One of my favorite units. Good to hear of your recovery too.
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, Dean. Thanks!
DeleteGreat looking Cacadores Jonathan and very quick customer service response to your comments on MY blog! I too am pleased to read your leg is improving....keep off the snow and ice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, keith!
DeleteThe snow and ice are gone for now. It would be most welcome if winter, here, is over. Might be a little too early for that wish, though!
Lovely Cacadores, and I like the way you have managed to bring out a contrast between the brown uniform and black belts. We played our first game of the Napoleonic Command and Colors yesterday, so I thought of your previous reviews of that game.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! What are your first impressions of C&C Napoleonics?
DeleteThe mechanics were simple-enough to learn and we enjoyed it. Two of us played the basic Rolica scenario and we appeared to have no problem with the rules, although we have agreed to run through them to find out if we got anything wrong. First impressions were that infantry squares seemed a little vulnerable to cavalry, but that was perhaps because my opponent could not activate that flank or bounce me off when he did which allowed me to keep whittling it away with a cavalry regiment. It seemed a bit strange having a flank engaged with units adjacent and not being able to melee, or within firing range and having to wait We should also next play a scenario with a few more victory flags required, as it came down to a bayonet charge on a French regiment which also managed to wipe out a leader, which seemed a little sudden as an ending.
DeleteThat said, I do like the idea of card activation and, as one of the group mentioned, it means that you could play the same scenario many times and not expect the same result, unlike other boardgame simulations.
The other thing was that we managed to complete the game within three hours, which for a first run-through involving much checking of rules I thought was very good. We were so thoroughly involved that the three hours actually felt more like five, and I was genuinely surprised that it had actually taken nowhere near as long.
Very enjoyable, and I'm very keen to roll out the epic system and get a few more of us around the table.
Thanks a lot for your CCN recap! Sounds like you worked out the mechanisms without issue. As you say, the mechanisms are easy to pick up and quite easy to remember after a few games. For cavalry vs square, each only throws one die and infantry fire first. So, breaking square is still difficult. CCN offers combined arms attacks which are not present in CCA.
DeleteWhat seems odd to me is that the attacker always strikes first. To me, this makes artillery on defense vulnerable to attack. Still, it is an enjoyable game and, as you say, great replayability with no two games exactly the same. CCA remains my favorite in the series.
Games play fast, for sure. We can usually get in several games during one gaming session.
Glad you had a good first experience!
Excellent Cacadores Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Mike!
DeleteGreat looking regiment and good to hear your on the mend!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks! It is very good to be on the mend. It amazes me how quickly muscle can atrophy.
DeleteYour work rate is impressive. You have so many projects on the go. High quality ones too. And with a broken leg. Good going sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sir! I try to keep myself busy. The variety helps from becoming bored or burned out.
DeleteBeautiful work Jonathan!
ReplyDeletebest wishes
Thanks, Michal!
DeleteSplendid colors Jonathan, great looking Cacadores!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Phil!
DeleteLovely Cacadores!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them!
DeleteVery smart, a great addition.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLovely unit, great painting. Front Rank are up there at the top if you ask me. Great sculpts amd dynamic poses. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike! Front Rank Napoleonics are among my favorite especially the latest Reinforcement packs. Great figures!
DeleteI was shocked when I noticed the term "Brown Shirts" as I thought of the 20th century. But Brown coats maybe doesn't sound well?
ReplyDeleteThe unit is looking great. Portugeses are not the most useful troops with CCN, but they are important for the Peninsular war nevertheless.
You quite right, André. I used a bit of of poetic license in my description of the Portuguese light infantry. Glad you like them!
DeleteVery nice Jonathan. I like the way that the facing colours have come up against the brown. It makes me rethink working with brown as a uniform colour.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! Brown makes a fine uniform color.
DeleteMan, I look away from the internet for just a little while and now I have 3 posts of yours to read. Lucky me! Glad the leg is getting better. 😀
ReplyDeleteThese guys look great! It can be fun when an old project gets some attention after awhile. Reminds one why it was started in the first place. Doing that myself right now.
Don't look away, Stew! Glad you like them. I also pushed French legere into the painting and I am rebasing my skirmishers for this project. I know, I know.
Delete