RFCM

Hello,

Just looking at these amended rules as an interesting change, having played SB for many years (RCW)

Can I just clarify the levels of Assets you normally allow for such games?

I can only see the ability to buy some upgrades using the random force selection? This suggests very few dice and a restricted range of assets.

Do you use any others like a base line allowance or is it simply the bought ones so they are very rare!

Thanks

In addition to my query about the baseline assets normally used for French and German for this game, I have noticed that the v3 Waltersnaff rules say occupancy is 2 units ( plus its gun/skirmishers, but example 3 has a veteran unit trying to move through 2 regulars to attack the French, which appears to suggest 3 in the square! Which is correct?I

Hello Graham
Andy and Simon are doing these rules.
A wave to them might get some thoughts.

Simon and Andy......can you help please?


martin :)

I have never noticed the 2 units limit. As previous editions, plus the regular Square Bashing, have a 3 unit limit, I can only assume the 2 is a misprint, as a 2 limit would make an assault almost impossible to achieve.

Unfortunately I don't understand the assets question so cannot answer it.

Version 3 seems to have omitted the two standard army lists :o. This gives you the 'base' assets + those you buy (if you use random force generation

Here they are from v2. I'll try to add them to V3 and re-release


(https://i.postimg.cc/v11LC2Rk/Screenshot-2023-04-16-at-14-01-02.png) (https://postimg.cc/v11LC2Rk)

(https://i.postimg.cc/tsvNSQcF/Screenshot-2023-04-16-at-14-01-26.png) (https://postimg.cc/tsvNSQcF)


Regarding the 2nd question. Unit occupancy is 2. The example (2) is probably a bit misleading. Occupancy is all just standard SB rules (p41) in that a unit can moving and 'overload' a square. One unit is then pushed back at the end of the move phase (5) before the assault phase (6). Assaults happen after all movement, so in the example the moving player must move R1 or R2 out of the square (before the assault) , or the defending player gets to choice which one is displayed toward the baseline.

QuoteI can only assume the 2 is a misprint, as a 2 limit would make an assault almost impossible to achieve.

Let's not forget that the each assaulter get +4 dice (rather than +3 in the SB rules). So 2 units + a skirmisher /MG /ART is 9 dice. (same as SB max assault). You also get +3 for rear supporting square & 1 for each flanking squares (so assaulting support squares = +5, compared to +4 in normal SB).

As I recall at one time there was also an army list for the French 1870-71 Republican armies. As this was a particularly interesting phase of the war I would love to see this restored.

As all Prussian troops, but especially fusiliers, were trained to skirmish, then it should be possible to field some of these so that a German army can have up to four skirmish units, as per the list, without them necessarily being jaegers. Bavarians fielded far more jaeger units and the French fielded far more chasseur units.

Quote
As I recall at one time there was also an army list for the French 1870-71 Republican armies.

There is ... there was whole lot more when we looked at expanding the rules . However , when Richard passed then it just became cut down to Risorgimento. The v3 Franco Prussian list must have gone walkabout then. I'll dig them out when I've got a mo

This is interesting, so what would be a good sample force to use - numbers wise?

D&B

As a solo player I tend to use the card drawing system. That way I can't actually fiddle a super army, even subconsciously. It also speeds up the asset acquisition process. It does mean you will need to have more cavalry to hand than using the normal army building system, but who doesn't like to have lots of colourful FPW cavalry units available.

I have just drawn 6 Prussian and 6 French cards giving the following result:
Prussian:
2 regular cavalry
1 reservist cavalry
8 reservist infantry
1 regular infantry
1 professional infantry
1 regular jaeger
1 professional jaeger
6 Krupp guns -rifled breach loader

French:
3 regular cavalry
1 reservist infantry
7 regular infantry
2 professional infantry
1 regular chasseur
4 guns - rifled muzzle loader

The number of units about right for the two armies. If you prefer to put your own armies together you can adjust the training quality. The assets are given on the army lists and additional assets can be obtained either by using th cards or in the normal pre-game method.

Thanks Andy, the card system is a good idea as you say stops the super army.

Cheers

D&B

The costs are here

(https://i.postimg.cc/nzf8vSpL/Screenshot-2023-04-18-at-18-35-53.png)

The army list is 600pts.

So a dozen infantry will take up the core, with a smattering of Artillery and Cavalry

Thanks Simon, Ben and I are looking to give this a go.

D&B

I have played FPW for more than forty years now in various scales. Do you have any preferences for scales and figures?

Hi Andy
Going 15mm, have just brought some OG Prussians from Timecast, to start with. Will use my PP early French WW1 as proxy 1870 to get going and add other in time. Did think about Pendraken but have buildings/scenery for 15mm, so keep it simple really.

D&B

actually getting 15mm figures for this period is quite challenging.... or maybe I'm just picky.

OG are too dynamic for my liking. I do have some QRF and they are OK. Essex and Outpost do comprehensive ranges so neither are to my taste.

Eagle Figures look nice but don't know how they match? Most of my collections are 15mm so I kept it simple, don't really want other scale scenery etc, I have some OG Colonials which I like so its a one stop shop really.

The only smaller scale stuff I have now are a lot of H&R 6mm moderns which have sat on a shelf for years, maybe time to e bay them!

D&B

Martin's next project?  ;D

Simon

I have used mostly 10mm, mainly Pendraken, with a good number of Red Eagle and a small number of Irregular for variety. This is one of my two asset boards set up for German troops. I use casualty discs on an mdf base.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52829897915_d0715f0662.jpg)

15mm should work really well, especially as Square Bashing was originally designed for 15mm, but also because Walter Schnaffs v.3 now has max square occupancy of 2 with a +1 option. WWI early French will also work really well for the republican phase of the war, when most regiments de marche no longer wore epaulettes. The 1914 zouaves are pretty much identical to 1870, plus you could use dismounted WWI 1914 figures for both sides in 1870, especially as the French dragoons were already starting to use helmet covers. You could also give some of them a kepi head, as these became more poular with the cavalry after September 1870.

I have only just started to touch the surface, but looks a good period to game. Need to source a book or three especially on uniforms, then match some paints. I have Military Uniforms of the 20th century which looks useful and cheap. Martins EW French fits the bill, as you say.

D&B

The Frei Korps Campaign series on the FPW are good for painting guides if you can find them as are the three volumes from the Outpost series

Thanks will have a hunt.

D&B

There's a nice-looking 2-volume set here:

https://www.naval-military-press.com/product/franco-prussian-war-1870-71-uniforms-and-equipment-of-the-german-and-french-armies/

For a mere £350  :D

But move quickly, as there are only 2 left in stock...

Simon

 🤣🤣 you can get them for a lot less than that!

The FreiKorps 15 Campaign booklets are available from QRF I believe the outpost guides are available from outpost wargames services.

This is excellent for the French. Although in French it is in fact mostly illustrations. Cover and some sample pages to give you an idea. It also includes about 20 odd pages on dozens of Franc Tireurs uniforms. Available on Amazon.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52832792803_113e85db91.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52832353256_70757df2c5.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52832354861_66dc97cc79.jpg)

For the Germans the two Osprey Men at Arms books are really good - 416 German Armies 1870-71 (1) Prussia
422 German Armies 1870-71 (2) Prussia's Allies. Both books by Michael Solka

Those are great books Andy. Anything by Histiore  Collections looks the same as these too

martin :)

Thanks Andy, I have brought the Osprey Prussian books, and the French one looks like it may be a pressie off Mrs W.

Help appreciated

D&B

Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on April 19, 2023, 01:23:57 PM
Martin's next project?  ;D

Simon

That would be a godsend... I have already about 1000 painted 15mm FPW figures, but I am ready to paint 1000 more !   :)

Pierre

Well... a niche period, with few protagonists, not requiring thousands of sculpts, with little recent / decent 15mm coverage, and even with an RFCM ruleset that's already been developed.

Seems like an attractive project for the Peter Pig empire, n'est-ce pas?  ;D

Simon

Not requiring a large number of sculpts, until you factor in the Imperial Guard with their different uniforms, including the artillery. Then there's the Bavarians, Brunswickers, Saxon cavalry and jaegers, Wurtembergers. Also the French sailors, Garde Mobile, the Francs Tireurs in their myriad uniforms. Then the greatcoats for the winter campaign. TBH I think the war in Bohemia in 1866 requires less (but someone would be bound to ask for all the different troops that took part in the Western Germany campaign).

You're not helping our case here, Andy  ;D

Simon

Quote from: Leman (Andy) on April 22, 2023, 08:04:37 PM
Not requiring a large number of sculpts, until you factor in the Imperial Guard with their different uniforms, including the artillery. Then there's the Bavarians, Brunswickers, Saxon cavalry and jaegers, Wurtembergers. Also the French sailors, Garde Mobile, the Francs Tireurs in their myriad uniforms. Then the greatcoats for the winter campaign. TBH I think the war in Bohemia in 1866 requires less (but someone would be bound to ask for all the different troops that took part in the Western Germany campaign).

Think big, start small. Rome wasn't built in a day. The Perry's have only just released there plastic French to go against the plastic Prussians who've been out a while...and that's just one box. Having said that, 10mm seems well served with Pendraken. But if Peter Pig did start a range I'd be very interested.

Sean,
My comment on the required breadth of a range was indeed based on that of Pendraken in 10mm, which seems to work well for many in that scale.
Simon

TBH I sold off my 15mm collection years ago to go down the 10mm route as it was back in the days when the massive club game was the thing and 10mm made more sense then. However, I really like my 10mm collection, although yet to paint up my Red Eagle Wurttembergers and Franc Tireurs. As well as Walter Schnaffs I still have the occasional game of They Died For Glory (known affectionately down the Liverpool club as They Died For Nothing).