Any suggestions for good Napoleonic rules?

[marshall1945]

I used to play In The Grand Mannor, which was great for a multiplayer game up at the holiday centre but just didn't seem to work for smaller games and a few players.

Been playing General de Brigade recently which I like but fancy something that has more about command - not just the need to change orders but also limiting the number of units or commands that can act.  Any suggestions (been reading online about Le Feu Sacre but would like some real life experince to go on) 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Princles of War was great for Corps level , but after that it became unwieldy.
After that we all stalled to. FOGN just didn't quite ever feel right, nor did LaSalle. Black Powder is good, once you tweak it... A lot, I love the rules, but for Napoleonics it still doesn't have that 'something'.

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

LFS (Le Feu Sacre) is good but it really is designed as a game where you deploy a corps or so a side.  I haven't played it much (it generally needs a bit too match space and too many figures for what I have at the moment) but do enjoy it.   You might want to join the LFS yahoo group.

LFS III extended the game back to the Revolutionary Wars and added directing battalions.  

Regards

Edward

[Zippee]

Le Feu Sacre III gets my vote - designed for multi-corps but will handle less easily enough. Multi-player can be an issue if you're not up to speed due to the card activation system which can leave people waiting. An umpire is essential in multi-player environments to keep the pace up. Well worth the try - certainly a lot faster than ITGM (and fewer headaches), certainly fits the bill for concentration on command issues. Be warned though that combat is very 'black box', there's no ranged musketry for instance. Some people hate this, others don't. . .

There is a wealth of info on the Yahoo Group that can help and a bunch of pictures at my Flickr page below

Considering the cost of the pdf, LFS is well worth a try 

[Wulf]

If you want to go really small scale you could try Too Fat Lardies' Sharp Practice - skirmish level, with a lot of space dedicated to formations & command.

[marshall1945]

cheers guys, will definitely check out the yahoo group.

[GordonY]

Song of Drums and Shakos Large Battles gives a good game and its cheap (very)

[Nosher]

If you find them let me know. Still looking for a set to replace In The Grand Manner. Been looking for nearly 20 years!

[marshall1945]

will report back once I try a few rules sets out - just got my Austrian's up to strength (putting aside a bit of basing still to do) and so can try out some larger battles and see what feels right. Grand Maner always did give the right feel in the holiday centre but somehow not in my own games

[rexhurley]

Command and Colours perhaps with the blocks replaced by bases of figures....just a thought I have been  having especially now I'm solo.

Regards Rex

[Fenton]

I like Fast Play Grande Armee myself

Again there is a yahoo group for it

[Chad]

I think you need to decide if you want a unit to represent
a regiment, battalion/squadron or even smaller.

Very often that dictates the scale and size of the game that
is practicable and from that suitable rules.

I moved from 'Vive L'Empereur' to 'Napoleons Battles' to 'Grande Armee' and now prefer
the simplicity and fun of 'Black Powder'. I particularly like the fact that they can be tweaked
to give the 'feel' that I like for Napoleonic games instead of relying completely
on someone else's view.

Chad

[WeeWars]

You might like to look at March Attack. The command system sounds like what you might be looking for. There are sample chapters online.

"Historical accounts repeatedly refer to uncoordinated and piecemeal attacks that are defeated in detail or important orders that are lost, delayed, ignored or simply misunderstood. Players rarely make these mistakes but this order system should present you with some of the difficulties that your historical counterparts would face."

[Chad]

March Attack are good, but the musketry results
need toning down.

Chad

[marshall1945]

You might like to look at March Attack. The command system sounds like what you might be looking for. There are sample chapters online.

"Historical accounts repeatedly refer to uncoordinated and piecemeal attacks that are defeated in detail or important orders that are lost, delayed, ignored or simply misunderstood. Players rarely make these mistakes but this order system should present you with some of the difficulties that your historical counterparts would face."

Having looked on the web to decide which I would go with I plumped for March Attack. I have yet to have a proper go with them but they read very well and really looking forward to having a good battle with them. they certainly seem to have all the elements I am lookign for. thanks for the tip 

cheers

Steve