Advice on Basing Napoleonics

Started by Enigmatic Gamer, 11 June 2023, 10:19:06 AM

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Enigmatic Gamer

Hi Folks

I am just starting my first 10mm project which is Austria and France at Wagram 1809. Until now I have gamed Napoleonics in 28mm. I based my battalions on six companies with an average of six figures to a base. No particular mini to man ratio.

Having come to look at my new project I have tried to set an historical mini to man ratio, but using Black Powder where bases count rather than figures per base, things are getting a bit tricky.

I have tried to work on six bases per battalion for both French and Austrians being six companies.

My first problem is that if I use a ratio of 1:20 mini to man I end up with French units needing 44 figures for a standard unit and up to 60 for a large unit! These figures don't correspond to Pendraken pack sizes and so there will be wastage of some figures and possibly more expense too.

I think I may have to forget a strict ratio in favour of what looks good. I see some gamers just set a fixed number of figures to a base for all units.

Second problem is that of base sizes.

I want to make the most of using 10mm figures and so would like to get an appearance of massed troops on my table.

I would appreciate any advice or observations on what members find to be the best basing regimes/unit organisations.

I chose BP by the way because I will be playing solo and want a fun and simple rules system

My gaming table is 6'x4'.

Cheers
Keith

WeeWars

Hi Keith 

All my answers to your questions for 10mm 1809 are here:

https://projects.supremelittleness.co.uk/category/journals-of-1809/

And previous posts here:

http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809overture.htm

Check out the Blog Index

Cheers, Michael
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jimduncanuk

Please do note that a 'company' in this period is an administrative unit.

A regimental commander would more than likely split his unit into two 'wings' which would operate in close company of each other.

So you could get away with one base although two would be OK too as would three or four or more.

It all depends on the ruleset.

My black powder units mostly have three bases for an infantry unit and four for a cavalry unit. Some are different.

Jim
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Enigmatic Gamer

QuotePlease do note that a 'company' in this period is an administrative unit.

A regimental commander would more than likely split his unit into two 'wings' which would operate in close company of each other.

So you could get away with one base although two would be OK too as would three or four or more.

It all depends on the ruleset.

My black powder units mostly have three bases for an infantry unit and four for a cavalry unit. Some are different.

Jim



Thanks very much Jim.

Enigmatic Gamer

QuoteHi Keith

All my answers to your questions for 10mm 1809 are here:

https://projects.supremelittleness.co.uk/category/journals-of-1809/

And previous posts here:

http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809overture.htm

Check out the Blog Index

Cheers, Michael



Cheers Michael I'll check them out.

Lord Kermit of Birkenhead

Keith depends what level you are playing at. If your manouver unit is the battalion then 4 bases of 40x20, which will allow you to place bases to repersent the various formations, Line, Column of attack, Square and Column of March. Add a futher base to represent a light company again 40x 20 with a few figures on it.

If your base unit is a brigade then one larger base say 60x30 and assume the commanders will form in the way best for their unit. Thsi would be for rules like Polimos or Blucher.
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Enigmatic Gamer

QuoteKeith depends what level you are playing at. If your manouver unit is the battalion then 4 bases of 40x20, which will allow you to place bases to repersent the various formations, Line, Column of attack, Square and Column of March. Add a futher base to represent a light company again 40x 20 with a few figures on it.

If your base unit is a brigade then one larger base say 60x30 and assume the commanders will form in the way best for their unit. Thsi would be for rules like Polimos or Blucher.



Thanks for your help.

I'm looking at the battalion as the basic unit.