Some players revel in fighting one-sided battles with rubbish armies that are doomed to be crushed. Others of us are less keen ... you do need a certain masochistic streak to enjoy commanding the Spanish outside Valencia in 1811, during the Peninsular War. I've fought it as both sides and can confirm it's a lot of fun either way.

What's your preference? Do you share a taste for being the underdog and taking a kicking? Do you think uneven scenarios where one side is bound to lose in "real-world" terms, whatever the scenario victory conditions say, are not worth playing?

I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this. Meanwhile, the report of the game that prompted my musings is on the BBBBlog here:
https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2025/11/peninsular-war-valencia-1811.html

I'm a solo gamer. I quite enjoy an unbalanced battle. The trick (IMHO) is to know what you're fighting for. If you're a rearguard, the longer you hold, the more of the main body escapes. You may all be killed, but by killing the opposing leader, you will end the invasion.  Your army may be raw recruits, but by blooding them, they will be better next time.

My battles tend to be random. Over Christmas, I randomly assigned a 400 figure Brunswick army to attack a 1000 figure Austrian army. Suffice to say, it didn't go well for the black clad troops. 

Asymmetric wargames are a lot of fun, as long as the objectives match the armies. A simple stand up fight with unbalanced forces is boy as much fun.
If you have table based objective points, and missions to complete, it certainly adds to the fun .

Quote from: fsn on 11 November 2025, 07:39:47 PMI quite enjoy an unbalanced battle. The trick (IMHO) is to know what you're fighting for.

Quote from: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 11 November 2025, 07:58:01 PMAsymmetric wargames are a lot of fun, as long as the objectives match the armies. A simple stand up fight with unbalanced forces is boy as much fun.
If you have table based objective points, and missions to complete, it certainly adds to the fun .

Absolutely - setting the right victory conditions is crucial. Not only can they make it a balanced game that either side can 'win', they can also generate a much more interesting story than a simple "kill 'em all" army breakpoint exercise.