Simple Napoleon's rules

[Last Hussar]

So... the people in my Regular know I'm a wargamer, and have shown some interest in what it actually is. I've been taking various straightforward board games down on a Sunday - Carcassonne,  TransEuropa, etc - and said I would do a small and simple wargame at some point so they could see what I do.

So gentlemen (and ladies, if any enter this den of inequity), help me write a simple set. I am thinking Napoleonic as being a) best balance of tactics, not DBx line up and throw dice, nor WW2 complexity b) pretty and c) easy to transport as they are the Little Wooden Men, 5th coalition.

1) simplicity is paramount,  it doesn't need in depth realism
But 2) should show the consideration the players need to give

(Nb, this post is for gamer community,  I'll simplify language in final write)

Thoughts so far

A unit (battalion/regiment etc) is 2 40x20 bases

D6s so people are used you random number method

Formations:
Infantry Line: slow move.  Good firing
Infantry column: good move, good in melee, but good target when shot at.
Square: no move, very good vs cav, can't move.

Turn to change from one to another with no movement

No skirmishers represented separately

Firing 50mm volley, 100mm light/skirmish

Cav, line only,  fast, v good vs Infantry flank/rear, v poor vs square.

Guns: 1 stand only per battery, only move when limbered. Turn in place 45' for reduced fire, long range fire.

So any thoughts?

Thoughts as I write.
2 hits per base. Each hit point remaining gives 1 combat die, so max of 4.
Firing- 6s hit.  Maybe bonus for volley range? Or negative for skirmish? Not have 2 ranges?
Melee 4+ hit

Units in column advantage in melee. How? Or is just the fact 2 units fighting in space of 1 line advantage enough?

Can vs Inf melee.  Cav hit on 3+, inf on 5+?

On 4th hit unit removed.

Morale? Roll after hit, retire 10mm per pip above current hits left?

How to do C&C? Need it simple but want something.

Thoughts please.

[Last Hussar]

Not sure how to do cav vs front of line.

[John Cook]

Have you got a copy of Featherstone's Wargames?  His rules are simplicity itself.

[DecemDave]

For simplicity, I'd allow charging cav to destroy inf caught in line on the assumption that their commander wouldn't charge otherwise.  If the inf player yells "form square" in time; D6 to see if they make it. 

Have you looked at the Neil Thomas rules?  Pretty simple stuff and its ready made. You will be the rules anyway.

[Zippee]

for simplicity and seamless play (last thing you want for new introductions is sticky rules with unforeseen problems) I'd second looking at Neil Thomas or something direct, presentable and clear like Lasalle

[Last Hussar]

Thanks for the replies- I don't want to buy a new set, and really don't want any written for wargamers, more something that is quick to pick up.

[Ithoriel]

Fast play rules for Napoleonics by David Manley might do you:

https://web.archive.org/web/20100316180815/http://www.btinternet.com/~david.Manley/wargames/Odds/napfp.htm

If used, I'd suggest order tokens rather than written orders to keep things even simpler.

YMMV!

[Raider4]

Can't get much simpler than the Portable Wargame. Don't know if the late 19th C. ones will work/can be adapted for Napoleonics?

[John Cook]

Thanks for the replies- I don't want to buy a new set, and really don't want any written for wargamers, more something that is quick to pick up.

I think that finding a set of Napoleonic wargames rules not written for wargamers might be a bit of a challenge 

[hammurabi70]

I think that finding a set of Napoleonic wargames rules not written for wargamers might be a bit of a challenge 

My thinking; in all seriousness, what is the purpose of these rules?  Is the phrase Napoleonic wargames rules not written for wargamers some kind of indicator signal that most of us are misunderstanding?

[fred.]

From the initial post - some rules that work for people new to wargaming down the pub. So something simple, with no prior knowledge needed. 

I'd still be going with some of the suggestions above - as these are largely quick simple rulesets. And will be complete. Home brew is fine, but takes some time to work through - and won't be as well written. 

I also think you are in danger of having something very fiddly with 4x2cm bases and 5cm ranges. It's going to be far too easy to bump things around. And hard to measure. 

[hammurabi70]

Maybe COMMAND & COLORS: NAPOLEONICS would be the right solution.

[Ithoriel]

Maybe COMMAND & COLORS: NAPOLEONICS would be the right solution.

Not cheap, not currently in print, not a miniatures game (though it could be adapted) but still my first thought!

[paulr]

From

...
1) simplicity is paramount,  it doesn't need in depth realism
But 2) should show the consideration the players need to give
...

to

Not cheap, not currently in print, not a miniatures game (though it could be adapted) but still my first thought!

In 12 easy steps