After my last post, I was able to find the old Piquet supplement for the 18th century, Cartouche. This has an interesting set of deployment options and restrictions that forces a gamer to (artificially, I grant) deploy his army within the confines of an 18th century general's thinking and experience. No more modern rose-coloured glasses! I modified and (hopefully) simplified the process. With luck, we can easily bolt this onto the army deployment phase of Maurice. And before anyone mentions it...yes, I am aware of copyright rules...sigh...
This is my first stab at the deployment rules and doubtless we will tinker and modify...
Determination of Deployment Options
Roll 1d6 and modify. The army may use any of the four
deployment types of that adjusted number or below. The Basic deployment (#1) is
always available to all commanders. A commander may incorporate any element or feature
of a lower numbered deployment into the chosen deployment scheme.
A CinC may continue to use the same deployment options throughout
his career. If a CinC is replaced for any reason, the options must be
re-rolled.
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Deployment Options
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modified roll
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deployment option
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national advantage
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modifier
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1-3
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1
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Great Captain
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+2
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4
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2
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Skirmishers
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+1
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5
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3
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Feudal
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+1
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6
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4
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Definitions
Premier Ligne: a
continuous line of units deployed with wings
on both flanks and an optional deuxieme
ligne to the rear.
Deuxieme Ligne
(optional): need not be of the same length as the premier ligne nor must units be continuous or contiguous; must have
a wing or cover to the flanks and a
continuous line to its front (i.e. premier
ligne).
Force de Maneuver:
Must have one other force of any type either one move in front, behind or on
one flank.
Off-table Reserve:
held off-table (anywhere along the army baseline) in the initial deployment;
may double move on its first March
action; may enter the tabletop fully deployed and ready for battle.
Wing: must
initially deploy with a central force or cover to its right or left.; one flank
may be uncovered.
Central Force: must
initially deploy with a wing, another
central force, or cover on both flanks (i.e. both flanks must be
covered.)
Cover: Any impassable or disrupting terrain.
Force Composition
- two-thirds (66%) of all infantry units must be in a central force or reserve
- two-thirds of all cavalry units must be in a wing, force de maneuver, or reserve
- artillery may be placed in or adjacent to any force
Addendum (first of many?): We could start out every general with only deployment option #1 and have some mechanism to allow a growth in learning and ability. I'm not too sure about this approach, however. Although some generals were able to learn and adapt, the traditional ways and methods were deeply ingrained and I think it would be a very rare case indeed where a general was able to significantly improve his abilities in this regard. Not impossible, just rare. But this is where the Great Captain card comes into play, yes?
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