OT2020 Round 5

As Tournament Director I rarely indulge my whims, but this is one of those moments!

This is a variant of an official scenario, and when I explain a bit about the scenario and variant, I hope you understand my whim.

The official scenario 111 Ocaña - Cavalry Action (18 November 1809) has the dubious distinction of being 87% pro-French in 31 plays. I figure I therefore cannot break this scenario, because it is already broken. The hypothesis you are about to test is that by reducing the strength of the French cavalry to 3 (equal to the Spanish), the scenario will be far better balanced. I've also presumed that the Guerrilla Marker has been successfully used to cancel the first French turn, and that the Guerrillas have left to celebrate.

To keep the scenario lively, Some infantry use only Command and Tactician cards have been removed from play. If you draw any of the cards listed, discard and draw a new card immediately. This list is also in the notes. 

Command Cards not in play Tactician Cards not in play

Bayonet Charge
Bombard
Fire and Hold
Forced March

Break the Square
Hasty Square
Infantry Combat First
Infantry Forward Leader
Infantry Melee Leader
Infantry Ranged Leader
Inspired Infantry Leader
Light Infantry Skirmish
Loop Hole Buildings
Sappers
Superb Infantry Training

I have tested other all cavalry scenarios with this kind of modification, and I'm hypothesising that this scenario will play quickly, but more evenly with a reduced Command and Tactician deck, and equal strength units.

ROUND 5 DRAW

Player 1 Game 1 Game 2 Points Player 2 Game 1 Game 2 Points
Gonzo 3 5 0 ANDRE (Redcurrant) 7 7 3
gottoman 7 7 3 Mark-McG 6 5 0
Kandras78 7 7 3 scipio1zama 5 6 0
gotigerssc 7 7 3 stephent 4 6 0
Nemo2333 4 1 0 Gileforn 7 7 3
RiverWanderer 6 7 1.5 toganalper 7 6 1.5
FoxK 7 4 2 jaboskov 0 7 1
g1ul10 6 7 2 soul1st 7 0 1
jfardette 7 6 2 MjrCatastrophe 4 7 1
EZPickins   7   Maxjoezach   3  
grecian formula       nekengren      
sduke12  withdrawn     Rand     3
Scipio withdrawn            

 

CUMULATIVE RESULTS

Player Rnd1 Rnd2 Rnd3 Rnd4 Rnd 5
ANDRE (Redcurrant) 3 6 7 10 13
gottoman 3 6 9 9 12
Kandras78 3 6 6 9 12
Gonzo 3 6 8 11 11
gotigerssc 3 5 6 8 11
Gileforn 1 3 4 7 10
Mark-McG 3 5 7 9 9
scipio1zama 1.5 4.5 7.5 8.5 8.5
RiverWanderer 2 2 4 7 8.5
stephent 0 3 5 8 8
FoxK 3 3 5 6 8
g1ul10 0 1 3 6 8
toganalper 0 3 6 6 7.5
Nemo2333 3 4 7 7 7
jaboskov 1.5 2.5 4 6 7
jfardette 0 2 3 5 7
soul1st 2 4 4 5 6
EZPickins 3 4 4 4 6
Rand 0 0 3 3 6
MjrCatastrophe 2 3 4.5 4.5 5.5
Maxjoezach 1 1 1 4 5
nekengren 3 3 3 3 4.5
grecian formula 1 1 2 3 4.5
Scipio 0 3 4 4 4
sduke12  0 0 3 3 3

 

Tiebreaker (sum of final score of opponents per round)   
scipio1zama 7 4.5 6 9 12 38.5
RiverWanderer 4.5 11 7 4 7.5 34

 

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Mark-McG replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
So as a wrap up for this variant scenario, the Spanish won 11 of the 19 recorded matches (57.9%), with a range between a 7-0 Spanish win to a 7-1 French win.

Interestingly, in the top 5 matches, the winning player won both matches, so a equal split between Spanish & French wins in the Top 10. The average score for the loser in these matches was 4.5 banners. Of the 19 matches, 7 had final scores of 7-6, and 4 had 7-5 final scores.

On the whole I'm not unhappy with that result, and whilst it can be said that luck with cards and dice determine the outcome, that is true in almost every C&C game between equal players.
g1ul10 replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 1

Giulio (Allies) 6
Twan (french) 7

Crazy dice rolls in a crazy scenario. I can't easily describe the dynamics of it. Charges and counter-charges... sometimes units pulverized, sometimes no hits on 5 dice... on both sides. Like a rollercoaster. I think Mark managed to make the scenario fair, but I can't say he managed to make it much more interesting.

Game 2
Twan retired

Twan retired for lack of time. I missed the deadline and we had to play in a hurry. My fault. Apologies to my opponent, super kind as usual.

 

File Attachment:

File Name: OT20R5_Twa...lio.vlog
File Size:79 KB


 
EZPickins replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 1
Ezpickins (French) 5 Banners
Maxjoezack (Allies) 7 Banners

A close game of attrition won by Doug expertly getting full advantage of his cards.  

 

File Attachment:

File Name: Round5Game1.vlog
File Size:55 KB

 
Kandras78 replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Hello Mark,

never considered the available block as a limiting factor.
Indeed, 4 blocker Spanish Cavalry would be better fit balancing.
Lucky rolls while still possible would be less of a deciding factor statistically, compared to combat between 3 blockers.

I am aware of Artillery Tact Cards still available in the custom settings. My proposal was to leave Artillery Command cards like Bombard and Fire & Hold remain part of the deck.
Kandras78 replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Hello Mark,

never considered the available block as a limiting factor.
Indeed, 4 blocker Spanish Cavalry would be better fit balancing.
Lucky rolls while still possible would be less of a deciding factor statistically, compared to combat between 3 blockers.

I am aware of Artillery Tact Cards still available in the custom settings. My proposal was to leave Artillery Command cards like Bombard and Fire & Hold remain part of the deck.
RiverWanderer replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 1
RiverWanderer French  6 banners
ToganAlper  Spanish 7 banners

The French blinked first in the centre and their rash pursuit of glory was soon punished.

Game 2
ToganAlper French  6 banners
RiverWanderer Spanish 7 banners

Both cavalry armies showed caution and took time to secure their formations. Contact was first made around the woods on the French right where the main battle ebbed to and fro until the end. At last, the opposite flank flared up, with a single French heavy unit venturing forward to take out two full strenght Spanish units. From there, the battle was soon decided, with the Spanish counter-attacking and following through to take the final banner (but not before the French had made a daring final attack deep into the Spanish right flank, to close the margin to a single banner).   Once again, it was the side that attacked first that narrowly lost.


File Attachment:

File Name: OcanaCaval...sTG.vlog
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File Attachment:

File Name: OcanaCaval...sRW.vlog
File Size:81 KB
Mark-McG replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago

Kandras78 wrote:
The scenario in its current form is quite interesting, though I would suggest to try addressing balance issues by increasing Spanish Cav to 4 blocks instead of downgrading French to 3. 3 blockers increase the importance of Lucky rolls. Which might be characteristic for a pure Cavalry engagement, but might be frustrating on more than many occasions. Also the removal of the artillery cards must be considered in order not to over-limit the utilization of the French Horse Artillery present. 


 

The 3 block cavalry was really a function of VASSAL. It is far easier to reduce the French cavalry 1 block than it is to make the Spanish cavalry up to 4 blocks.
In the physical form, this scenario uses all the Spanish cavalry units, so substitution there too.
In a limitless world, 4 blocks would be better, though bear in mind the number of attack dice increase as well, so lucky rolls can still happen!

The use of the Artillery Tactician cards was a deliberate choice to give the French artillery an advantage, most to compensate for the loss of French strength, and their now numerical inferiority in cavalry.

 
FoxK replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
FoxK (Spain) - jaboskov (France) 7:0
FoxK (France) - jaboskov (Spain) 4:7
gottoman replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 1
Mark McG French  6 banners
Greg O  Spanish 7 banners

The French struck on the right flank and the battle raged there with a back and forth that resulted in the French with an early 4-2 lead and a 2 block Spanish HC and ldr surrounded on the little hill.   They held out and launched their own suicide charge eliminating two weakend French Cav. to tie it up.   The French countered with another strong attack on the right and eliminated two Spanish cav and were one block from the victory.  Again the Spanish responded and tied it up.  A Spanish Cav with a single block held off a French HA melee attack and the following turn the Spanish surrounded a FR LC and eliminated it for the win.   Very intense!

Game 2
Mark McG Spanish  6 banners
Greg O  French 7 banners

This game the French advanced on the right but it was the Spanish that hit first on that flank but with little effect, and the French came back at cutoff a Spanish LC to draw first blood.  The battle raged going back and forth with the French taking a 3-1 lead and the Spanish then struck in the middle, taking a 5-3 lead.   The French struck back to seal a win.
Kandras78 replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
111 Ocaña - Cavalry Action (18 November 1809) [OT2020 - Round Five - 1st game]
French(A) 7 vs Allies(scipio1zama) 5

Spanish managed to form a proper line with their heavies concentrated in the center. Premptive French attack had mixed results and has been immediately followed by a Cavalry Charge. French countered. The ensuing cavalcade has been decided by favours of Fortuna.

We made a mistake that French were the first to move, and agreed to carry on nonetheless.

---

111 Ocaña - Cavalry Action (18 November 1809) [OT2020 - Round Five - 2nd game]
Allies (A) 7 vs French(scipio1zama) 6  

This time the French managed to form-up in the center straight from a cavalry field manual. Spanish attack on the formation had mixed results, with gen. Paris and his LC cut down, but at great costs. French surrounded gen. Bernuy but he held his ground against all odds, though the Spanish formation was dispersed. Attempt to consolidate the situation made the battle even more unpredictable. French HC rolled forward to drive of the remnants of their counterpart in the center with succes, but were met with the Spanish HCs in reserve. Gen. Milhaud has been slained, leving the French force without a leader. The rest of the battle was about single units trying to chace off each other, with Fortuna flirting with both sides.

---

Thank you for Mike for his sportsmanship and good humor, and the most exiting games what I would call the Duel of the Cavalrymen. Both games could have been easily ended with his Victory.

The scenario in its current form is quite interesting, though I would suggest to try addressing balance issues by increasing Spanish Cav to 4 blocks instead of downgrading French to 3. 3 blockers increase the importance of Lucky rolls. Which might be characteristic for a pure Cavalry engagement, but might be frustrating on more than many occasions. Also the removal of the artillery cards must be considered in order not to over-limit the utilization of the French Horse Artillery present. 

File Attachment:

File Name: 111a-Ocana...usF.vlog
File Size:81 KB
 

File Attachment:

File Name: 111a-Ocana...usA.vlog
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ANDRE replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 1 RedCurranT (FR) 7-3 Gonzo(all)



Game 2 RedCurranT (all) 7-5 Gonzo(FR)
EZPickins replied the topic:
3 years 8 months ago
Game 2
 EZPickins (Spanish) 7 Banners
Maxjoezach (French) 3 Banners

The early turns of the game iwas  series of melees on the Spanish right. Losses were pretty even as the fight shifted to the center for the remainder of the game. I played a Cavalry Charge which succeeded in taking out two units and enabling me to keep the pressure on Doug the rest of the game. Luck seemed pretty even although I rhink i had the  edge in cards. The game was a blast and Doug was an excellent opponent.
 
gotigerssc replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Game 2

gotigerssc (French) - 7 banners
stephent (Spain) - 6 banners 

I had no business winning this one - although I will reveal my secret at the end of the write up. We went back and forth for a while and I was hand-to-mouth with options for the center the entire game. Albeit five of my six cards - I believe every turn - were exclusively for the right or left flank, but I never played any of them. My first combined arms attack resulted in me losing a HC on the battle back. From there it felt like the momentum changed hands on just about every turn. On my third or fourth turn I threw caution to the wind and ordered a LC and HC behind the Spanish lines. They did some damage along the way and the LC was promptly eliminated, but Paris managed to escape. On my next to last turn I was down 6-4 and played Recon in Force with Leader Bonus Order that gave me a chance at the win. Instead, I eliminated no Spanish units. Spanish had fortunately run out of center cards and played a scout to try and take out my 1 block LC. At this point I went to my secret for success - vigorously rubbing a rabbit's foot and a (well polished) horseshoe at the same time. The attack failed and I drew a Cavalry Charge at the end of the prior turn, which I used to claim three medals for the win.

Really enjoyed playing against Steve and look forward to future matches against him. 

 

File Attachment:

File Name: OcanaGame2.vlog
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jfardette replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Horses were butchered with glee.

In game 1, Mark launched a cavalry charge with his lights to kick things off, and the French countercharge was a failure.  Slowly the French were able to use their heavies to greater effect, winning the first game 7-4.

Game 1 - French - Jim #7
Game 2 - Spanish - Mark #4

In game two, the French launched the first cavalry charge and had the Spanish on the ropes 6-2, but his next charge took 2 units down to 1 block each but couldn't end the game.  The Spanish used a Line Command Any card and the last of their strength to counterattack the French heavies, killing them both but the leader got away to bring matters to 6-4.  The final French attack killed the last Spaniar for the win, but a Charge if Charged card eliminated the single block French Heavy and his accompanying leader to make the score look more respectable at 7-6 than it actually was.

Game 2 - French - Mark #7
Game 3 - Spanish - Jim #6

Overall, I'd say the changes to the scenario resulted in a much more balanced game so well done on that.
gotigerssc replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Game 1

stephent (French) - 4 banners
gotigerssc (Spain) - 7 banners 

The French advanced their LC and HA and were fairly effective in taking out the Spanish LC on my right-center. Luckily, the Spanish HC stepped in and took out the HA to negate any combined arms action. The score after a couple of turns was French 4-Spanish 2. It was all downhill for the French from there and it really came down to card draws. Three Spanish HC and one LC used Cavalry Charge, Take Command Center, and Take Command Any to push the French left flank back to its baseline and claim the final five medals for the win. We both had a run of good rolls at one point or another but the Spanish card combo was too much to overcome. Stephen played well and at the beginning I thought he was going to run away with it. Looking forward to game 2!
 

File Attachment:

File Name: T20_R5G1_O...ion.vlog
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Gileforn replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Firstly, some words about the scenario... This is a real roulette that is not very good for the tournament. Check of luck, not check of the skill. Yes, when you are playing with a player who has less skill it will any works, but when skill is close to be same - only luck. Who will get better command and tactic card, who will throw in the same situation better result - will win.

Game 1

Nemo2333 (French) - 4 banners.
Gileforn (Spain) - 7 banners. 

The start was usual for this map with attack of a lone LC on the French right. Not very good attack, but French starts to build a strong deffence without rushto the Spains. That had helped to form a good army that has taken a chance to win.

Game 2

Nemo2333 (Spain) - 1 banner.
Gileforn (French) - 7 banners.

That was a luck battle with rush attacks. Two times French were luck not to lost artillery and LC with a leader. Than 2 Cavalry Charges by French and result was understandable. Good rolls by French and victory in a strange batlle.

Nemo fought very well, but difficult to do something when opponent had better cards and rolls.

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File Name: OTR5.vlog
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RiverWanderer replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
It might be easier to play Mark's Ocana adaption by removing the unwanted cards from the decks. 
I attach the scenario file that Mark sent out but with those cards removed and decks ready to go.
As a bonus, I've added deck counts, so people can be sure the decks are correct.
For further validation, all removed cards are face up in the hidden deck area (Ctrl+F12 to view).

Mark asked me to post the file here. I hope you find it helpful for your Round 5 games!

 

File Attachment:

File Name: 111a.2-Oca...809.vsav
File Size:38 KB
Mark-McG replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Reporting results here shoud be sufficient. I don't think anyone should report against the original scenario, but up to them.
If the tournament results show a good distribution of results, I think there could be some 'official" fan variants made for reporting, and plays could be retrospectively reported.

For the moment, I think we keep it low key and simple.
g1ul10 replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
Nice. I suggest creating a new fan-made scenario with these modifications. Reporting the result in the original scenario with modified rules will bias the statistics. You could also replace French with Prussian units. This should account for the difference in cavalry strength. Of course, you will write that the units represent French instead.
Mark-McG replied the topic:
3 years 9 months ago
VASSAL Game save file
 

File Attachment:

File Name: 111a-Ocana...809.vsav
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