6 block Russian LN

Something I've heard and read often is the legendary endurance of the Russian infantry in the Napoleonic period, and especially in the 1812 war.
www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.at...Russian_infantry.htm
Clearly my blocks haven't heard this, because they melt away swiftly. OTOH, the 5 block Austrian infantry certainly seems to have a certain ability to take a beating and keep on going.

So I was thinking whether doubling the Russian Line infantry (to 6 blocks) would give this reputed endurance. The Russian Guard Heavy Cavalry is 6 blocks, so not unheard of. Alternatively, when Mother Russia applies in 1812, automatically allow all Russian LN to get the 4th block, and allow INF symbols to increase LT.

What are other player's views and experience on Russian LN?

I guess the endurance is represented by the ignore 1 flag and opportunity for redoubts whereas the Austrians just soak up the damage. Different approaches to making them good in defence.

But I'm no expert and other views are welcome.

My Russian infantry is fond of melting away as well. I agree that this does not seem to be in keeping with their historical reputation for "legendary endurance." IMHO, the problem is that most of the Russian LN is going to start the game with only three blocks. When you figure that each die thrown against them has, at a minimum, a 33% chance of producing an infantry hit, those three blocks aren't going to stand for long in any kind of fight.

Changing the number of blocks to six will make the Russian LN pretty nasty in a firefight. They would have six dice, which is more than the British LN or French LN in melee. Maybe increase the number of blocks, but have a maximum number of dice they can throw? Something like... a Russian LN is five or six blocks in strength but throw a maximum of four dice?

Perhaps if they (Russian LN & LT) could ignore the first INF hit instead of a FLAG, this would make them more durable.

Well, the Russian performance at Austerlitz was pretty poor, thi might have influenced the decision to give them only 3 blocks. A standard fourth block with the Mother Russia rule in effect would seem the ebst way to go.

I did a small test with Russian ignoring the first Blue, and it made them extremely durable, like super soldiers.
Amongst other things, it made squares very hard to hit.

So think I'll can that idea.

4 Block units seem the solution, which would indicate more Mother Russia promotions. Generally the Russians were under strength, except in the 1812 campaign where they had enlisted and trained during the peace. So perhaps a rolling dice equal to twice Command for Mother Russia in 1812.

Very interesting topic.
I'm a rookie about strengh and weakness of the armies of the napoleonic period.
I think that Russian Infantry is a little bit weak (maybe in 1812, make as Mark said a double Mother Russia roll or consider all units at paper force)