218 Champaubert (10 February 1814)

218 Champaubert (10 February 1814)

I will nominate this scenario as unwinnable for the Russians. Historically it was a debacle, but not even a close contest here. Russians get 1 Victory Banner if lucky. One scenario where I think an Exit Victory condition might have merit.

Правило "Русь-матушка" здесь было бы уместно. И победные флаги, например, за вышедшие пушки. Русские были обречены, но сражались отчаянно и умело, Наполеон полагал, что их вчетверо больше, чем было на самом деле.

Fencer, if you can find a way to give the Russians a better chance, I think it is worth it.
Allowing a Mother Russia roll probably isn't enough, but maybe some fieldworks would be some help.

Not sure what you are saying about the guns and Victory banners.

OK, in English. I made a suggestion: give one victory flag for each Russian artillery unit that left the battlefield through the base line. This is true, but I'm not sure if it makes the game more interesting (I'll try). It may be a good idea to give 1 victory flag for every "Scout" order played by the Russians. . This would symbolize the delay of time (it was important for the Russians to wait for night).

From one of my PBEM games of a while ago...my opponent and I working our way through the Russian expansion at the time.

The Russians avoided the French where they were strongest, especially on the flanks - refusing on the Russian left and using the woods for cover on the right, aided by a First Strike. Both Russian flanks attempting to support probing attacks from the centre. All but one of the Victory Banners on both sides came from battling in the centre. Luck held for the Russians in this game.

this must be the sole Russian victory!

well done, but how did the French fail to force the Russians to battle where they chose?

It seems that the player for France made serious mistakes. But this does not cancel out the player's brilliant actions for Russia. Congratulations!

Ref the game above... the Russians bought time by withdrawing from the French's strongest section. A good early Rally recovered their infantry from initial French ranged fire and return fire gave them a temporary advantage in the centre. The French switched attack to the other flank, looking to take out the Russian artillery. Unluckily for the French side, an exchange of First Strikes went against them. The French left then seemed stuck for the rest of the game, eventually costing a banner. The game then played out in the centre.

Two First Strikes and two generals falling to double XSWs, one French, made this a quick game even for a five banner scenario, 7 turns each. The opportunity for the French to regain the initiative after their cavalry attack failed was limited by cards and the demands of "fire fighting" whilst their right flank was distant from the fighting. The last French move shows that the French player was keen to get his right into action and regain the initiative. This was late but yet, a turn too early. Instead, the player could have taken his vulnerable 2 block infantry unit to safety. Easy to miss in the heat of a game but this one action would probably have changed the final score to a 5:4 French win.

No doubt the same Russian strategy would fail in the face of a less cooperative card draw or a couple of die rolls going the wrong way.