I was just wondering, are there any particular tactical options that seem to work better than others, under different circumstances.
Example, if you have roughly even forces, but you have more cav, does it make sense to try a flanking maneuver?
Some obvious ones, more artillery, use massed batteries, etc...
Any thoughts?
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Colonel Marbot
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I have found that the choice does make a big difference. You mentioned the mix of forces and yes, I would not choose an option where I had numeric inferiority. A second element is how willing am I to suffer losses, and secondly how badly I want to either just win the battle, or else destroy the maximum number of enemy combatants.
If I have a significant numeric superiority, I am likely to use an infantry charge. If I do not, and above all I do not want to lose forces, I will begin with massed artillery or massed fire, where I suffer smaller losses, and soften up the enemy a bit. After I have reduced them I will likely go in with a infantry or cavalry charge.
And if I have napoleon leading the battle I will try to use his bounding artillery or column attack options where there is a tactical bonus. The choices are much trickier when on the defensive with smaller but not significantly smaller forces. Higher troop quality can win a battle and it is a difficult choice to determine if it is better to hang in there and fight or to withdraw. The delay battle is very interesting option, and one that I would only try if I had surrounding leaders who had very high initiative.
Lastly, the type of forces I have will determine how much I will risk them on a tactical option. For instance, I protect my guard and my cavalry units and rarely will choose an option where I can suffer heavy losses with either of these units that are expensive to replace. So I rarely use cavalry charges and rather let my artillery and infantry win the battle with cavalry operating for any pursuit.
From a strategic viewpoint I find that the French can operate more conservatively than they did in real life. We've got loads of time to win the war(s) and the most important single factor is not winning wars and defeating enemies, it is the preservation of the Grande Armee which is unstoppable, unless you rashly spend it with pressing attacks and rushing for quick victories.
Hope this perspective helps.
If I have a significant numeric superiority, I am likely to use an infantry charge. If I do not, and above all I do not want to lose forces, I will begin with massed artillery or massed fire, where I suffer smaller losses, and soften up the enemy a bit. After I have reduced them I will likely go in with a infantry or cavalry charge.
And if I have napoleon leading the battle I will try to use his bounding artillery or column attack options where there is a tactical bonus. The choices are much trickier when on the defensive with smaller but not significantly smaller forces. Higher troop quality can win a battle and it is a difficult choice to determine if it is better to hang in there and fight or to withdraw. The delay battle is very interesting option, and one that I would only try if I had surrounding leaders who had very high initiative.
Lastly, the type of forces I have will determine how much I will risk them on a tactical option. For instance, I protect my guard and my cavalry units and rarely will choose an option where I can suffer heavy losses with either of these units that are expensive to replace. So I rarely use cavalry charges and rather let my artillery and infantry win the battle with cavalry operating for any pursuit.
From a strategic viewpoint I find that the French can operate more conservatively than they did in real life. We've got loads of time to win the war(s) and the most important single factor is not winning wars and defeating enemies, it is the preservation of the Grande Armee which is unstoppable, unless you rashly spend it with pressing attacks and rushing for quick victories.
Hope this perspective helps.
"Here I am sitting at a comfortable table loaded heavily with books, with one eye on my typewriter and the other on Licorice the cat, who has a great fondness for carbon paper, and I am telling you that the Emperor Napoleon was a most contemptible person. But should I happen to look out the window, down upon Seventh Avenue, and should the endless procession of trucks and carts come to a sudden halt, and should I hear the sound of heavy drums and see the little man on his white horse, in his old and much-worn green uniform, then I don't know, but I am afraid that I would leave my books and the kitten and my home and everything else to follow him wherever he cared to lead. My own grandfather did this, and Heaven knows he was not born to be a hero."
- Hendrik Willem van Loon
- Hendrik Willem van Loon
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