Produktbeschreibung
1871 fast-play rules for the Franco-Prussian War-- the latest in Bruce Weigle’s popular “1870” series of rules for the mid-19th century European wars of transition.
While 1871 features the same tried-and-true game mechanics as his earlier 1870-1859-1864-1866 rules, the fire combat, charge/melee, and morale sections have been radically streamlined – effectively halving the time it takes to play each turn. 1871 is completely compatible with the earlier rules, and includes ample designer’s notes, color illustrations, examples of play, and twelve new historical battle scenarios (from both the Imperial and Republican phases of the war). It does not repeat the extensive historical or bibliographic information already found in 1870, however.
Each well-researched scenario includes complete orders of battle, historical notes, map, and alternative scenarios; they range in size from relatively modest battles of a couple of divisions to multi-corps debacles. Well-illustrated with contemporary artwork and terrain board pictures; a one page color quick reference sheet is included. Approximately 65 pages, spiral-bound, full color.
1871, published in 2017, is the final booklet of the Grand Tactical Rules series, and a complete makeover of the original 1870-based rules. Like 1870, it covers the Franco-Prussian War — including battles both in 1870 and 1871.
Unlike 1870, however, 1871 is truly a set of fast play rules. The basic structure of the original rules remains — the command and control, movement, unit organization and basing (all the stuff that worked very well) — but the overly-detailed combat resolution, charge, and morale portions have been radically condensed and streamlined. The results are almost identical to the more granular 1870 rules — even though game turns generally take about half the time. For players who desire the greater detail of the original rules, the 1870 series is still quite viable … but for those with less time, or larger battles to fight, the 1871 fast play version is ideal.
Rather than point elimination, attrition is now based on stand elimination. All stands, moreover, are standardized at one point each; the differentiation between them is found in the modifiers. But the modifiers for artillery, rifle fire, and melee combat have been severely reduced …as have the number of die rolls required. Play, therefore, is speedy. Gamers can spend much more time behaving like generals, rather than organic computers.
As in the previous rules in the series, there are plenty of illustrations: examples of play, formations, and historical artwork, most of which are in color. The maps are improved, and the scenario victory conditions — although still based on each side's historical objectives — have been carefully honed to allow both sides a reasonable chance of winning the scenario …except for the Sedan scenario, however. Any German player who loses that one should be dismissed from the army immediately.
The 1871 rules are complete; you don’t have to have 1870 to play them. Therefore, there is little repetition of historical background material found in 1870 — although the twelve scenarios contain an abundance of background information, and a succinct summary of what happened in the historical battles.
In addition to the basic “grand tactical” (full) scale, there are half- and quarter-scale variants for smaller battles: two or three divisions or brigades per side, respectively. There is also a “2/3 scale” variant for very large scale battles, without having to buy and deploy an enormous number of bases. The four page 1870 quick reference sheet has been reduced to a single color 8.5 x 1 inch cardstock sheet.
Designed for fast, accurate resolution of battles with minimal tables (3) and even fewer modifiers.
Includes four different scales, for small, medium, large, and extra-large battles (i.e., stands represents a company, a half-battalion, a battalion or a half-regiment, respectively)
Streamlined turn sequence; simple, proven command and control system; straightforward combat resolution.
A lovely new 2-sided color Quick Reference Sheets is included. Suitable for 6mm, 10mm, and 15mm basing systems; 1 inch= 100m; 1 turn = 30 minutes.
Includes 12 historical battle scenarios (two from the Imperial phase of the war, 10 from the Republican phase), each with historical variants and battle summaries.
Designer’s notes, military chronologies, and orders of battle.
New annotated bibliography with 14 previously uncited entries …and more suggestions on making terrain tables
Compatible with the “1870” Franco-Prussian War rules, and the 1859/1864 rules for the Franco-Austrian & Danish Wars, and the 1866 Austro-Prussian War rules.
The success of these fast-play rules led to the creation of similar fast play quick reference sheets for 1859 and 1866. |
