Hi Sam,
Thanks for your reply.
First off can I just say that Lasalle is looking as if it is going to re-invigorate our club with regards to Napoleonics. We have shifted over the years to rules where you can just turn up and play for 3 or so hours and get a result rather than rules where you need a doctorate to be able to decipher the charge phase. Pushing the toys around the table, rolling dice and having a laugh with your friends are the most important parts of wargaming. What struck me was that whilst Lasalle seem to be a simple set of rules there are a lot of clever mechanisms included and as we play more games we are uncovering more of the subtleties and nuances. Thank you very much.
The only issue that concerns us is the artillery when charged. I understand your reponse but really find it difficult to envisage a 12 pdr battery limbering up as a response to being charged then outdistancing the charging cavalry (complete with crew walking alongside) only to re-deploy ready to fire again before the cavalry can react. I can reason that horse artillery might have a chance but 12 pdrs that weigh 2000 pounds each! I do understand the issue of not being able to deploy in the activity phase as suggested though because you would have to keep moving to stay out of charge reach whilst limbered which would be totally unrealistic - a bit like a bizarre Benny Hill comedy chase. I'm not sure that foot artillery should be allowed to Fall Back. Guns were an expensive part of an army and perhaps following history is the answer in that they should always be supported to protect them.
Either way it's not a game breaker and for some reason I'm finally painting those AB Russians I bought 8 years ago.
Thanks, Kevin.