First let me premise this post by saying that I've been a gamer (mostly solo) for nearly 40 years. I'm also a rules junkie, so I've probably played, dabbled in or at least read just about every Napoleonic ruleset there's ever been! First impressions are that Lasalle are up there with the best! Anyway, to the AAR.
I decided, in order to get used to the basic rules I would make it very simple. A British Peninsular basic army on the defence against a French Peninsular basic army attacking. That meant the French got 2 extra battalions (1 vet and 1 conscript). It also meant they got that dragoon regiment whilst the British had no cavalry at all. Ah well, who said war was fair! I even used the terrain board with no extra scenery - just a flat plain.
It all seems to go smoothly and with the right Napoleonic feel. The French plan was simple. After a short artillery bombardment, the attack columns began to move. Three veteran battalions advanced upon the British right trying to break the one elite British battalion in line. It was to no avail. Three times assaults were made only to be repulsed each time. Eventually 1 veteran battalion ran from the field whilst the other 2 were exhausted (3 disr) and could no longer muster the enthusuiasm to continue.
Meanwhile on the British left, a combined attack with conscript battalions and those dragoons was too much for the front line British battalion and it broke. The french continued their attack into the second line. This time the conscripts held back and let the dragoons take all the glory as they charged, full of elan, into the next British battalion. The British reacted by successfully forming square, or so it seemed! A large dragoon horse, in blind panic, crashed into the square creating a hole that the British failed to fill. The rest of the dragoons took advantage and broke the square (the British only scored 1 on their roll while the dragoons scored 2!).
To the rest of the British line, it appeared that the whole of their left flank was being rolled up, and when they saw the square breaking, it all became too much and the whole army fled the field (They scored 12 on the 5 morale dice on turn 12!)
With no cavalry to protect the retreating British, the French dragoons siezed the opportunity to pursue, turning it into a decisive victory!
OK, so I've let my imagination interpret some events during the game. But isn't that what this wonderful hobby is all about?
I'm thoroughly impressed with these rules. They are sophisticated and clever, make a pretty game with no board clutter, but most of all they're fun!
Well done, Sam!