I have now played a couple of games of Maurice and offer the following observations:
1. My troops are Baccus 6mm on 60x30 bases - so basically 6mm Might & Reason basing. A Maurice unit is two 60x30 bases representing four 30x30 bases. This works well for troops in line or massed, and for column I move them "side ways" with a marker at the "head" of the column. Given that my troops don't stay in column for long, this system seems to work well.
2. It is important to 'soften' the enemy up with fire before going into close combat. This seems appropriate for infantry lines facing off against each other.
3. Cavalry vs cavalry combat is quite attritional in its design, given that it is quite hard to double score an adversary without any early disruptions. I would be keen to see some of the variations that Sam mentioned for Maurice Lite #2.
4. I found that it wasn't worth giving a bombard order to the guns (each side had two guns). In the end we simply moved the guns forward to canister range so that they could volley. Any chance of allowing the guns to bombard during the volley phase? Given that ranged bombardment was more of a nuisance than a major casualty scorer, perhaps some sort of command/control penalty - say remove one or two cards from you opponent (depending on the die roll) - just thinking out loud?
5. Rally and maintaining a battle line is very important.
6. Overall, the infantry battle "felt" and looked right. Not sure about the cavalry or bombardment battle though? Still enjoyed the games - which is important.
Maurice: Some Observations
(5 posts) (3 voices)-
Posted 5 months ago #
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I agree that bombarding with only two guns isn't usually worth the trouble. With four guns, though, and with the various national advantages for artillery that are available in the full game, it can be a meaningful threat, since it can be done from so far away. The problem is usually finding the space for a larger artillery force, without being blocked by terrain or one's own troops.
Still, I think we have to recognize that long-range bombardment will probably never break anybody on its own... nor should it.
But it is a painless way to pick up two more cards, and still harass the enemy.
Posted 5 months ago # -
I have also played a couple of "Maurice" games.
I agree with points 2-3-4-6 and Sam's answer about bombardment.I have also a question about bombardment:
1) the guns have legal canister tagets
2) the player chooses "no volley"
3) does the player may choose bombardment with those guns?Posted 5 months ago # -
3. No, if a gun has a canister target, then it must fire canister. You'd have to invoke a Volley Phase... and then take your lumps accordingly.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Thank you Sam.
Posted 5 months ago #
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