Hi,
played some ESR with sabot bases. Used to play Empire in the 1980s, went on to Napoleon's Battles by AH, and then on to Age of Eagles. Liked Empire but the complex tactical system diverted players away from the real genius of the game the grand battle system. Kind of liked Naps Batts, simple to learn and play, made big battle refights doable, especially with the massive scenario pack that was on the Yahoo site, basically every big battle. Didn't like AoE, too long winded and not enough happened. Played some really big refights, Borodino - Russians didn't stand a chance just blown away by the French grand battery in front of the fleches and the great redoubt. Lutzen was even worse, the allies simply could not make it across the table fast enough to catch Neys isolated corps and defeat it in detail before the rest of the french turned up, which I thought was the game.
So ESR has been a breath of fresh air, it's like Empire but with a streamlined tactical system. I have decided to rebase my collection for ESR, and boy is that a big job. I've got French (bicorne and shako); Russians 1812 and beyond; British Peninsular with a big contingent of allied Portuguese and Spanish; lots of Confederation of the Rhine; some 1805-09 Austrians and even Ottomans. I am working to rebasing enough French And Allies and Russians to do Borodino which I'll try to fight with my mates in autumn. I'll take pictures of it and post them with a battle report.
But what to do about reformation areas? I notice that lots of you use caissons, wagons, pontoons etc. to make the reformation area stands look good. But pricey if you were going to have enough to do Borodino - I assume there are 40 or so a side - and a lot of painting. I play in 15mm rather than 10mm.Â
So is there another way to produce reformation areas that are more than squares of MDF with labels. We've been using this solution so far and it looks really naff. Me and my mates have really nicely painted 15mm armies and put a lot of effort into the terrain. I've done some trials with the rebasing and the figures look really nice with the battalion/squadron basing system, far better than with the 4 figs to a 1x3/4 inch Naps Batts/AoE base.
Cheers
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Steve Nutt
So is there another way to produce reformation areas that are more than squares of MDF with labels.
Honestly Reformation Areas can be anything you like, they simply need to serve the purpose of marking the rear area of each Formation. You are correct that for Borodino you will need an absolute ton, and in 15mm those are not inexpensive. Some players have made effectively vignettes with camp followers, particularly animated soldiers, officers, or NCOs, rear area personnel such as civilian contractors and laborers, etc… If one wants to get elaborate, wounded and medical staff, event crates of supplies and barrels. One player told me he was elated that he was now thrilled to have a use for some military/regimental bands he had assembled. So one can get as creative as they please. Hopefully some others will post with photos of what they've done.
-David
Thanks David,
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I'll be interested to see if anyone has a nice looking but cheap and easy to do solution.
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Cheers
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Steve Nutt
A Napoleonic era tent is about as simple to make as it gets, especially in 10mm scale. Add a campfire or crates and, even a "deluxe version" is cheap cheap cheap. A spare figure or 2 would complete it.
