Soldiers of Napoleon 01: A Bitter and Bloody Learning Game

[@totalburnout5424]

Great report. Was a lot of fun. 👍 You should think about using more skirmishers. Don't underrate the shooting distance of skirmishers. This opens the window for light cavalry chasing skirmishers, too. Another battle report would be welcome, by the way. 😉

[@7thson726]

There will definitely be another video 😁 glad you enjoyed it. This one was about getting to grips with the rules, there are a few things we got wrong but I think we've identified those, so it should've more straightforward next game 😁

[@totalburnout5424]

@@7thson726 Nice to hear. Was motivating to unpack the rules again. 👍🏻

[@ShaunTame-re5us]

What a super looking table and troops! Thank you that was a very enjoyable vid.

[@7thson726]

Really pleased you enjoyed it 👍

[@jamesmoyon5264]

That was really fun! Lovely to see some more Napoleonics on your channel. I'm painting up my Epic British, and the first regiment will be the 32nd Cornwall.

[@7thson726]

Excellent choice 👍 it was definitely fun to get the Napoleonics out again, they will be back again, probably sooner rather than later

[@mysticmouse7983]

Great easy watch ...rules are very thoughtful, strong narragive feel and fun!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@norm977]

Superb presentation and demonstration, thanks very much to both of you for taking the time to share.

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy 👍

[@garrywillswargamerauthor]

Great video, well done to you both for giving us such great entertainment. It was great to see these rules be demonstrated. The cards seemed to make the game very clunky and sprinkled Napoleonic 'flavour' in a pretty random way unconnected to what was going on in the game itself. The cavalry behaved in a very un-cavalry way and were clearly unable to force the infantry into square. Having got on the flank of the Hanoverian Landwehr the Chasseurs a Cheval should have been able to sweep the brigade away. However you both clearly enjoyed it and you have saved me from buying it. Thanks again.

[@7thson726]

Totally appreciate your comment and thank you for putting it forward in a decent, reasoned way, sometimes people aren't as... polite haha. I think i have some quetions over the the way cavarly acted which i hope will be resolved over the next few games, as that was the area i felt we maybe got wrong more than anything else. But we'll see. Thanks for taking the time to comment. All the best.

[@CullodenPaintingStudio]

Late to the party as usual but I really enjoyed this game. The rules are a very interesting approach, taking inspiration from board games with the card mechanics. I am looking forward to your next Soldiers of Napoleon game.

[@7thson726]

Cheers buddy, glad you enjoyed it, next one will be up in a few days hopefully 👍

[@davekitcat8061]

Thanks Martin & Robin, it was nice to see these rules played and I look forward to future instalments.

[@7thson726]

Cheers buddy, we had a good time playing and will be doing another one soon 👍

[@paulbenson9015]

Thanks Martin & Robin for putting this on. Very interesting rules & mechanisms which certainly add Napoleonic flavour. I love BP but would be keen to see more SoN. What a beautiful table!!👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy, the table was a bit of a last minute set up. I'm very impressed with the rules so far 👍

[@MiniatureOdyssey]

I would also be VERY keen to see more games of SoN

[@7thson726]

@@MiniatureOdyssey 😅

[@johnvandenhoeven1356]

I play Warwicks WW2 rules Battlegroup which are great.This looks awesome too,might get me back into Napoleonics😉nice report

[@7thson726]

Robin who I play against is a massive Battlegroup fan so I imagine given how much he likes SON you may as well 👍

[@anthonyhinton-west9944]

Great game, chaps, easy to follow and it produced a game with lots of period flavour (those poor Hannoverians being bullied by French cavalry!)

[@7thson726]

Yeah, they weren't up to their normal plucky standards 😅

[@JasonHenke]

The table looks fantastic. The game was fun to watch. Thank you for putting the together and sharing it.

[@7thson726]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@owbnid]

Well, that was excellent, a very enjoyable play through and a great introduction to the game, a far better watch than anything on the telly! I have been wondering about this game for a while and I am very pleased to see that it does have the elegant simplicity of rules that I enjoy and enough nuance to give flavour. The card play is superb! Great looking game too , you have a talent for setting a table

[@7thson726]

Really pleased to hear that mate 😁 it certainly has alot of elements that appeal to me. Glad you like the table, it ended up being quite last minute deciding on the set up 👍

[@owbnid]

@@7thson726 I have ordered the rules! I shall use them for my long neglected 15's

[@samwiseweezy7250]

Maybe I missed it in the back catalogue, but it would be super cool/helpful to get some insight into what you use for terrain. Things like how you make the what you use for long grass/fields, the brush scatter, etc. Great video as always!

[@7thson726]

Hey no problem, I haven't done a dedicated video but I'm looking at including one soon. With a time lapse of hose i build up the board 👍 the long grass is teddy bear fur stained different colours and the bushes are various bits of lichen and flock if that helps

[@samwiseweezy7250]

@@7thson726 It does indeed! Thank you, though I'd definitely love to see a dedicated table set up vid sometime

[@PhilipSale-hn8lz]

Also glad to see Robin has opened his own channel. Just about to subscribe to it.

[@7thson726]

Excellent 👍

[@MartinHoey]

Really enjoyed the game. I thought I might have to move down to 15 mm, or epic scale to use these rules on a 6 x 4 table, but you proved me wrong. Going to give them a go this weekend,

[@7thson726]

Fantastic, look forward to hearing how it went 👍

[@Sonanders02]

Great battlereport! Been wanting to try out these rules for a long time and this just made them look more intresting. Slowly but surely building armies for the fall of 1813 using warlords epic scale figures.

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed it, I can certainly see us playing this again 👍

[@not_asteky]

Very entertaining! Hope to see more of this, great battle!

[@7thson726]

Thanks 👍 there will be more on the way 😁

[@lionheart3916]

Great battle report, I really liked the use of cards

[@7thson726]

Cheers mate, it was good fun to make 👍

[@Kymfre01]

That was a really enjoyable game to watch. The card aspect is really interesting, looking forward to the next game.

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much. I'm glad you liked it, im looking forwardto the next one as well

[@DashwarGaming]

Ive now played these rules 3 times now - solo - all three games ended prematurely IMHO - VP system is too rewarding and needs to be scaled back to allow more action on the game table, maybe no VP awarded for melee wins, rally and or disruption = no bases. Alternatively arbitarily mutiply the VP break point by 1.5 or 2. Otherwise I do like the feel of the game and the bursts of action with consec special events cards. Some house rules coming me thinks.

[@7thson726]

Hopefully have another game coming in a few weeks 👍 I quite like the VP system but agree that arbitrary ending a game can be frustrating, I'm coming round more now to the use of timers for battles

[@halfblindbear]

Great game and battle. Looks like a very interesting and appealing rule system.

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching 👍

[@iainthepict55]

Not a napoleonic fan but actually enjoyed this video more than i thought i would.

[@7thson726]

Thats awesome, thatnks for taking the time to watch

[@reddsaxxmike2865]

34:00 infantry in line with unsecured flanks, channeling the prince of orange at waterloo

[@7thson726]

Absolutley :D

[@paulspaintshed3511]

Great game guys. I really enjoyed that. Some very interesting mechanisms in the game. I'll watch your other games before jumping in i think.

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed the video dude, there will certainly be another game 👍

[@RWRShortLine]

I really enjoy these rules, you made a few mistakes, but first game and a lot of fun to watch. Hope you play these rules again and share.

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, it was very much a learning game so we've taken note and hopefully next game there will be less errors but sometimes these things get through, I find it best to try and resolve but if you can't find the answer swiftly either make a house rule for that game or do something that seems sensible. Thanks for watching, we'll definitely be having another game 👍

[@sirpickelhelm3335]

Love the video keep up the great work!

[@7thson726]

Will do, thanks 👍😁

[@nzdarkelf2451]

I'm really looking forward to this Martin - what a surprise. I have had a lot to do with the black Powder Napoleonic Supplements, but one of my fellow playtesters, Peter, has completely fallen for this rules system. I have the rules and a scenario supplement, but I'm yet to play or even really read it properly. i won't get to this until late next week, but thanks. this should be awesome. - Ben.

[@7thson726]

You're welcome, I hope you enjoy it. It's a rather basic run-through but we'll add more elements into our next one, we had a cracking time playing it 😁👍 I had it on my shelf for over a year, I wish I'd tried it sooner.

[@nzdarkelf2451]

@@7thson726 Martin and Robin thanks for that. I wasn't disappointed. I am now a convert. I can't wait to give this a go. I would love to see you guys battle out a game of Soldiers of God with your crusader armies sometime. - Ben.

[@7thson726]

@@nzdarkelf2451 glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching. I'm looking forward to the next game. Soldiers of God is definitely one I have on the list 😁👍

[@nzdarkelf2451]

@@7thson726 Yea, I see they have a pdf copy of SoG (a bit of a rough scan of the old book) for sale, so I'm gonna get it now. You defo need to look at putting your infantry into square when you have the chance. It was nice to see the lancers being brutal for Robin and his 4 card play.

[@nzdarkelf2451]

PS. Its good to see Robin now has a channel. I've subscribed, and will soon be checking out his content. keep up the good gaming guys. You fellas are ace. - Ben.

[@David-js4wd]

Very nice playthrough, good enough to have me order a copy.

[@7thson726]

Awesome, I wish we had gotten around to it sooner to be honest, but we'll be having another game soon

[@wayoutwest7]

Yes! Great to see you play other rule systems than Blackpowder.

[@7thson726]

Always happy to try other games 👍

[@splau2020]

Cool battle, would love to see more of these.

[@7thson726]

Thank you, we'll definitely be having another game, hopefully in the next few weeks 👍

[@robandrosehobden3344]

Fantastic game really enjoyed it hello better on the big screen same as Dons game well done keep it up👍👍🤠🤠

[@7thson726]

Really pleased you enjoyed it, thanks for watching

[@robandrosehobden3344]

@@7thson726 I really enjoy watching your games and learning quite a lot at the same time better than trying to read the rules cheers for a great game🤠🤠

[@WarwickKinrade]

lovely looking game... enjoyed this a lot :-). Well played on rules, few things, first card play on turn 3 was 2 orders and the Hannoverian brigade used 3 orders (volley, bombard and march). Missed the discipline test when being charged, or take a point of disruption... also a withdraw move (after combats) is half move plus the dice. :-) .

[@7thson726]

Really pleased you enjoyed it 😁 looking to have another game soon and try to get to grips with things like the objective cards 👍 it's certainly left both of us wanting more

[@MiniatureOdyssey]

It's officially my new favourite non ww2 game.

[@JohnDouglasist]

Great to see Soldiers of Napoleon on the table: these rules deserve a lot more love IMO. Although I have to admit I think the game shines in smaller scales, where you can actually decide where to strike or move to table objectives. Great report as always!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, cheers for taking the time to comment 👍

[@TheLordRossy]

Some really fun and interesting concepts. The multi card, rallying, events and disruption seemed great ideas. Although couldn’t see any mechanics for supports and couldn’t tell the skirmishes benefit either.

[@MiniatureOdyssey]

Skirmishers have double the fire range of line infantry. They also ignore terrain for line of fire, to represent them finding better positions. You measure from the parent unit. Effectively they give you longer range.

[@MiniatureOdyssey]

For supports, I assume you mean in combat? You declare and make all charges with a brigade before the melee is resolved. So you can contact 1 unit with multiple units and resolve it all as one melee. Effectively giving the attacker double attacks compared to the defender.

[@TheLordRossy]

@@MiniatureOdyssey i was thinking that with black powder you get +1 on melee result per supporting unit within 3”, gda you get to reroll per supports. Even command and colours (a similar card based game albeit not miniatures) has advantages for being with supports. Actually that last one maybe just in defence. Anywho what I meant was when one unit attacks another. Does the other nearby units contribute to the melee or morale by being close to battle or only if they are in contact with same unit. Just wondering if the mechanics encourage you attack as a cohesive brigade supporting one another.

[@7thson726]

We didn't really have any multiple combats but my understanding is they take a much more active role in these rules 👍

[@jj5329]

I'm really into the Napoleonic wars and could tell you which battle is depicted in all the famous paintings! From someone also in the UK (I'm down in the south but way west of London) how would I go about getting into something like this and finding people to play with that aren't pushing retirement!? (The photos on the websites of the local gaming clubs show everyone looking 50+) I've never done any wargaming so not looking for really complex stuff that drags on for a whole weekend, just something you could play over an afternoon.

[@7thson726]

Thats great that your looking into it. As you have alrady pointed out clubs are a good start though i appreciate what your saying. Another way is going into some of the Napoleonic Gaming FB groups and looking for players. Groups such as Black Powder 28mm Wargaming, Warlord Black Powder Napoleonics, Napoleonic Wargamer all come to mind. Also, the group we run through our podcast has alot of players for all sorts of games all across the country. Just search The Plastic Crack Podcast on FB, answer the three questions to join and once approved post away. I hope this helps

[@miketurner2943]

You can deploy the Light Co from the Line BNs, it doesn't have to be a special rifle unit

[@7thson726]

Oh we know, I just chose to take the rifles 👍

[@craigwilliams3630]

Its an interesting rules system - I like the potential to chain cards and have something cause a big impact but obviously at the risk of then being stagnant for a greater part of the rest of the turn.

[@7thson726]

That's something I enjoyed as well, sort of a big gamble 👍

[@BrixtonTone]

Good game, great table !

[@7thson726]

Thank you 👍

[@NicolaiVE]

Well played. I'm on the fence between blackpowder and these rules. This does look more strategic, but luck is also a greater factor, not only the dice but the cards determine alot about how the game is gona go...

[@7thson726]

That's true, same can be said with order rolls, this gives you more control I'd say at the command level but also loses a bit of that part which is fun in those games 👍 only answer ... Play both 😁

[@mysticmouse7983]

Rules seem to promote a narrative flow.

[@PhilipSale-hn8lz]

Great game.

[@7thson726]

Thanks 👍

[@rob72-c1c]

Really enjoyed the game ty from a newbie

[@7thson726]

Your very welcome 👍

[@CheckYourLeaderTV]

Interesting set of rules. Very abstract and doesn’t seem to do skirmishing the justice it deserves. Nice beer and pretzels kinda game

[@7thson726]

I think we missed a few things, hopefully we'll get those ironed out on the next one and show those parts off better 👍

[@CheckYourLeaderTV]

@@7thson726 could well be the case. After a bit more research of these rules I see the authors emphasise ‘skirmishing’,.. go figure 😁. It strikes me of more an ‘active spectator’ type game where you’re at the mercy of the cards. But that can be a lot of fun. But I could be completely off target here. GDA2 is still my go to for Napoleonic games

[@JohnDouglasist]

Skirmishing is a strong point of these rules actually - but it doesn’t come easy and not in the first run (similarly to objective cards). This and GdA2 are my favorite Naps rulesets: if you like GdA give this a go!

[@grantpavitt3198]

Nice game 😊

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed it mate 👍

[@goforitpainting]

Cool battle report. 🏇

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 👍

[@nigelbetts1745]

They are a great set of rules

[@7thson726]

totally agree

[@delryn256]

This game looks like it would work well at 15mm. Great batrep!

[@7thson726]

Thanks - i think a 15mm game would play really well

[@miketurner2943]

The Brits owed you a Morale Check for being Charged

[@7thson726]

Yeah thats something we messed up in each one, a post it has been added to the book 😁

[@EdwardEast-x1j]

Looking forward to this!

[@7thson726]

Thanks, hopefully you enjoy it haha, we were learning as we went so its a bit longer than the normal battle reports

[@stephenbarker7793]

Looks great and interesting rules, which I enjoyed watching. Movement distances very small. I'd find frustrating. Highlanders 1" move over the wall.

[@rovens]

But you might be moving 2 or 3, or even 4 times in a turn if you choose to.

[@stephenbarker7793]

@@rovens I'm sure. Didn't see that happen here much though. I'll be watching other games with the rules. Very enjoyable mechanisms nevertheless.

[@7thson726]

I think I tackled that in the wrong formation to be fair 😅

[@mr.c6714]

Thanks for the report, good to see the rules in action. Great looking table too. How did you do the road ? Is it just gravel on the table cloth ?

[@7thson726]

Thanks 👍 the road is made from dirt, scatter and even some coffee grounds 😁☕

[@kingfisher5303]

Have you considered GDA2 at all?

[@7thson726]

I have wanted to give it a go but not many local players who want to 👍

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Cracking table! Just wondered how the roads are made. I‘m assuming sand or fine gravel. Is it glued down, wetted or just patted down? How do you clean it off afterwards?

[@7thson726]

Thank you, glad you like it. The roads are made from a ground cover mix from baked soil, coffee grounds (honestly 😅) and some random bits of flock and lichen. I just spread it with a brush and when it's done with I sweep it up and pop it back in the tub 👍

[@reddsaxxmike2865]

My problem with card aided games, you end up playing the cards and not napoleonics. More card gamey , less napoleonic game.

[@7thson726]

Fair comment, finding that balance, or a balance your happy with can be hard 👍

[@mysticmouse7983]

War is a game of cards...

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

My sentiment too. Nothing wrong with card assistance in games but it’s got to be done in a subtle way, leaving the tactical decisions to the players. Random-event cards should mainly be there to introduce friction.

[@sheepmanification]

We’ve played this eight times now and started thinking along the same lines as you guys but the cards really don’t overwhelm the game. They give you in an informational way the decisions that a commander would have to make and don’t allow cart blanch with units/brigades doing everything they want all at the same time. Really good rule set for this level of game.

[@YOUPIMatin123]

Musket battle game is best

[@MrElliptific]

fun video and beautiful terrain/miniatures. I just can't get my head around the rules, actions look too magic and restricted.

[@7thson726]

Thanks, we enjoyed putting it together. That's the great thing though, lots of rules to suit everyone out there 👍

[@davidbenton8775]

Late, but not as late as Grouchy.

[@7thson726]

This is very true 😅

[@TheAVeidt]

Good game, beautiful table, but it doesn’t feel like Robin lost the battle? British won by victory points, but there is no clear indication as to why the French would retreat after turn 4, if that makes sense.

[@7thson726]

For this game it was simply that his army morale level had been broken. More seasoned units and veterans give you a higher morale value as do certain in game effects and army specific upgrades. As this was just a learning game we felt it was more worthwhile getting to grips with the way the game works, how the cards interact before getting into list building, off table effects etc. from a narrative point of view I suppose you could say that the French advance was checked repeatedly, the only success coming from the cavalry but with out wider infantry support they would not be able to continue. The rest of the French Army tried and failed to break through the British line and retired after sustained casualties 👍

[@TheAVeidt]

@@7thson726 yeah fair enough, I just felt that that cavalry brigade in your flank would make massive damage in the next turn; but also your cavalry was about to arrive so who knows! I know you probably have your hands full, but you might want to check out Valour & Fortitude. It’s free, short, very well designed, it has fun cards for extra flavour, and great support from the community and author (Jervis Johnson).

[@JohnDouglasist]

Hey mate, any plan for another battle report using SoN?

[@7thson726]

Hey there, if all goes according to plan we should be filming a game next week 👍

[@wadeys3360]

Where can I purchase some of these models ?

[@7thson726]

The majority of these are Perry Miniatures, Victrix miniatures and Warlord games - all of these companies have their own dedicated websites 👍

[@BootsontheTable]

Mmm very involved, not sure I like all the cards tbh. But nice looking game. Sort of SAGA napoleonics 😝

[@7thson726]

😅 I'll pass that on to Robin, sure he'll love that haha

[@ThisNameWasntUs3d]

Is Gripping Beast the only company who stock this game mate? Looks great, but shipping to the EU is vicious!

[@7thson726]

I think there may be a couple of FLGS that stock it, try Boards and Swords or Miniature Kingdoms, they may be able to help 👍

[@Gingerbwas]

What model range are you using? Are they the ones from GrippingBeast?

[@7thson726]

So there are loads in these armies; mainly Perry, Victrix and Warlord but there are also Foundry, Front Rank (which are the ones Gripping Beast have now) and some other companies - it's a right mash up 👍

[@roguetrooper5401]

Great game intresting rules but there must be something wrong with them Martin wins my world makes no sense anymore

[@7thson726]

😅 6 months, 6 bloody months that win has taken me, let me hold on to it a little longer haha

[@YOUPIMatin123]

Those rules are exhausting. Too much,

[@7thson726]

Fair enough 👍 plenty of rules out there to cover everyone 😁