DREUX 1562

[ZeaBed]

I've played preliminary games with both scenarios. An exciting and interesting game in each case.

Regarding Dreux Revised by pete, it becomes clear in this one that the Huguenots must move forward fast to engage the Catholic left wing. With this tactic, however, the already blocked Huggie artillery could remain irrelevant. But if the straggling Catholic right does not manage to move up and flank the Huguenots to stem their initiative, the Catholics will probably lose anyway.

The two play tests I did for this version both resulted in victories for the Catholics (24/52 v 52/50 and 49/52 v 50/50) and, in both battles, a lot of the fighting occurred just in front of the Hugenot guns so they did get plenty of shots in during thebattle.

In both cases, did the Huguenots advance quickly against the Catholic left, early in the game? I not only found it difficult to ensure a LOS for the Huggie guns, but as the Catholic left was pushed back their units went further out of range. Of course, in the one game I played the Huguenots won, which makes for a different battle field dynamic.

[stockwellpete]

Yes they did, but main melee eventually reached those Hugenot guns right at the end of one of the games - in the other game the main melee was a bit further away and there were less artillery shots. I don't think the ugenot artillery can be moved further forward without it looking a bit odd really.

[ZeaBed]

Well, I don't know much about Renaissance and post-Renaissance artillery placement, but having the immobile guns deployed behind a troop line could be a bit difficult from the operational angle. Just imho.

[stockwellpete]

Well, I don't know much about Renaissance and post-Renaissance artillery placement, but having the immobile guns deployed behind a troop line could be a bit difficult from the operational angle. Just imho.

If you look at fogman's first version that is exactly where he has the guns. All I did was to basically double the number of troops. I have done no research for this at all. The only positional change of any note that I made was to bring the guns forward to the front line and put them on raised hexes so they might get some more shots.

[fogman]

guns were only for defensive purposes. it wasn't until the advent of aggressive horse artillery that they become a true offensive weapon on the battle field. so the huguenot guns will not be used much in the first phase with the huguenots on the attack. but as the catholic right wing arrives they should see action.

[fogman]

updated.

[fogman]

New miniature version for quick play posted (top).

[ZeaBed]

Fogman, I've just finished a quick game against the AI. Playing the update of the regular version, not the miniature. It went by pretty fast by itself and was very enjoyable, but being the AI it got its arse handed to it big time. The Catholics never even got within range of the Huggie artillery. I plan to try soon against a human opponent. Good game.

[fogman]

a human catholic player would have staged a withdrawal for his outnumbered cavalry until his infantry gets in range. the computer can't think that far hence it will get smashed badly. Since there are more restrictions that channel the action on the miniature version, the computer should do somewhat better.

[ZeaBed]

Yes. This game should be played at least in solitaire fashion in the regular version.