Slitherine

At present (complex moves) CMT are not possible to any unit that is out of command but those units are completely free to make simple moves . . . (I, for one, often operate a LC unit on the opposite side of the table to its Division Commander cos there is no penalty to doing so - it can be rallied by the Corps Commander after all.) . . . this ability to control such 'lone' units seems far away from the practice of the period; and out of character with the rest of the rules set . . .

so . . . how's about considering bringing in the weeniest of amendments as follows:

The only simple move available to a unit that is out of command is a stationary formation or direction change - any other move for a unit that is out of command is a complex move (thus requiring a CMT and CP expenditure).

The advantages of this approach are that it will bring more pressure onto CP use AND reward the keeping of Divisions closer together and within command. It also adds further value to an officer attachment by making this the only sensible way to operate a unit far away from its own Division.

I think that apart from increasing the value of better skilled officers, this would also lead to armies operating closer within their Divisional boundaries (and thus add to the 'Napoleonic' look and feel of the game). In addition, it would put a higher premium on using generals to lead units (cos it reduces their command range).

Best of all, it requires only a single sentence addition to the rules !!!

Whaddya reckon ??

KeefM wrote:. . . this ability to control such 'lone' units seems far away from the practice of the period;

This is where you err.

Brigades particularly mounted brigades and regiments often operated independently. Now this was generally a scout or skirmisher role. So if you are headed down this path maybe just say may not move closer than 2 MU to any enemy unit.

I think it works fine just as it is.
If I intend to have a LC unit operating away from its division, I always attach a brigade commander.
No way am I going to waste a Corp commander away from the main action just to rally some LC.

We must also be doing something wrong because generally we are always running out of command points. Maybe its because we don't do much in the way of attaching Div commanders to units.
cheers
Jim

These issues were exactly my point

Right now, no brigade commander is required for any unit to operate far far away from its Diviionslal Commander. Apart from declaring an assault (which can still be done requiring a CP/CMT), a remote unit can behave exactly as it wishes at any distance from its Divisional Commander as long as it sticks to simple moves. Heck, it can even declare an assault with only a single CP being required no matter how far it is from its divisional control.

Does that make sense ?

I'd be more than happpy if they needed to have a Brigade Commander attached to do this; but, actually, they don't and are perfectly effective doing so.

Don't get me wrong here; I am personally a major user of the non-BC approach myself. I have been running 5 light cavalry units - 3 in one cavalry division and 2 more in a mixed division; I use no officer (BC) attachments and regularaly operate at least 1 from each division far from their resppective DCs. For a mere 32 points (or 44 for a superior unit), I get a largely risk-free free-ranging unit. Any risk is low in as much as having a single CP for a charge is easy enough, and it is a simple move to form into an extended line and therefore be able to evade any enemy HC charges.

All this seems way too flexible for the period we are representing. In period, independent "units" were typically detached brigades (which in FoGN terms would mean having an attached BC). The period also strongly featured, by and large, a disinclination to act wihtout orders. Yet, currently, an independent unit can pretty much freely oerate wihtout any recourse to needing any CPs at all.

My suggestion was merely aimed at bringing a little more 'realism' to these "away teams"; if nothing else this might serve to limit our player control over such unrealistic free-range units. It would also make the investment in a BC officer attachment an essential (and more value-for-money) buy !

Im not sure. Many brigades of cavalry worked independently of their commander. The rules assume that the brigade commander can choose the appropriate formation and movement commands, why not a simple move? Also the extra CP needed to do anything else, or two to do a CMT, will quickly reduce the amount of options a competent commander can do. Keep it as is.

Yes, Leave as is.
Just because we have not attached a pointed brigade commander does not mean they have no officers in command.
I find LC away from it's division with no commander very vulnerable and I think that should be enough of a deterrent.
cheers
Jim

Any unit out of command can take a CMT by expending a 2nd CP (i.e. 2 CP's to take a CMT).
I don't operate units away from their commander unless they have a BC - except on rare occassions.

Not being able to recover cohesion is a big risk - and if they become spent or disordered you can't charge without a CP.
You also need a double CP if you wish to retire while facing the enemy.

As others have pointed out, cavalry often operated detached from the command, so I wouldn't want to stop players doing it.
The risks involved (without using a BC) are enough to deter people from doing it regularly.