Generals frequently could intervene little in the course of a battle once the initial plan and orders had been given. In order to maintain control over some units, they would be kept in reserve instead of being committed to the line. These rules are intended to give the players the same ability that the generals had. These rules supercede the rules for Guard Commitment.

Corps used in battle are divided into three groups: line, reserve, and outflank (if chosen). These are divided at the time in which the outflanking and pinning forces are normally separated. All units contribute equally to morale. Units in Line can be used to inflict casualties and take casualties. Units in Outflank function normally. Units in corps which are held in Reserve do not inflict casualties and cannot be taken as casualties. As per outflank, if all units in Line are killed, the army breaks.

Committing Reserves

After the first and second rounds of combat, reserve corps can be committed to battle. Each side secretly determines if it is going to commit, which corps, and to what affect. Then the decisions are revealed and the commitments made. There are three ways in which reserve corps can be committed: to the Line, to the Attack, and to the Defense.

Corps committed to the line are moved to the Line. The units in the corps may inflict and take casualties as normal. Corps committed to the Attack are attempting to break the enemy line. The corps rolls on the +2 Guard Commitment Loss table. The corps takes as losses what is rolled on the chart. Any surviving units in the corps may inflict and take casualties as normal. If any units in the corps survived and the morale of the corps was higher then the number of casualties taken, the army receives +1 Morale column chart shift in the next round. Regardless of the number of corps committed, the army may receive at most 1 chart shift.

Corps committed to the Defense are attempting to close a break in their own line. The corps rolls on the +1 Guard Commitment Loss table. The corps takes as losses what is rolled on the chart. Any surviving units in the corps may inflict and take casualties as normal. If any units in the corps survived and the morale of the corps was higher then the number of casualties taken, the opposing army receives -1 Morale column chart shift in the next round.

Regardless of the number of corps committed, the army may receive at most +1 chart shift.

Cavalry Pursuit: Cavalry which was held in reserve throughout the battle pursues on the column after the appropriate number of rounds but with no morale damage.