Legacy of Glory

Napoleonic Rules

reviewed by David Dugas

Legacy of Glory is a new set of grand-tactical rules written by Matthew and Douglas DeLaMater for Napoleonic gaming in 15, 25, and 5/6mm scales, The rules combine an innovative sequence of play with a reasonably detailed and fast moving system of combat resolution that allows players to concentrate on corps and army level decision making. The resulting game gives players a good sense for the problems of Napoleonic command at that level, namely the relationship between the commander's ability to process tactical information overtime versus the compounded difficulties of "delay, distance, smoke,and uncertainty" generated by the game system.

The sequence of play is structured in two hour "grand battle" turns that are further subdivided into six tactical bounds regulating combat and tactical decision making. The central feature of the sequence of play is the Command Sequence which begins each grand battle turn. During this sequence players allocate command points to initiate orders, rally troops, order units to react to new threats, and commit reserves, to name just a few. The players then determine how long their orders will take to pass down the chain of command to the units which must perform them.

And finally, a test is made to see what the local formation commanders do with the orderandwhen, if atall, theytake action. As it would be in real life, the possibility of orders being issued, delayed, and not obeyed plays havoc with a players decision making unless he or she "keeps it simple" in terms of overall planning.

Combat resolution is well designed for the scale of the game. (1"=50 meters in 15mm scale), all combat functions being contained on one reference chart, with an additional chart each for morale and command functions. Action is based on an action and reaction system, with whole formations moving to the assault in "waves". Combat occurs as each side compares a basic morale value for each individual unit in contact, applies modifiers and rolls two ten-sided dice (included) for a result. There is also a provision for varying types of infantry assaults and firefights. In my own experience of playing the game at ColdWars, combat resolution was generally swift and "satisfying" with whole formations being repulsed and sent to the rear only to regroup and return (reluctantly) to the assault three or four scale "hours" later, again being a good simulation of historical outcomes.

Skirmishers behave realistically with players relieved of having to resolve the fire of individual skirmish companies. Instead, skirmish combat is resolved in a screen vs screen manner. Artillery has varying effectiveness depending on tactical usage, such as the formation of massed batteries and casualties being allocated to multiple units in the target area.

Difficult to simulate aspects of Napoleonic warfare, such as town combat and cavalry charges, are handled with special rules that preserve speed of play without sacrificing the possibility of a realistic outcome. The rules provide lots of "chrome" to enhance the historical feel of the game, capturing trophies, smoke, artillery ammunition, and other such niceties, for example.

Included in the boxed set of rules are suggestions on organization (though remounting figures based for other popular systems is not necessary), and very complete appendices of historical unit and command ratings, including more famous (or infamous) individual units and sizes for all major nationalities, also included are Ottomans and the various satellite nations. A third appendix offers summarized chart explanations which are very helpful for quicker play.

The overall quality of the rule book and well organized charts is high with good explanatory diagrams to assist in their "digestion". And though these rules, being of the more comprehensive variety, may be too complex for those new to wargaming, theirclarity will reward anyone wanting a fresh approach to this period of gaming, and they are well worth the price. Available from hobbyshops, mail orderhouses, or Glory Games, 10 Cedarwood Circle, Pittsford, NY 14534.

The Reviewing Stand

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