I suppose that a few comments on historical accuracy are appropriate. At this scale and scope there are few comments on tactical "feel" that would make sense. The artillery in all the rules has appropriate characteristics even if there are range distortions in Shako and in Volley and Bayonet and the artillery in La Petit Empereur can only be called "Grand Batteries." The rules all give infantry and cavalry different capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses which would have to be called historical. But in the end all of these are at a command level that would preclude detailed troop types and capabilities. Likewise national characteristics in all armies have been for the most part reduced to the basics, Volley and Bayonet and Shako give the French a maneuver bonus. In Le Petit Emperor the Prussian infantry rally easier. These are not rules that will give the player the feel of battalion, brigade or even division command because that's not what they are designed to do.

Of the three we thought that Volley and Bayonet gave the most options while La Petit Empereur gave the least. The Shako regular rules looked the most interesting but they moved battalions so we used the large battle rules that used divisions. Of all the rules Volley and Bayonet was the easiest to read and to understand.

Part of the reason people play Napoleonics is the color and the uniforms and variety of units, in this case the Volley and Bayonet and Shako allow for the most figures on the table and therefore the best chance to show off your units. Shako also has the advantage of having the capability of play in a number of basing schemes where as the others require re-basing or some other temporary basing system to use the rules. Shako is also two levels of games while both Shako and Volley and Bayonet include other eras in the rules.

Introduction

First Action: Volley & Bayonet

Second Action: Shako

Third Action: Le Petit Empereur

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