System 7 Napoleonics

(rules)

by Jim Womer

As most of you readers will recall, this journal included some incensed remarks and choice comments when System 7 Napoleonics were selected as the "best Miniatures line" at Origins '80. This review takes a long look at GDW's System 7 and the idea of cardboard Napoleonics, a concept which originated in England.

For the hard data, System 7 utilizes a ground scale of 1" equals 40 yards and a strength point (SP) being equivalent to 20 historical men (10 men if artillery crew). Individual pieces of cardboard represent infantry companies and cavalry squadrons which are then formed into battalions and regiments, each of which has identifying information painted on the counter as well as its facing colors.

Each artillery section (2 guns) is usually represented bY separate counters for gun, crew and limbers. While infantry and artillery frontages are recognizable, light cavalry units have a substantially greater frontage than their heavy cavalry cousins. Nothing is said about the basis, historical or otherwise, for these frontages. Incidentally, had figures been used, they would be 7mm scale to be in scale with the counters which is the reason for the name "System 7".

As an overview impression, I feel that this system has some real problems to overcome, but that it also has some real uses as well; hence, this limited endorsement.

Obviously, the esthetic appeal of System 7 is low with cardboard counters representing miniatures and the terrain abstracted, but it is superior to any boardgame on the market and does attempt to portray something of the uniform and facing colors. Somewhat more disappointing were the modified "Fire and Steel" rules specially adapted for use with System 7. Each set of System 7 works out to roughly enough cardboard SP's for an Army Corps, but the "Fire and Steel" rules are extremely tactical in nature, heavily dependent on a fairly complex roster, and seem best designed to employ no more than a division per side, this is akin to the right hand (System 7 developer) not telling the left hand (rules writer) what's being done. Regretably, that may have a rather adverse impact on spreading the system to its targeted audience: board wargamers. Finally, it should be noted that separating the counters from their mounting requires patience and at least an x-acto knife.

For the historical wargamer as distinct from the miniatures -- collector wargamer, System 7 has some major advantages. Not only are large numbers of units readily available, but they are low cost compared to miniatures and easy to store. For the Naploeonic novice or gamer interested in the period but lacking miniatures, this effort provides a sound if limited introduction to Napoleonic warfare.

For the miniaturist, System 7 could provide an introductory bridge for interested novices and boardgamers to cross; it can also provide the basis for a quick, small game when the game table is occupied by the laundry or some such distraction or when you need to workout rules and scenario problems.

For the hard-core historical gamer, the units presented will drive him to distraction. Given the capability to produce in cardboard and ink relatively complete and accurate historical armies, why do somewhat more than two-thirds of the Russian armies at Borodino and stop? Or parts of four different French corps circa 1812? Or about half of Wellington's Pennisular force and no French to oppose them? Similiarly, the unit selection for the Poles and Prussians was something of a dissappointment.

One other important advantage needs to be mentioned -- the system and scale are sound enough to be adaptable to other rules systems, although a roster must be utilized. This alone should give some pause for thought.

The last question is whither System 7? Although I wrote to the designer concerning this review, no response was forthcoming, That and the fact that no new sets have been released since Origins'80 leaves the future of this innovative semi-miniatures System in some doubt. It would be unfortunate to see System 7 pass away, if only because it is something of a window into Napoleonic wargaming for our boardgaming cousins.

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