I have been miniature or board gaming for over 31 years. I recently published a set of late 18th wargame rules called The King's Men (available for $15 from H. G. Walls, 3026 Springbrook Dr, South Bend, Indiana 46614). Now I am working on a second addition that expands the rules into the early Napoleonic wars that should be available for purchase by late this year (purchasers of the first edition of the rules will be able to purchase the amended Reference Chart and rules for a very modest fee). As I work on this update, I wanted to expand the rules to include several new topical areas including a set of recommended national modifiers. In addition, I have created a troop purchase table for those players that like using a point system for "buying" armies.

The purchase system accounts for morale differences, artillery and cavalry "weight", weapons (i.e. muskets vs. or rifles), and formation capability (i.e. light infantry skirmish capability). In this way, it factors in those differences which are standard across multiple armies. My system, like most purchase systems, fails to account for differences between national grand tactical doctrines and comparative advantage. However, the challenge is not to create "super" units or "supermen" as you will. For example, looking at the Prussian army in the Seven Year's War, I thought that the overriding advantage of the army was their greater discipline, ability to march and deploy more quickly than their opponents. In addition, they had some very charismatic leaders,

As I looked at my rule set, the rules handle "superior troops" pretty well through the Morale Class features of the rules (you get what you pay for). Generally leadership was also addressed through the charismatic leader features of the rules (charisma has its price). This really meant that the key advantage not addressed was the mobility of the Prussian infantry. So I created a "special modifier" for Prussian infantry that allow them to deploy more quickly when in March Columns. In addition, Prussian units always move after their opponents giving Prussians the ability to react to their opponents movement. The effect of these changes can be significant in the right circumstances. Since the Prussians will always hold the tactical advantage for maneuver, their opponents must seek defensive positions that deprive the Prussians of their advantages or use their own comparative advantages to offset the Prussian advantages. For example, the Russian comparative advantage I focused on was their infantry's solidness. More than other armies, they appear to be able to stand up to fire and melee with a comparative advantage to their enemies, but are bit clumsy to maneuver. In addition, they generally fielded a great deal of artillery. The purchase system addressed the ability of the Russian general to "buy" a lot of artillery, so no national modifiers were needed.

On the other hand, some minor adjustments were needed to "flavor" the Russian infantry. Towards this goal, I reduced the Russian infantry movement rate in line by 1/3, slowed their ability to change formation, and required them to move before their opponents in the turn sequence. Offsetting these mobility restrictions, I improved their melee ability and improved their ability to absorb casualties without adversely affecting their morale.

By integrating Russian "solid" infantry with artillery, the Russian army becomes somewhat immobile but a real bear to break. Trading fire with a Russian army even up under this design is a rather unrewarding experience. In contrast turning an exposed flank or exploiting a gap in the army before the Russian army can close the gap can be very effective.

By limiting the number of modifiers per army, you can create a "flavor" to the army without upsetting the balance of the game design. If done right, this flavor will reward historical tactics used by that army.

As I explore and expand the national modifiers through playtesting, research, and discussions with other gamers, I hope to arrive at a set of modifiers that are limited in scope for each country and create a sense a national identity on the table. It would be interesting to hear from the readership of MWAN what modifiers they would award to different nationalities if they were limited to three or less per country.