A tale of two playtests: Hermannstadt 1849

[ChrisBBB]

(Apologies if you've already seen this on other fora, but I don't see why LAF should miss out.)

Battle #3 in our Hungary 1848 campaign turned out to be a real see-saw last-throw-of-the-dice nail-biter.

Actually, while that's true of our second go at this previously untested draft scenario, the first playtest was deflatingly abortive. Various factors conspired to give the Hungarians a very one-sided win after 90 minutes. Well, that's why we playtest! Maybe it's more interesting to hear about such failures than the usual "it was brilliant, everyone had a good time", so why don't I use this post to say a bit more about the failed playtest.

It was abortive because the Hungarians got an instant win by capturing the Austrian fortress on Turn 3 or 4. I should have known better than to allow an instant win in the victory conditions. It risks cutting the game short (as it did on this occasion) and everyone misses out on half an evening's gaming.

They got into the fortress too easily in part because the careless scenario author (me) had neglected to include the fortress artillery on the Austrian order of battle. Yes, I know, quite a significant oversight. I guess I didn't expect it to become relevant so I didn't bother. Duly corrected.

Luck played its part too. The fortress would have been harder to take if a unit garrisoning had not rolled snake-eyes, the 3% chance it needed to spontaneously retire and vacate the defences before the Hungarians attacked.

Again I need to take some of the blame, though. Shortly before the game, and despite mild objection from one Austrian player, I changed the Austrian OB to add a General (+1 to movement rolls in his command radius) but make their army Passive (-1 to movement rolls when in good order). This was done with good intentions – if the players have no generals represented, they have less control and fewer choices – but proved to be crucially harmful to the Austrian cause (especially as their General got 'bumped' and was out of action during the critical turn). Again, duly corrected.

I am happy to report that after minor tweaking we replayed it and had a stonking good game. Full report on the BBBBlog:
https://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.com/2021/02/hermannstadt-micro-campaign.html

It still needs a bit more tweaking and playtesting, but it's almost there. The boys are keen to give it one more go, and that should do it.

Chris

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Hungary 1848:
https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/hungary-1848-the-winter-campaign.php?sid=5ba401e38c8232e6c652a349bbb4b13b