Getting Ready for Sharp Practice

[AWu]

Thanks Derek
I know how many i have to convert for old uniforms

Damn, two model short for 2 groups from on Perry box :>

[Elk101]

I'm not overly familiar with Sharp Practice other than some tweaked versions at various BLAM games,  but as I have no knowledge of the core rules I'm not sure what the differences were. I'd be interested in using this for Peninsula War and Russia Campaign games for Napoleonics, and for ACW. Are the unit numbers quoted (8 for a mounted unit, for example) absolute or can you have half strength units? Almost all my ACW and Napoleonic cavalry are in units of 12, which is fine if I have a couple of the same units but by and large I don't.

[Derek H]

I'm not overly familiar with Sharp Practice other than some tweaked versions at various BLAM games,  but as I have no knowledge of the core rules I'm not sure what the differences were. I'd be interested in using this for Peninsula War and Russia Campaign games for Napoleonics, and for ACW. Are the unit numbers quoted (8 for a mounted unit, for example) absolute or can you have half strength units? Almost all my ACW and Napoleonic cavalry are in units of 12, which is fine if I have a couple of the same units but by and large I don't.

You could use six man cavalry units, but they'd be rather fragile and become ineffective quicker than the recommended eight man units.  Four man cavalry units would  be pretty useless.    

[Elk101]

You could use six man cavalry units, but they'd be rather fragile and become ineffective quicker than the recommended eight man units.  Four man cavalry units would  be pretty useless.    

Thanks, very useful. I suppose it doesn't actually matter If I have 4 figures left over thinking about it! Does artillery feature at all?

[Derek H]

Does artillery feature at all?

Yes.  And it can be really effective.  Probably gun plus five crew and one leader type, though I'm not sure if that's finalised. 

[Derek H]

Thanks, very useful. I suppose it doesn't actually matter If I have 4 figures left over thinking about it!

And don't forget you'll probably be needing some NCOs as Leaders.  . 

[Elk101]

Thanks again. I'm getting quite interested in the idea of picking this up now.

[Goliad]

Does anyone know if the guideline of five units of eight would apply to all cavalry forces? Or does using cavalry mean fewer units? I am interested in actions between cavalry screens but 40+ cavalry a side might be a bit much in 28mm.

[Derek H]

Does anyone know if the guideline of five units of eight would apply to all cavalry forces? Or does using cavalry mean fewer units? I am interested in actions between cavalry screens but 40+ cavalry a side might be a bit much in 28mm.

Where did you see that guideline? 

[Goliad]

Hi Derek H, the link in the original post that started this thread went to a force guideline discussion on Lard Island news. As a guideline the article suggested 5 x 8 regular foot plus 1 x 6 skirmishes/lights.

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=5457

[Derek H]

Hi Derek H, the link in the original post that started this thread went to a force guideline discussion on Lard Island news. As a guideline the article suggested 5 x 8 regular foot plus 1 x 6 skirmishes/lights.

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/?p=5457

Sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying.  I haven't seen any guidelines for all cavalry forces and wouldn't be surprised if they've not been written yet.   A cavalry group is on a higher support list than infantry of equivalent class, so I'd expect all cavalry forces to be slightly smaller than all infantry ones.  Not much smaller though.  And I might be wrong.  

And of course you can do what you like in your own scenarios.  


As I understand it the rules mechanics are now just about finalised and Richard is working on brushing up the text and writing force lists.  

[flags_of_war]

The pre order bundles are now online

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6&zenid=3897bff2d781a4250b7399c307261088

[shandy]

And there are also two videos explaining force composition and deployment:

[Marine0846]

Have been watching news of the game.
May have to pick up a copy.
Looks like it would be fun to play.
I find that I am playing more and more 'large skirmish' games.

[guitarheroandy]

Rich from TfL came over to the Peterborough club on Monday and put on a 'participation demo' using AWI forces. It was a large scale game (cos there were about 8 interested players) which still fitted a 6x4 table, although 6x6 would have been better.

I watched, as there were too many of us to all play and I was converted on the spot! The rules mechanisms seemed excellent, with lots of vital command decisions to keep players thinking and the force sizes, even at a fairly large game scale, were not prohibitive. I'm already in the midst of ordering Indian Mutiny forces for the game.

From memory, the forces on Monday were:

British:

1 x status 3 leader commanding 3 groups of 8 British line, plus a sergeant (status 1)
1 x status 1 leader commanding 2 x groups of 8 Hessian line infantry
1 status 1 leader commanding 1 x group of 8 Loyalist cavalry
1 status 1 leader commanding 1 x group of 6 Loyalist Ranger skirmishers
1 status 1 leader commanding 1 x group of 6 Hessian Jaeger skirmishers

1 x support option of a cart containing  ammunition

Rebel Colonists:

1 x status 3 leader commanding 2 groups of 8 Continental line
1 x status 1 leader commanding 2 x groups of 8 Continental militia
1 x status 1 leader commanding 2 x group of 8 Continental militia
1 x status 1 leader commanding 1 x group of 6 American Riflemen skirmishers
1 x status 1 leader commanding 1 x group of 6 American Riflemen skirmishers
1 x status 1 leader commanding 1 x 3pdr cannon with 5 crew

1 x support option of a cart containing water and ammunition.

I may have got the status levels of some of the leaders wrong, but you get the idea.

The game played out really well. All the troops performed as one would expect.

Highly recommended.