Sunday, December 11, 2016

Chosen Men - MILITARY SKIRMISH GAMES IN THE NAPOLEONIC WARS



I was lucky enought to get me a pre-copy of Osprey´s latest release in the Wargaming Serie - Chosen Men - Military Skirmish Games in the Napoleonic Wars by Mark Altham.

Chosen Men 
MILITARY SKIRMISH GAMES IN THE NAPOLEONIC WARS
OSPREY WARGAMES 18
Author: Mark Latham
Illustrator: Mark Stacey
Short code: OWG 18
Publication Date: 15 Dec 2016
Paperback: £11.99

I have only had the time for a read of the rules, no games yet, so I really cant say if they would work good or bad. But from my reading it seems like the rules are easy to learn and are fast paced. You would need about 50-100 minis that are divided in units with 5-30 minis, each force have 3-6 such units.

In the Action phase of the game turn player 1 activate one unit then player 2 and so on untill all units have been activated. All Close combats are resolved after the action Phase have been concluded. If you have played some Warhammer Historical games you will be familiar with parts of the rules and that they will give good games.

There are ofcourse armie lists, British and French are the base and several of their Allies in different theatres of the Napoleonic War, But no Swedish or Russian army list...

there are also 6 scenarios included in the rules.

I get a good feel when I read the rules.I ill have to try them out but I´m not sure they are the kind of game I like to play. Fast paced indeed but maybe to much rules to get the result if you know what i mean. I suppouse I´m damaged bu the Lion Rampant Rule engine... anyway I will defenetly give Chosen Men a chanse on the gaming table ASAP.

Back side text of the rules:
Chosen Men is a set of fast-action skirmish rules detailing the bloody skirmishes between light troops in the Napoleonic Wars. The primary focus of the game is on soldiers and NCOs in light 'flank' companies, as they scout ahead of larger forces and take part in man-to-man actions against enemy skirmishers.

Although the game allows for the formation of accurately sized companies of light infantry and cavalry if you wish, these formations are broken down into small groups of up to a dozen men.

For the most part, officers are not swashbuckling super-heroes, but staunch commanders who rally and direct their men to achieve the battlefield objectives. Although the game uses an alternating action turn sequence, officers can use their influence on multiple units at the same time in an effort to steal the initiative. With all rolls resolved using standard 6-sided dice, this game combines a classic wargaming feel with modern wargame mechanics.


20 comments:

  1. I've bought/pre ordered it to use as rules for Napoleonic British sailor/marine landings in Denmark and Norway.
    Alan

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  2. Thank you for the preliminary review. I look forward to seeing some of your Chosen Men games.

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  3. Thanks a lot for the review. Waiting for that AAR.

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  4. I would like to see a comparison with Sharp Practice at some point

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  5. Cool, I do envy your contacts ;-). Looking forward to that AAR, even if M&T, Pikeman's lament and Sharpe Practise 2 ( yet to be tried) is enough for skirmish rules to choose from. And BP of course. We had A great GNW game yesterday, check out the AAR at my blog Micke (and others)

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  6. It looks interesting, I also want a comparison with Sharp Practice.

    On a side note do you know if your friend Ådalen plans to expand his range to include WWII Swedes as well?

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  7. I'm very interested in these rules!!

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  8. Michael, would you interested in trying my rules for the period: Fistful of Lead Horse and Musket?
    Requires far fewer miniatures. I can send you a copy for free.

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    1. Hi BaronVonJ
      Thank you very much for the offer, it is always nice to test new rules, please send a .pdf if possible to me at dalauppror@gmail.com

      Thank you very much!

      Best regards Michael

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  9. Thank you all !

    I Will se if i can write an AAR and Also comparison with Sharp Practice.

    Spontaniasly i would choose Sharp Practice but that based on that i already know the rules and like them very much. I would say Choosen men are a easier set of rules but not as easy as the Lion Rampant rule engine.

    We actually used The Pikeman's Lament with some very small adaption for our latest Finnish War 1808 game.

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  10. Hi Dalauppror,

    By any chance, during your playtest of Chosen Men, did you make up a playsheet that perhaps were would use? One is not included in the rules and Osprey don't have one online?

    If you used one that could be made available that would be a great help.

    Kind regards

    Happy Wanderer

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    1. Hi
      Wasn't a part of the playtest team. But i'm sure that Osprey Will publish one at their webpage.

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  11. I see. I thought you were involved - apologise.

    As yet, no QRS with Osprey which, given there is not one in the rules, is a bit surprising as no doubt the author used one I would guess...given the level of 'detail' in the rules.

    Cheers

    HW

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  12. Did you ever post your Napoleonic modifications to Pikeman's Lament? If not, would you be willing to do so? I would like to try them out to see haw the game (using the LR, PL engine) compares to other Napoleonic rules systems.

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    1. Hi
      I dont think i ever did as we i got the chanse to make Rebels & Patriots in the Rampant serie and They are more or less my take on the napoleonic in Rampant terms even If det in the US

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  13. I used these a while back and generally had a pretty good time with them.

    A full Batrep can be had at my blog. If interested in these rules the Batrep should prove useful.

    https://agrabbagofgames.wordpress.com/tag/chosen-men/

    Cheers

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