Finding a better way

 Unfortunately still suffering with hands and arms either arthritis is worsening, nerve damage, or could even be RSI, but I will not give up! I will have something to do.

Taking the initiative I have gone back to basics, at least I will be able to play!

The idea is to, at first, play the battle of Alegria.  Of course I will most probably play this more than a few times.  With Morschauser’s rules, I’ve had a few ideas I wanted to see how they worked out.

Cristino (blue) vs Carlist (red)

The Cristino side lead by O’Doyle must exit 2 infantry off the other side!

Initially (as you know) this was not the way I wanted to play it but, I’m warming to the idea seeing it laid out.

The next turn saw the O’Doyle force creep forward, unfortunately for them not only did Zumalacarregui’s force form up to block them but Itturralde’s flanking force arrived!

With two turns to go, it’s looking very much like a draw at the moment, even by taking down the enemy cavalry O’Doyle will be hard pressed to get those infantry off!

By the time the eighth turn comes to a close it seems we have a draw.

Now it would be good of me to say that this particular layout was taken from N. Thomas’s wargaming 19th century Europe.

As usual I’ve made a few changes out of curiosity, just to see how Morschauser’s rules worked with my ideas.

Now to make use of the different grades of experience /willingness of troops.

-I used these battle power scores;

Fanatical/elite 5 (black)

Average 4 (blue)

Levy 3 (green)

Rabble 2 (yellow)

Also I changed up combat results a little;

-If both fail battle power check, then both will fall back to regroup.

-If both pass battle power check, then they stay put.

The following combat if same result both fall back to regroup.

-If one fails battle check that tray takes 1 SP

*The regroup will stop that tray acting next turn.

It worked out quite well, though felt a little static. I tried again with just one hit kills and that chugged along quite nicely.

-Before I forget the squares have been further subdivided into 3x3’s.

I have also given Alegria a go with Morschauser’s gridded rules as written, (with just my amendments to Battle Powers) this has given the best game so far.

More meddling….

The inclusion of this was not a bad addition too;

-if one passes, the one that doesn’t is removed.

-if both fail, they both fall back a square.

-if both pass, they stay in place.

The reason for these amendments to Battle Power featuring so strongly in play, I was keen to capture difference in both forces and also keep to the scenario as penned by N. Thomas.

For Itturralde’s flanking force, I played that the Carlist’s need to roll a 6. This seems to work out quite well and give the less superior force a chance.  So far draws seem to be the main result which is a bit surprising for me, as each side has been so close.  Of course the first victory went to the Carlist, considering the flanking force came on in turn 2 ! I suppose it was inevitable.

The more I play Morschauser’s gridded rules the more I appreciate them, yes the heavy rendering didn’t pan out but the Battle Power meddling stuck and boy what fun it is to play.  I know they are not to everyone’s taste but given the space, time and the money I have they are perfect for my current circumstance.