Reichenberg

[PrinzHenrich]

New scenario. Please give me your notes. Some info are included to Battle description. THis battle is very good to PBEM because both side are almost equal.

[jackx]

Looks good after a first glance, couple of minor issues, though:

Kahlden grenadiers have an artillery graphic, because their number of figures is set incorrectly
NCO Wurttemberg should probably be CO, seeing how he's a colonel...
Beginners might be quite overwhelmed by this, particularly the very detailed (and thus fragmented) command structure - probably label it "intermediate".


Looking forward to giving this a go (and, with a balanced setup, probably losing to you quite dramatically), not sure if playing right away
is a good idea though, as it should have some significant cav-v-cav action, and that's still bugged.

Edit: Going through all the units atm, mainly to fix figures/men and introduce consistency within unit types (inf, grens, cav), and the Grenzers seem very large at 800. For 150m hexes and skirmish formation, that's really pushing it in terms of believability, but of course, splitting them into 4 or 5 units (2x400 for #3, 3x530 for #1+2) means more units, which is also an advantage, particularly with those maneuverable light troops... *ponders*

So far, I've settled on
90 (750) and 95 (780) inf per figure for the Austrians
55 grens per figure for the Austrians. (4 figures max)
130 grenzers per figure for the Austrians, 6 figures max. (more looks bad in skirmish formation)

Prussian infantry and grens are between 90-100 men/figure, with varying # of figures, from 5 to 8.

All leaders are now 1/1

all cavalry is 4 figures max, and divided evenly, or close to it (i.e 4x60 for 250 men)

The fire-capable ligbht cavalry is a nice touch, will be interesting to see how that plays out.

I've attached the modified scenario, I know all this men/figure ratio stuff has 0 bearing on gameplay, but I just like it to be neat, orderly and somewhat systematic. Having an 800 and a 200 strong unit look the same can be misleading...


Next stop: Unified spelling/typo removal. I'm thinking of going all German on this one, for improved immersion...

[PrinzHenrich]

Hmm ok. Itis very interesting two step proccess of finishing scenarios. I haven't made 90 or 95 per figure because Idon't like looking at small 4-5men battalions. Grenadiers are in large battalions, because if Imade it to 2-3 units it would not fair to combat in the same large battalion I think you know what I mean.

[jackx]

Yeah, agreed on the Grenzers. Better have too many of them in one hex then have them too powerful.

Smallest units are now 4 figures (all cavalry, and those 220 men Austrian Grenadiers). Everything else is 6-8, except for one Prussian grenadier, which is at 5  (520 men).

I'll go through it again and check if I haven't accidentally removed any flagbearers from the units I've shrunken...


Edit: Ok, the Fusiliers have their officers back... and all the unit type names are now in German. I stuck with "Linieninfanterie" for what should probably be labelled "Musketiere"...

[jackx]

Doublepost, due to attachment.

Changed the unit names as well. They're still English (so it's still "Horse Grenadiers" as unit name, or "Grenadier Leader", but where applicable, I went for the correct German spelling, i.e. Württemberg or Löwenstein...
Also couldn't help myself and turned the Linieninfanterie into Musketiere.

I don't mean to be stepping on your toes with this, I just think that the more polished the scenario, the better...


Two more questions:

Austrian 6pdr have a short/cannister range of 2 hexes, just like 12pdr. Is that intentional?

The bottom right (9th) objective in front of the wood - what's that good for? Replicating the historical advance?
It looks to be tactically and strategically insignificant... I'd suggest moving it to the Johannesthal road junction.

[PrinzHenrich]

Yes canister range is intentional,object nr 9 is for retreat units. During the battle austrians retreat by this poiunt but can be deleted as well. Tomorrow I look your redo.

[Alan Sharif]

Thanks PrinzHenrich, I look forward to trying it soon.

[PrinzHenrich]

I'm open for all propositions

[jackx]

Looks like I made a mistake with 2/IR12, set their strength to 100 instead of men/figure.

Couple of other things I noticed:

Prussian Hussars can skirmish, but their Austrian/Grenzer counterparts can't... however, they can flank charge Prussians right away in turn 1, possibly without the Prussian player ever getting a chance to do anything about it.

5/Grenadiers have red Grenzer uniforms.

Edit:

Grenzer bns are able to form line and square. Probably not a big deal, since they won't be in line very often to begin with, and thus unable to form square, but it gives the Austrian player the option of throwing squares into the advance of the Prussian cavalry very easily.

I'd also suggest to give the Austrian grenadiers defensive formation to allow them to make better use of their field fortifications.
Besides, being just 220 strong, even in the redoubts, they're too easily killed with artillery when deployed in line.
And with 30 turns, there's no rush for the Prussians, who have significant artillery superiority over the Austrian main defense line.

Not sure if this could/should be countered by moving Lacy - he could probably get there quickly even with his guns, due to roads, but at the same time, he holds an excellent defensive position that'll be very very hard to take...

(Haven't really made it further than 4 turns in yet, solitaire play. More observations as I play more)

I've attached a v4 of my modifications, which fixes the IR12 mistake, and corrects number of figures for Pallfy dragoons (was 5, should be 4).
Also included is a visual distinction of skirmish formation for Hussars.

Edit2: Updated the attachment. Still v4, but the previous was missing skirmish order graphics for some unit facings.

[PrinzHenrich]

This red Genzer are grenadiers look in to editor

[PrinzHenrich]

Ok I eliminate swuareformation ingrenzers unit and add them defensive formation as I do for all grenadiers. The 9th object was delete.
The Grenadiers coys are so weak because I want to madeeasy for regular battalion to broke firstline, despite that there many of them whichin some waymade them more effective in movement. I correct also pleace of austrians hussars, which can fight in skirmish formation now. This 100 men was your mistake propably. In first version of this scenario they are ok.
Personaly I think you do great work for us to correct my many mistakes.
P.S. I don't like yours "weeks look like" battalions. 5 men in gren. bat. it's for me to small. One men per 100 it is to much. this is my own opinion so don't get stress[:D]

[jackx]

Yep, the 100 men mistake was mine, I fixed that by now in v4 of my revisions, though.

I'm aware that the 5/Grenadiers are indeed grenadiers, I was just wondering why they were wearing Grenzer, or rather completely red uniforms. Which regiment(s) are they supposed to be from?

I guess we'll just have to disagree on the looks of the bns, though of course the official scenarios usually try to have some consisteny in between # of figures and actual unit strength. Your scenario, and your choice, though - and in any case, it doesn't affect gameplay at all, so instead of arguing about it, or getting upset, I'll simply make two versions of the scenario.

Edit:

Ok, here we go. Both versions of v5 are in the attachment, "full8" has maximum figures for all units, "varied" has 4 to 8, as in my earlier revisions, as well as specific skirmish formation graphics for units with that option (infantry and cavalry).
Had a go at the description as well.

[PrinzHenrich]

Two versions - I'm in! Now I want to back to redo of original Matrix scenario. Maybe Prag because I will only change uniform and unit strengh, (command links already redone)

[jackx]

Ok, here's v6 of the scenario, neatly packed in its own folder, with full descriptions, readme and battlemap image.

changes in v6:
- Prussia side 1, Austria side 2
- fixed objective ownership at scenario start (Austrian)
- set victory points for decisive victory to 450 (i.e. all objectives)

Download Reichenberg_v6

To install, unpack into your HnM root directory, overwrite when prompted to do so.

[PrinzHenrich]

Oh this tga file!!!![X(]
"Scenario image taken from www.kronoskaf.com [http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php? ... enberg.jpg]"- I made this and have better one, [Richard can't upload big files on kronoskaf.com because he have low limited server - so we cut the images, original file have 2,55MB]

[jackx]

Cool. [8D]

Email me the file, and i'll update the download.

Oh, and

Edit:
Download updated with better map image.

[Alan Sharif]

Started play as the Prussians vs Austrian AI.  Moved my forces forward on to higher ground from where my Art are causing some Austrian casualties. My infantry are easily breaking the Austrian line. I was moving forces to outflank them but this has not been required. However, on my right flank I set up a picket line of a couple of Cav units and these have been easily overun by Aust Cav and I have had to move some infantry to my right flank to protect my forces. The Austrians on my left flank are unengaged at present but their Art have caused me a few losses. This is a very enjoyable scenario.   

[jackx]

Aye, it is. Though the AI probably won't put up too much of a defense.

Testing in solitaire play atm, this is the situation after 10 turns.






The Austrian cavalry has been driven back, but is not defeated completely yet. The fire-capable hussars made for some very interesting maneuvering. Austrian offensive capability is probably spent after their last, somewhat successful attack in turn 10, but if they should still be able to stall and delay any advance.


The initial assault on the Austrian left flank failed with heavy casualties. The Austrians moved their infantry from the far left here for a counterattack and caused major chaos. Several charges by their cavalry against the Prussian foot added to the mayhem, and prevented any meaningful attacks being launched after the first assault had been repulsed. Now, the Prussians are slowly pushing the Austrians back, but both sides are exhausted, and its unlikely that any troops that make it through this gruelling slugfest will be of any further use. Thus, it is doubtful if the Austrian far left can be taken.


The Austrian right is now under assault,  but due to being reinforced heavily (Ursel's battalions, Baden-Durlach and some light guns), it's still holding. Prussians, that is, valiant Prinz Heinrich fusiliers, have fought their way into the Austrian redoubts, but are facing an imminent counter-attack.
The 4 battalions that sheltered the Prussian guns are now moving forward to the attack as well, however, with the Austrian centre still covered by two batteries, it is not sure how much they can achieve.


Don't think I can win this convincingly with the Prussians anymore, as that'd require an attack on Lacy's position, and their army is in no condition to pull that off by now. If they take the far left, and the Austrians hit their withdrawal level while the Prussians don't, it'll be a marginal victory, otherwise, it'll be a draw.
With the Austrians, if they can hold the far left, and avoid hitting withdrawal level, they could pull out a tactical victory. Since their casualties so far are greater than the Prussians, that's unlikely however, and so the outcome will indeed most likely be a draw.



Quite happy with how it's turning out so far, it really appears to be fairly balanced, and poses some interesting challenges. The many small Austrian grenadier units are extremely annoying/useful.
I had thought about trying to rush Lacy, and then rolling up the Austrian position from the right, but then I realized that the Austrians could re-deploy their cavalry to the right faster than I could get to Lacy. Those roads are at least as useful a defensive feature as the redoubts and entrenchments.

[PrinzHenrich]

I don't know I I understand everything whta you wrote, but I think you are play andfun with this scenario?
THe numerus grenadiers unit pass my exams and dothat what I'm expect. This battle was thought to be balanced form PBEM game but I very happy that in solitare game it is not so easy to win with Prussians.
Sum up. THis report make me happy now I know that is worth to do scenarios.
 

[jackx]

Yeah, I'm having a lot of fun with this. Playnig solitaire to try out various approaches and what-ifs, and it works great.

The above-mentioned game ended with a marginal Prussian victory, won in turn 25. Up to turn 24, the Austrians clung to the bottom objective, despite having already lost more than half their army. A planned attack on Reichenberg had to be cancelled, as 9 Austrian battalions had set up defensive positions there, with support from 3 12pdr batteries, and the extra VP were simply not worth the risk. The decision proved to be right when the attacks on the bottom objective were beaten back, and I actually had to rush all available units down there to be able to take it.

I'll put up some screens of the carnage and final results later...

Edit: Ok, here we go.


The Austrian far left, bitterly contested until the last turn




No survivors - now proclaim the call for victory!




"Fortress" Reichenberg





@Magnus: Swedes sounds excellent, and more scenarios from PH are always good. [8D]