Final review French Napoleonic gaming army

[Bessiere]

I embarked on this hobby thinking to make couple armies and start gaming away all by myself. Here I am 7 years later and no closer to having a real "game" than when it was just a pleasant dream. For many reasons it just hasn't worked out but I have enjoyed the painting and comradery I've found here. This then is the sum total of my French efforts which apparently I no longer have the energy to do. Thanks for sharing the journey with me and sharing so much wisdom and inspiration. It's been several months and brush doesnt touch my hand so I guess I'm officially taking a break of sorts. Well see what the future holds. Listing of units is below pics.


I also have Austrian and Russian armies roughly equal to my French.
So what does le Grande Armee consist of?
22 Battalions Infantry (3 old guard, 2 middle guard), - 36 per base
17 cavalry squadrons -12 figures per base
17 -3 man skirmish bases
14 artillery pieces + 1 24lb coastal gun
Imperial Guard engineers
12 man pioneer squad
12 pc band
1,000 + figures total.
May be finished sometime later? done for now though.
various officer figures

[Ochoin]

It's a lovely army. You should be proud of your efforts. And it's OK to take a break. It is a hobby & why would you do something that's not fun? I'm sure the urge to use your undoubted talent will return.

You seem to indicate you've not used your forces for gaming? No suitable space? (the room & table you display your army on seems to be somewhere you could even leave a game out over several days?) No opponents? What a pity geography separates us as I'd love to face your excellent figures across a table. However, if you're determined, there's answers. Do you have a rule set yet? I can make recommendations if you want, including the free set, "Valour & Fortitude".

It also seems to me you have the basis for a solo wargame campaign. Planning & managing this could be very fulfilling. Punctuated by the occasional battle, of course.

I mostly game with a small group of pals but I still run solo games. They are a different sort of fun but still fun. There are a lot of guides on how to do this.

Now I know some people won't approve but there's AI to help you (use free ChatGPT). It will map out a campaign with all the details you need for battles. Ideally, it will need your input & expert knowledge. When I use it, I feel we are in partnership. I never use it without modifying or changing what it initially suggests. I've not used it as an opponent but in a solo game I think you could ask it for decisions on key questions (eg "Should the Russians assault the town or try an outflanking march?") to provide a challenge.

You can document your campaign & battles here. I will certainly take an interest & respond as will several others - "real" people! BTW there are ways of finding people to game with....conventions & shows are full of like-minded people & hopefully you can find someone(s) to join you in the wonderful world of wargaming.

best wishes, donald

[C M Dodson]

Hello Mr B.

What a splendid collection of redoubtable Frenchmen all looking in their prime.

Lovely painting and it’s nice to see the paint has not flaked off the Hat infantry!

It is a sad to hear that your enthusiasm is waning as with that standard of work you should be very pleased with yourself.

I used to be in a wargaming fraternity and then with my late friend Peter battling away in his wargaming shed.

Now it’s solo re fights which I can dip in and out of as I see fit.

Perhaps, if you have the space, you could do the same. Lots of scenarios to choose from or invent your own.

That talent should not be wasted.

Please keep posting and wishing you all the best.

Chris

[Iceman1964]

Impressive army !
I admire your efforts, the break could be useful to restore energies
Enrico

[Bessiere]

Thanks so much for your comprehensive reply Donald. I had that table until a son returned home and needed his own room. I have many sets of rules, I've read them but unless you play them you never learn them. Problem is nobody else around here games Napoleonics (backwoods Virginia US). Valour and fortitude does appear the simplest but I have black powder, GdA and a few others. I love the detail but to do any kind of manoevers you need a huge space. 1/72 is great for detail painting and recalls my earliest Airfix figures I had a huge carboard box full of. As a child I could invent games on the fly but a lifetime later that imagination is gone or perhaps degraded to the point of not being able to put it all together. This was perhaps my desperate attempt to see how others have dealt with these problems. Proving the value of Benno's once again by the show of support you guys have given me. I am unsatisfied not having a complete French Army - no gendarmes, no line lancers, no post 1809 carabiners, ambulances etc. It has been a long process and I am further along than I thought I might get so I do take some pleasure in that.
If you know of easy ways to game online let me know. I used to play Civil War generals 2 pc game online but I warn you I am beastly good at it. I don't know if it's online anywhere but I would love to try that again. Thanks so much for taking the time to encourage me, this hobby can get rather lonely as a retirement gig. You guys are my social world so thank you.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Bessiere]

Thank you Chris. Your compliments are graciously given and mean a great deal coming from yourself. I don't claim to understand your gaming process but the results of your photography certainly stand on their own. I really believe a book of your photographs would be a great addition to published works an cherished by both history buffs and gamers. Between yourself and Donald I do feel better and am greatly encouraged so thank you very kindly. Truth be told not having played any games and being unable to even see James' Waterloo diorama in person has left me feeling a bit down. I thought I had a new writing project lined up but so far it''s become several thousand pages of heavy reading and precious little writing. I'm not terribly good at it anyway so it might have been another false start. Pet projects have always been the essence of life to me and I'm lacking in the vision and drive I used for 60 years. My poor Russians still don't have any artillery! Napoleon needs a Berline coach and the Hungarian troops are also AWOL. I suspect I will get back to it, this 6 month break isn't working for me anyway. Thanks again Chris (Mr D is how I show respect) but your message felt personal and I am encouraged - something I needed.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Bessiere]

Thank you kindly Enrico. The struggles of Napoleon rebuilding his army continue on after 200 years. It's nice to hear from others who understand it.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Michael Robert]

Hello Bessières,
your painting is inspriring ; you can really be proud of your achievements. I do sinderely hope you find pals to switch into gaming. Even if you say you are in the "backwood" there are always associations of clubs and expos where you can raise initiatives and vocations and maybe find likeminded.
For me it's still the contrary - not retired (yet ) and in constant lack of time. Did chess when I was young and wouldn't mind wargaming, but just afraid it'll eat me up.
Hope you will stay tuned at Bennos and looking forward to your future game reports
Cordially
Michael

[Bessiere]

Thank you Michael. Though not painting atm I will always hold special regard for the good folks here. I anticipate all your achievements in the future with so many cool projects.
Cheers,
Bessiere

[Ochoin]

When you're ready, you need to get these figures marching across a table.

Some advice that *may* have some use:
No-one ever finishes a wargames' army. You can start fighting before the ambulances, lancers or even the Russian artillery is done.

Start small. Don't plan for a Borodino or Leipzig re-fight any time soon. Try a clash involving, say, 2 brigades of infantry, a cavalry brigade & a battery - maybe 9 units - a side. Limit objectives & turns. For example, the French have 7 Game Turns to capture the cross roads.

Start just outside musket range. Manoeuvre is great but takes time.

Try a game on the kitchen table, after Tea. You can fit in a game this size in under 3 hours. A solo game is great to learn rules.

Learn the rules. You've chosen two great sets. G'dA is, IMO, the best Napoleonic rules out there but complex & a little slow. BP is fast & uses big armies. Watch tutorials on 'how to play' on Youtube. EG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M52nGaYJ25U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE6n05i ... 5496b2APgf

You don't need to find a wargamer with an opposing army - you'll supply both sides. Indeed, you don't need a wargamer at all. Find a friend(s) & teach him.

I will await, in the fullness of time , a battle report + photos.

cheers, donald

[Santi Pérez]

This French army is a delight to behold, Bessiere. Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

Santi.

[Rich W]

That is certainly an army to be proud of. Even if you didn’t get to where you wanted to end up, you’ve achieved terrific results!