Hougomont

[ultradave]

I'm new to the Napoleonic Series and picked up Waterloo when it was the weekly sale. I've played through the Getting Started scenario a number of times, to get the hang of it and try different things. The best I've done is a draw, but positive VPs at least.

I took on Hougomont this time, and feel like this is the best, and most organized I've managed to do, and gained a minor victory, capturing both VP hexes in the Chateau and keeping my division in good order while doing so.

Now I feel like I'm ready for bigger challenges.

Dave

[oz77]

These castles are difficult and costly to capture and offer little reward for the losses incurred. The trick is to focus on the surrounding hexes rather than the castles themselves. Step 1 is to isolate the defenders within, then wheel forward a battery, and from there, it's just a matter of time. It’s a good training game, but taking castles is a very specific type of Napoleonic warfare. For the next step, I suggest trying Quatre Bras – it has a couple of castles to be assaulted too.

[ultradave]

You've read my mind! I just set it up as French.

So far this is my only Napoleonic title but it has whetted my appetite for more. They all look great. I think it might depend on if one goes on sale soon. Waaaaaay back in the day (in college) I used to play 25mm Napoleonic miniatures. We'd set up in an activity room in the student union and people would stop in and watch. It was a blast. We had some monster battles set up on folding conference tables - like 27' long by 6' wide. Quite a spectacle with all the minis deployed.

I've played a number of Napoleonic board games over the years, but not tactical ones, like Struggle of Nations, and in computer games, AGEOD's Napoleonic games.

Dave