Top 4 Napoleonic battle formations of 2017

When we (Thomas, Ciaran and I),  started wargaming in 2017 we tried and tested our own Napoleonic formations. These, paired with our old rules were surprisingly effective.
However, with the creation of our new rules 3 of these formations became obsolete and dangerous to use in battle.
If you wish to try some of these yourself, I recommend playing our old rules, for this is where these formations truly shine.

1. THE FORWARD-FACING V

Prussian infantry displaying the Forward-Facing V

Extensively used by my Prussian army in early and small-scale battles in 2017. Had no benefits over a line but it did look cooler. This formation was also used by Ciaran's Russians but on a smaller scale.

2. THE REAR-FACING V

French infantry displaying the Rear-Facing V

Designed and used by Thomas in the later months of 2017, The Rear-Facing V could counter the Vs employed by my Prussian and occasionally Ciaran's Russian army. It was designed to withstand an attack in it's center while it's flanks, or horns, pounded the enemy from the side. I remember them as being quite tough to crack. I remember a large 20-man one once the Ciaran and I could barely deal with.
However, when we introduced the new rules, this powerful formation became obsolete. Mainly because it's shape makes it easier to outflank and it not immune to cavalry with the new rules.
I have not seen one of these in combat since December 2017.

3. THE FORWARD-FACING V WITH SCOUTS

The Prussian army demonstrating the V with scouts.

The most common defensive formation of my Prussian army in 2017. I think I was the only person out of us who made use of this. I designed it to deal with the frequent problem of flanking attacks quite early on in 2017. In fact, I remember using this for the first time in my second wargame ever.
Sadly, it was made outdated with our new rules, particularly against cavalry and was last used mid 2018.

4. THE SEMI-SQUARE

Still a valid formation today, here we see the French deployed in a Semi-Square

The semi square was an evolution of the V formation. First introduced by Thomas' French, the Semi-Square appeared later in 2017 as a result of trying to form a square but not having enough troops! Though not immune to cavalry, it was fairly effective against infantry.
With our new rules, it isn't as potent as it used to be but it's definitely not obsolete yet!

Please feel free to try these yourself, but use our old rules for the best results! Thanks for your patience!

-Jakob Morris
Co-Founder of Miniature wars

The Field Marshal's Day of Victories

Recently I found two old pictures of my Prussians, they were from 2017. I can remember taking these photos too, as on that day I defeated the French and British armies in two seperate battles.
I'll start with the English: The British army under Ciaran fielded 25(ish) men and 1 commander. My Prussian army was of equal strength. Now for the battle.
The British forces split into two main groups - 15 men to attack my force and 10 to protect the commander. I used my tactic of forming my front ranks into a "V formation" and sending out pairs of "Scouts" to guard my flanks (This won me many battles back then but with our new rules these are obsolete and outdated now).
I then allowed the Brits to attack me and wear themselves out. I swiftly counterattacked and the British were all destroyed.
An hour(ish) later, my army of 30 was facing a French force of equal strength. The battle was a bloody one, as we both continued to pull up reinforcements and hurl them into battle, fighting over a small broken structure in the middle of the battlefield.
It went on like this for a while before I repulsed the last French infantry and Thomas retreated his commander - I had won.
I consider this to be one of my best days in my wargaming career and marks the time were I finally surpassed Ciaran and matched Thomas in a lage (At that time anyway) Napoleonic battle.
I will put the photos mentioned earlier on the blog when I have time!
A heads-up about upcoming posts:
- Our latest battle - Vauchamps
- Artillery rules
- Our battle of Hamerten
- And more recollections from 2017!