NCP is a much maligned game that also happens to be the best Napoleonic operational wargame ever made—bar none. It is still my favorite AGEOD game, all these years later.
It does an outstanding job of replicating command and control issues, especially with the “March to the Sound of the Guns” mechanic. It demands attention to logistical concerns, especially in the building of depots to sustain offensive momentum as well as the effects of primitive infrastructure and weather upon the logistics network. The replacements system may seem broke to some, but it creates subtle distinctions between units that directly effect their operational use. It requires you to think about the role you assign each corps, to provide for mutual support between corps, and recognize which corps is best suited for which operational role. It may be the wrong scale for the Waterloo campaign, but it excels at depicting the maneuver based campaigns of 1805, 1806-1807, and 1809. The 1813 campaign is only hampered by the unnecessary foreshortened version released, which could have been remedied by scripted events to simulate the effects of the Armistice that occurred during the middle of the campaign. Then there are the niggling issues that make you wonder such as the “Star Spangled Banner” playing at the end of the scenario splash screen, making you wish some had selected something more appropriate (Les Marseillais, perhaps). NCP1 is a great game, despite its shortcomings.
The 1806 scenario is one of the best at illustrating the quality of NCP1. Let’s have a look:
Who knows the story of the twin battles of Jena and Auerstadt? How Napoleon and the bulk of the French army destroyed 2 Prussian corps at Jena while Davout’s corps took on and defeated single-handedly the main body of the Prussian army at Auerstadt. The victories were achieved despite the indecision of Bernadotte, who failed to join either battle. Bernadotte would later become the ruler of Sweden, betray Napoleon, and lead the Swedish army against the French in 1813. The unique excellence of NCP1 and its design is revealed when you discover that Bernadotte in the game acts like…Bernadotte. Expect him to be inactive and unreliable. These things are handled through leader activation and the “March to the Sound of the Guns” mechanic. No other game has ever depicted this period and its warfare with so much fidelity. NCP1 is a work of historical wargaming genius.
Taking the French side, I analyse the situation. Many of the more mediocre French generals (who are still much better than most of the Saxon and Prussian generals they will face) are inactive. They will not undertake offensive action this turn and can only be moved to friendly controlled territory. They won’t even engage in support activities such as building depots, can’t be reorganized, and move slowly. Movement is further complicated by weather, many regions have turned into muddy quagmires, slowing movement to a crawl. Frustrating—what Clausewitz would call the “friction” of war.
The better French commanders are active. They are the ones to rely upon, since high intiative and combat bonuses help ensure their much needed bite for the planned offensive. We will need to build a depot as soon as possible in Plauen to ensure the offensive power we will need to defeat the Saxon army and occupy Dresden and Leipzig. With their depots in our possession we can then strike against Magdeburg and cut the Prussian snake in two. We will need to skirt around the Prussian army somewhere in the Thuringen forest area. We must defeat each enemy in detail--first one, then the other.
For a little mini-drama, we have the “lost division” of Brigadier Savary in Wesel. They will hole up in the fortress of Wesel initially since they are locked in place for 2 turns. Most likely, the Prussians will be advancing in this sector. Hopefully, the division will be able to avoid an Alamo situation and can escape to join forces with General Mortier, “the big mortar,” and augment his combat strength. The plan calls for Mortier to secure our vulnerable logistics, then eventually advance and build a depot in the vicinity of Giessen to expand our operational range.
One more word about corps composition. Jerome Bonaparte’s corps is a prime example of a brittle corps led by a more mediocre commander. Most of his troops are German, not French. They will only receive a limited number, if any, replacements for these troops, unlike the French troops for which we can obtain more replacements Once these foreign troops are depleted, that’s it—they’re gone for good. This makes Jerome’s corps suited for auxillary roles such as depot construction, security of the line of communications (link between 2 corps), or logistics tail security/convoy escort. Their offensive capability is pretty much a one shot deal. Use them accordingly. Baby brother is mostly along for the ride. Don’t count on him for the really important tasks.
Corps commanders within 3 regions of Napoleon will take full advantage of his command abilities. Having at least 2 corps in any region likely to become contested will likely prevent catastrophe. We need to form something similar to the “battalion carre” employed by Napoleon to ensure the necessary operational flexibility. This means corps will be located in adjacent regions, ready to come to each other’s support in battle if needed. NCP1 models this aspect of Napoleonic warfare better than any game has ever done.
Who knows the story of the twin battles of Jena and Auerstadt? How Napoleon and the bulk of the French army destroyed 2 Prussian corps at Jena while Davout’s corps took on and defeated single-handedly the main body of the Prussian army at Auerstadt. The victories were achieved despite the indecision of Bernadotte, who failed to join either battle. Bernadotte would later become the ruler of Sweden, betray Napoleon, and lead the Swedish army against the French in 1813. The unique excellence of NCP1 and its design is revealed when you discover that Bernadotte in the game acts like…Bernadotte. Expect him to be inactive and unreliable. These things are handled through leader activation and the “March to the Sound of the Guns” mechanic. No other game has ever depicted this period and its warfare with so much fidelity. NCP1 is a work of historical wargaming genius.
Taking the French side, I analyse the situation. Many of the more mediocre French generals (who are still much better than most of the Saxon and Prussian generals they will face) are inactive. They will not undertake offensive action this turn and can only be moved to friendly controlled territory. They won’t even engage in support activities such as building depots, can’t be reorganized, and move slowly. Movement is further complicated by weather, many regions have turned into muddy quagmires, slowing movement to a crawl. Frustrating—what Clausewitz would call the “friction” of war.
The better French commanders are active. They are the ones to rely upon, since high intiative and combat bonuses help ensure their much needed bite for the planned offensive. We will need to build a depot as soon as possible in Plauen to ensure the offensive power we will need to defeat the Saxon army and occupy Dresden and Leipzig. With their depots in our possession we can then strike against Magdeburg and cut the Prussian snake in two. We will need to skirt around the Prussian army somewhere in the Thuringen forest area. We must defeat each enemy in detail--first one, then the other.
For a little mini-drama, we have the “lost division” of Brigadier Savary in Wesel. They will hole up in the fortress of Wesel initially since they are locked in place for 2 turns. Most likely, the Prussians will be advancing in this sector. Hopefully, the division will be able to avoid an Alamo situation and can escape to join forces with General Mortier, “the big mortar,” and augment his combat strength. The plan calls for Mortier to secure our vulnerable logistics, then eventually advance and build a depot in the vicinity of Giessen to expand our operational range.
One more word about corps composition. Jerome Bonaparte’s corps is a prime example of a brittle corps led by a more mediocre commander. Most of his troops are German, not French. They will only receive a limited number, if any, replacements for these troops, unlike the French troops for which we can obtain more replacements Once these foreign troops are depleted, that’s it—they’re gone for good. This makes Jerome’s corps suited for auxillary roles such as depot construction, security of the line of communications (link between 2 corps), or logistics tail security/convoy escort. Their offensive capability is pretty much a one shot deal. Use them accordingly. Baby brother is mostly along for the ride. Don’t count on him for the really important tasks.
Corps commanders within 3 regions of Napoleon will take full advantage of his command abilities. Having at least 2 corps in any region likely to become contested will likely prevent catastrophe. We need to form something similar to the “battalion carre” employed by Napoleon to ensure the necessary operational flexibility. This means corps will be located in adjacent regions, ready to come to each other’s support in battle if needed. NCP1 models this aspect of Napoleonic warfare better than any game has ever done.
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Turn 2: No enemy contact last turn. We have sighted a Prussian corps, however. Still no sign of the Saxon army. Mortier is active and ordered to move to secure the Frankfurt depot. Ney and Jerome are also active (Napoleon is nearby) and ordered to close up with the main body. Active corps are ordered to concentrate in Plauen. Murat’s cavalry will proceed to Chemnitz via Jena in order to discern the whereabouts of the enemy and develop the situation further. The logistics train has reached Bayreuth. Next turn it will move into Plauen to construct the depot.
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Turn 2: No enemy contact last turn. We have sighted a Prussian corps, however. Still no sign of the Saxon army. Mortier is active and ordered to move to secure the Frankfurt depot. Ney and Jerome are also active (Napoleon is nearby) and ordered to close up with the main body. Active corps are ordered to concentrate in Plauen. Murat’s cavalry will proceed to Chemnitz via Jena in order to discern the whereabouts of the enemy and develop the situation further. The logistics train has reached Bayreuth. Next turn it will move into Plauen to construct the depot.
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Turn 3: Still no enemy contact. What appeared to be the Prussian main body moved toward Kassel. Nevertheless, Hohenlohe and the Prussian-Saxon army have been found sitting in Dresden. Lannes and Augereau are ordered to advance to Dresden, while Davout will assault Leipzig.The remaining active units will concentrate in Chemnitz, in a position to support either advance.
Mortier will be used as an corps of observation, advancing toward Giessen to get eyes on the Prussian main body. His posture will be adjusted accordingly, as we don’t want him taking them on. Defend and Retreat will serve best. Murat will push up to Torgau to get a deeper look into Prussia.
Now, YMMV, but for me this is as close as you can get to stepping inside the pages of David Chandler’s masterpiece The Campaigns of Napoleon. Most of the salient aspects of Napoleonic warfare are captured in minute detail. So minute, in fact, that I suspect many gamers may lose the forest for the trees. If you have spent a lifetime studying Napoleonic warfare and enjoy reading historians and authors such as Chandler, Gunther Rothenburg, Archer Jones, or Russell Weigley, then it just doesn’t get much better than this. The game does an excellent job capturing the essence of Napoleonic warfare at the operational level.
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Turn 3: Still no enemy contact. What appeared to be the Prussian main body moved toward Kassel. Nevertheless, Hohenlohe and the Prussian-Saxon army have been found sitting in Dresden. Lannes and Augereau are ordered to advance to Dresden, while Davout will assault Leipzig.The remaining active units will concentrate in Chemnitz, in a position to support either advance.
Mortier will be used as an corps of observation, advancing toward Giessen to get eyes on the Prussian main body. His posture will be adjusted accordingly, as we don’t want him taking them on. Defend and Retreat will serve best. Murat will push up to Torgau to get a deeper look into Prussia.
Now, YMMV, but for me this is as close as you can get to stepping inside the pages of David Chandler’s masterpiece The Campaigns of Napoleon. Most of the salient aspects of Napoleonic warfare are captured in minute detail. So minute, in fact, that I suspect many gamers may lose the forest for the trees. If you have spent a lifetime studying Napoleonic warfare and enjoy reading historians and authors such as Chandler, Gunther Rothenburg, Archer Jones, or Russell Weigley, then it just doesn’t get much better than this. The game does an excellent job capturing the essence of Napoleonic warfare at the operational level.
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Turn 4: I forgot to build the depot at Plauen last turn. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite me. The mistake is offset somewhat by the capture of our first objective, Dresden. Davout wound up there with the rest of the army, marching to the sound of the guns. Leipzig remains in enemy hands. Hohenlohe attempted to escape from Dresden during the turn, was badly mauled there and in a subsequent battle in Torgau. I am pulling Murat back to Dresden to resupply, while the rest of the army concentrates on Leipzig. Soult will assault Leipzig from Chemnitz. The rest of the army will advance. Mortier will advance and attempt to construct a depot at Giessen.
Hohenlohe’s army has been shattered and scattered. They are still dangerous to unsupported corps. The rest of the Prussians seem to be around Paderborn and Dortmund, although I am sure there are troops around Braunschweig and Magdeburg. Also, Blucher is besieging Koln. Mortier may need to countermarch back to Frankfurt later. Savary, inactive, is stuck in place at Wesel. It may still be possible to escape.
We need to secure the route from Giessen to Halle and, following consolidation after Saxony is secure, advance to Dessau and build a depot there. This will allow continuing operations directed against Braunschweig and Magdeburg. We also need to push across the Elbe in the direction of Cottbus. This will allow a base for operations directly aimed at Berlin and the eastern objectives. Securing Magdeburg (a considerable fortress) will take time, but will allow subsequent advance to the objective ports of Bremen and Hamburg. How long the weather will hold up is another big concern. Winter approaches.
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Turn 4: I forgot to build the depot at Plauen last turn. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite me. The mistake is offset somewhat by the capture of our first objective, Dresden. Davout wound up there with the rest of the army, marching to the sound of the guns. Leipzig remains in enemy hands. Hohenlohe attempted to escape from Dresden during the turn, was badly mauled there and in a subsequent battle in Torgau. I am pulling Murat back to Dresden to resupply, while the rest of the army concentrates on Leipzig. Soult will assault Leipzig from Chemnitz. The rest of the army will advance. Mortier will advance and attempt to construct a depot at Giessen.
Hohenlohe’s army has been shattered and scattered. They are still dangerous to unsupported corps. The rest of the Prussians seem to be around Paderborn and Dortmund, although I am sure there are troops around Braunschweig and Magdeburg. Also, Blucher is besieging Koln. Mortier may need to countermarch back to Frankfurt later. Savary, inactive, is stuck in place at Wesel. It may still be possible to escape.
We need to secure the route from Giessen to Halle and, following consolidation after Saxony is secure, advance to Dessau and build a depot there. This will allow continuing operations directed against Braunschweig and Magdeburg. We also need to push across the Elbe in the direction of Cottbus. This will allow a base for operations directly aimed at Berlin and the eastern objectives. Securing Magdeburg (a considerable fortress) will take time, but will allow subsequent advance to the objective ports of Bremen and Hamburg. How long the weather will hold up is another big concern. Winter approaches.
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Turn 5: Most of the remnants of Hohenlohe’s army were destroyed at Leipzig. The army will now concentrate at Torgau to prepare for operations against Magdeburg. Mortier was beaten by the Prussians at Giessen, so he will fall back to Hanau. Bernadotte is finally active again, so he will be sent to attempt construction of a depot at Halle to provide a base to counterattack the Prussians at Giessen, if necessary. Jerome will move to Dresden and secure a bridgehead across the Elbe eventually. Despite these distractions, the main thrust must still proceed in the direction of Magdeburg. En avant!
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Turn 5: Most of the remnants of Hohenlohe’s army were destroyed at Leipzig. The army will now concentrate at Torgau to prepare for operations against Magdeburg. Mortier was beaten by the Prussians at Giessen, so he will fall back to Hanau. Bernadotte is finally active again, so he will be sent to attempt construction of a depot at Halle to provide a base to counterattack the Prussians at Giessen, if necessary. Jerome will move to Dresden and secure a bridgehead across the Elbe eventually. Despite these distractions, the main thrust must still proceed in the direction of Magdeburg. En avant!
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Turn 6: We will advance the main body to Dessau and construct the depot next turn. Most of the corps involved in the battle of Leipzig and Torgau last turn will be reconstituting in either Leipzig or Dresden. Jerome will advance across the Elbe and construct a depot there. We do not anticipate encountering any mobile Prussian troops in this sector. Remember, this is not our best corps, it’s just the only one still at full strength. Napoleon and the Imperial Guard troops, both mounted and unmounted, will end the turn at Torgau, in support of the main body.
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I check the Secretary of State ledger every turn to see how the war is going, what the most important objectives are, who has the most victory points, whose morale is higher, who controls what objectives. Right now we only have in our possession Leipzig and Dresden, along with our base of operations in France, Mainz. Yeah, that’s right, Mainz France. This is the French Empire, you sissy. When the game started, our morale was 100 and theirs was 110. Now our morale is 131 and theirs is 77. We are winning and Prussian units are suffering penalties for their poor morale. If we drive their morale down to 30, or raise ours above 250, the game will end in an automatic victory. Very hard to do.
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Turn 6: We will advance the main body to Dessau and construct the depot next turn. Most of the corps involved in the battle of Leipzig and Torgau last turn will be reconstituting in either Leipzig or Dresden. Jerome will advance across the Elbe and construct a depot there. We do not anticipate encountering any mobile Prussian troops in this sector. Remember, this is not our best corps, it’s just the only one still at full strength. Napoleon and the Imperial Guard troops, both mounted and unmounted, will end the turn at Torgau, in support of the main body.
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I check the Secretary of State ledger every turn to see how the war is going, what the most important objectives are, who has the most victory points, whose morale is higher, who controls what objectives. Right now we only have in our possession Leipzig and Dresden, along with our base of operations in France, Mainz. Yeah, that’s right, Mainz France. This is the French Empire, you sissy. When the game started, our morale was 100 and theirs was 110. Now our morale is 131 and theirs is 77. We are winning and Prussian units are suffering penalties for their poor morale. If we drive their morale down to 30, or raise ours above 250, the game will end in an automatic victory. Very hard to do.
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Turn 7: The main body of the army continues to assemble at Dessau. All active corps are ordered to move there with some exceptions. Soult who is too far away, will move to support from Torgau. His troops will be our operational reserve. Jerome, Murat, and Lannes will cross the Elbe. Lannes will take Cottbus, supported by Jerome. Murat will secure the approaches to Cottbus from the north. This group will then be directed toward Berlin. Bernadotte and Mortier are both inactive will aim for Halle and Giessen, respectively, as soon as they are active. Davout, Augereau, and Ney form the main body at Dessau, along with Napoleon and the Imperial Guard. The mission remains build a depot at Dessau, to be followed by an assault on Magdeburg as soon as possible.
Sneaky Blucher in Dortmund only has a strength of 29. That’s only a brigade. We must find and destroy any remnants of the Prussian army before they can concentrate. The occupation of Magdeburg will eliminate this possibility altogether. From there the mission will simply be pursuit of any surviving field forces and taking as many objectives as the time remaining will allow.
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Turn 7: The main body of the army continues to assemble at Dessau. All active corps are ordered to move there with some exceptions. Soult who is too far away, will move to support from Torgau. His troops will be our operational reserve. Jerome, Murat, and Lannes will cross the Elbe. Lannes will take Cottbus, supported by Jerome. Murat will secure the approaches to Cottbus from the north. This group will then be directed toward Berlin. Bernadotte and Mortier are both inactive will aim for Halle and Giessen, respectively, as soon as they are active. Davout, Augereau, and Ney form the main body at Dessau, along with Napoleon and the Imperial Guard. The mission remains build a depot at Dessau, to be followed by an assault on Magdeburg as soon as possible.
Sneaky Blucher in Dortmund only has a strength of 29. That’s only a brigade. We must find and destroy any remnants of the Prussian army before they can concentrate. The occupation of Magdeburg will eliminate this possibility altogether. From there the mission will simply be pursuit of any surviving field forces and taking as many objectives as the time remaining will allow.
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Turn 8: We have been lucky to not have snow, but the mud slows movement to a crawl in places. The mud effects in NCP1 really impair your ability to replicate the results of the historical campaigns. The game constantly reminds you that it is set in the early nineteenth century, before mass transportation was something you could take for granted. No planes, trains, or automobiles. The depot is being built, the main body has been ordered to Magdeburg and Lannes is assaulting Cottbus. Two Prussian corps-sized units stand in our way: one at Braunschweig and a slightly larger one at Magdeburg. Berlin beacons in the distance.
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Turn 8: We have been lucky to not have snow, but the mud slows movement to a crawl in places. The mud effects in NCP1 really impair your ability to replicate the results of the historical campaigns. The game constantly reminds you that it is set in the early nineteenth century, before mass transportation was something you could take for granted. No planes, trains, or automobiles. The depot is being built, the main body has been ordered to Magdeburg and Lannes is assaulting Cottbus. Two Prussian corps-sized units stand in our way: one at Braunschweig and a slightly larger one at Magdeburg. Berlin beacons in the distance.
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Turn 9: General Winter arrives in force. Operations temporarily halted while we resupply and tighten up our logistical links. Once it begins to snow, logistics become of paramount importance. If you fail to pay attention to this, your armies simply melt away. Morale is beginning to slip 129 to 76. We are still ahead in victory points, 405 to 302, but this is also slipping as we only gain 10 each turn for controlled cities opposed to their 31. We must take Magdeburg and Berlin as soon as possible. Next turn is the halfway point of the game. Time is of the essence.
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Turn 9: General Winter arrives in force. Operations temporarily halted while we resupply and tighten up our logistical links. Once it begins to snow, logistics become of paramount importance. If you fail to pay attention to this, your armies simply melt away. Morale is beginning to slip 129 to 76. We are still ahead in victory points, 405 to 302, but this is also slipping as we only gain 10 each turn for controlled cities opposed to their 31. We must take Magdeburg and Berlin as soon as possible. Next turn is the halfway point of the game. Time is of the essence.
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Turn 10: Main body (Augereau, followed by Ney, Davout, Soult, Napoleon, and IG) advances to Magdeburg in the dead of winter. Murat advances on Berlin, trailed by Lannes and Jerome, respectively. If necessary, Lannes may need to build a depot at Eberswalde. I would prefer to take Berlin (Level 4 Depot) immediately, if possible. Important safety tip: in winter stay on or adjacent to a depot. So you can see the advance to Berlin is somewhat risky.
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Turn 10: Main body (Augereau, followed by Ney, Davout, Soult, Napoleon, and IG) advances to Magdeburg in the dead of winter. Murat advances on Berlin, trailed by Lannes and Jerome, respectively. If necessary, Lannes may need to build a depot at Eberswalde. I would prefer to take Berlin (Level 4 Depot) immediately, if possible. Important safety tip: in winter stay on or adjacent to a depot. So you can see the advance to Berlin is somewhat risky.
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Turn 11: Kalkreuth’s Prussian corps attempted to link up with Natzmer’s force in Magdeburg. We beat him to it, sending his corps running back to Braunschweig. This turn Davout and Augereau, who both have Sapeurs (combat engineers with grenades for sieges) will assault Magdeburg, supported by the rest of the main body. Lannes will assault Berlin, supported by Jerome and Murat. We need to break the back of Prussian resistance once and for all.
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Turn 11: Kalkreuth’s Prussian corps attempted to link up with Natzmer’s force in Magdeburg. We beat him to it, sending his corps running back to Braunschweig. This turn Davout and Augereau, who both have Sapeurs (combat engineers with grenades for sieges) will assault Magdeburg, supported by the rest of the main body. Lannes will assault Berlin, supported by Jerome and Murat. We need to break the back of Prussian resistance once and for all.
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Turn 12: Magdeburg is ours! Unfortunately, Berlin is not. Upon arriving to assault the city, Lannes was mauled by a Swedish army that seemed to appear from the snowy region as if from nowhere. The timely arrival of Murat in a subsequent battle is the only thing that saved them from complete destruction. The Swedes were soundly defeated and have disappeared as swiftly as they appeared. The misfortunate Lannes corps is too weak now to assault the city. They are too weak to even move anywhere, having lost almost all their cohesion and strength. Murat will remain in place to cover them. They will probably spend the rest of the game in Berlin recuperating, after watching another corps assault and take the city. All glory is fleeting. Jerome should assault Berlin this turn, but he is…inactive. I have said before that we cannot count on him; as a soldier he is nothing like the Emperor. Soult and the IG are advance with an eye toward the objective ports of Bremen and Hamburg. Davout and Augereau must rest after the assault last turn in Magdeburg with Napoleon. Ney uses his Pontonniers to cross the Elbe heading toward Berlin. It is now his task to take the city where others have failed.
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Turn 12: Magdeburg is ours! Unfortunately, Berlin is not. Upon arriving to assault the city, Lannes was mauled by a Swedish army that seemed to appear from the snowy region as if from nowhere. The timely arrival of Murat in a subsequent battle is the only thing that saved them from complete destruction. The Swedes were soundly defeated and have disappeared as swiftly as they appeared. The misfortunate Lannes corps is too weak now to assault the city. They are too weak to even move anywhere, having lost almost all their cohesion and strength. Murat will remain in place to cover them. They will probably spend the rest of the game in Berlin recuperating, after watching another corps assault and take the city. All glory is fleeting. Jerome should assault Berlin this turn, but he is…inactive. I have said before that we cannot count on him; as a soldier he is nothing like the Emperor. Soult and the IG are advance with an eye toward the objective ports of Bremen and Hamburg. Davout and Augereau must rest after the assault last turn in Magdeburg with Napoleon. Ney uses his Pontonniers to cross the Elbe heading toward Berlin. It is now his task to take the city where others have failed.
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Turn 13: Ney will assault Berlin. The Lefebvre (IG infantry) will assault the fortress of Bremen supported by Bessieres (IG cavalry). The fortress is weakly defended and should fall. Mortier will move to Gottingen, with an eye towards fixing Blucher’s Prussian corps in Hannover. Blucher only had a single brigade when last sighted. It appears that only Blucher’s corps, Kalkreuth’s corps in Braunschweig, and what looks like another corps in Paderborn are the remaining Prussian field forces west of the Elbe. If Jerome ever activates again, he will be sent to take the Stettin. Hamburg, Bremen and Stettin are the most important objectives after Berlin. The remaining objectives will be difficult if not impossible, mostly due to the movement and logistical nightmare of winter.
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Turn 13: Ney will assault Berlin. The Lefebvre (IG infantry) will assault the fortress of Bremen supported by Bessieres (IG cavalry). The fortress is weakly defended and should fall. Mortier will move to Gottingen, with an eye towards fixing Blucher’s Prussian corps in Hannover. Blucher only had a single brigade when last sighted. It appears that only Blucher’s corps, Kalkreuth’s corps in Braunschweig, and what looks like another corps in Paderborn are the remaining Prussian field forces west of the Elbe. If Jerome ever activates again, he will be sent to take the Stettin. Hamburg, Bremen and Stettin are the most important objectives after Berlin. The remaining objectives will be difficult if not impossible, mostly due to the movement and logistical nightmare of winter.
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Turn 14: Berlin and Bremen are taken. Lannes and Ney will rest in Berlin, while Murat conducts a reconnaissance in force at Stettin. Napoleon and the IG will rest in Bremen, while Davout and Soult assemble south of Hamburg. All other forces are inactive.
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Turn 14: Berlin and Bremen are taken. Lannes and Ney will rest in Berlin, while Murat conducts a reconnaissance in force at Stettin. Napoleon and the IG will rest in Bremen, while Davout and Soult assemble south of Hamburg. All other forces are inactive.
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Turn 15: The Prussian rats have concentrated at Hannover, as expected. The goal this turn is to capture Hamburg, Braunschweig, Kassel, and Dortmund—all by assaults. That will leave them no where else to run. With only 5 turns left, I’d like to finish the annihilation of the Elbe Army before the end of the game. In the east, Jerome advances toward Stettin, followed by Ney and Lannes in support. Murat is inactive at Stettin. He has managed a breach in the fortress. Hopefully, Jerome will arrive before they have time to repair it.
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Turn 15: The Prussian rats have concentrated at Hannover, as expected. The goal this turn is to capture Hamburg, Braunschweig, Kassel, and Dortmund—all by assaults. That will leave them no where else to run. With only 5 turns left, I’d like to finish the annihilation of the Elbe Army before the end of the game. In the east, Jerome advances toward Stettin, followed by Ney and Lannes in support. Murat is inactive at Stettin. He has managed a breach in the fortress. Hopefully, Jerome will arrive before they have time to repair it.
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Turn 16: Hamburg and Braunschweig are taken. Savary emerged from his hole to unsuccessfully assault Dortmund. Mortier also failed in his assault of Kassell. Jerome will assault Stettin, supported by Ney and Lannes. Murat remains inactive. Our best corps commander, Davout, was a casualty in the storming of Hamburg. His corps, placed under Soult temporarily, will recover in Hamburg. Napoleon and the IG move to support Augereau, who occupies Braunschweig.
Losing Davout (the “Iron Marshal”) hurts…bad. It’s exactly like losing Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville…that bad. He is the very best French Marshal (corps commander) and his stats reflect that in the game. Looking back on the game, I see the important role Davout has had in the campaign, from the assault on Dresden, the battle of Leipzig, to the stoming of Magdeburg and Hamburg. Then I look at the map and see the inactive Bernadotte where he could easily support Augereau or even lead the attack against a weak Prussian corps. No, he is inactive again. Move, you dog, do you want to live forever?
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Turn 16: Hamburg and Braunschweig are taken. Savary emerged from his hole to unsuccessfully assault Dortmund. Mortier also failed in his assault of Kassell. Jerome will assault Stettin, supported by Ney and Lannes. Murat remains inactive. Our best corps commander, Davout, was a casualty in the storming of Hamburg. His corps, placed under Soult temporarily, will recover in Hamburg. Napoleon and the IG move to support Augereau, who occupies Braunschweig.
Losing Davout (the “Iron Marshal”) hurts…bad. It’s exactly like losing Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville…that bad. He is the very best French Marshal (corps commander) and his stats reflect that in the game. Looking back on the game, I see the important role Davout has had in the campaign, from the assault on Dresden, the battle of Leipzig, to the stoming of Magdeburg and Hamburg. Then I look at the map and see the inactive Bernadotte where he could easily support Augereau or even lead the attack against a weak Prussian corps. No, he is inactive again. Move, you dog, do you want to live forever?
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Turn 17: Regrouping. Napoleon and the IG continue to move toward Augereau, hopefully in supporting distance at the appropriate moment. Augereau will now attack the isolated Prussian corps, with or without support. Looks like without, as Bernadotte is again inactive, Maybe Napoleon and the IG can arrive in time without a force march. It’s not good to force march in winter, take my word for it.
The Prussians became distracted by our failed assaults at Kassel and Dortmund last turn and have advanced to Paderborn, abandoning Hannover in the process. Excellent! Maybe when Soult arrives from the north we can shut this little yapping dog up.
In the east we set up a defensive line along the Oder, from Stettin to Cottbus, with reserves in Berlin. The Russians are still very far away. Maybe I should have played the extended campaign, which covers the entire 1806-1807 campaign, thanks to those who made this alternative scenario available. Eylau, Friedland, and the horrors of winter warfare in the East. Of course, the 1812 campaign—slogging through mud and ice toward the magic city in the middle of nowhere only to eventually die from starvation/exhaustion in the frozen wasteland—is grim and very tough.
Morale is now 166-46. Victory points: 711-424. We get 23 victory points per turn for cities, they get 18. We are clearly giving them an a$$whooping (I know, it’s a technical term), but not a decisive victory yet, is it? With only 3 turns left, Koenigsburg, Warsaw, and Brest-Litovsk might as well be on the other side of the moon. At this point, we just ain’t getting there.
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Turn 17: Regrouping. Napoleon and the IG continue to move toward Augereau, hopefully in supporting distance at the appropriate moment. Augereau will now attack the isolated Prussian corps, with or without support. Looks like without, as Bernadotte is again inactive, Maybe Napoleon and the IG can arrive in time without a force march. It’s not good to force march in winter, take my word for it.
The Prussians became distracted by our failed assaults at Kassel and Dortmund last turn and have advanced to Paderborn, abandoning Hannover in the process. Excellent! Maybe when Soult arrives from the north we can shut this little yapping dog up.
In the east we set up a defensive line along the Oder, from Stettin to Cottbus, with reserves in Berlin. The Russians are still very far away. Maybe I should have played the extended campaign, which covers the entire 1806-1807 campaign, thanks to those who made this alternative scenario available. Eylau, Friedland, and the horrors of winter warfare in the East. Of course, the 1812 campaign—slogging through mud and ice toward the magic city in the middle of nowhere only to eventually die from starvation/exhaustion in the frozen wasteland—is grim and very tough.
Morale is now 166-46. Victory points: 711-424. We get 23 victory points per turn for cities, they get 18. We are clearly giving them an a$$whooping (I know, it’s a technical term), but not a decisive victory yet, is it? With only 3 turns left, Koenigsburg, Warsaw, and Brest-Litovsk might as well be on the other side of the moon. At this point, we just ain’t getting there.
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Turn 18: Only 2 turns remain. Bernadotte is active, but can he destroy the remnants of Kalkreuth’s Prussian corps, who were driven back to Halberstad(t) [sic]? Jerome is ordered to advance on Kolberg, but he won’t make it there before the game ends. Same goes for Lannes and Ney heading to Cottbus to prepare for a strike against Breslau which will never happen. Murat will conduct a reconnaissance in force to prepare for this operation which will never happen but would if the game continued. This is why most people began to clamor for a “Grand Campaign” when NCP1 came out. However, this reasonable complaint became the kiss of death for NCP1—it overshadowed all else about this game in the reviews that were published and comments that were made about the game on the internet. This criticism drove away many potential customers. Most unfair. Now we will get NCP2 to experience the strategic level, too. Pausable real time will further capture the dynamism behind Napoleonic warfare. That’s a good thing, and I for one cannot wait until we have the “new kid on the block” to play and enjoy.
Well, for now let’s just see how Bernadotte’s attack goes. I also expect to take Hanover this turn. If the Prussian corps now at Dortmund drifts north, he will regret it.
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Turn 18: Only 2 turns remain. Bernadotte is active, but can he destroy the remnants of Kalkreuth’s Prussian corps, who were driven back to Halberstad(t) [sic]? Jerome is ordered to advance on Kolberg, but he won’t make it there before the game ends. Same goes for Lannes and Ney heading to Cottbus to prepare for a strike against Breslau which will never happen. Murat will conduct a reconnaissance in force to prepare for this operation which will never happen but would if the game continued. This is why most people began to clamor for a “Grand Campaign” when NCP1 came out. However, this reasonable complaint became the kiss of death for NCP1—it overshadowed all else about this game in the reviews that were published and comments that were made about the game on the internet. This criticism drove away many potential customers. Most unfair. Now we will get NCP2 to experience the strategic level, too. Pausable real time will further capture the dynamism behind Napoleonic warfare. That’s a good thing, and I for one cannot wait until we have the “new kid on the block” to play and enjoy.
Well, for now let’s just see how Bernadotte’s attack goes. I also expect to take Hanover this turn. If the Prussian corps now at Dortmund drifts north, he will regret it.
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Turn 19: Bernadotte hit Kalkreuth hard; after the battle the Prussian remnants fled to the west where they perished from starvation and exhaustion. With Soult’s arrival from the north, some reorganization was necessary. The IG infantry and artillery were passed to Napoleon’s direct control, and Lefebvre was given third corps command (Davout’s old corps). The main body (Napoleon, Soult, Lefebvre, and Bessieres IG Cavalry) will concentrate before Hanover, which Lefebvre and Soult will assault next turn. If the Prussians come to play, which it looks like they will, the stage is set for a classic battle of annihilation. Bernadotte, surprisingly active will advance to Braunschweig and will form the operational reserve. This will constitute the final operation of the campaign, if it happens at all. In winter, we move slow.
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Turn 19: Bernadotte hit Kalkreuth hard; after the battle the Prussian remnants fled to the west where they perished from starvation and exhaustion. With Soult’s arrival from the north, some reorganization was necessary. The IG infantry and artillery were passed to Napoleon’s direct control, and Lefebvre was given third corps command (Davout’s old corps). The main body (Napoleon, Soult, Lefebvre, and Bessieres IG Cavalry) will concentrate before Hanover, which Lefebvre and Soult will assault next turn. If the Prussians come to play, which it looks like they will, the stage is set for a classic battle of annihilation. Bernadotte, surprisingly active will advance to Braunschweig and will form the operational reserve. This will constitute the final operation of the campaign, if it happens at all. In winter, we move slow.
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Turn 19: Game over—stalemate. What, you say? I know, I’ve said it a hundred times. What’s this—a handshake instead of a kiss? Gee Wally, you mean I’m not the greatest military genius since Napoleon, Alexander, or any of the other great captains? This is not the way to win friends and influence people. The Emperor, a master of human motivation, who is reputed to have said, “men will die for a scrap of ribbon,” would be appalled by this splash screen.
Final score: VPs: 798-468, Morale: 164-46, Objectives: 9/15 (60%)
This screen with the “Star Spangled Banner” playing in the background, only adds to the cognitive dissonance of the moment. Remember, I’ve been playing this game for years. This is about as good as it ends for me, usually, and I suspect for most. To add more refined victory levels so as not to make the gamer feel like a pathetic loser after a fairly well fought, if maybe too cautiously fought, campaign. Throw me a bone here, will you?
Better treat me right next time, Phil or I’ll…just continue to play this one! Call me masochistic, I guess. It’s still the best Napoleonic computer wargame that has ever been made. The appeal of the era is the main draw for me. NCP1 captures the essence of Napoleonic warfare like nothing before or since. Thanks for adding the Win by Points! entry in the message log, Bohemond, it keeps me from wanting to slash my wrists. Got to give the gamer some love if you want love from the gamer. Somebody with some graphics skills should have modified this splash screen long ago. No one ever did.
What NCP1 does not do is appeal to anyone who doesn’t already have a keen interest in Napoleonic warfare. Its subtleties are lost on the average strategy gamer, who searches in vain for a “Grand Campaign” instead of the more narrow operational focus of NCP1. The resulting frustration is only compounded by things like the Campaign End splash screen. Most gamers won’t want to repeat the experience. The Napoleonic wars were a series of gradually escalating wars rather than one extended conflict. NCP1 models this period well, but it is not a friendly design for most people.
Hopefully NCP2 can maintain the same high standards of fidelity to the period. It promises to extend the appeal of a brilliant system that can be modified to accommodate a more dynamic and accessible gaming paradigm. Who else could do this but the Phil’s and the rest of the team at AGEOD? Paradox is a company built on the successful computer adaptation of a boardgame designed by the genius of Philippe Thibaut called Europa Unversalis. Never forget that. He is the source of all the great gaming goodness we have known from Paradox and AGEOD. I suspect another great gaming experience awaits us all later this year.
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Turn 19: Game over—stalemate. What, you say? I know, I’ve said it a hundred times. What’s this—a handshake instead of a kiss? Gee Wally, you mean I’m not the greatest military genius since Napoleon, Alexander, or any of the other great captains? This is not the way to win friends and influence people. The Emperor, a master of human motivation, who is reputed to have said, “men will die for a scrap of ribbon,” would be appalled by this splash screen.
Final score: VPs: 798-468, Morale: 164-46, Objectives: 9/15 (60%)
This screen with the “Star Spangled Banner” playing in the background, only adds to the cognitive dissonance of the moment. Remember, I’ve been playing this game for years. This is about as good as it ends for me, usually, and I suspect for most. To add more refined victory levels so as not to make the gamer feel like a pathetic loser after a fairly well fought, if maybe too cautiously fought, campaign. Throw me a bone here, will you?
Better treat me right next time, Phil or I’ll…just continue to play this one! Call me masochistic, I guess. It’s still the best Napoleonic computer wargame that has ever been made. The appeal of the era is the main draw for me. NCP1 captures the essence of Napoleonic warfare like nothing before or since. Thanks for adding the Win by Points! entry in the message log, Bohemond, it keeps me from wanting to slash my wrists. Got to give the gamer some love if you want love from the gamer. Somebody with some graphics skills should have modified this splash screen long ago. No one ever did.
What NCP1 does not do is appeal to anyone who doesn’t already have a keen interest in Napoleonic warfare. Its subtleties are lost on the average strategy gamer, who searches in vain for a “Grand Campaign” instead of the more narrow operational focus of NCP1. The resulting frustration is only compounded by things like the Campaign End splash screen. Most gamers won’t want to repeat the experience. The Napoleonic wars were a series of gradually escalating wars rather than one extended conflict. NCP1 models this period well, but it is not a friendly design for most people.
Hopefully NCP2 can maintain the same high standards of fidelity to the period. It promises to extend the appeal of a brilliant system that can be modified to accommodate a more dynamic and accessible gaming paradigm. Who else could do this but the Phil’s and the rest of the team at AGEOD? Paradox is a company built on the successful computer adaptation of a boardgame designed by the genius of Philippe Thibaut called Europa Unversalis. Never forget that. He is the source of all the great gaming goodness we have known from Paradox and AGEOD. I suspect another great gaming experience awaits us all later this year.
Thank you for this. Only read the first post, and youve nearly made me buy it already. But I thought I'd help first.
By far the easiest way to attach images is by scrolling down when creating a new post, finding the "attach files" option, browsing for the image on your pc and hitting ok.
There's also a way via third party websites like imageshack but this is generally more complicated. Let me know if you'd like an explanation.
Now back to reading.
Thanks again
By far the easiest way to attach images is by scrolling down when creating a new post, finding the "attach files" option, browsing for the image on your pc and hitting ok.
There's also a way via third party websites like imageshack but this is generally more complicated. Let me know if you'd like an explanation.
Now back to reading.
Thanks again
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Franciscus
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Taillebois
- General of the Army
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2008 8:09 pm
- Location: Nr GCHQ Cheltenham
OK, I'll try this one again.
I have AACW, NCP, BOA2, WW1 but never quite get into them.
The detail and look and historical feel should do it, but your turn 19 (post 21) summary says a lot of what I feel.
There's something about wargamers and computer programmers that just misses the spot sometimes despite the hard work put in.
For me for instance, Sid Meier's Gettysburg had it; but the Napoleonic derivative Waterloo - Napoleon's Last Battle didn't (even though I fire it up occasionally).
Combat Mission series got it; the newer Combat Mission - Battles in Normandy doesn't - even though it is supposed to be better.
In the AGEOD games maybe it is just the detachment from the battle results. I know you can try and look at the detail but that's bit of a slog.
I'll keep buying the games - Rise of Prussia will be next - but I'm not at the stage I could immediately recommend a purchase to someone.
I have AACW, NCP, BOA2, WW1 but never quite get into them.
The detail and look and historical feel should do it, but your turn 19 (post 21) summary says a lot of what I feel.
There's something about wargamers and computer programmers that just misses the spot sometimes despite the hard work put in.
For me for instance, Sid Meier's Gettysburg had it; but the Napoleonic derivative Waterloo - Napoleon's Last Battle didn't (even though I fire it up occasionally).
Combat Mission series got it; the newer Combat Mission - Battles in Normandy doesn't - even though it is supposed to be better.
In the AGEOD games maybe it is just the detachment from the battle results. I know you can try and look at the detail but that's bit of a slog.
I'll keep buying the games - Rise of Prussia will be next - but I'm not at the stage I could immediately recommend a purchase to someone.
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