Rivoli Scenario Adjustments Tested

In a previous post I tested out a scenario and rules for the Battle of Rivoli, 14 January 1797, see here.

The aims of this scenario test are:

1. To test using the division exhaustion for the whole of the Austrian wing attacking the Trombalore Heights versus Joubert's division, instead of the individual columns (Liptay, Koblos and Ocksay).
2. To see the impact of raising the minimum unit strength to from 2 to 3.
3. To try out potential division exhaustion counters (very much in the rough!).
4. To be happy that there is playability for both sides.

The Test

For the these purposes, I just needed to trial the engagements on the Trombalore Heights to the north and west of Rivoli.  Not the whole battle.

The initial deployment.  The French commanding the heights, with the Austrians to the left of the photo.

Now looking from the opposite end of the height.  The Austrians are engaging pretty much along the whole line.

The Austrian's have sent one unit back and now look like they might just punch through at San Marco.  Meanwhile in the centre, the attack has been repulsed.

The two Austrian units lining up to breakthrough at San Marco.  As seen from the French point of view.

At the far end of the heights, two Austrian units are turning the French flank after throwing the 85th Demi Brigade back towards Rivoli.

Alas, the Austrian's are not so fortunate at San Marco.  They are sent reeling back as the French recover their composure.  The Austrian brigade is now exhausted, but passed their test so their morale has not yet collapsed.

The French prepare to regain their hold on the heights, but this brigade is close to exhaustion itself.

Analysis

I'd seen enough by this time to reach some conclusions in relation to my aims.

Aim 1 - I was happy that this provided a better and fairer engagement, with the Austrians attacking the heights showing more durability in maintaining it's assault.

Aim 2 - The increased minimum unit strength of 3 worked nicely.  Only exceptional dice now seems to take out a unit in one go.

Aim 3 - The division exhaustion markers helped to keep a ready tally.  I tend to keep a paper roster anyway, so this is more for the benefit of the players.

Division exhaustion tally markers - VERY much in a rough form!
The blue dice represent the casualties across the units in the division.
The white dice shows the casualties suffered in division that turn.

My army rosters for this test

Aim 4 - the above have helped.  It is still very hard for the Austrians, but more "do-able" with a degree of good timing and luck.  Plus, in the wider game other columns would be arriving.

Next Steps

The units in Liptay's column on the Austrian right have a morale grade of 4.  I'll probably lift this to match the rest of the columns at the better grade of 5.  This will hopefully resist the compounding of disadvantages in assaulting a defender in superior positions.

I might try using division exhaustion for each of the Austrian columns and on the three brigades that make up Joubert's division.  Just to see how this works in comparison.

Conclusion

Napoleon was right to order Joubert back onto the heights in the early hours of the 14th January.  Having the position, the Rivoli plateau and the central position was key.

Postscript

While the toys were on the table, I immediately proceeded with trying out the "next steps".  My subsequent findings were really helpful.

Raising the unit morale for Liptay's column was a good call.  It made the engagement closer and more tense.  But the more interesting development was altering the division exhaustion to apply to the smaller columns/brigades on both sides.  This made for increased nervous tension as lines and assault ebbed and flowed and buckled.  This concentrated the mind more on how to keep the attack and defence alive without ruining the army.  It meant that repositioning and regrouping became an active part of the game.  Whereas playing the exhaustion based on the larger wings meant that this tension was not engendered, as each side could just stand and batter each other.

I look forward to presenting this to the Rejects... who will find their ways of testing it all to destruction!