The trouble with the Swedes...........

 A look over a couple of the historical games that we've played in the GNW, (Holocwzyn, Lesnaya) showed that the Swedes lost those games both game-wise and historically.  Yet in the rules we use, the Swedes have significant advantages for moving quickly, charging fiercely and other advantages over troops who do not have the same tactical doctrine- especially in the initial contact. The poorer firing capability means that they avoid firefights and get 'stuck in'. 

There were good reasons for those defeats. Usually factors such as delayed deployment or poor deployment.

In our games the Swedes tended to suffer too many casualties and by the time they got into hand to hand contact- which they invariably won- they couldn't exploit the success. Or the dice didn't allow them to get stuck in early enough.

After giving the Swedes all the advantages and extra dice and better modifiers ......it doesn't mean that they will always win. Which is just as well- no one would want to play against them!

BUT in a small scenario, with the Swedes deployed and ready......it's a very different story!!!

The Swedish right flank. Four Squadrons of Cavalry..and one Regt. of Foot.

The Table.

The Scenario was for the Swedes to drive the Russians and Saxons from their defensive position. The key objective was the big hill to the right of the road at the center rear of the allied position. The Saxons held the middle. All drilled; good solid troops who can deliver deadly, steady volleys. All musket armed. The Russian brigade was split. Two were drilled and two were raw and all armed with musket and pike. One drilled and one raw were holding the far right flank, a section of the table that the Swedes ignored.The other two were smack bang in the middle of the table. The six drilled squadrons of Russian Dragoons were on the Allied left. Two guns out in front.

The initial orders. The Swedish commander decided a broad front general advance.

Russian Dragoons.

The Saxon infantry Brigade. Four Battalions of solid troops, supported by two Russian batteries.
Four Regiments: Konigin's (yellow and white flags), Lowenhaupt's (dark navy  and white flags), Heyne's (red and white flags) and Reuss' (dual pale blue and white flags). 

Heyne's Regt in reserve.

Novgorodski Regt

Belgorod Regt.

The Russian right flank. A spot that the Swedes ignored.

Opening volley by the first Russian battery- two hits ( hitting on a 5+)

Battery No2.....not so good!

The Allied center on turn 2.

Russian artillery firing canister....ouch...the Swedes felt that....and it just made them angry

The left of the Swedish line.....a Saxon overlap which meant concentrated fire against the end Swedish Battalion.

The two Regiments on the extreme flank have swung in behind the main line of defence.

The Saxons have formed a nice firing line....and are giving it to the Swedish regiments.

In the center...the first Swedish Squadron ( with the round red marker) slams into the Russian gun

A 'cat's eye' view......

The Swedish squadrons hit the dragoons....and they hit them hard.....

Two Russian squadrons on the run...

By turn 4 the two leading Swedish squadrons had routed the Russian Brigade. 

Unable to take the pounding.....The Swedish Dal Regiment breaks

The Russian Dragoons- swept from the field, the right hand Swedish brigade swings inwards

The Swedes charge home.

The last Russian Dragoon Squadron..( on the right of the pic)..passed two Brigade tests...a disorder test and a receive charge test.....Brave lads....they didn't last long

Victorious Swedish horse, blood was up charging the disordered Russian battalion frontally.

Swedish attacks all along the line, Russians being forced back.

The Saxons were forced back....and then broke....

The Russians holding the main hill.....but then breaking...

Of the five Swedish infantry regiments- one had broken ....but they had destroyed or routed the
four Russian Regiments, and forced the retreat of two of the Saxons, the other two failed their Brigade test and withdrew.
Three out of four Squadrons of Swedish Horse were still on the table...and they had completely routed the Russian Dragoon brigade.

A game that saw the Swedes tear through their opponents. I guess 8 battalions of Allied troops  and 6 squadrons aren't going to stop 5 battalions of Swedes with 4 Squadrons of supporting horse.

Next game...double the defenders!!

If you take any scenario that's meant to be balanced in the scenario books I have, ( we all have!!), the Swedes usually overwhelm their opponents. In this scenario I actually switched the recommended numbers as the attackers should have had the 8 Foot and 6 Horse and two guns. The defenders were supposed to have 5 Foot and 4 Horse ...and two guns. But it wasn't going to work.....if the Swedes mirrored their historical performance., it was too one sided....so I even took away their artillery. 

But it was still a total walk over!!

Historically, especially in the earlier period , the Swedes beat two, three and even more times their own number. I have found that they shouldn't have to fight and beat EVERY enemy unit, but once they've inflicted enough casualties ( assuming they haven't received too many themselves) some sort of brigade/morale/cohesion test for the rest is usually enough to see the army withdraw leaving the Swedes in control of the battlefield!