Fraustadt- testing the rules.

 So I had some Saxon battalions out and the Swedes charging them- to see how they game could possibly progress.

Four Veteran Swedish battalions vs 6 Raw Saxon Battalions and 2 guns

The whole Saxon line behind field defences.

So the trial was pretty straightforward. The Swedes were all Veteran, and their Brigade commander had LR ( Leadership Rating) of 2. The Saxons were all Raw- and their two commanders  both had LRs of 0.

The Swedes move faster 8" as opposed to 6" and they can wheel without penalty. They also have the ability to fire when charging. In melee they hit on a 3+. The Saxons hit on 4+.

Now all this seem to give the Swedes huge advantages. 

The big advantage on the other side of the ledger is that the  Saxons outshoot the Swedes- quite significantly. 

I don't want the Swedes to be able to destroy the Saxons so fast that the game is over in a few turns. The Saxons will have two lines- and some Russians to help. They at least need to be able to give the Swedes a bloody nose. Of course on the flanks the Swedes actually outnumber the Saxons and Russians...that could be enough to win. 

Trial One:

The Swedes drove into the Saxon position- forced a couple of Saxon battalions back...but the heavy casualties meant that they couldn't actually drive the Saxons off.

Taking fire from two battalions and a gun.

TRIAL TWO

They hit the Saxon line. The fight at the chevaux de frise was violent and the Swedes had a slightly better time of it- but the shooting casualties had been fairly substantial and two battalions failed the charge home test, so had to fall back disordered.  I actually have a 'first fire' rule that gives Foot significant bonuses for their first shot. In this battle historically, a number of  the Saxon battalions, spooked by the rapid Swedish advance, wasted their first shot. I have rules to reflect that but it still didn't help the Swedes!

TRIAL THREE

Here, the Swedes tore a hole in the Saxon line- the redcoats fell back, just holding on.

Half the Saxons forced back.....Swedes still coming

Only one Saxon battalion in the original position

This was ugly for the Saxons....all Swedish battalions still kicking.....

Believe it or not- this one worked...and the Swedes performing true to historical form......why?
I toned down the Saxon's firepower.
What made it significant was that in the previous two trials the Saxons shooting on a 4+ (D6). But by changing it to a 5+ , the casualty rate was less- and the Swedes were able to at least get into the fight. In melee, they will usually always win.
There was another subtle change.
Units taking casualties when charging have to do a charge home test- if they pass they go in. If they fail, they fall back disordered. I allowed the Swedes to go in 'disordered'. This was significant as it meant they they could still get into the fight and cause damage. With the extra die for charging, and for pike, they were rolling 8 dice at 5+. The Saxons, if steady were rolling 6 dice at 4+ - or if disordered 6 only.
(Yes the rules are that simple!)

This was another significant impact- the Saxons as 'raw' classified have to test if being charged - always. This meant that if they failed they became disordered. If the Swedes hit them while they were disordered, you can bet that they will drive them back.

Well- food for thought. A few slight tweaks could mean a playable game with some facsimile of history.