General de Brigade

[tengelke]

Gentlemen,
Congratulations on a fine set of rules. I am particularly grateful that you selected a larger font size for the type! My question concerns the countercharge procedure, specifically rule 6 under section 6.1 on page 26, which states that a full countercharge move is 3". Is this correct, or possibly an allusion to the 3" straight line movement required to receive the charge bonus?

Sincerely,

Tom Engelke

[angus konstam]

Tom,

We could have worded the charge section much more clearly. it just shows that when you write and re-write something involving mechanics, you need to double check everything!

In DKK counter-charges are very limited affairs. Unless you're actually facing the enemy (which really means they're charging you), then you probably won't be counter-charging. A full counter-charge move is indeed just 3" (5cm). That just qualifies you for a charge bonus, but not if you have to wheel to face the enemy.

The whole business of charging takes some getting used to. I played a "Napoleonic" game on Sunday where the cavalry charged 36"! Well, we adopted the Brent Nosworthy model for SYW cavalry charges, where everything was controlled almost to the point of idiocy. That's why charge ranges are so infuriatingly short, and represent a break from the General de Brigade approach, where canters across the battlefield were more commonplace.

Actually, you can use this to your advantage. Chargers pretty much have to telegraph their intentions by manoeuvring into position, and you can react by doing the same. If he catches you on the hop then you'll probably get ridden down - and deservedly so.

As for the font size, while I'd like to claim credit for it, that's all due to the design guys. They probably realise that none of us are getting any younger...

Best Wishes,

Angus Konstam
www.edinburghwargames.com