General de Brigade

[drferling]

Just finished painting my first regiment of French infantry. Flag is on order from GMB and basing is still to be determined.

Here are a few WIP pictures. I hope you like them.

I am sure that you will notice that the regiment is composed of 4 bases of 6 figures. The voltigeur are not deployed. I am wondering what people would do to use a unit like this for GdB. I have seen mention of playing at 1:33 and having French units with approximately 24 figures. After mentioning that it work things get a bit vague.

1. I would have no problem with a roster.
2. I would love to be able to use some casualty markers made following msk's wonderful tutorial.
3. I do not want rebase as I like the look.
4. I would prefer not to mess with ground scale, but the musketry tables and morale are up for modification.

Thanks!

[baxterj]

df

1:33 is no problem as 24 figure units are probably standard fare for 1814 and 1815. I think that when you get down to 12 and 16 figure units when the scale of the rules may become a problem.

I have some French units at 24 figs, 30 and 36.
Cant see the pics yet as I am at work, but will look tonight

john

[drferling]

john,

Thanks so much for the reply. Good to know that the game will not "break" with 24 figure units. Work continues. Once I have a brigade per side I will have to wrangle some of my non-historical gaming buddies into giving GdB a go.

I hope that the picture is displaying properly, it is linked from flickr and I have never done that before...

[schultz]

This is exactly the problem I have faced when basing my units. It is all very well to construct an army for use with one set of rules and GDB are certainly OK. However, there are other rules out there which are just as creditable. I have been following the theme suggested by Baxterjand this has seemed to be successful. When you begin to paint up cavalry units the problem becomes a little more complex. Not only are the figures (at 28mm) expensive, but the painting burden becomes onerous. 24 to 36 horseman!!!!!

I think Giles put his toe in the water with Napoleonics recently but balked at the huge number of figures involved and frankly the boredom of painting interminable numbers of similar figures. I think this is partly why he chose AWI where there is such wonderful diversity in the unit makeups and appearance and why he is looking at the Carlist wars.

Traditionally, 24 man French units (and equivalent adversaries) were the norm in many of the older sets of rules. GDB argues that the larger units provide more historical reality, particularly when faced with the difficulties involved in manoevre on the tabletop and attempts to replicate this. This may be true but at the same time there are other rules.

[Keithandor]

I was painting 28mm French for GdB and I realised that I would have to paint both sides as no one at my club would do an army.
Then I also realised that I would need a huge table , I have an 8x4 at home but prefer to sit and relax for a game on a 6x4.
So I have decided to do 15mm , the 28mm are still a project I want to come back to though.
I have two 6mm armies that I enjoy using and have some guys at the club with 6mm armies as well so that's all good , but I like bigger figures as well.
I guess I'll end up with all scales before I'm done , no one mention 10mm !!!

[drferling]

Keith,

I understand completely. I am the only one at the club involved in the 28mm project. The others are staunch 15mm supporters. Not to diminish the beauty of the 15mm AB figures, but having painted 50+ French and Austrian mounted officers for commission, I do not think I would have the patience to complete the project in 15mm. I guess I am just sold on 28mm.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am excited to get my first game in (September, I hope).

[giocrippa]