NNNG Game Test Report: French vs. Russians
Yesterday, we conducted a test of the NNNG rules, pitting the French against the Russians. I took on the role of game master to ensure smoother gameplay, as I was the only one familiar with the rules. Note that this was a test, not a full game. If anyone wants to try the rules, just let me know.
(A number of you have complained about not knowing what the stat titles mean; that is, CR, MR, FL, L/U. I'm going to rectify this by explaining what they mean.)
CE - Combat Effectiveness is a general representation of the overall capability of a unit to engage in and succeed in combat. It is influenced by training, equipment quality, and battlefield experience. Units with a higher CE perform better in both offense and defense, reflecting their efficiency in handling enemy engagements and maintaining cohesiveness under fire.
MR - Morale Rating gauges the mental resilience of a unit, generally indicating how steadfastly they can hold their ground or rally under pressure. Higher MR ratings represent units that is more disciplined, cohesive, and likely to maintain order when faced with adverse conditions. Training, experience and esprit de corp are big factors in this attribute.
FL - Fatigue Level reflects a unit's endurance and stamina on the battlefield. As units exert themselves through movement, combat, or extended engagements, they accumulate fatigue. High fatigue levels signify diminishing physical capacity, impacting a unit's effectiveness and morale. The number seen under "FL", in the stats of a unit, is the level before fatigue begins to set in.
L/U - Limbered/Unlimbered is the state the artillery battery is in, whether it's ready for transport or "limbered", and if it's ready to fire or "unlimbered". Both conditions are crucial to the proper operation of an artillery battery.
Forces and Setup
French (2 Divisions)
- 8 Infantry battalions
- 4 Light Infantry battalions
- 2 x 6-pdr artillery batteries
Russians (3 Divisions)
- 10 Infantry battalions
- 2 Light Infantry battalions
- 3 x 6-pdr artillery batteries
Unit Stats
French and Russian Infantry Stats & Movement
| Nation | Unit | CE | MR | FL | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French | Line Infantry (LN) | 50 | 50 | 4 | R:8 C:6 L:3 S:1 |
| Voltigeurs (LT) | 55 | 55 | 5 | R:10 C:8 L:4 S:1 | |
| Russian | Line Infantry (LN) | 45 | 50 | 4 | R:8 C:6 L:3 S:1 |
| Jagers (LT) | 50 | 50 | 5 | R:10 C:8 L:4 S:1 |
| Type | CE | MR | FL | Close | Effective | Medium | Long | Canister | Move (L/U) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-pdr Foot Artillery (6FA) | 50 | 50 | 5 | 8” | 15” | 22” | 28” | 2”/6”/8” | 10”/2” |
| Weapon | Close | Effective | Medium (Skirmish Only) | Long (Skirmish Only) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musket | 1” | 2” | 3” | n/a |
| Rifle | 1” | 3” | 4” | 5” |
The battlefield was mostly flat with two small, wooded areas and a stream on one side. A road ran diagonally from northeast to southwest, allowing both forces to advance and unlimber within artillery range (28 inches) of each other.
Turn 5: Initial Engagement
Orders and Movements
French: Operational Orders - Attack/ Tactical Orders - Fire
Russians: Operational Orders - Attack/ Tactical Orders - Fire
The French advanced their line infantry, keeping two light battalions in reserve around their artillery. The Russians mirrored this movement.
Combat Phase Calculations
1. French Artillery:
- Combined CE for two 6-pdr batteries: 50 + 25 (half of second battery CE) = 75 CE.
- Modifiers applied:
- Long range fire: -20 CE
- Target moved: -5 CE
- Previous turn fire on same target: +5 CE
- Total modifier: -20 (-20 + -5 + 5)
- Final CE: 75 - 20 = 55 CE
Roll and Result:
- French rolled a 12. Calculation: 55 - 12 = 43, divided by 10 = 4 hits (rounded).
- Outcome: The Russian infantry battalion took 4 hits, half of its threshold, causing significant damage.
2. Russian Artillery Counterfire:
- Combined CE for three 6-pdr batteries: 50 + 25 + 13 = 88 CE.
- Same modifiers as French: -20 CE for range.
- Final CE: 88 - 20 = 68 CE
Roll and Result:
- Russian roll was 72, resulting in a miss. This miss would prove costly for the Russians.
Morale Phase (Turn 5)
- Russian CE Adjustment: Lost 40% of 45 (CE), equaling 18. New CE: 45 - 18 = 27.
- Russian MR Adjustment: Lost half of the CE reduction (18 / 2 = 9). New MR: 50 - 9 = 41.
Morale Check:
- The French rolled a 49 against the Russian MR of 50, narrowly avoiding a break.
- As the Russian infantry unit has taken half its hit rating, future morale checks will be harder due to modifiers from accumulated hits.
Turn 6: Charge and Fire
Orders
- French: Operational Orders - Attack/ Tactical Orders - Charge
- Russians: Operational Orders - Fallback/ Tactical Orders - Fire
Command and Control Rolls
- French Commander: Veteran with CP 3, CR 10 inches. Command check value: 53 (calculated as base MR/CR ratio, plus CP). Rolls: 38 and 51 for two successful orders.
- Russian Commander: Skilled with CP 2, CR 8 inches. Command check value: 46. Rolls: 35 and 6, both orders received.
Charge Movement and Combat
French Charge:
- Line formation speed: 3 inches, +1 inch for charge, stopping halfway.
- Modifiers:
- Range: +10 CE
- French moved: -10 CE
- Target in line: -5 CE
- Counterfire: -10 CE
- First volley: +5 CE
- Final CE: 50 - 10 = 40 CE
Roll and Result:
- French rolled 91, missing with ineffective fire.
- Russian Counterfire:
- Adjusted CE: 45 (initial) - 5 = 40 CE. Roll of 22 hits with 2 hits, requiring a French morale check.
Morale Phase (Turn 6)
- French Morale Check:
- French MR: 50 (unmodified for this check). Russian roll was 36, allowing the charge to proceed.
- Russian fallback 2 inches, causing French charge to fall short by 1 inch.
The game ended after this turn, as the fatigue levels and upcoming morale checks indicated intense challenges for both sides.
Commander Ratings and Modifiers
| Command Level | Example | CE Boost | MR Boost | Command Points | Command Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incompetent | Gen. Claude Victor-Perrin | -5 | -5 | 0 | 4" |
| Average | Gen. Antoine Drouot | +5 | +2 | 1 | 6" |
| Skilled | Marshal Michel Ney | +10 | +5 | 2 | 8" |
| Veteran | Gen. Jean-de-Dieu Soult | +15 | +7 | 3 | 10" |
| Gifted | Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout | +20 | +10 | 4 | 12" |
| Brilliant | Marshal Andre Massena | +25 | +15 | 5 | 14" |
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Defending infantry in Line | +5 CE |
| Charging infantry in Line | -5 CE |
| Light Cavalry in Column | -5 CE |
| Heavy Cavalry in Column | +15 CE |
| Rough Terrain | -5 CE |