Friday 12 October 2018

Quarrie To General de Brigade Napoleonic Rules Conversion Kit


Introduction

A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away, I like many others started my journey into the world of wargaming, back before 'puters and the tinterwebnet, I picked up a book in the local libary and that book would literally change my life. That book was Napoleons Campaigns in Miniature by Bruce Quarrie.

I seem to have spent my life looking for that perfect set of rules, I spent a good few years using the "Hard Pounding" computer rules, that sadly came to an end when first the rules moved onto PC (and never worked) then my trusty Atari ST gave up the ghost in the mid 90s leaving us with no viable platform for the rules (yes we tried emulator etc etc, nothing worked). So I started that search again. I thought about modernising my beloved Quarrie rules but never seemed to get round to it. I never liked Gilders bucket o'dice approach and it wasn't until General de Brigade came along that I felt that long lost love for Napoleonic gaming return. However there was one thing missing, National Characteristics (NC).

I know the author of General de Brigade is not a fan of NC from his interviews however, interestingly they do seem to be creeping in with newer versions.

This is my attempt to introduce that Quarrie feeling into GdeB.


Important Notes (please read)

What follows are my thoughts on a suitable conversion, many people have asked me to put these on my blog over the years and I am only to glad to share.

This is not a stand alone set of rules, you will have to buy the General de Brigade Deluxe Edition hardback rules to make them work. I don't believe there are any copyright issues in fact the opposite I am encouraging people to go out and buy the rules. A working knowledge of the Quarrie rules will help but is not essential.

This is not an argument about National Characteristics, you either like them or you don't, there are a lot of people out there, like me who want them in their rules more from a personal nostalgia basis as opposed to historical fact. If you are not a fan, I get it, this post isn't for you.

The NC tables below are a guide, as they were in the initial Napoleons Campaigns in Miniature book, there are troop types missing for example, I have tried to keep close to those covered in the book. I am more than happy to add suggestions from readers and think about modifications in the tables, we all have our favourite armies and want better factors after all !

Where something is not covered below, revert to the GdeB book for rule clarification.

All my modifications are for 15mm figures, my collections are based on the Quarrie 1:33 ratio, GdeB is 1:20, with over 6000 15mm Napoleonic figures I am not rebasing, so to get over this we simply use my figures as they are and record casualties on paper. So a 24 figure French Line Battalion works as a 36 figure unit for the rules it's a straightforward conversion. Low figure number units don't work particularly well in GdeB.

I have done very limited playtesting with these, if people are interested in the concept and wish to try these modifications out that would be fantastic and I would love to hear about how your games went and any issues raised or modifications needed.

I will now go through the fast play sheet (FPS) from the rules covering the modifications required, please note the NC tables are at the end of this post.


The Rules

Game Turn Sequence - No change

Initiative and Orders - No change at this time although I do plan to introduce the individual named commanders in the Quarrie book at a later stage.

Movement
In each of the NC tables below distances in cms are given for each troop type, this is arbitrary but is a reflection of training and ability, a better trained unit from a country noted for its mobility being able to move faster.

For Square Movement and Retreat etc use the GdeB distances.

Formation Changes - remain as per GdeB but is being looked at.

Charge distance is +20% rounded up.

Where GdeB refers to troop classes refer to the NC tables below, anything with a Morale of 2 or higher is Guard / Elite.
Morale of 0 or 1 is Line / Veteran
Morale of less than 1 is 2nd Line / Conscript


Musketry and Artillery Fire

Relatively straightforward, ignore all of the Infantry Fire Modifiers in column one on the FPS, the new modifiers are,

Fire Factor (from NC), Fired / Melee last turn -2, Faltering / Unformed -4

On column 2, Artillery Fire Modifiers remove the first two factors relating to Artillery Class and add,

Fire Factor (from NC)

Target Modifiers, casualties, double 6 table etc remain the same.

Some Veteran Line Battalions would shoot better than their freshly raised counterparts and this should be considered when setting Armies out at the start of a game, so a Veteran French Line Battalion could have a +1 Fire Factor, a Marie Louise unit -1, I would factor that into the NC prior to the start of the game.



Melee

This was a little harder to incorporate, here you need to be familiar with the Quarrie concept of Impact Melee and Confused Melee, it's fairly obvious to be honest,

Impact Melee or Charging Melee (as I call it) is the factor used when a unit has met all the requirements to be counted as having charged into a combat.

Confused Melee factors are used in all other situations, for example if a unit has failed to reach the criteria to charge by not travelling far enough or standing to meet a charge. It also is the factor used in any subsequent rounds of melee after the first, by BOTH units.

So going back to the FPS their are a lot of changes, mostly deletions.

You can remove the vast majority of the factors on the FPS sheet, they reflect, troop type, morale class etc and these are all included in the individual factor on the NC tables.

So my melee sequence would be, each side rolls 2d6 and adds or subtracts the following,

Unit Melee factor (either Charging or Confused depending on situation)

In Open Order -2
Foot vs Cavalry count 1/2 figures
General leading troops in front rank  + 1 (for now individual factors to follow)
British Infantry in line (If post volley) +1
Unformed / Faltering -2
Attacked in flank or rear -4
Infantry charging in column +1
Square vs Cavalry +4
In Cover +1
In Buildings +2
In Fortifications / prepared Buildings +3
Outnumber enemy by 50 % +1
Outnumber enemy by 100 % +2

Retain all the numbered points under the Melee Factor apart from no 1, Lancers should use their Confused factor in those circumstances.

Consideration for veteran units and mount quality should be considered before the game begins and added or subtracted from the NC as you see fit.

Results and casualties remain as GdeB


Cavalry Pursuit Test

Remove all modifiers and replace with,

General Attached +1 (individual commanders coming soon)
Control Factor from NC

Note some Elite Cavalry units can choose to use either a plus one or a minus one depending on their circumstances and preference.

Unit Morale Test

Remove all factors relating to troop class and replace with,

Morale Factor from NC tables

Use +1 for attached General until individual factors are published.

Brigade Morale Test

Use as per GdeB except, remove Guard and Elite Brigades and replace with Morale Factor 2 or above and remove 2nd Line, Conscript etc and replace with Morale Factor of -1 or lower.

So there you have it, nothing too controversial in my mind and hopefully if you miss a bit of Quarrie then it would be great if people gave this a go. I look forward to any comments/ suggestions.

The National Characteristic Charts

Below you will find my first draft of the tables, apologies for the formatting but I had a real issue importing them in from Excel, enjoy.

Apologies I don't have any Austrians, here's some Portuguese Line 

Austrian         Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Col Road Skr
Infantry Melee Melee
Grenadier 1 5 3 1 0 11 14 16
Fusilier 0 3 1 -1 -1 8 11 13
Light 0 3 1 -1 -2 8 11 13 13
Jager 1 4 2 1 -1 11 14 16 16
Cavalry
Cuirassier 0 8 5 2 0 17 21 25
Dragoon 0 6 4 0 0 18 22 26
Uhlan 0 7 3 0 -1 25 29 34
Hussar 0 4 3 1 -2 25 29 34 29
Artillery
Heavy 0 0 0 0 0 10 12
Light 0 0 0 1 0 17 21









British Infantry in column awaiting deployment















BRITISH            Fire Factor Charging   Confused Morale Control   Line Col Road Skr
Infantry Melee Melee
Foot Guard 3 6 4 3 Choice 13 17 19
Fusilier 2 5 3 2 0 12 16 18 16
Grenadier 2 5 3 1 0 11 15 17
Line 1 3 2 1 -1 10 14 16
KGL Line 1 3 2 1 0 11 15 17
Light 2 3 1 2 -1 11 15 17 17
Highlander 0 6 4 3 -2 10 14 16
Rifles 2 6 4 3 Choice 12 16 18 18
Cavalry
Household 0 10 6 3 0 17 21 25
Dragoon Guard 0 8 5 2 -1 18 22 26
Dragoon 0 7 4 1 -2 17 21 25
KGL Dragoon 0 8 5 2 0 18 22 26
Light Dragoon 0 4 3 0 -3 24 28 33 28
Hussar 0 5 3 1 -4 24 28 33 28
KGL Hussar 0 6 4 2 -1 25 29 34 29
Artillery
RA 1 0 0 1 0 13 15
RHA 2 0 0 2 0 24 30









Italian Infantry on the move












CONFED /                           ITALY Fire Factor Charging   Confused    Morale   Control   Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Guard Gren 1 6 3 2 0 13 16 18
Guard Fus 1 5 3 1 0 12 15 17
Grenadier 1 4 3 1 -1 12 15 17
Fusilier / Light 0 3 2 0 -1 11 14 26 16
Musketeer 0 3 2 0 -2 10 13 15
Jager 1 3 2 1 -2 12 15 17 17
Cavalry








Guard Cuirassier 0 10 6 2 0 16 20 24
Guard Heavy 0 8 5 2 0 18 22 26
Cuirassier 0 8 5 1 -1 16 18 24
Dragoon 0 6 4 0 -1 18 22 26
Guard Lancer 0 8 3 1 -1 25 29 34
Lancer 0 6 2 0 -2 24 28 33
Guard Light 0 6 4 1 -1 25 29 34
Hussar / Lights 0 4 3 0 -2 24 28 33
Artillery








Guard Foot 1 0 0 1 0 16
19
Guard Horse 1 0 0 2 0 29
33
Foot 0 0 0 0 0 12
15
Horse 0 0 0 1 0 27
32










French Columns Advancing











FRANCE         Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control  Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Old Guard 2 7 5 3 Choice 15 18 20
Middle Guard 2 6 4 2 0 15 18 20
Young Guard 1 5 3 1 0 14 16 18 18
Grenadier 1 5 3 1 0 14 16 18
Fusilier 0 3 1 0 -1 12 14 16
Chasseur 0 3 1 0 -2 12 14 16 16
Voltigeur 1 4 2 1 -1 13 15 17 17
Cavalry








Guard Gren 0 10 6 3 Choice 18 22 26
Guard Dragoon 0 10 5 3 Choice 18 22 26
Guard Lancer 0 10 4 3 Choice 26 30 35
Guard Light 0 7 4 2 -1 26 30 35 30
Cuirassier 0 8 5 1 0 17 21 25
Dragoon 0 6 4 0 0 18 22 26 22
Lancer 0 7 3 1 -1 25 29 34
Hussar 0 5 3 1 -2 25 29 34 29
Chasseur 0 4 3 0 -1 25 29 34 29
Artillery








Guard Foot 2 0 0 2 0 18
20
Guard Horse 2 0 0 3 0 31
35
Foot 1 0 0 0 0 14
16
Horse 1 0 0 1 0 29
33









Sorry No Polish either !










POLAND Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Grenadier 2 6 4 1 Choice 14 16 18
Fusilier 0 4 2 0 0 12 14 16
Voltigeur 1 5 3 0 -1 14 16 18 18
Cavalry








Lancer 0 7 3 1 -1 25 29 34
Cuirassier 0 8 5 1 0 17 21 25
Chasseur 0 4 3 0 -1 25 29 34 29
Hussar 0 5 3 1 -2 25 29 34 29
Artillery








Foot 0 1 1 0 0 14
16
Horse 1 1 1 1 0 29
33










Portuguese Infantry defending a hill
















Line Column Road Skr










PORTUGAL Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Line 0 3 2 0 -1 11 14 16
Cacadore 1 3 2 1 -2 12 15 17 17
Cavalry








Dragoon 0 5 3 -1 -2 27 31 35
Artillery








Heavy -1 0 0 0 0 14
16
Light 0 0 0 0 0 25
31





11 14 16






8 11 13

Prussian Infantry 






8 11 13 13
PRUSSIA Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Column Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Guard 2 6 4 2 Choice 11 13 15
Grenadier 1 5 3 1 0 10 12 14
Musketeer -1 3 2 0 -1 8 10 12
Fusilier 0 3 2 1 -1 8 10 12
Jager 1 3 2 1 -1 10 12 14 14
Landwehr -2 2 1 -2 -3 6 8 10
Cavalry








Cuirassier 0 8 5 2 0 17 21 25
Dragoon 0 6 4 1 0 18 22 26
Uhlan 0 7 3 1 -1 25 29 34
Hussar 0 4 3 1 -2 25 29 34 29
Jager 1 4 3 1 -2 26 30 35 30
Artillery








Heavy 0 0 0 0 0 10
12
Light 0 0 0 1 0 18
22





11 14 16 16










Spanish Infantry waiting for a French attack






17 21 25
SPAIN & NAPLES Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Guard 1 3 2 1 0 12 14 16
Grenadier 0 3 2 0 0 10 12 14
Line -2 1 1 -2 -1 8 10 12
Light -1 1 1 -2 -1 12 14 16 14
Militia -3 1 1 -3 -2 8 10 12
Cavalry








Guard 0 6 4 1 1 17 21 25
Cuirassier 0 5 3 -1 0 16 20 24
Dragoon 0 4 2 -1 0 18 22 26
Lancer 0 3 1 -1 0 20 23 28
Hussar 0 2 1 -2 -1 20 23 28 22
Artillery








Foot -1 0 0 -1 0 10
14
Horse -1 0 0 0 0 16
20





18 22 26






25 29 34
Stationary Russian Infantry 






25 29 34 29
RUSSIA             Fire Factor Charging Confused Morale Control Line Col Road Skr
Infantry
Melee Melee





Guard Grenadier 1 9 5 3 Choice 13 16 17
Guard Jager 2 6 3 2 0 14 17 18 17
Grenadier 0 7 4 1 0 12 14 16
Musketeer -1 5 3 0 -1 10 13 15
Jager 0 5 3 0 -2 13 15 17 15
Cavalry








Guard Cuirass 0 10 6 3 Choice 16 20 24
Guard Dragoon 0 9 5 2 0 18 22 26
Cuirassier 0 8 5 1 0 15 19 23
Dragoon 0 6 4 0 -1 17 21 25
Guard Uhlan 0 9 5 2 0 25 29 34
Uhlan 0 7 3 1 -1 24 28 33
Guard Light 0 6 3 2 0 25 29 34 29
Hussar 0 4 3 1 -2 24 28 33 28
Guard Cossack 0 5 2 2 -2 26 30 35 30
Cossack 0 3 1 1 -3 25 29 34 29
Artillery








Position 0 0 0 0 0 8
11
Guard Light 1 0 0 2 0 14
16
Light 0 0 0 0 0 13
15
Horse 0 0 0 1 0 24
30










All Charges +20% Rounded Up































10
12






17
21

10 comments:

  1. I'll never understand people's problems with rules I began with lasalle and I've never moved since

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very interesting and great job!I started playing wargames with the Bruce Quarrie rules many years ago ))))

    ReplyDelete
  3. I moved onto Quarrie's rules in the 70's after starting with Grant's. I always enjoyed NCs but as usual one always feels your army is unfairly represented compared to others. Overall I think they add colour to a game but don't like troop qualities being degraded to represent Command and Control failings. Not having played GdeB I don't know how much this will impact the game but always like to hear how others tinker with rules - I can't stop myself from doing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rob, the great thing about NC is the discussion about what factors your favourite army should have. As I have said before using NC to represent c and C failings is just one way of doing it.
      Thanks for your comments 👍

      Delete
  4. Yarkshire,
    I always enjoy your Dakka posts. I am looking forward to seeing more via your YouTube channel. Trying to order the book is a little challenging. I personally didnt care for BlackPow / HailC! Trying some home brew, but mine will be more beer and pretzel. Does this system require mini removal? Does it cover AWI and or ACW? I am 28mm using 28mm mainly. 4 per base and gun crews mounted to gun base. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Grover,
      You're right I must do more with the YouTube channel, I admit I just keep forgetting to do a video and by the time I do I've packed the game away !
      The General de Brigade Deluxe edition should be easy enough to locate as it's quite a popular set of rules, I'm guessing your in the US, Amazon might be an idea. The previous version is on pdf on Scrib and the General de Armee (aimed at a higher command level) is on pdf at Toofatlardies.
      It is a miniature removal system although we don't bother and just keep a paper record of losses.
      GdeB doesn't cover those periods, however there are sister rule sets, British Grenadier for AWI and Guns at Gettysburg for ACW.
      All the best, Ken

      Delete
  5. Hello Yorkshire,
    I followed the same road as Rob (see his post above); on research, I found it was extremely rare for infantry to cross bayonets (unless fighting in a Built -up-area).
    That self -preservation instinct dictated that people were most unwilling to be stabbed or skewered in a fight, so a Charles Grant / Quarrie style fight of lines of infantry hacking at each other is simply not on, chaps. One side or t'other would give way well before impact, or at least fire a ragged volley and flee. A batallion attacking with lowered bayonets was a threat, a signal to the enemy to vacate their position.
    So I would honestly use Impact/Confused factors in Cavalry fights, or gunners attempting to defend guns, with perhaps a +1 for defending earthworks a' la Borodino, and leave hand-to-hand battles to your collections of Ancients.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After 40 plus years of Napoleonic gaming and reading this isn't my first sheep dog trial 😄 so whilst I agree with your thoughts on crossed bayonets melee I disagree with your analysis.
      The Melee process is not in my opinion solely the resolution of that crossing of bayonets but the whole representation of the final part of a charge including that fear of contact.
      The difference between the factors is the key, the higher factor of a higher trained higher Morale unit outweighing the lower factor of a stationary one. The result of that resolution is one very often one side vacating it's position with a high number of casualties (not necessarily Bayonet but people running and falling etc in the confusion reducing the fighting effectiveness of the unit)
      Without the use of Impact for Infantry you would actually end up with longer, less decisive "melee". You would need an additional mechanism for none melee Infantry contact which would just be confusing and for me unnecessary.
      Extended Melee in the cross over rules is relatively rare so I think your describing an issue that doesn't exist.

      Delete