Franco Prussian War Bolt Action Skirmish Refresher/Playtest

Thanks to my buddy James, recently returned from his overseas deployment, we were able to get in a great FPW Bolt Action game. James, a retired Infantry Colonel, actually helped me playtest this game a couple of years ago. This is only the second game I've hosted and played since the previous year's lockdown. The scenario is set for 6 turns; Victory Conditions: occupy 2 of the 3 main buildings at the end of Turn 6, or destroy 50% of the enemy, which is first. Since the French have a few less units and no artillery except for a Mitrailleuse "machine gun" - 2 of the 3 main buildings are closer to their table edge. That is, the Prussians would need to be more or less the aggressors. 

Pictured below shows the end of turn 1 - we were catching up with each other and otherwise BSing prior to and during the game, hence the line up of the Class 6 items so early on. 

The old Enfilade Convention mugs are used to hold the activation dice and also the casualty/pin markers. This would be around Turn 2 on the French right - Chasseurs a Cheval moved up to protect the bridge; Tirailleurs and Zouaves to their rear. A unit of French Line occupying the large building. The Mitrailleuse was taken out by Prussian artillery early on and never a factor in the game.

Bavarian and Jaeger foot, and a Saxon 4 pounder in the center of the battle. Zeiten Hussars and more Jaeger to their right. I must've not been clear enough at the start about which of the buildings were the 3 objective ones. James thought that the one with the Bavarians were holed up in was one of them - which it wasn't. 

French Chasseurs a Cheval firing into Prussian Cuirassiers during a flanking advance - successfully causing a casualty and pinning them with carbine fire. The Prussian Cuirassiers were later wiped out by more fire from French infantry.

French left - a unit Tirailleurs looking to assault into the Zeiten Hussars - both have the Tough Fighter rule. Combat resolution in Bolt Action is very simple and severe. The side with more casualties is destroyed outright - no taking Break Tests like Black Powder.

Prussian Line in one of the Victory Condition buildings; the Jaegers taking cover in a ruin that wasn't one of the objectives. Although at this point (around turn 4), James thought it was one of the Victory Condition buildings. :)

French right - French Line occupying the large building. Zouaves and Tirailleurs guarding the fortified bridge head. I gave the Tirailleurs (in light blue jackets) the Tough Fighter rule - however, they never survived shooting from the Prussians before being able to use it. For the record, I plan to add a few trees to block LOS for future games. The red pin markers actually have "Disordered" printed on them for Black Powder games.

French Chasseurs vs. Prussian infantry. All the cavalry have the Tough Fighter rule. The French officer to the left is a "Hero" with the 1LT Bonuses - I think I'll up him to a CPT for future games - giving him a longer reach of influence to 12".

The Zeiten Hussars, having destroyed a unit of Tirailleurs have now advanced up to a unit of Zouaves inside one of the Victory Condition buildings. They successfully caused pins and casualties on the Zouaves with carbine fire (limited to 6" for cavalry). The assaulting Jaegers eventually finished off the Zouaves.

The Prussian managed to take two of the three Victory Condition buildings at the end of Turn 5 - and felt the remaining depleted French units would not be able to retake one or more of the building, so we called it a Prussian Victory. A few things we discovered during game play was the addition of "house rules" like giving the Jaegers a "Sharpshooter" rule (not in the basic BA rules). Something similar to the "Tough Fighter" rules for Assault/Combat. Letting the Jaegers re-roll Hits the same way.

Thanks for visiting and hope you enjoyed the AAR of this BA FPW game. Wishing you all fine health and gaming endeavors.