Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)
https://wargame.ch/board/nwc/

No Detached Melee Rule
https://wargame.ch/board/nwc/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16751
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Bill Peters [ Wed Nov 03, 2021 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  No Detached Melee Rule

If using the No Detached Melee rule in your games just know that on the first turn of a replacement leader (Col Anonymous for brigade leaders) the brigade units will be considered Detached and will not be able to melee. Not sure if everyone knew that.

I could not find anything in the manuals that spelled that out. Maybe I missed it.

Just be aware of this and it means that protecting your leaders is even more vital than before. I was at a crucial stage in my Dennewitz game and needed to attack with a brigade and they could not because their brigade leader had become a casualty on the previous turn.

Kudos to Rich Hamilton spotting that. I never would have noticed.

The rule has some pros and cons in that surrounded units cannot fight their way out. The rule does reward good placement of leaders and with the rule ON you have to use your leaders more as MANAGERS rather than as leaders at the front.

The one turn period is that brief lapse of command ability that could have happened at the battles where a leader falls and the command chain is suspended briefly and the second in command has to be informed that now he is in charge.

Anyway, just thought I would pass this on. I do not think that Detached status for a unit is new as Disordered units that are Detached cannot reorder from what I remember.

Author:  Gregor Morgan [ Wed Nov 03, 2021 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

Thank you for highlighting this. I think that is quite reflective of the confusion caused by the leader becoming a casualty, I like it.

Author:  Bill Peters [ Sat Nov 06, 2021 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

And no, the "Detached" unit status is NOT new to the series. Its been there all along. It just takes on a more important meaning if the unit is detached. With the rule ON the unit cannot melee.

Detached units that are Disordered will have a harder time returning to "Good order." A die roll of "1" is necessary to remove the Disorder status. With no Command Bonuses the unit has a 1 in 6 chance of passing the test when out of command range.

Author:  Rubén Moreno [ Sun Nov 07, 2021 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

Greetings gentlemen. I’m new to the club, although I’ve been playing JT's napoleonic games for several years.

It also happened to me on one of my last turns in the Leipzig campaign. I do not think it is a bad idea to reflect uncertainty and the delay in the succession of command after the loss of one of their commanders, especially considering that they continue to be able to attack the enemy with the shots of their carabiners.

What I don't like is that the detached units option prevents the cavalry from melee, which especially in large scenarios does not make much sense and there are crazy situations of enemy cavalry squads fraternizing.

Author:  Garret Fitzgerald [ Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

Does it stop skirmish units from taking supply wagons and enemy leaders behind enemy lines?

Author:  Andy Moss [ Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

Yes and no. A detached skirmisher or unit cannot melee a supply wagon, but it can march through it and capture it that way.

Author:  Rubén Moreno [ Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

In other words, if they don't have an escort and come within range of the skirmisher's movement points, they can be captured, since it is not considered melee combat.

Author:  Garret Fitzgerald [ Tue Nov 09, 2021 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

I recommend the optional rule between players that you must keep skirmishers within 3-5 hexes of a formed unit.

Some say their parent unit, but that gets pretty complicated.

realistically, that's how battalions fought. The organization had to be close together or morale would disentegrate.

Author:  Bill Peters [ Wed Nov 10, 2021 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: No Detached Melee Rule

Garrett - usually we said "unit of their brigade" as you can select the skirmisher unit and then choose the ORG button on the toolbar and the units in the brigade are all highlighted.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/