Tactical Tips for General D’Armee

In this video Carlo and I discuss table top tactics for General D’Armee 2, though the overriding principles are applicable to any Napoleonic Wargame. Apologies for the sometimes poor audio. It’s an issue I continue to try and improve. The author and co-author of the rules, David and Christopher Brown have also contributed with the following tips. TACTICAL TIPS - GdA2
DEPLOYMENT:
1. Have a plan - however simple! Ensure that your deployment of on-table and Reserve brigades fit your battle plan!
2. If able, always have a reserve. Is the reserve brigade fit for the task? Is it to be used as a stop-gap brigade or is it an assault brigade designed to punch through the enemy?
3. Ensure artillery is deployed on high ground.
4. Deploy Light Infantry (LI) battalions in woods or other rough terrain. This means that they can operate in skirmish or close order depending on the tactical situation.

PREPARING THE BATTLEFIELD:
1. Be prepared to engage in counter-battery fire prior to assaulting. At Long range, counter-battery fire is better (more efficient) in the long run than trying to harass columns.
2. Use Assault Fire to assist with suppressing enemy batteries or shooting your infantry/cavalry columns in.
3. Win the skirmish combat! Be prepared to use LI battalions to reinforce the skirmish line and/or use the Skirmishers tasking to achieve this. If battalions are going to spend long periods of the game "inactive" then considering using them to reinforce the skirmish line. This way the battalion is actively engaging and contributing firepower to the battle. Winning the skirmish combat is the first step towards victory. Don't ignore them as Skirmishers can cause a lot of casualties over time esp. with a tasking.
4. Be efficient with your ADCs. For example, attach your artillery to your assault brigades. Then Brigade attachment taskings keep your brigade moving and your artillery firing at long range.
5. Do not commit your reserves too early. Don't use your C-in-C Commands too early.

THE MAIN ASSAULT:
1. Ensure that you have your brigades in the right place at the right time and in the right formation! Don't get into a volley exchange with infantry lines when in columns! (Or you repeat the peninsular experience!)
2. Chose your point of attack - don't attack all across the battle line. Concentration of effort upon a single objective.
3. When launching attacks or just holding the line use Glory, Forwards and Infantry Assault.
4. Consider Not firing your columns if you wish to charge next turn. An FD result could thwart your breakthrough entirely, all for the sake of a single casualty.
5. Consider using a C-in-C Command at this point - e.g. a clever use of the Chief of Staff command could give you around 7 ADCs - this permits an assault brigade to use a combination of Glory/Forwards/Infantry Assault all together in one turn as your big push. Don't use C-in-C Commands in situations where success isn't very likely. E.g. Cavalry charge vs. a Square.

BLOODY COMBAT:
1. Infantry supports for charges are essential. They create breakthroughs! (They can turn a Double 1 into a Double 6)
2. Have a second Line for units to fall back on. Small or weakened units are best for this as they are still contributing to the battle without being in direct danger.
3. Don't charge fresh supported units. Wait for or create an opening first unless the target is isolated, Unformed, Lost FD, lots of casualties etc.
4. Be prepared to suffer or grimly hold out in one area to achieve victory in another. One shouldn't reinforce defeat - but simply give units just enough to hold out and prevent them from breaking. This permits you to concentrate command effort at your chosen point where you hope to achieve victory.
5. Your tactics/battlefield pressure should be aiming to force your opponent to commit his reserves before you commit yours! (OODA loop.) He who commits his reserve last usually wins - as he can chose exactly where to commit it in to action. Consider C-in-C Command "Commit the Reserves" at this point.
6. Designate sufficient men to BUA combats. Accept you will take hideous losses and plan round this.
7. If you have not yet used your C-in-C Commands now is the point to use them. Do not finish the game with unused C-in-C Commands!
8. Have fun! If you win it's clearly down to your genius and superior tactics. If you lose then obviously your dice have let you down!