Black Powder III: Sunday 11th of December

[Mushroom Kid]

Wow, it is going to be beautiful.

I'm easy. The Anglo-French vs Austro-Russian is the best balanced but balance of numbers obviously isn't everything.Not opposed to an Anglo-French alliance and in the words of Ol' Boney himself:

"England and France have held in their hands the fate of the world, especially that of European civilisation. How much harm we have done one another: how much good we might have done!"

[Primarch]

'We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France' - The Duke of Wellington.

[Mike the Pike]

From 1810-1812 an Anglo-Russian alliance vs. Franco-Austria would be historically accurate. Napoleon had married Marie-Louise and the Hapsburgs even contributed forces to the invasion of Russia. Tsar Alexander, who had previously been an admirer of Napoleon, was openly flouting the Continental System. British agents at the imperial court also had great influence.
How do the numbers look for those alliances? One side will be short on Cavalry no matter what.
A Anglo-French is the least likely IMHO

[job]

Austro-French vs. Anglo-Russian
30 infantry, 5 cavalry, 13 batteries vs. 22 infantry, 10 cavalry, 13 batteries
Pro: 48 total units vs 45 total units; cavalry strength vs infantry strength; Follow up on the Last Huzzah! battle
Con: Big infantry and cavalry disparity

Other breakdowns:
Infantry 30.67 -21.33
Cavalry 4.67 -9.33
Artillery 13 -13
Skirmishers 2 - 4.33
Guard 2 - 2
H. cavalry 1.67 - 2
Brigades 11 - 10

I do agree with Mike that there is some historical viability of a strong Austro-French alliance. Austria under Schwarzenburg invaded Russia with two corps in 1812. In 1813 Austria was on the fence about joining the 6th Coalition.

And as for the Russians and Brits, there were certainly examples of strategic and tactical coordination from the invasion of Holland in 1799 and the siege of Hamburg in 1813.
(An interesting episode)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Göhrde

Well, those are my thoughts. I suppose I should let Komura have his say too.

[komura]

Austro-French scenario looks interesting. But I'd prefer that we will have balanced game.
So, I'd like to choose Austro-Russian one.

[komura]

I'd like to amend my Austrian as follows.
Fusilier x 10 battalions, Grenadier x 5 battalions, Artillery x 6 batteries
From former list, I add an artillery battery.

Army commander

Brigade commander 1
Medium fusilier battalion x 5

Brigade commander 2
Medium fusilier battalion x 5

Divisional artillery 1
Foot artillary x 3

Divisional artillery 2
Foot artillary x 3

Divisional reserve
Medium Grenadier battalion x 5

No cavalry pieces.

[Primarch]

I'd prefer something more asymmetrical to be honest. Just looking at unit numbers doesn't guarantee balance. French Guard or British Rifles are far superior to a regular line unit. Curassiers are not the same thing as a unit of Hussars.

[job]

I like Prim's point. There a lot of variables at play when we have 93 units on the table! Each match up offers advantages and disadvantages. It seems the discussion is leaning towards Austro-French vs. Anglo-Russian. I hear Komura's desire for Austro-Russian, but it is hard to stop the British from British from giving the French the bayonet. Overall I think we have a fair amount of balance between the sides. Maybe we can offer the smaller side the option of going first or second and sides of the board. Theee other ideas are the option for a vanguard close to the objectives, initiative in all pre-game cavalry moves, or the right to nominate Veteran units.

If you still have a differing opinion or another idea, the floor is still open.

[Mushroom Kid]

'We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France' - The Duke of Wellington.

Touche sir, touche.

As I said I'm easy and as I'm the newcomer I'll be happy with whatever you guys decide. I just want to put these hours of painting to good use! Wouldn't mind a warm-up game sometime before if anyone is game.

Just need to find a bicorn hat stockist in the Chubu area.

[Mike the Pike]

Honestly, I don't mind which Nation I team up with, just as long as I'm not on Prim's side
As others have said, the sides don't have to be perfectly balanced anyway. As long as we follow the golden rule of the game and act as Gentlemen (even Prim).