NB-4 web site

Javier Gámez, the man behind the 4th Edition of Napoleon's Battles, has updated the web site devoted to the last edition of the rules.

http://napoleonsbattles.org

Boolmark it, to see the last material!

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Napoleon's Battles 4

At last, Javi Gámez and his friends, have released the fourth edition of Napoleon's Battles also known as Marechal edition. The rule book can be buyed in Caliver Books.

The rule-book is generally in accordance with the late Bob Coggins's opinions. The rules are written in a more modern and readable flow, avoiding the sub-sub-sub-...paragraph style of previous editions. The main differences in the game rules from previous editions are:
(1) The fight in built-up areas (BUA's) is now more realistic and the change forces the attacker to make a costly hand-to-hand assault to take the village/town. This is achieved by a simple and elegant modification of the casualty assignament in the artillery fire phase, that makes almost impossible to disperse the defenders only by fire.
(2) The passage of lines is now more difficult (as it was in the real world) and prevents lightning counterattacks by troops placed in the second line.
There are other minor (but sensible adjustments) placed in the Optional Rules section. The most significant is that routed units can now rally with no general attached (with a -3 modifier)

You can follow the player reactions and the Javi's answers in the Yahoo group as well as in the Napoleon's Battles page, that describes the changes in deep.

In conclusion, a must for the Napoleonc grand-tactical wargamer!

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New rules for Napoleon's Battles (NB4)

The editors of the 4th edition of Napoleon's Battles Marechal edition (NB4) are giving in their official site NAPOLEON'S BATTLES Marechal Edition, some clues about the main modifications of the new edition. See below a summary

Marechal Edition Abstract
"In this new fourth edition, the order in which the rules are presented has been changed.
The rules are now introduced following directly the Turn Sequence, both in the Standard and Optional sections. The paragraph numeration has been mostly removed to adapt the rulebook to a less formal environment.
Moreover, a number of rule changes have been included, some of them regarding the Standard Rules and thus the basic mechanics of the game, and others listed as Optional Rules for players seeking a better degree of simulation, although adding some complexity to the game."

Measuring or not measuring, that's the question
Measurements can be taken freely at any moment

Moving and deploying in built-up áreas (BUAs)
The rules about movement and deployment in BUAs will be clarified and complemented with those for firing, combat and morale related to BUAs

New Firing procedure at Built-up areas
The authors make a series of considerations about the need of changing the rule of fire against BUAs. In their current state (NB3 and less), is too easy to rout or disperse an enemy unit garrisoning a BUA, only by fire (infantry fire inclusive!), as the authors show in a small statistical study.
This is in disagreement with history, where BUAs were usually the object of fierce hand-to-hand combats, before the enemy was routed. The need of a modification, was also supported by the late Bob Coggins himself, and the authors seem to propose one: "To fix this problem, we have changed the firing procedure for built-up areas, and after testing various solutions, we have chosen the one that, combined with a slight change of the combat procedure related to built-up areas, almost gives the attacker no chances of dislodging a deployed unit without an assault".
The authors do not reveal the actual new rule, so we must wait until the rules were released!

Watch this space!

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Napoleon's Battles Marechal Edition (NB4) is coming!

Napoleon's Battles Marechal Edition (a.k.a. NB4) will see the light in the next weeks!
See this entry in the Yahoo's Napoleon's Battles Forum posted by Javier Gámez, the soul behind the project:

"Dear folks,
The NAPOLEON'S BATTLES MARECHAL EDITION project is gathering momentum: this weekend we have updated the website, improving its design (which is far from definitive, anyway). We have also started to add some extra contents on it, this time two articles with comments on aspects of the rules and some of the changes that are being introduced in this new edition. You may find the website with all this info in the following link: www.napoleonsbattles.org.
Regarding the printed edition, we are still in negotiations with the publisher. We are currently preparing graphic material and other extra contents while waiting for the publisher. We will continue posting updates on the contents and the edition state in the following weeks.
Cheers,
Javi"

Watch this space!

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Bob Coggins has passed away

From a post in the Napoleon's Battles Yahoo forum

"This is just a brief note to make all the members aware that Robert Coggins, the co-creator, with Craig Taylor, of Napoleon’s Battles passed away this afternoon. He had been ill for several years and this past Wednesday he suffered a stroke as he was preparing to go to Historicon. The stroke precipitated a fall sometime on Thursday evening or early Friday morning and he was admitted to the hospital on Friday afternoon. He passed away at Union Memorial Hospital today, Monday July 21, 2014, in the late afternoon. He is survived by his brother, Richard. The funeral arrangements are not complete at this time. His brother will be making all the arrangements."

Living at the two opposite shores of the Atlantic ocean, I do not personally met Bob Coggins. However, I had with him some rich discussions about some points of the Napoleon's Battles rule-set. With his death, both creators of Napoleon's Battles rule-set are now passed away

It is a sad day and also a great loss to the world of wargaming. He will be missed.
Requiescat in Pace

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Napoleon's Battles New edition. A preview

The guys at Capitan Games have published a preview of the cover of new edition of Napoleon´s Battles. This fourth edition will be named the 'Maréchal Edition'

Waiting to see the launching!

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NBIV is marching in!

The web page of Capitan Games for Napoleon'Battles 4th Edition is now active!

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A Napoleon's Battles game in youtube!

Many rainy days here in Spain and only internet to play with! However, while waiting for the releasing of NB-IV, I have been able to find a Napoleon's Battles game in youtube. It involved Prussians against French and Italians.
Below you can see the four parts of the game

Enjoy!

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And NB IV goes to...

... Warmodelling Miniatures, a new Spanish company resulting form the merging of Capitán (Captain) Miniatures and Warmodelling.

My best wishes for this new aventure!

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The new Napoleon's Battles IV Edition

Maybe you, Napoleon's Battles fans, have been following a thread in the NB yahoo group about the possibility of a new re-incarnation of this 24 years-old venerable rulebook. The co-author Bob Coggins has marked tomorrow, February 16, as the date in which an announcement will reveal the name of the company that will market the new Edition.
After the somewhat disappointing experiences with Five Forks (NB-II) and Lost Batallion Games (NB-III), this new venture maybe will mark another Age of Gold for Napoleon's Battles
The only key about the company's identity, according Bob himself, is its European and non-British nationality. French, Italian, Spanish? I have heard (and read) some rumours and my candidate is chosen. To paraphrase a former Spanish president, maybe "those responsible are not in remote deserts or remote mountains"...
Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!

P.S. However, everything is subject to Earth will survive the passage of asteroid 2012 DA14!

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