Improving the basic Napoleon at Waterloo

Rob Gibson

Just about every subscriber to 'Strategy & Tactics' owns a copy of
'Napoleon at Waterloo', but how many have played it more than once I
wonder? The reasons vary from game snobbery (too simple) to lack of
realism (does not play like the real battle). Whilst I have little
sympathy with the first viewpoint (I was 'weaned' on 'Combat Command') I
can sympathise with the second .

A. Allied Strongpoints One of the basic flaws is that the strong points
of the Anglo-Dutch line i.e. Hougomont and La Haye Sainte collapse too
easily. To counter this, the following changes in the order of battle
are made:

1) The 14 counter in Hougomont wood is replaced by the 24 Brunswick
counter (on the North edge of Merbe).

2) The 1-4 counter is placed in La Haye Sainte, and the 3-3 artillery
counter is placed to the rear of La Haye Sainte

Both Hougomont and La Haye Sainte are tripled in defensive strength i.e.
the units occupying them triple their printed strength for defense only.

B. Prussian entry The Prussians did not in fact all arrive at 2pm, it
just was not possible in the circumstances, as they were strung out over
several miles.

After trying a few solutions in actual games, the best solution appears
to be as follows:

1) At 2pm one 5-4 infantry unit and two 3-5 cavalry units.

2)  At 4pm one 4-3 artillery unit and two 4-4 infantry units.

3) At 6pm one 3-3 artillery unit and two 4-4 infantry units.

This is in contravention of the rules of the basic game, it undoubtedly
gives an advantage to the French player by slowing down Allied
reinforcements.

C. The French Right Wing Since the French were unaware of the Prussian
advance until they reached the line marking the edge of our game map, it
would be unrealistic to allow the French player to deploy to meet the
Prussians on entry.

Rule: No French unit may move within 6 hexes of the Eastern map edge
during the first two game turns i.e. before 3pm.

This rule counters the rule for Prussian entry outlined in 'B' above
neatly without taking away the priceless advantage of time.

D. The Imperial Guard Whilst Napoleon was often liable to commit the
cavalry of the Guard at an early stage in his battles, the infantry of
the Guard was often held in reserve until the point of crisis
arrived--sometimes, as at Borodino, the Grenadiers were not committed to
battle at all.

In the 'Borodino' simulation, an optional rule is included to account
for Napoleon's reluctance. Something of the kind is needed for
'Waterloo', thus:

Rule: No French Guard infantry may move from their original positions
before Game Turn 4, i.e. 4pm (in the case of the 74 Grenadier Guard
unit, this prohibition is extended to 5pm, Game Turn 5).

There are a number of further improvements which can be made which will
form the basis of a future article in The Phoenix.