I have played the Tiller Napoleonic Campaigns and their forerunners since "forever" - going back to Talonsoft's "Battleground" series in the mid 1990's and the old granddaddy of them all Simulations Publication's "Wellington Victory" (board game) in the early 1980's.
I love these games but it has always seemed to me that their original design somehow maybe missed something and I have always wanted to ask knowledgeable players - you guys - whether it is just me and it is me who is missing something.
When you read histories of the Napoleonic Wars, you read of the French advantage that often arose because they sent out "Clouds of Skirmishers".
I have never really seen a whole lot of advantage in sending out skirmishers. They take shots at the enemy but it rarely seems to have any game-useful impact. In the histories you get the impression that skirmishers eventually tended to lower the morale of the target but, again, I have never really noticed a material impact here. They can block fire to some extent but again, in my experience no really material effect on the game.
I periodically wonder why I should bother with skirmishers. More of a pain in the neck than they are worth. I tend to send them out because I feel like I am supposed to but I can't figure out why!!!
You guys are as experienced as I am - what are your thoughts?? Am I missing something here and if so, what?
I love these games but it has always seemed to me that their original design somehow maybe missed something and I have always wanted to ask knowledgeable players - you guys - whether it is just me and it is me who is missing something.
When you read histories of the Napoleonic Wars, you read of the French advantage that often arose because they sent out "Clouds of Skirmishers".
I have never really seen a whole lot of advantage in sending out skirmishers. They take shots at the enemy but it rarely seems to have any game-useful impact. In the histories you get the impression that skirmishers eventually tended to lower the morale of the target but, again, I have never really noticed a material impact here. They can block fire to some extent but again, in my experience no really material effect on the game.
I periodically wonder why I should bother with skirmishers. More of a pain in the neck than they are worth. I tend to send them out because I feel like I am supposed to but I can't figure out why!!!
You guys are as experienced as I am - what are your thoughts?? Am I missing something here and if so, what?