Larger Picture
|
Box Description
On December 2, 1805, France's Emperor Napoleon I led about 67,000 men against about 75,000 Russian and Austrian troops near Brunn (modern Brno) in Bohemia, part of today's Czech Republic. After fierce fighting amid the morning mists, the French stormed the key Pratzen Heights as the sun broke out of the clouds, and the Allied army began a disorganized retreat. Napoleon had won his greatest victory, the military basis for a reign that would change Europe and the world forever.
Austerlitz re-creates the area where the battle was fought as a topographic map that conforms to the lay of the land. A unit must fit in the area it occupies, in the direction it faces: thus troops are placed along ridge lines, not across them.
Game pieces come in two sizes, representing infantry divisions, cavalry brigades and artillery batteries. Each is rated form combat strength and morale. Combat takes the form of assault, cavalry charge or bombardment.
Each player rolls a number of dice equal to the total combat strength of his or her units involved. For each result of 6, one hit is achieved. For each hit suffered by a unit, it loses one 'step,' or level of strength. But before it can make an attack or move, a unit must be activated by its leaders. The Allies have more men, but the French player has Napoleon, and Napoleon's subordinates are far more active than the Austrian and Russian leaders.
Game Scale
SCALE: 1 inch = 400 yards, units are divisions, brigades and batteries
DIFFICULTY: 1.5 / 5.0
SOLITAIRE PLAY: Excellent
|
