This list of formation types is designed to help beginning
Republique players to relate real life Napoleonic formations with those used
for game play. The list indicates only very basic averages, and players should
remember that real life units varied enormously in both quality and size. In
some armies, "green" troops were fully trained and could perform very
impressively. In other cases, regular troops who had been allowed to become
demoralized put in very poor performances. Unit descriptions include type,
average size (number of bases) and average troop grade. The infantry lists also
include skirmisher availability and quality. The cavalry lists include a
classification of cavalry types. At the beginning of each section is a short
description of each army, along with an average ratio of artillery batteries to
infantry/cavalry bases. These recommended artillery ratios are purely for
reference to help players develop a fair sense of usage.
The Skirmish column describes the number and type of
skirmish markers which a unit type is allowed to deploy. A lower case
description beginning with "one" indicates that the entire unit may deploy only
one skirmish marker at any one time. An upper case description beginning with
"All" indicates that unit type may deploy one skirmish marker per active combat
base present. For example; a French light regiment with three active combat
bases may deploy three skirmish markers, but an 1813 French line regiment with
three combat bases may only deploy one skirmish marker.
Early French armies were composed of an uneasy mixture of
trained veteran troops and militia levies. Eventually however, their new
training system began to mass-produce excellent soldiers who, even though
green, usually fought well from the outset. This kept the army on its feet long
after many old soldiers had retired or died in action. The Imperial Guard was
an elite formation headed by top grade veteran officers. Its size was smaller
than its reputation and players should resist the temptation to build too many
guard units. This list also includes Polish, Italian and Swiss troops in French
service as well as German Duchy troops after 1808. Line artillery is veteran
and guard artillery is elite grade morale.
During the Early campaigns in Germany and Italy, the French
Army used the "division group" system. By the 1805 campaign, the Corps system
had been fully implemented. French command categories are: 1792-1795 =
Cumbersome, 1796-1800 = Functional, 1805-1815 = Efficient. French system of
formation change was used throughout the wars. Recommended artillery ratios for
Central/Eastern Europe: 1800 - 1806 = 1 battery per 12 bases. 1807 - 1809 = 1
battery per 8 bases. 1812 = 1 battery per 5 bases. Recommended artillery ratios
for the Peninsula: 1 battery per 10 bases.
Infantry regiments |
Size |
Grade |
Available skirmishers |
Demi-Brigade (1797) |
4 bases |
Militia through Veteran |
one good |
"A" Line/Light (1805) |
3 bases |
Veteran |
All Good |
"B" Line (1805) |
4 bases |
Average |
one good |
"A" Line/Light (1809) |
4 bases |
Veteran |
All Good |
"B" Line (1809) |
4 bases |
Green/Average |
one good |
"A" Line (1813) |
5 bases |
Average |
one good |
"B" Line (1813) |
3 bases |
Green |
one adequate |
Other Light |
3 bases |
Average |
All Good |
|
|
|
|
Line grenadier (1805-1807) |
5 bases |
Veteran |
one good |
|
|
|
|
Old Guard |
3 bases |
Elite |
All Excellent |
Middle Guard |
3 bases |
Veteran |
All Excellent |
Young Guard |
3 bases |
Average |
All Good |
Cavalry brigades |
Size |
Grade |
Type |
Cuirassier |
3 bases |
Average |
Armored |
Dragoon/Uhlan |
4 bases |
Average |
Medium |
Hussar/Chasseur |
4 bases |
Average |
Light |
. |
|
|
|
Guard regiments: |
|
|
|
Guard Chas. Cheval |
4 bases |
Elite |
Medium |
Guard Gren. Cheval |
3 bases |
Elite |
Heavy |
Guard lancers |
3 bases |
Elite |
Medium |
Other Guard Cav. |
3 bases |
Veteran |
Medium |
Infantry Divisions |
Infantry regiments |
Artillery |
1805 |
1 Light, 2 Line |
1 light foot |
1809 |
1 Light, 4 Line |
1 medium foot, 1 Light foot |
1813 |
1 Light, 3 Line |
1 medium foot |
. |
|
|
1805 - 1808 (Old Guard) |
1 Chas., 1 Gren. |
|
Infantry Corps |
Infantry Divisions |
Cavalry |
Artillery |
1805 |
2 or 3 Line |
1 brigade light |
1 Heavy foot, 2 medium foot |
1809 |
3 or 4 Line |
1 brigade light |
2 heavy foot |
1813 |
3 Line |
1 brigade light |
1 heavy foot, 1 medium foot or horse |
|