Bonaparte at Marengo

[jbbnbsmith]

I stumbled across this game on BGG a few weeks ago. I just happened to an image of the map and block at the bottom of a page and thought, "Hmmm...that looks very cool. I wonder what it is."

It turned out to be Bonaparte at Marengo by Simmons Games, a very innovative war game that emphasizes maneuver, moral, fast game play, and no dice combat.

After reading some reviews and downloading the rules i thought it looked like something I would really enjoy, but as I looked for the game it was out of stock everywhere, and Ebay was...well, Ebay ($70 and up).

But on the Simmons Games web site they not only have the rules for download, but also a full resolution map. So I downloaded the map, scaled it down a bit to fit on four 8.5x11 sheets of card stock, and then made up the blocks using 3/16" square dowels and reb and blue paint. I used a silver Shapie to draw the unit symbols on the blocks. Here's my homemade version of the game in action:
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x237/jbbnbsmith/IMG_1795.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x237/jbbnbsmith/IMG_1796.jpg

Although no one would confuse it for a professionally produced game, I've been really enjoying playing this game. So much so, that I may have to pick up the sequel, "Napoleon's Triumph" which focuses on the Austerlitz battle.

Anyway, if you like the Napoleonic era, and you like elegant game systems, and you like games that can easily be played in about an hour, but still have LOTS of tactical decisions, and good replayability, you may want to check out Bonaparte at Marengo.
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[ewabbie]

That looks interesting. May have to give it a try. Where did you find the map image?

[jbbnbsmith]

That looks interesting. May have to give it a try. Where did you find the map image?
Everything you need for the game (except the blocks) is on the company web site:

http://simmonsgames.com/products/Marengo/index.html

I made the blocks at a total cost of $3.50 and about two hours of time

4 3/16" dowels - $2
red & blue paint - $1
sponge paint brush - $0.5
silver Sharpie (already owned) $0

As I mentioned, I shrunk the map a bit to make it fit onto 4 8.5x11" sheets of card stock which I just taped together. At that scale the blocks are almost exactly 1" long.

The Marengo battle game is out of stock, but the Austerlitz game (Napoleon's Triumph) is available at the web site and a few other online stores.

I also recommend that you download some of the game aids from BGG, especially the file called "short rules" or something like that, as the official rules can be confusing at some points, mostly because the game is quite different than most wargames I've played.

[LilNewbie]

I've always liked the look of this game and like your DIY version...nice job! The reason why I never picked this game up was due to the non-random combat. Do you like the combat rules for the game?

Newb.

[ewabbie]

As I mentioned, I shrunk the map a bit to make it fit onto 4 8.5x11" sheets of card stock which I just taped together. At that scale the blocks are almost exactly 1" long.


Any chance you still have the images. I found a reference map on the site but it has numbers on it for references. I can't seem to find a clean map.

[jbbnbsmith]

I've always liked the look of this game and like your DIY version...nice job! The reason why I never picked this game up was due to the non-random combat. Do you like the combat rules for the game?

Newb.
I think the non-random combat works well in this game. First off, the only time there is true "combat" is during an assault. Assaults are always costly to the attacker as both sides lose a strength point in an assault. Further, the attacker does not always know exactly what the defender's strength is, so an assault is usually not a "sure thing." There is also the potential for the winning player to make a cavalry attack following an assault. All of these factors lend a bit of unpredictability to the outcome, even though no lot is cast.

Because of the risk and cost of an assault, and the fear of your army becoming demoralized (taking 15 or 16 step losses), the game holds a much greater reward for the player who maneuvers well. A maneuver attack takes place during movement as you declare that you are moving into an enemy occupied location. The enemy may chose to either retreat, at a cost of 1 step loss, or block the maneuver. Blocking a maneuver now makes you vulnerable to a possible assault, or puts you at risk of being outflanked. If you do not have a unit availble to block a maneuver, all units in a location must retreat and take losses. This places a high value on being able to outflank your opponent rather than just trying to assault your way past him.

Even when I've been playing the game solitaire, and I know the strength of both sides, it is still a tough decision s to whether or not to make an assault, since even winning an assault weakens your army a bit.

So, the game is more about proper positioning of your troops and finding a balance between maneuver and assault. The lack of a "luck" element isn't missed very much in my opinion. But I've read that some people add a bit of randomness by having each player roll a die, and a 5 or a 6 adds one strength point to that player. I haven't tried that myself.

[jbbnbsmith]

As I mentioned, I shrunk the map a bit to make it fit onto 4 8.5x11" sheets of card stock which I just taped together. At that scale the blocks are almost exactly 1" long.


Any chance you still have the images. I found a reference map on the site but it has numbers on it for references. I can't seem to find a clean map.
You have to click on the map to get to the high-res image. Here's the direct link:

http://simmonsgames.com/tools/mapviewer/Frames.html#http%3A%2F%2Fsimmonsgames.com%2Fproducts%2FMarengo%2FMapBo ardFrame.html

[LilNewbie]

Thanks for the overview of the combat system. I actually like how it sounds now. It's a game of maneuvering and making the tough decisions when to engage the enemy and/or sometimes pulling back to better your position even if taking some losses.

Newb.

[ewabbie]

You have to click on the map to get to the high-res image. Here's the direct link:

http://simmonsgames.com/tools/mapviewer/Frames.html#http%3A%2F%2Fsimmonsgames.com%2Fproducts%2FMarengo%2FMapBo ardFrame.html

Thanks, I also found this ancient-look map on boardgamegeek.com

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/15180

[jbbnbsmith]

Thanks for the overview of the combat system. I actually like how it sounds now. It's a game of maneuvering and making the tough decisions when to engage the enemy and/or sometimes pulling back to better your position even if taking some losses.

Newb.
Exactly.

And the historical nature of the battle was such that the french were vastly outnumbered and taken by surprise in the morning, so they slowly retreated until reinforcements arrived, and then drove the Austrians back with a counter attack.

The initial French on-board set up is slightly randomized which makes for pretty strong replayability

[Teamski]

You could opt to get Marengo's big brother, Napoleon's Triumph.

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/18098

It's got a tweaked rules system. I have Marengo, and I sure wish I could find somebody to play it with..... :(

-Ski

[ewabbie]

I have Marengo, and I sure wish I could find somebody to play it with..... :(

-Ski

I finally am getting the payoff of having 5 children. (ages 6-13).

1. I enjoy watching them play sports
2. I finally have someone to play games with.

Yesterday for example I played two 2-player games of Heroscape and one 3-player game. So far only the two oldest boys play but soon we will be able to have 4-player games. (my daughter is the second oldest but she just thinks we are all nerds)

[Teamski]

I have Marengo, and I sure wish I could find somebody to play it with..... :(

-Ski

I finally am getting the payoff of having 5 children. (ages 6-13).

1. I enjoy watching them play sports
2. I finally have someone to play games with.

Yesterday for example I played two 2-player games of Heroscape and one 3-player game. So far only the two oldest boys play but soon we will be able to have 4-player games. (my daughter is the second oldest but she just thinks we are all nerds)

I have 1 ea. daughter and wife that are non-gamers..... :cry:

-Ski