Don't Be Hasty (now with video clip!)

 Yesterday afternoon, since I had largely enjoyed the game, apart from the nearly invulnerable skirmishers and how long it took to play,  I set out to take one more attempt to 'fix' the original Colonial rules. It didn't take long to realize that I had skimmed them rather than carefully read them and had missed some small but important things.  A Do-over seemed in order.

The Royal Scots rally and counterattack!

The control check in the F&I rules was just another variation on the one I'd been using a decade so I had skimmed it and missed several key points. Actually, I'm not sure I ever played it quite as written! Anyway, the big things are that you only need to take a control check if you want to move, rally or hold fire. Its not a big thing since this version of the chart doesn't have a 'must retreat' or 'must charge' option, but this way, if you have time and space, anyone can halt this turn, shooting if appropriate, and then on the next turn, take a control check to rally or move in the direction of your choice without fear of a "keep doing what you did last turn" result and thus being forced to pursue or  keep retreating.

Its a small thing but a time saver when playing (fewer tests)  and it gives players a decision to make: risk the test if the General isn't there, or go slow. I like players being able to make choices and live with the consequences if that decision backfires rather than always being able to blame the dice.

The background music just seemed to call for a quick video of the table.

Thirdly, I forgot all about the scouting rules during the first game! This time I used them, a frill really but with so many Indians and Rangers hiding in the woods, it made the difference occasionally between an ambusher getting in the first shot or the ambushee spotting the enemy first which added a bit more flavour. 

Early in the game.
I reduced the force level by 1 unit on each side to make more room, and because I just don't have enough Indians any more!  The casting pot has been given notice!

Lastly, there was the too easy rally for the regulars with colour party and drummer. The grenadiers were particularly bad, elite troops with commander, regimental colours, and drums: they rallied on a 2 or better last game. In the colonial rules, the colour party and drums together only give a +1, so I went back to that. It was still too easy but I can live with it if elites are rare.

There was one thing I did get wrong back then, allowing quarter casualties. It still sounds realistic but in practice, in any situation with lots of woods for the skirmishers to hide in, the game can deteriorate into a very realistic and BORING  firefight that lasts all day with little result. Today I overruled the rule and  allowed a maximum penalty of 1/2 casualties. The result was that the fighting in the woods was slow, but effective.

After the first close range firefight broke the Royal Scots in one turn (you should have seen the French dice!), they rallied, counter attacked, and got the same treatment. Thanks to the grenadiers they rallied again  but "there wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago". By now the British had lost 1 unit and the rest were hanging by a thread. The French had also taken heavy losses but they still had some viable forces and they held the key position. It was over.

What was the result of the correction of my habits and one small change? The second game clicked along at an average of less than 10 minutes per turn for about 3 hours, just right for a convention or friendly game. It also had some tense turns with the advantage switching back and forth which kept me engaged right up to the end. I think these will do for my Conquest of Canada games.

Ummmmh Rob?  I hate to say this but I'd like to take back all those drastic revisions.... can we call it a mid-life crisis?