THE ROADS TO FALKENREID
BIG BATTALION BAR GAME
October 17, 2026
or
Some Aspects of A BIG Battalion Game
Main Table 6'x32' and two Back Tables each 2'x32'. Three Zones: Left, Center and Right. Map and scenario design by Greg M.
Participants from Wisconsin and Minnesota USA, Left to Right
Seated: Ian M., Bob R., Bob B., Adam A., Jay O. and Brent O.
Standing: Dennis K., Andrew P., Paul A., Greg M., Tom G., Eric S., Todd P., Bill P. and Michael M.
Organization:
Army of the North: 6x Infantry Brigades, 2x Cavalry Brigades and a Reserve.
Army du Grand Portage (South): 5x Infantry Brigades, 2x Cavalry Brigades and a Reserve.
Infantry Brigades: 240 Infantry and 1x 8-10 Pdr.
Cavalry Brigades: 96 armored and 96 unarmored heavies.
Central Reserve: 120 elite infantry, 12 elite cavalry and 2x 12 Pdrs.
Special Reserve Rule: When shifting from the Center to a Wing, pick up the unit(s) and place them in the back of the chosen wing. No marching because they would never arrive. Reason: Reserves often have no opposition and can march faster than those engaged.
Special Courier Rule:
Write a note, fold, place it under a courier or ADC and hand this to the destination officer wherever he is. That officer may not react until the beginning of the next turn. Reasons: No riding because couriers will never arrive on time to make a difference. Besides this, these dashing young ADCs are well-mounted, are excellent horsemen, stylishly dressed, and wanting to prove themselves. Think Captain Nolan at Balaklava in The Crimean War.
Movement:
Each zone had a card deck. Black for the Army of the North and Red for the Army of the Grand Portage. Zones played at their own speeds. Thus, no zone had to wait for the rest of the zones to finish actions. Units changing zones had to wait a turn to become active in the new zone.
Fire:
Each zone threw 1xD6. High score fired first in the turn.
The loser would receive a +1 on his next throw.
If he lost again, he received a +2.
If he lost again, he would get a +4.
Reason: So there would not be a run on one side firing first many turns in a row.
Rules: BAR (See Closing Remarks for more)
Winner:
Army of the North. Congratulations!!!!!!!
Our Collective Grateful Thanks for:
Greg M. for the superior map and organizing the scenario with many fun and extra tweaks to make turns more interesting. And to everyone who brought troops, terrain, chow and companionable smiles and laughs.
Special Commendation:
Tom G. for stopping Bill P's flanking cavalry force.
I am unaware of other commendations. There probably were some but I was exclusively involved on the edge of one wing unable to pay attention to anywhere else - as it should be.
On the Left: Bill P.'s massed seven squadrons of horse stopped by Tom G. 96 armored heavies later reinforced by the elite Maison du Roi Grenadiers a Cheval in bearskins. (36 Royals in blue, 36 Commissaire General in white, 24 Gendarmes in red and 12 Maison du Roi in red.)
CLOSING REMARKS
1. 8 am Set Up, 10:00am Turn 1, Lunch Noonish, and 3:00 pm Finish. 4:00 pm in our cars going home +/-.
2. 3,200 miniatures +/- and 15 participants.
3. Many participants have been playing BAR 1-4 times yearly since 2007. We rarely consult the main rule book. Quick Reference Charts with numbered and colorful sections are almost exclusively used. See photos for the QRCs.
4. BAR Rules:
Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763
Multi-Brigade Battles of the Old Regime 1740-1763
Seven Years' War 250th Commemorative Edition
Multi-Brigade Battles of the Old Regime 1740-1763
Seven Years' War 250th Commemorative Edition
(Link: oldregimerules.com)
5. Did I miss something or would the players like to add remarks? Please do so.
6. This was such a happy game experience. May I invite us to do this again before Summer 2027? Appleton, WI is a terrific central location.
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