Since General d'Armee was released we have been monitoring the initial questions being
asked and also looking for areas where the rules could be improved, either by clarification or
by addition. The net result has been this opening FAQs & Rule Amendments document. Our
plan is for this to be a “live” document which is updated periodically as new questions and
new ideas arise.
Many thanks to all the General de Brigade and TooFatLardies forum contributors who
assisted with ideas and suggestions for this General d'Armee and Pickett's Charge update.
COMMAND
1. Infantry Assault Order. For an Assault order to be successfully received the brigade
must obey orders on the turn the Assault order was issued. If the brigade fails its command
roll the order has not got through and will need to be re-issued in the following turn/s, at the
2 ADC cost. But once successfully in place the order remains fixed, regardless of any future
hesitant command roll results, until the order is completed, changed or a Faltering Brigade
command roll changes the situation. (p31)
2. Redeploy Order. Definition: Either a) Retire a front line brigade back into reserve. The
brigade falls back behind the front line and adopts a new position, (this new position should
be stated or written down) along the player's table edge, up to 30cm [12”]. Or b) Retire the
brigade to behind the front line and then it adopts a new position either to the left or right of
its original position, (this new position should be stated or written down).
A Redeploy order is not required for brigades that are simply attacking or engaging the
enemy and their axis or line of advance takes the brigade across the face of, or to the left or
right of other brigades.
For a Redeploy order to be successfully received the brigade must obey orders on the turn
the Redeploy order was issued. If the brigade fails its command roll then the order has not
got through and will need to be re-issued in the following turn/s at the 2 ADC cost. Once
successfully in place (i.e. the brigade obeys orders) the Redeploy order remains fixed
regardless of any future hesitant command roll results, until the order is completed, changed
or a Faltering Brigade command roll changes the situation. (I.E. If the brigade falters and
then receives a Retire or worse result whilst redeploying then the redeployment order is
removed.) (p32)
3. Faltering Brigades Command Roll. Faltering brigades only roll on the Faltering Brigade
Table - they do not make a separate command roll followed by a faltering brigade command
roll, only roll once against the Faltering Brigade Table. (p35-36)
4. Demoralised Brigades. Only brigades that are currently demoralised will disperse if
further units disperse from within the command. E.G. If a brigade has three units and is
currently steady but then loses two units so causing the brigade to both falter and be
demoralised. The brigade will not disperse at this point as it was not already demoralised at
the time of the unit dispersals. Should the brigade fail its subsequent command roll and
remain faltering then it would disperse. (p10, 34, 86)
5. Rallying Units. When the brigade obeys orders all brigade retreating and routing units
immediately rally and are considered unformed. They will remain unformed until an entire
movement phase is spent to reform. Thus if a rallied unit is charged in the immediate
following charge phase it will be considered unformed. (p34, 83)
6. Out Of Command. If units that are out of command decide to exercise the retire option,
this is classed as a voluntary retire, (p83), even if they are still formed. The unit must fall
back either towards the friendly table edge or on a friendly unit. (p9, 83)
CHARGES
1. Faltering Brigades and Charges.
a) Brigades that are Faltering in the Command phase may not declare charges.
b) Non-phasing player's brigades that were Obeying Orders in the Command phase and
declared charges in the Charge phase may still carry out these charges even if the phasing
player's charges then cause that brigade to Falter. These charges still continue (because
they were declared when the brigade was obeying orders and before it faltered) but all
charges will now suffer the Brigades is Faltering -1 modifier in the Charge procedure. (p25,
34-35, 41)
2. Targets of a Charge cannot make their own Charge Declaration. Any non-phasing
players units that are declared the target of a charge may not declare their own charge. They
simply act as per the Charge Procedure Tables. (p26, 40, 45)
3. Defending Cavalry Supports cannot make their own Charge Declaration, unless an
Opportunity Charge. Any non-phasing players units that are a support of a friendly unit
declared the target of a charge may not declare their own charge, except for an Opportunity
Charge. (p26, 40, 45, 51) (This differs lightly to the advice given on the TFL forum, but
makes for a far simpler procedure by avoiding numerous individual charges. It also means
winning the Initiative has significance.)
4. Who can Support whom?
a) Cavalry cannot support infantry.
b) Infantry cannot support cavalry.
c) Cavalry can now support artillery if the artillery are the target unit.
d) Infantry can now support artillery if the artillery are the target unit.
e) Artillery, both horse and foot, never provide a support reroll. Artillery may only offer
defensive fire. (p42-43)
5. Flank Supports position in relation to their Lead Charge Unit. Flank supports can be
either level, behind or in front of the lead charge unit - as long as they are within 5cms [3"]
when the charge is declared. (p42)
6. Charing through your own skirmish screen. If your skirmishers are not completely
passed through by chargers, or too close to the charge or simply in the way of units, then
move the entire skirmish screen either to the flanks, to cover or to the rear of friendly close
order units. This is classed as movement in the charge phase. (p60)
7. Charges against an enemy close order unit screed by skirmishers. The entire enemy
skirmisher screen must evade, but may fire first if the chargers are infantry. The charge may
then continue on into the close order target. All casualties caused count in the charge, that's
both skirmish casualties and any enemy close order fire casualties. (p40, 45, 50)
8. Infantry Facing Cavalry Charges.
a) Infantry who wish to remain in Line when charged by cavalry must take a Discipline Test
at the 5cms [3"] point, before firing.
b) If charged by cavalry who started from under 15cm [9"], infantry in Line must take and
pass a Discipline Test at the 5cms [3"] point and no reaction move or formation change is
permitted, except defensive fire.
c) If charged by cavalry who started from at least 15cm [9"] away, infantry must take and
pass a Discipline Test at the 5cms [3"] point in order to successfully form square. (p40, 44)
9. Defending Cavalry Manoeuvre. Cavalry defending in a charge are limited to a
manoeuvre of wheeling of up to half a move (or about face if Elite/Veteran). No other
reaction, except closing to melee, is permitted. (p44)
10. Defending Flank Supports Manoeuvre & Fire. These units can wheel to bring the
chargers into fire arc. They will be classed as having moved when applying the fire table
modifiers. (p40, 44)
11. Infantry Column charged in the Flank / Rear. No column benefit applies when vs.
cavalry and charged from the flank or rear. The +2 Infantry in Column vs. cavalry only
applies when charged from the front. (p46, 47)
12. An unformed "column of mob" is charged. Unformed "columns of mob" (applies to
retiring/retreating/routing units) gain no column benefit whatsoever when charged. (p83)
13. Charge Target Evades or Disperses - Chargers Options. Chargers may choose to
either:
a) Take the Ground,
b) charge on and catch the evaders if the chargers have sufficient charge move to reach or
c) continue the charge straight ahead against any new target within reach using the
remaining charge movement. Simply repeat the charge procedure against the new target.
(p50)
CHARGE & SUPPORTS EXAMPLES
1. How Supports operate in a Charge. In this example, (see picture 1 below) a Russian
Dragoon brigade (with attached Cossacks) is attacking a French Light cavalry brigade. The
Russian player has the Initiative and declares Unit 1 is charging the French chasseurs
directly opposing them. The Russian player elects to support with Units 2 and 3. The
Russian player has the option to use units 2 or 3 and these are not compulsory, but decides
to use all his available weight to overthrow the enemy. The French player, not needing to
manoeuvre (which is his only reaction possible), now takes part in the charge procedure.
(There is no requirement to declare a counter-charge as the charge procedure will determine
the unit's reaction for the players). In addition the French Hussars, left of the chasseurs,
must be included as a support and cannot declare their own separate charge against any
other unit, unless Opportunity charging. (p42, 44)
2. How Supports close to melee in a Charge.
Continuing our example (see picture 2 below), the Russian player now moves Unit 1 up to
the 5cm [3"] point. The Russian supports, Units 2 and 3 maintain their respective positions in
relation to their lead unit and also move up. (Had these supports been deployed slightly
behind Unit 1 they would not halt at the 5cm [3"] point but simply keep their positions in
relation to Unit 1.) Both player now conduct the charge procedure with the Russian player
receiving up to 2 support rerolls, (the Dragoons and cossacks) and the French payer
receiving 1 support reroll, (the Hussars). The Russians win by 2, a Attacker = Melee :
Defender Counter-charge and Melee result. As such the French cavalry move up and close
to melee. This sees Russian Units 1 and 2 opposing both French cavalry units. Russian unit
3, the Cossacks cannot close to melee. Why? Because their remaining forward movement
cannot bring them into contact with any part of the opposing French chasseurs unit and they
cannot wheel once the charge has moved out. Thus the Cossacks hold in position and are
not considered part of the melee. Should the melee progress to a second round the
Cossacks could then commit as they are a supporting unit and within support distance. (p44,
46, 49, 90)
Variations:
a) Change Unit 2's initial start position to 5cm further back than Unit 1, but still close enough
to be classed a flank support. Russian Unit 1 is now at the full extent of its charge move to
reach the French cavalry, which means that Unit 2 although it could move up and support, its
full charge move brings it short of base to base contact, therefore it cannot take part in the
initial round of melee, as it cannot contact the opposing enemy cavalry. (Should the melee
progress to a second round Unit 2 could then commit as they are a supporting unit and
within support distance.)
b) The Russians now win the Charge procedure by 3, a Melee with Élan : Defender
Unformed Result. All attacking units able to reach base to base contact would melee with
élan, while both French units would be unformed.
3. Defending Cavalry Support Opportunity Charge Option.
In this example, (see picture 3 below) the Austrian player has the Initiative and declares a
charge with the Austrian Hussar regiment (Unit 1) against some badly worn Saxon Hussars
(Unit 2) holding 8 casualties, with elite French carabiniers in support, (Unit 3). The French
carabiniers are now drawn in automatically as a support for the Saxons, but may exercise
the opportunity charge option.
4. Defending Cavalry Support declaring an Opportunity Charge.
The French player decides to declare an opportunity charge, (see picture 4, below) as he
does not want his elite carabiniers to simply support the Saxons in a situation that could see
the weak Saxon cavalry defeated and then drag the carabiniers back with them. First, he
takes and passes a Discipline Test permitting the opportunity charge to go ahead, thus the
Austrian charge is now cancelled and the Hussars move up to 5cm and then simply act as
the target of the French charge. Now the carabiniers wheel to bring them into line with the
Austrian Hussars and then conduct their charge moving to the 5cm [3"] point. (Note that
opportunity charges cannot be supported.) Had the carabiniers failed their discipline test, the
Austrian Hussars would have carried on with their charge, uninterrupted.
MOVEMENT
1. Forming Square during a Charge. Discipline Test Results - a "4-6 = unit unformed"
result means the formation change has not been completed - the unit remains in its original
formation and is now also classed as unformed. (The unformed result also applies to infantry
attempting to remain in line vs. cavalry.)
2. Unformed. An unformed unit still maintains all the benefits of its formation even when
unformed. Thus an unformed square gains +2 vs. cavalry, but of course will suffer a -2 for
being unformed, the same applies to an infantry column vs. cavalry.
3. Unformed by Retreating/Routing Friends in the Charge Phase. A unit, not involved in
charges, that was passed through by retreating or routing friendly units in the charge phase
may reform in the immediate following movement phase.
4. Artillery "Step Back". Use the manhandle distance of 5cm [3"].
5. Skirmishers
Skirmishers may step-back, move to the flank and pass through BUA's at their standard
movement rate, 20cm [12"].
6. Hesitant Brigade Movement. (Optional)
Movement to the rear or to either flank that brings a unit closer to the enemy is now
permitted, provided the unit is behind or sheltered by friendly close order troops and not in
danger of being charged or targeted by enemy fire.
FIRING
1. Firing & Measuring the Range. Measure from the centre or middle base of the firing unit
(from the front base edge) to the nearest point of the target. Players may measure the range
before firing.
2. Columns Firing. Columns fire as normal then halve all casualties caused, rounding down
any half casualty. If a column is firing at a BUA the casualties are halved twice, i.e.
quartered.
3. Destiny & Double 6 with Casualty Dice. "Double sixes" from casualty dice do not cause
a Destiny Table roll.
SKIRMISHERS
1. Reinforcing The Skirmish Line. Players may choose to reinforce the skirmish line before
the start of the game, as a pre-game option.
2. Skirmish Base Size. Ideally a skirmish base should be roughly half as wide again as your
standard close order infantry base up to double the width. E.G. If your 15mm close order
bases are 4cms wide then your skirmish bases should be about 6cm wide, up to 8cm as the
maximum. (However it is accepted that players may have very different basing systems and
as long as players agree amongst themselves a set size or distance between skirmish bases
that should be fine, after all I suspect most Napoleonic skirmishers did not keep hard and
fast deployment spacing in battle.)
MORALE
1. Retreating or Routing units Falling Back On Supporting Close Order Units. These
supports can be any friendly unit; infantry, cavalry or artillery and can be from any brigade.
The supports can be either formed or unformed but cannot be skirmishers, retreating or
routing units. (These supporting units should not be confused with charge supports and do
not have to be within support distance of 5cm [3"], etc.)
MELEE
1. Flank Supports & Melee. A flank support can take part in the first round of melee if it had
sufficient charge movement to physically reach base to base contact with the enemy lead
unit or enemy flank support.
2. Melee with Élan.
a) When a Melee with Élan charge result is obtained the lead unit and all supports fighting in
the melee, gain the benefit.
b) When an Unformed charge result is obtained the lead unit and all supports are unformed.
3. Reinforcing a Melee. Any unit within support distance that is formed and in command
may reinforce a 2nd melee round, even if it moved its full move in the movement phase.
4. Reinforcing a Melee and Casualty Dice. Each unit in melee receives its own set of
melee casualty dice, plus or minus all appropriate individual modifiers. Each reinforcing unit
in melee also receives its own set of melee casualty dice, plus or minus all its appropriate
modifiers.
5. Second Melee round vs. BUA. Infantry battalions reinforcing a melee in a BUA in the
second do not suffer the -1CD for attacking a BUA, as this only applies to the first round of
the on-going melee, and not the first round that units fight in the melee.
6. Multiple Unit Melees - deciding the Winner. All melee hits are totalled for the final
result. The side that inflicts the most combined casualties overall is the winner.
7. Melee Winner reaches Casualty Dispersal Point. If the winner of the melee reaches its
dispersal point, then the loser will gain a pyrrhic victory! The original losing side now
converts to the winner, ignores any retreat or rout result and simply takes the ground,
unformed.
GENERAL D'ARMEE RULE AMENDMENTS
UNIT SIZES
1. Large Units. Large cavalry regiments, infantry battalions or artillery batteries cannot be
split into two small units during the game. A player may not purchase a large cavalry
regiment or large infantry battalion or large artillery battery using the points system and then
split it into two small regiments, battalions or batteries.
(Historical Note. Ungentlemanly conduct!)
COMMAND
1. Artillery Brigades. Artillery brigades consisting solely of two or more artillery batteries do
not generate an ADC.
2. Cossack Brigades. Cossack brigades consisting solely of two or more Cossack units do
not generate an ADC.
3. Brigadier Points Cost: Points costing for brigadiers are now introduced. Each brigadier
must be graded and the appropriate points total applied:
Brigadier Points Costs:
Excellent Brigadier = 125. Standard Brigadier = 75. Poor Brigadier = 50.
4. Skirmisher Points Costs. a) Light Infantry graded as Recruits do not pay the +25
additional cost for light infantry. b) Extra Skirmish Base costs: each extra skirmish base
costs 15 points. 20 points if rifle armed or elite. 25 points if rifle armed & elite. (Historical
Note: players can use this to represent attached skirmish companies to British brigades, e.g.
95th or 60th Rifles, or to Late Prussian brigades, e.g. Freikorps or jagers.)
5. Battery Points Costs. If using the Artillery Battery Size rule (see below), then include the
following battery points amendments. a) 8 gun battery = additional 25 points. 12 gun battery
= additional 50 points, (amended from +25).
(Historical Note. Not all Russian batteries were deployed as 12 guns and many were split
into two 6 gun batteries and deployed across several brigades. Therefore Russians players
may purchase 6 gun batteries and even 8 gun batteries if they wish. Russian 6 or 8 gun
batteries are treated the same as all other nations 6 or 8 batteries.)
CHARGES
1. Large Cavalry Regiments and Extra Support Reroll. (Optional) A large cavalry
regiment deployed in column of squadrons or double lines may use an additional rear
support reroll to account for the size of the unit and increased numbers of men in the
supporting ranks/squadrons. (This reroll is in addition to any rear supporting unit, thus it is
possible for a large unit to gain 4 support rerolls, one reroll for its size, one rear support reroll
and two flank support rerolls). (Also see Firing below.)
2. Opportunity Charges. An opportunity charge may only proceed if the original chargers
are 15cm [9"] or more from their target. If the original chargers are within 15cm [9"] then the
opportunity charge does not have sufficient time to react and cannot be declared.
TERRAIN
1. Attacking Uphill Disadvantage. Units that retreat or rout downhill from charge combat or
lose a melee and are forced to retreat or rout downhill automatically lose an extra casualty.
This reflects the difficulty of maintaining formation when push back and forced down hill.
SKIRMISHERS
1. Large Skirmish Screens. When reinforcing the brigade skirmish line any excess bases
above 9 are placed to the immediate rear of the skirmish line, (not removed from play) and
may replace future base losses to the skirmish line.
FIRING
1. Garrison & Skirmish Fire from Hesitant Brigades. Garrisons and skirmishers are not
affected by the hesitant arc of fire restriction.
2. Artillery Assault Fire vs. Stone Built BUAs & Strongpoint's. The Assault Fire 2CD fire
bonus reduced to just 1 CD.
3. Artillery Assault Fire. The assault fire tasking permits a maximum of two batteries to
assault fire from one brigade. Both batteries must be within support distance (5cms [3"]) of
each other for both to assault fire. If the batteries are deployed over this distance then only
one battery, (of the player's choice) may assault fire.
3a. Artillery Assault Fire & Low on Ammunition. When firing two batteries from the same
brigade on assault fire any unmodified double one or double two will render one of the
batteries as Low on Ammunition.
3b. Artillery Batteries per Brigade. The vast majority of brigades throughout the
Napoleonic wars only ever fielded one battery; therefore only French, Russian and Late
Prussian brigades have the option to field two batteries per brigade. In addition any Reserve
formation, such as Guards or Grenadiers may also deploy two batteries per brigade
regardless of nationality. (This rule, however, should not prevent any brigade from gaining
an additional battery under the optional "Redeploy that Battery" rule.)
4. Artillery Priority Targets. Artillery that has a Brigade Attachment ADC posted may
ignore the target priority rules and choose targets of the player's choice.
5. Artillery Battery Size. In smaller action games players may wish to differentiate slightly
between 6, 8 and 12 gun batteries.
a) 6 Gun Batteries. Apply a -1 modifier to any final modified score of 7 or less to all 6 gun
batteries.
b) 12 Gun Batteries. Apply a +1 modifier to any final modified score of 7 or more to all 12
gun batteries.
(If using this rule players may wish to mark or highlight the 7 score column on the Battery
Fire Casualty Table as a reminder.)
6. Artillery Firing at Large Cavalry Unit in Column. Artillery firing at a large cavalry
regiment deployed in either column of squadrons or column of companies will gain the
additional Column Target +1 CD at all ranges, (not just effective and close).
7. Battalions Guns. (Optional) If players which to include battalion's guns apply the
following rules:
a) Battalions guns should be denoted by a single model gun and crew attached to the
battalion, or other suitable marker players may wish to use. Battalions guns are
considered an integral part of the infantry battalion are not regarded as separate units
and cannot be removed from the battalion unless lost.
b) Once the unit reaches 4 or more casualties the battalion gun model is removed from
play. (It is assumed the gunners have suffered significant casualties or are out of
ammunition.)
c) Benefits: Infantry battalions with battalion's guns add 1 CD to both line and column fire
whilst the unit remains fresh.
d) If an infantry battalion forms square, garrisons a BUA, goes into skirmish order or enters
rough terrain the 1 CD is not applied. (The guns are not lost but considered limbered.)
e) Disadvantages: Units with battalion guns cannot use the Forwards tasking. If an infantry
battalion either retires, retreats or routs its battalion guns are considered lost.
8. Rockets
Firing Procedure: - Roll 2xD6 and consult the results table below.
• 12 = Direct and devastating hit. Roll 6 x Casualty Dice for hits caused on target plus a
Discipline Test for the target. (A ‘double-6’ also gives the rocket crew a Destiny Test.)
• 10-11 = Target unit takes a Discipline Test. Roll 2 x Casualty Dice for hits caused on
target.
• 9 = Target unit takes a Discipline Test.
• 8 -5 = No Effect.
• 3-4 = The nearest friendly unit to the rocket battery is hit - take a Discipline Test and Roll
2 x Casualty Dice for hits caused on target.
• Double 1 = Rocket battery out of action. Remove from play.
Rocket batteries are classed as horse artillery for movement and limbering/unlimbering.
Points cost is 125 points.
MELEE
1. Attacking a Flank or Rear in Melee. Any unit meleeing with élan and attacking the
enemy flank or rear gains +2 CD, (up from +1 CD).
2. Large Unit vs. Small Unit in Melee. (Optional)
a) A large infantry battalion deployed in column of attack or line gains an additional 1 CD
when opposing a single small battalion or battery in melee.
b) A large cavalry regiment deployed in column of squadrons or double lines gains an
additional 1 CD when opposing a single small unit or battery in melee.
MORALE
1. Routs cause Fatigue Casualties on Nearby Friendly Units. (Optional)
a) Any infantry or foot artillery unit of equal or lesser troop grade within 10cms [6"] of a
routing infantry or foot artillery unit will lose one fatigue casualty.
b) Any cavalry or horse artillery unit of equal or lesser troop grade within 10cms [6"] of a
routing cavalry or horse artillery unit will lose one fatigue casualty.
This does not apply to targets of an enemy charge or losing defending supports.
