SP2: FIW

This past Sunday, myself and Iannick had a game of Sharp Practice 2 set in the French Indian War. Since it was the first time we had played for more than a year we somewhat macerated the ruleset but did get on with the game: Lesson, read the FAQ before the game rather then after! We played scenario 3: Defense in Depth. I played the British and was the attacker.

British OB (FM 11)
Status II Leader
Status I Leader
2 units of British Infantry (Regulars)
Status II Leader
1 unit of Colonial Rangers (Light Infantry)
Status II Leader
1 unit of Indians (Tribe)
Supports
1 unit of Provincial Rangers (Skirmishers)
Holy Man

French OB (FM10)
Status II Leader
1 unit of Milice Canadiene (Skirmishers)
Status II Leader
1 unit of Coureurers de Bois (Light Infantry)
Status II Leader
1 unit of Indians (Tribe)
Supports
Status I Leader
1 unit of Indians (Tribe)
Holy Man
Fixed Defense


The Terrain

The British Line of Attack

The French Line of Defense

The Troops

British Infantry

Colonial and Provincial Rangers (inappropriately in formation)

Les Coureurers de Bois

French Algonquin Allies

 The Action

The British Line stands!

The Algonquin are thrown back and their leader falls

2nd unit of Algonquin enter the fray

Roger's Rangers thrown back by the CdB while Dank's Rangers look pretty shaky

The CdB throw back Dank's Rangers but are subsequently ambushed by the Iroquois and then rout. The French withdraw. 

It was good to get in a game of SP2, I like playing this ruleset during the FIW. I find it works well with non formed troops which is what I suppose is emblematic of most skirmishes during this struggle. As mentioned above we made a lot of mistakes playing the game, but aside from briefly allowing the Colonial and Provincial Rangers to go in formation I do not believe it affected the game.

The rules maybe a little tougher for players unacquainted with TFL, and I know Iannick found them a little over complicated. They do require some investment in time but after 4-5 games (this was my third as a player) I believe they would play quickly.

Iannick and certainly others on the TFL forum have mentioned that the treatment of Indians as a Tribe is not representative of their style of fighting. I am no expert so I brought up the question on the TFL forum (I find the Yahoo Group a somewhat of a confusing place) and an interesting discussion ensued. I came to the conclusion that it would also be quite reasonable to treat Indians during the FIW as Skirmishers if the player so chose. It also appears that most players do not differentiate between allied French and British Indians so Poor Shoots is not put into play. An alternate playing card for FIW Indians follows.

Tribes

Skirmishers