Général d'Armée at the Abyss

Last Saturday, we gathered at the Abyss for a game of Général d’Armée. Graham and I had been planning the game for a couple of months and had previously play-tested it. The full order of battle can be found in this post. We made no changes to the scenario following the play-test.

Two of the four players were complete novices, while the other two had played only a couple of games. The Abyss is one of Montreal’s main miniature-gaming venues, although I would estimate that around 90% of the games played there are fantasy. Members of our club regularly play historical games at the venue, but it is rare to see a divisional-level historical game being staged.

We decided that the best approach was to have two game masters and effectively divide the battlefield in two. Each player was responsible for one flank, ensuring that all four remained engaged throughout the game rather than spending time waiting for their turn.

The game masters handled the mechanics with the aid of the quick-reference sheet, while leaving all command decisions—including the allocation of ADCs, the use of the C-in-C and movement—to the four players. Overall command alternated between the two players on each side.

The game was limited to ten turns, which we completed in approximately four and a half hours.

I thought of would post some photos which I took as well as some taken by the players.

Myself and Graham in the club t-shirts laying out the plan

Myriam and Rob, playing the defending French.

Michel and William planning the Allied attack

The village of Osma

Attack on San Millan

It was a lot of fun, Graham is already planning our next game which I believe will feature the French vs the Prussians. We will also probably put on some divisional level ACW games.