Monday 15 August 2022

DBN - Plancenoit

It's been a while since my classic Napoleonics have had an outing so I got them out and played a quick solo DBN game using the Plancenoit scenario from DBNwargaming.

I used 50mm unit frontage so increased the table size to 30 by 30 inches and used 1.25" = 100 paces.


The Prussians opened the game with some effective counter battery fire with the first shot causing 2 hits and a shaken status on one of the French guns. Both French guns were destroyed by the end of turn 3.


With the French artillery destroyed their left wing is made up of a single unit of Hussars.


Plancenoit is defended by a unit of Alberken infantry. A detachment defends the cottage which represents the church.


Bulow pushes forward his troops in massed columns.


The French cavalry attack a unit of Prussian Light Cavalry.  Both units have 2 hits and are shaken so its winner takes all. The French win and get a breakthrough charge and hit the  leading unit of Prussian attack column who are able to form square and drive off the French cavalry and then destroy them with musketry.


On turn 6 the Young Guard reinforcements arrive and use a good CAP throw and STMs (Strategic Moves) to quickly reach Plancenoit.


Its turn 9 and the Prussians close on Plancenoit ready to launch an assault next turn.


A unit of Guard arrives on Turn 9 and moves up.


On turn 11 the Prussian assault goes in. The first column fails to break in. The second is however successful and takes Plancenoit.


On turn 11 the French Old Guard counter attacks. Both units count as in being in bad going. The French are on a 4 the Prussians regulars a 2. The French roll a 4 the Prussians a 6. The melee is a tie. Both sides take a hit and a the units are locked in a desperate melee. 

In Turn 12 the Prussians are able to take the Church ( a strongpoint in DBN). However even though the Old Guard are shaken they beat the Prussians regulars and recapture Plancenoit. On the final French turn the Young Guard storm and recapture the church. 

A french victory but it was close.

Another fun game of DBN.

9 comments:

'Lee. said...

Great little game Mark, DBN are such a playable set of rules! I like the ability to use CAP's to quickly advance a formation rather than everything moving at the same set pace each move and the 'dice offs' are fun and unpredictable. Your figures of course look great.
Lee.

Anonymous said...

Enjoying these inspiring reports, especially as I am just working up to trying DBN myself. Very interested to see your thinking on 50mm bases; I've done the same for my 1/72 figs, but I hadn't quite decided whether I should increase the ground scale as you have done, or just stick with the original in the hope/expectation that it wouldn't make much difference in practice. Nice figures, too - do I recognise some Les Higgins rifles serving as reserve infantry? 😀
Colkitto

Mark Dudley said...

Hi Lee. DBN can lead to some difficult decisions particulary when you get low CAP dice throws. In this game the Prussians started well but then throw a one for CAPs on 2 succesive turns delaying the assault on Plancenoit.

Mark Dudley said...

Hi Colkitto. I am sure that using the standard groundscale will work fine an indeed I may try this out. The only thing I would do is make the board 30 by 24". They are Les Higgins rifles painted as Reserve Infantry.

Matt said...

Never tried DBN but it looks like a fun and compact little game can be had.

Wellington Man said...

Very nice indeed, Mark, and the troops, as always, look magnificent. Any chance there might be a bit more vintage goodness in the pipeline?

Mark Dudley said...

Hi Matt. DBN is ideal for a quick game and well suited for solo play. I also game every Wednesday and we are currently playing Soldiers of Napoleon.

Mark Dudley said...

Hi WM. I have had a break from painting vintage Napoleonics or a while now and should really get back on with some. I have 6 Scots Greys part painted that keep reminding me they are there.

Aly Morrison said...

A very pretty looking game Mark…
It’s always nice to see these lovely toys out on the table.


All the best. Aly