Russian options in Shakos and Bayonets

Russian army is beaten in many wargaming rules quite often. There are several reasons for it. Major issue is lack if written details in French or English. Therefore a lot of what we know about Russians is based upon foreign (from Russian point of view) and biased view of Russian army, and hidden behind courtain made from famous Suvorov's proverb. Borodino, as major battle has very strong influence on listbuilding as well. But Borodino was not the pinnacle of Russian military might and skill. It was dirty attrition battle fought on very narrow space, one never repeated in the course of Napoleonic Wars. 

In my previous article about Russians in Muskets and Tomahawks I merely touched the list and problems of it, trying to explain what is hidden behind the labels in it. 

In this article I would like to bring more live into the list, because list as written lack options and variability in the units stats as compared to better researched French or British lists. 

I will not change basic stats of the units, as much as I dislike them; I respect the design choices of the game. The MnT is not a simulation, its narrative game and thus we can leave some aspects as they are. 

If you are new, and did not read my previous article and are new to Russian army, I suggest you to ignore all of the army and unit entries historical introduction texts. They are mostly wrong. Sometimes they are entirely wrong, sometimes only partially but it will not give you a good picture of the army. You can check my articles about Russian Infantry here or of in any more recent books. 

I have to say, the game is good, the list is acceptable and does not ruin the game for you. But, on certain level I want more and I want more colourfull picture of Russian army, as shown be exploits of Chernyshev, Vasilchikov, Denisov, Skobelev, Radozhitskii, Dzhantura, Vasilisa :-D and others. 

Averianov: Tarutino

Let’s see how to put some flavour into official armylist. Such changes are encouraged by authors in the rules, so we are allowed to do that. Please note, I may be wrong, but I spent last two years researching my Russian army in English and Russian texts as well. 

List in the supplement represents Russian army in 1812. For army of 1813-1815 I would suggest to rework the stats on shooting, more units would get veteran units, etc.

Please note that if you are going to use any of my observation, or you apply your own house rules, it is of good manners and courtesy to inform your opponent you do some changes and agree on them before you start playing.

Army wide Rules

This is something I found interesting in the rules. Only few units have option to be veteran (usually as upgrade to grenadiers), Elite (guard), Unmotivated, or fresh conscript. It would be nice to get any more information on the design choices here. 

In my point of view, as in any army quality of the Heavy and Light infantry and regular infantry differ regiment to regiment. In that case using rules as conscript (see French Infantry unit entry) can be used more widely same as veteran or elite. I will not comment quality of troops in the overview bellow, just keep it in mind and use it as you find appropriate. 

But do not forget that entry names are just labels to name the unit stats. Ignore it, and use the stats as you find appropriate. It can help a lot.

Azhat Kuzhin: Orthodox Priest, Buddhist Monk and Regimental Mullah

Officers and Special Characters

Russian officers are subject to more perverted view thanks to prejudice to any other of the soldier class. As in any other army, there were huge difference in quality, skill and initiative. For officers, I would say that if you use French officer stats and upgrades especially to represent Russian officer, you can’t be wrong.  This is valid for any army, not for Russians only. Remember, these are French rules, so they have the best toys. 

I believe it’s appropriate to arm Cossack, Kalmyk or Bashkir (and other irregular units of Russian Empire) officers with lance for 3pts. Some Bashkirs and Kalmyks used chain mail in combat, however improving their defence (as with cuirass) will lower their defence in melee to 2+. There are no officers with cuirass so no chain mail to Bashkirs and Kalmyks. 

Russian orthodox faith play a huge role during the 1812 campaign, you can promote this by including Priest from Spanish lists for any list, were villagers and partisans are included. Same unit entry can be used for Kalmyks Buddhist monks or Bashkirs mullah’s, you can give them Light Cavalry trait for 2pts. Of course you can use usual officer stats for them as well.

If you feel it’s appropriate, you can use cantiniere in Russian Army as well. 

Ignore cruelty. 

Zvezda: Russian Infantry

The army infantry

I have to say, it’s not bad on the units variety. Musketeers can represents Musketeers and Fusiliers of the Grenadier battalions. Grenadiers represent grenadiers of the infantry, grenadier and grenadiers of the combined grenadier battalions. Apart from the playing with the unit quality (Grizzled, Conscripts) there is nothing special here. You can use guard infantry stats or elite upgrade for units as Lifeguard, Arakcheev or Pavlov Grenadiers.

Jägers represents of course infantrymen of the Jäger battalions; with Veteran you can represent Grenadiers of the Jäger battalion. Please note Russian army has a lot of jäger battalion, more than French in 1812. They can provide clouds of skirmishers as well and they did it often and with mixed success. On the other part, Jägers formed in line were used for firefights. In every Russian division was 8 battalions of heavy infantry used as hammer, to smash enemy soften by 4 battalions of skirmishers and Jägers in line. Also Jägers were used in advanced guard, as Stormtroopers leading attacks against strongpoints and defencing villages. They were THAT MUCH Jägers. So swordsman is appropriate upgrade for this entry as well, especially for grenadiers. 

Skirmish section is interesting choose of words. Those who know Russian army knows that grenadier company had platoon of Grenadiers and Marksmen. However Marksmen were not used as skirmishers that much. There were enough Jägers to be used as flankers or in skirmish chain. They were not dispatched as British light company or French voltigeurs. So Skirmish Section represent any of the skirmishers (tirailleurs) detached from jäger, infantry, grenadier or combined battalion – be it marksman, volunteers, best shot, or flankers of the central platoons, whatever was the battalion commander used to do. For your favourite jäger marksmen do not hesitate to use Section of Elite Guard Marksmen, otherwise you can use sharpshooter to improve their performance as well. 

Zvezda: Russian Artillery

The Artillery

Remove Fearless and give it as optional. I can't say the points value, as thanks to the unicorns the Russian artillery has better aggression, and fearless but only at +1pt per unit. 

The Reason is quite simple. Russian doctrine more or less up to 1812 was not to lose a gun. Because of that, Russian artillery officers moved their artillery earlier then situation requested, thus infantry lost their fire support when needed the most). It changed with Arakcheev, De Tolly and Kutaisov, but this doctrine fire as long as you can was quite new.  Again Borodino shows different picture. But Borodino was specific. 

Next Guard and Cavalry