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Sharp Practice Question – Any Help?

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This topic contains 9 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by nightrunner 4 years, 3 months ago.

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August 25, 2020 at 7:22 pm #1561797

nightrunner
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Hi,

I have started to play Sharp Practice in two arenas of war, namely the Peninsular War and ACW.

I have a question about Dragoons – especially the French Dragoons. Just to give some context first. French Dagoons are a bit atypical when it comes to ‘cavalry’ in rule systems. They are not clear cut like the Bristish Dragoons (light or heavy). In some systems they are classified as superior light cavalry, in some inferior heavy cavalry and in others medium cavalry.

So my question is – in Fistcuffs are they classified as Impact cavalry or Non-impact cavalry? In the rule description on page 11, Dragoons can dismount and skirmish – in which case they would be skirmishing infantry in fistcuffs. But when mounted how do I classify them in this game? The same question goes for Confederate and Union Cavalry?

If any seasoned SP gamer can shed some light on this for me I would be grateful?

Regards,

NR

August 25, 2020 at 7:37 pm #1561800

scribbs
14509xp

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I haven’t played Sharp Practice, but I would point you at an excellent blog where a couple of players have been collecting French and Russians for the game over the last few years.

https://krigetkommer.weebly.com/napoleonics-blog

They house-ruled some force lists for a 1812 campaign, with the French force including Dragoons dismounted as skirmishers, formed as line infantry and mounted. You can grab the French force list from their downloads page.

https://krigetkommer.weebly.com/rules–downloads.html

I hope that might help point you in the right direction.

August 25, 2020 at 7:58 pm #1561813

nightrunner
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Thanks, I will definitely check it out.

August 25, 2020 at 9:26 pm #1561846

evilstu
15298xp

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@nightrunner as dragoons (being French dragoons or ACW cavalry etc) are separately called out as a ‘troop quality in fisticuffs’ as being one level below impact cavalry on the table of the bottom right of page 54 of the (2nd edition) rule book I believe the intent of the rules is that they play as non-impact cavalry (ie their flexibility means they are not specialised heavy hitters like Cuirassiers). Having said that, the system does lend itself heavily to amending unit profiles on an ‘as required’ basis so you should (as always) feel empowered to amend things as you and your opponents see fit.

‘Dragoons’ in this instance should probably be interpreted as a distinct classification for rule book purposes where the unit has the properties that it can act as skirmishing infantry or a mounted squadron, rather than connecting it to a unit name or type from history, where the role of that historical unit evolved over time and differed from nation to nation. (ie British Light Dragoons are described as impact cavalry in the AWI list and scouting cavalry in the Peninsular war list as these classifications more accurately reflect their battlefield role in each setting for rule book purposes).

Best of luck!

August 25, 2020 at 9:45 pm #1561854

nightrunner
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@evilstu thanks for your opinion. It does makes sense and I think I might have to play them as you suggested. Nonetheless, I took from your answer that you agree that it is not very clear. The troop quality table could mean that French Dragoons are not as good impact troops as Cuirassiers (not necessarily to be played as non-impact) – which would also fit their historical role in certain war scenarios.

My biggest problem is with the point costs. Do I add a point if I play them as non-impact? But if they were meant as impact cavalry I am over-costing them. It is bit frustrating.

Nonetheless, thank you for taking the time to help me out.

NR

August 25, 2020 at 10:07 pm #1561888

evilstu
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Agreed there are a few instances in the rulebook that took me a bit of time to work through, but it is TBH probably the best rules system I’ve ever seen so it’s worth the work.

With regard to modifying existing units (or creating new ones from scratch), don’t worry, the Lardies have you covered:

http://toofatlardies.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Sharpulator.pdf

August 25, 2020 at 10:49 pm #1561911

phaidknott
7023xp

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I think historically French Dragoon only really fought dismounted in large battles usually due to a lack of mounts (such as in the Spanish Peninsula). Ofc the other more common aspect might have been with “foraging parties” (usually with a cart in tow), where the troopers would have been dismounted to conduct a search.

Classification of how well cav fought is also largely due to the condition of their mounts (French Dragoon were pretty low on the pecking order for obtaining these mounts for some reason).

So I’d put them below the typical line cav units.

Other Nations Dragoons tended to fight mounted and just didn’t take to the field if no mounts were available. But again Dragoon Regts were low down on the pecking order in obtaining mounts (so if they got them they usually weren’t of the best quality). Light or Heavy Cav was usually classed by the size of the horses (rather than the equipment the troopers wore), I don’t think you had “medium” cav (it’s more a wargamers term). Things like a Cuirassier regt were definitely an “impact” cav, but then so were Lancer Regts (who are usually classified as light cav).

For ACW cav there’s also the mounted infantry regts (although this was more out in the west around Kansas etc), so these mounted infantry never fought mounted (yet make up the bulk of “mounted troops in that campaign). There was very few cav regts trained to charge as “impact” cav (instead they usually fought dismounted as a rule), however as the situation arose they did fight mounted (usually if they had an overwhelming advantage chasing down fleeing troops etc).

August 25, 2020 at 11:23 pm #1561912

nightrunner
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@evilstu thanks for the link. I have downloaded this and will look into it impatiently.

@phaidknott thanks for your summary on the cavalry of the period. Very informative. Also, when I mentioned medium cavalry I was definitely referring to wargame systems.

Thanks to both of you.

August 28, 2020 at 9:14 pm #1562759

brewerygoblin
Participant

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Also useful is the Lard Island Blog on their website

There is also a Facebook page for Sharp Practice.

Richard Clark is often on there himself and often replies to queries (if nobody else answered first)

August 30, 2020 at 6:24 am #1562939

nightrunner
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@brewerygoblin Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
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