Publisher's Synopsis
If you are interested in the Napoleonic period of history and like boardgames then this book is for you. The battle of Waterloo 1815 is creatively reproduced within its pages, it contains all that is required to reproduce a boardgame that is intended to tactically test your gaming skills and strategically expand your planning abilities. Waterloo is a chess game of the grandest scale, pieces flow about the battlefield with deliberate or reactive movement, like any battle you never have complete control. Having just won a tactical victory at Wavre, Napoleon is preparing to inflict a devastating defeat on the Allied British before Blücher can reinforce with his Prussians. Marshal Grouchy has been tasked with keeping Blücher occupied whilst Napoleon deals with Wellington. The Allied British are defending the escarpment of Mont Sainte Jean and the French are facing them from the ridgeline of Le Belle Alliance. An isolated fortified farmhouse of Hougoumont waits for the onslaught and Wellington issues Dutch courage to his men. The date is the 18th of June 1815 and the day is not going to go as planned for Napoleon, this will be his final hours of conflict. The gameboard is separated into four sections that fit together to recreate the battlefield of Waterloo. Counters and game markers will show the location and current state of all formations across the battlefield. An ingenious game turn sequence allows for a balanced gameplay without giving an evident advantage to either side. Victory is achieved by seizing objectives, causing attrition or capturing Napoleon. Rules of engagement have a basic and advanced level of gameplay, the latter introduce, detachment counters with their specialist roles, formations and optional reactive movement. The inclusion of unique historic events that occurred within the battle can be played out with an event card, this adds depth and realism to each game. Waterloo is part of the Grand Empire series of battles that is creative board gaming in a book, it's when boardgames becomes wargames. Produced to fit on a small tabletop, its ideal for a rainy day or just a weekend of enjoyment. All you need to recreate history are some six-sided dice and your imagination.
