State of Play: French and Indian War (3/6)

 

 

T and I caught up Monday night for our third go at Worthington Games’ French and Indian War, 1757-2759. For the first two games I played as the French and T as the British. I thought this would give him an advantage, given the strength of the British starting forces, and the disproportionate reinforcements they receive in the second and third years of the conflict.

I wouldn’t say the French trounced the British on both occasions – the second game was a closer-run thing – but I wagered that, if the French survive with a good portion of their forces intact to beginning of the third year, they would have a strong chance of wearing out the British onslaught and bring them to the negotiation table.

Early in the game (coffee untouched).

In the first and second years, either side can win if they hold a clear ten-point lead over their opponent after the end-of-year VPs have been tallied. This is a big ask but not impossible; in most instances, losses are going to be fairly even, but if you push deep into the enemy’s territory and hold enough higher-point locations, you may be able to tip the balance. That’s what I set out to do last night. I wanted to prove the British cold prevail by the end of the second year. Such was not to be the case.

The British move first, and in each turn, each player can only move one troops from one location, although you can split that movement over multiple locations. The problem for both sides is that you want to try to shore up your frontier locations – the one’s on the opponent’s doorstep – quickly, but with the movement limit of one adjoining location per move for most units (two for Irregulars), that’s impossible. There will always be a weak point for your opponent to press the advantage.

The judgement of Paris.

T opened aggressively, probing on toward Fort William Henry and in the far west. Despite some appalling defensive rolls, I eventually managed to blunt his attacks, but not before losing Cumberland, Oswego and Oneida, all in the first half of the first year. I took a defensive posture for the remainder of the year, hoping that the heavier reinforcements due with the new year would tip the balance.

In 1758, T started to gather his forces in Louisbourg for a maritime assault. Realising the danger, I took to the Atlantic with my navy, sacrificing a much-needed land manoeuvre, but ensuring the security of my chief port. For the French, Halifax is an attractive goal; not only for its potential three victory Points at year’s end, but for the fact that it’s a single move to Boston and only two to New York.

A thin Red Line.

1758 saw some back and forth on control of a handful of locations, and al the time T managed to whittle my forces down block by block so that I couldn’t gain the momentum for a proper counter-offensive. The close of 1758 (with another early winter) saw the French seven points ahead, mostly on the strength of British unit losses.

1759 Saw a slight swing in favour of the British, firstly taking and holding the Atlantic once again, then retaking Cumberland (again), and pushing on to Fort Duquesne, then relieving the occupation of Oneida. Fort Carillon proved a tougher nut to crack. Again, the attrition of forces by superior French dice-rolling maintained their lead and added to it slightly. The French Irregulars (Indian allies) showed particular ferocity, making short work of their enemy at every turn. The final result was a convincing French victory; 20-11 points.

The unvarnished truth

Mistakes were made, and lessons taken to heart. We've both become more attentive of the progress of the year, and neither side took Winter Attrition losses in this game (progress).

We’re scheduled for a rematch next week. This will be our final game using the sanctioned (historical) set-up. For the last two of the 6x6 games, we’ve agreed to play one game each side using the free set-up guidelines. Meanwhile, I haven’t given up all hope of a British victory next week. Watch this space.