Wilson's Creek: Opening Round in the West, 10 August 1861 Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Mini Game Scenario Rules: Wilson's Creek
  • 12.0 Introduction
  • 12.1 Historical Background
  • 12.2 Scenario
  • 12.3 Standard Rules
  • 13.0 Set Up
  • 13.1 Unit Colors
  • 13.2 Game Length & First Player
  • 13.3 Union Set Up
  • 13.4 Confederate Set Up
  • 14.0 Victory Conditions
  • 14.1 Union Major Victory
  • 14.2 Confederate Major Victory
  • 14.3 Minor Victory & Draw
  • 15.0 Additional Rules
  • 15.1 New Terrain
  • 15.2 Union Cavalry Vedettes
  • 15.3 Confederate Mounted Infantry
  • 15.4 Confederate Restricted Movement
  • 15.5 Confederate Step Recovery
  • 15.6 Exhaustion
  • 15.7 Leader Formations
  • Terrain Effects Chart (TEC)
  • 16.0 Designer's Notes
  • Combat Results TABLE (CRT)
• Musket & Saber Quick Play System Rules
  • 1.0 Introduction
    • 1.1 The Quick Play System
    • 1.2 Game Scale
  • 2.0 Components
    • 2.1 Inventory & Rules
    • 2.2 The Map & Terrain
    • 2.3 The Counters
    • 2.4 Unit Types
  • 3.0 Sequence of Play
    • 3.1 The Course of a Game
    • 3.2 Setting Up
    • 3.3 The Game Turn

Mini Game Scenario Rules: Wilson's Creek

Musket & Saber QUICK PLAY mini GAME SCENARIO RULES. Scenario: Wilson's Creek, opening round in the West, 10 August 1861.

12.0 Introduction

12.1 Historical Background

Nathaniel Lyon's small but well-drilled Union army in southwestern Missouri was threatened when Sterling Price's Missouri State Guard united with Ben McCulloch's army of Confederate units and Arkansas State Troops. Hoping to catch the Rebels off-guard, Lyon launched a surprise attack in the early morning of 10 August; if he could not win the battle he hoped at least to prevent a pursuit as he retreated toward St. Louis.

12.2 Scenario

One player controls the Union forces and attempts to seize key terrain and/or prevent a Confederate pursuit. The other player controls the Confederate forces and attempts to avoid either outcome.

12.3 Standard Rules

All the standard rules apply, including the optional rule to convert an Ex to a Dr result. There are no cavalry units in the game. Rule 15.0 lists several additional rules applying to this scenario.

13.0 Set Up

13.1 Unit Colors

• Union: dark blue.
• Confederate Volunteers: dark gray.
• Arkansas State Troops: light gray.
• Missouri State Guard: butternut.
• Ldr McCulloch: white.

13.2 Game Length & First Player

The game consists of up to nine turns but may end sooner. Place the Turn marker, Confederate Restricted Movement side up (see 15.4), in the 0530 box of the Turn Record Track. The Union player is the first player and sets up first.

13.3 Union Set Up

All Union units begin the game off the map. There are four Union formations. Leader Lyon may set up with any one formation. Each must enter the map at one of the five entry hexes: A (0110), B (0701), C (1504), D (1512), or E (1018). The Union player must identify which column(s) will enter at which entry hex. Write down the choices and keep them hidden from the Confederate player until after all entries are made.

Entering the Map. Units enter as described in standard rule 4.6. Formations entering at Hex B may enter on Turn 1 or a later turn. Formations entering at Hexes A, C, and/or D may enter on Turn 2 or a later turn. Formations entering at Hex E may enter on Turn 3 or a later turn. The Union player may delay the entry of a formation; note the intended turn of arrival with the entry hex choices. All units of a single formation must enter the same turn (unless prevented by Confederate units per 4.6). Once on the map, units operate normally.

Historical Arrival: Leader Lyon and Formations 1, 3, 4 at Hex B, Formation 2 at Hex E.

13.4 Confederate Set Up

Set-up as corrected by the official "Wilson's Creek Errata & Clarifications" (the corrections replace the printed values, which are given in brackets).

• Formation 1 & Leader McCulloch: w/1 1107.
• Formation 2: w/1 1010, east of Wilson's Creek. [Printed: w/1 0305, east of Wilson's Creek.]
• Formation 3: w/1 0808, west of Wilson's Creek.

Mounted Detachments. If desired, the Confederate player may place any one or all of the following units from Formation 3 at the hexes indicated below instead of with the rest of the formation.

• 2 MSG (infantry): 0506. [Printed: 1107.]
• 2 MSG (mounted infantry): 0605. [Printed: 0305.]
• 3+4 MSG (mounted infantry): 0913.

14.0 Victory Conditions

14.1 Union Major Victory

The Union player wins a major victory in either of two ways.

• Hex 0909. Play stops immediately and the Union player wins if a Union unit (other than a cavalry vedette; see 15.2) enters hex 0909 at any time for any reason.
• End of Game. The Union player wins a major victory if there are any Union units (other than a cavalry vedette) on the map at the end of Turn 9.

14.2 Confederate Major Victory

The Confederate player may win a major victory if the Union player fails to win a major victory and one or more Confederate mounted infantry units (15.3) have exited the map from Entry Hex C. A unit exits the map by entering Hex C and expending one MP. Remove it from the map; it is out of play for the rest of the game but does not count as eliminated. It may not be disrupted at the beginning of its move. At the end of play, roll one die. If the die result is less than or equal to the number of units exited, the Confederate player wins.

14.3 Minor Victory & Draw

If neither player wins a major victory, calculate the VP scored by each. The player with the larger total wins a minor victory. If the totals are equal the game is a draw. When adding victory points for eliminated units, each step counts one VP; reduced two-step units do not count for VP.

15.0 Additional Rules

15.1 New Terrain

Slope Hexsides. The hex containing the slope icon is the "downslope" hex; crossing the slope from the downslope hex is treated as moving "upslope." Slope may exist on both sides of a hexside; crossing in either direction is upslope.

Cornfields. Any hex containing the cornfield icon is a cornfield hex, regardless of other terrain in it. Brooks and brush may coexist with cornfields in the same hex.

15.2 Union Cavalry Vedettes

The two Union cavalry units represent small but high quality collections of cavalry from the US Army (the Regulars). They move like any other unit, stack freely, and exert a ZOC. They have no combat strength and may not attack or add to the defense of a hex. If a Confederate unit enters a vedette's ZOC, roll one die. If the result is greater than the Confederate unit's current morale (as modified by disruption and/or a leader), the unit must pay one extra MP to enter the hex. The vedette must retreat two hexes. If alone in a hex and attacked by a Confederate unit, the result is an automatic Dr; the vedette must retreat two hexes. It is eliminated only if unable to retreat.

15.3 Confederate Mounted Infantry

Few of the Confederate mounted troops at the battle were trained to fight on horseback, dismounting to enter combat. They move like infantry for all purposes, but must pay one extra MP to enter or leave a Union ZOC.

15.4 Confederate Restricted Movement

During restricted movement, Confederate infantry and artillery have an MA of 2, mounted infantry have an MA of 4. Leaders increase movement normally. March movement may not be used unless the unit is accompanied by a leader. Restricted movement remains in effect until a Confederate unit takes a step loss or retreats, or Turn 3, whichever comes first. Flip the turn marker to the Full Movement side.

15.5 Confederate Step Recovery

A reduced two-step Confederate unit may replace its lost step during a movement phase if it meets the requirements of 11.2 and passes a morale check. Eliminated units, one- or two-step, may not be replaced.

15.6 Exhaustion

At the beginning of the opposing player's movement phase of each game turn beginning with the 1300 turn, each player may attempt to disrupt enemy units. The current turn box on the TRT indicates the number of attempts to be made by each player. For each attempt, select one enemy unit and roll one die. If the result is greater than the unit's current morale strength, the unit is disrupted. Leaders stacked with the unit modify the die roll normally.

15.7 Leader Formations

A leader with a formation ID may affect only units in that formation.

Terrain Effects Chart (TEC)

Printed on the scenario rules sheet. Entries marked "(hexside)" apply to the hexside.

Terrain	Effect
Clear Hex	1 MP to enter. No effect on combat.
Light Woods Hex	1 MP to enter. Attacker halved attacking into if attacking across a clear hexside. Blocks artillery line of sight unless artillery is on a hill hex.
Brush Hex	2 MP to enter. ZOC do not extend into or out of brush. No LOS or combat effects.
Road Hex	1/2 MP while moving along the path (see 4.3), ignore other terrain in hex and on hexside crossed. No effect on combat (use other terrain in the hex).
Slope Hexside (hexside)	+2 MP to move upslope. If a unit is attacked upslope (the attacker is fighting upslope), even if attacked from non-slope hexes in the same combat, adds two to its combat strength. A unit may not advance upslope after combat.
Hill Hex	Same as Clear. Blocks LOS unless both observer and observed also on a hill. Light woods on a hill block LOS between hills.
Creek (hexside)	Infantry may cross by expending all MP. Artillery may cross only at a ford. Infantry unit forced to retreat across a creek is disrupted, artillery is eliminated. Attacking units (except bombarding artillery) are halved attacking across the creek.
Ford (hexside)	Negates the creek for movement purposes only; a unit pays +1 MP to cross.

16.0 Designer's Notes

The only difficulty in this design was taking what was on paper a one-sided situation and making it into an even game without distorting the historicity. I was fortunately able to use the very real Confederate disorganization early in the day, and the equally historic Union fatigue later, to drive the battle in the larger sense. The combination of variable Union entry and the Confederate option to go for the major victory gives each player the ability to try for a bigger win than either achieved in 1861, so the action rarely becomes predictable.

Combat Results TABLE (CRT)

Printed on the scenario rules sheet. This table and its result key are the ones printed with the scenario; they differ from the "M&S Quick Play Revised CRT" printed on page 6 of the system rules, which is transcribed in its own section below. Section 12.3 of the scenario refers to the "Ex" result printed on this table. See the editorial note at the start of the system rules section.

Columns are the combat differential. Rows are the combat die roll. Each cell's result is followed by a leader casualty check where the printed table shows "Leader" under it (die roll 4).

Die roll	-5 or less	-4 to -3	-2 to -1	0 to +1	+2 to +3	+4 to +5	+6 to +7	+8 to +9	+10 or more
1	Ax	Ax	Ax	Ar	Ac(NE)	Dc(Ex)	Dr	Dr	Dx
2	Ax	Ax	Ar	Ar	Dc(Ex)	Dc(Ex)	Dr	Dx	Dm(Dr)
3

Results

• Dm = Rout Check. If MC failed, unit routs. If MC passed, apply parenthesized result.
• Ar/Dr = Retreat. All units either disrupt or retreat 1-3 hexes.
• Ac/Dc = Retreat Check. If MC failed, treat as Ar/Dr. If MC passed, apply parenthesized result.
• Ax/Dx = Retreat or Loss. If MC passed, unit may take a loss. If MC failed, or if passed and player chooses, all units disrupted and retreat 1-3 hexes.
• Ex = Exchange. Each side loses step.
• NE = No Effect.
• Leader = Leader Casualty. Roll a die, leader killed on 5-6; check for each leader on both sides.
• MC = morale check for primary unit.
• If retreat only possible on unsafe path, unit routs.
• If no retreat possible, the unit is captured.
• Whenever defender retreats, attack may advance.

Musket & Saber Quick Play System Rules

Musket & Saber Quick Play Mini Game System Rules. These standard rules apply to every Quick Play mini game; the scenario rules above modify or add to them for this battle.

Editorial note on the two combat tables. The scenario sheet prints its own Combat Results Table (with its "Ex" exchange result and a leader casualty check on a die roll of 4). Section 7.2 of the system rules sends players to the CRT on page 6, which is the "M&S Quick Play Revised CRT" (with C/R/X/M combat results, A/D result codes and a leader check on a two-dice roll of 2 or 12). The two tables are not identical, and the printed documents do not say how they reconcile. Both are transcribed exactly as printed, and the discrepancy is flagged here for review.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The Quick Play System

The Musket & Saber system is a series of games, each depicting a battle from the musket era (1600–1899); these Quick Play rules are a simplified version (for details see the M&S Expanded Design Notes file in the E-Rules at www.decisiongames.com). In each game, players command opposing forces in the situation faced by their historical counterparts and try to win the battle by capturing key terrain, or destroying enemy units, or both.

1.2 Game Scale

Each hex on the map represents 176–352 yards from side to side. Game turns represent 45–90 minutes of daylight (or several hours at night). Infantry and cavalry units represent 300 to 4,500 men, and artillery units represent up to 24 cannon.

2.0 Components

2.1 Inventory & Rules

Each game consists of a standard rules folder, a sheet of scenario rules, an 11×17-inch map covering the battlefield, and a die-cut sheet of 40 playing pieces (counters or units). Players must provide two differentiated six-sided dice. These standard rules apply to all games; the scenario rules modify or add to the rules as needed to portray a particular battle.

2.2 The Map & Terrain

The hex grid superimposed on the terrain regulates the placement and movement of units; a unit is considered to be in a single hex at any given time. Each hex has a four-digit number to aid set up and play. Every hex contains one or more kinds of terrain which affect the movement of units and combat between opposing units.

Other terrain features lie on the hex side between two hexes and affect movement and/or combat across those hexsides only; they have no effect on units in either adjacent hex. The effects of each kind of terrain are described on the Terrain Effects Chart (TEC) in the Scenario Rules for each game.

2.3 The Counters

Some counters are used for game functions; players are free to make additional markers (e.g. Disrupted) or use markers from other games as needed. Most counters represent combat units or leaders. The background colors indicate the army to which each unit belongs. Each unit has the following information (the example is Husson's French infantry from Hougoumont: Key to Waterloo).

• Unit Type: in this case infantry.
• Unit ID: the unit's historical designation.
• Formation: the unit's higher organization.
• Combat Factor (CF): the unit's relative ability to engage in combat. When there are two numbers, left is attack and right is defense.
• Morale Rating (MR): the unit's ability to withstand the shock of combat.
• Movement Allowance (MA): the unit's ability to move across the map, expressed as movement points (MP).

2.4 Unit Types

There are five types of units in the M&S system.

1st & 2nd: There are two types of infantry units:

• Brigade and regimental-sized
• Battalion-sized

Brigade and regimental-sized units are two-step units. On their reduced-strength side, they have a color band. Brigade and regimental-sized units are subject to disruption whether full-strength or reduced (see 11.1). When disrupted, place a Disruption marker on the unit.

Battalion-sized units are single step units. They are subject to ineffectiveness (11.2). When one of these units becomes ineffective, it is flipped to its ineffective side.

3rd–5th types: There are three other types of units:

• Leaders
• Artillery
• Cavalry

Leader units have a star icon. Their values are added to a primary unit for movement, combat, and morale purposes. Artillery units include a Range (see 8.3 and 8.4). Cavalry units include a Charge Factor (see 9.2).

All of these units are single step units. All of these units are subject to ineffectiveness (11.2). When one of these units becomes ineffective, it is flipped to its ineffective side.

Two step units flip to their single step side if they suffer a loss. Single step units and reduced two-step units are eliminated if they suffer a loss. Leaders are eliminated due to combat results or may be captured if alone during opposing movement.

3.0 Sequence of Play

3.1 The Course of a Game

After the players choose which side each will command, sort the counters and set them up (3.2). The players then alternate moving and attacking with their units during the game turns (3.3) to reach the victory conditions (3.4). Victory is determined after the last game turn is completed.

3.2 Setting Up

The scenario rules for each game specify which units start on the map and which enter as reinforcements later in the game. Units starting on the map (identified by ID and/or Formation) are listed with the hex number of their starting location. In some cases, the hex number has a "w/1" notation, indicating the unit may be placed within 1 hex (i.e. adjacent to) the specified hex. Units arriving as reinforcements (13.0) are listed by turn and hex of entry.

Example: "1545 at 2114" means the units arrive during the owning player's movement phase of 1545 at hex 2114.

3.3 The Game Turn

The number of turns in a game and the First Player are specified in the scenario rules. Turns are tracked by moving the turn marker along the Turn Record Track (TRT) on the map. Each turn consists of seven phases.

• First Player Movement Phase: The First Player moves his units according to the rules for movement (4.0), stacking (5.0), zones of control (6.0), and entering the map (4.5).
• First Player Recovery Phase: Eligible units may recover from disruption, ineffectiveness, and step loss (11.0).
• First Player Combat Phase: The First Player uses his units to attack enemy units within the constraints of the combat rules (7.0, as modified by 8.0, 9.0, & 10.0).
• Second Player Movement, Recovery, & Combat Phases: same as above, with the players switching roles.
• Turn Marker Phase: if the last turn has been completed, determine the winner (3.4). If more turns remain, advance the turn marker and play another turn.

3.4 Winning the Game

The specific victory conditions for each player are listed in the scenario rules.

4.0 Movement

4.1 Moving Units

Units are moved one at a time tracing a path of contiguous hexes (no skipping allowed), in any direction or combination of directions. If the owning player desires, units in the same hex (Stack 5.0) may move together. The stack must start in the same hex and remain together for the entire move.

4.2 Movement Allowance (MA)

A unit's movement allowance is the number of movement points (MPs) available during each movement phase. A unit may not exceed its MA during a single movement phase; a stack is limited to the speed of the slowest unit in the stack. Unused MP may not be accumulated or transferred to another unit.

4.3 Terrain Effects on Movement

As a unit enters a hex, it must pay one or more MP depending on the terrain. Entering a clear hex across a clear hexside costs 1 MP. Other terrain may require more MP to enter; those costs are listed on the TEC. Units crossing certain hex side terrain must pay additional MP, denoted by a "+1" on the TEC. Those MP are added to the normal cost to enter a particular type of terrain. A unit may always move one hex even if lacking the necessary MP to enter a hex.

4.4 Road Movement

A unit traveling on a road always pays ½ MP per hex entered if it starts and ends on a road hex, otherwise it pays 1 MP per hex. To travel along a road, a unit must move from a hex containing the path across a hexside containing the same path into another hex containing the same path. Road and non-road movement may be combined in a single movement phase (at 1 MP per road hex).

4.5 Entry of Reinforcements

Each reinforcement unit moves onto the map during the owning player's movement phase of the turn indicated in the set up. The identified entry hex is the first hex of movement for that unit; it moves normally thereafter.

If a unit cannot enter that hex because it is occupied by an enemy unit or because the entry would cause an over-stacking (5.0) to occur, it may enter at the next hex along that map edge towards the next friendly entry hex (player's choice of direction if friendly entry hexes are in both directions); entering that hex counts as 2 MP for movement. If that hex is occupied, the unit can continue to slide down the map edge, paying one MP for each, until it enters or exceeds its entire movement allowance. In that case, it must wait to enter the following turn.

5.0 Stacking

Stacking is limited to one battalion or artillery unit, plus any three units (infantry, cavalry, artillery), plus any number of leaders. There is no limit to the number of friendly units entering, leaving, passing through a given hex at any time. However, if units are over-stacked in a hex at the end of any movement or combat phase, all infantry one- and two-step units in the hex are disrupted (11.1) or, by virtue of being one-step units (battalions, artillery, or cavalry) become ineffective (11.2).

Note: Only one or two combat units plus one leader will be able to participate in combat; the other units will not participate but will suffer any adverse results (see 7.1).

6.0 Zones of Control

6.1 Exerting Zones of Control

The six hexes adjacent to a combat unit constitute its zone of control (ZOC). There is no additional effect from having more than one ZOC projected into a hex. See 7.6 for ZOC effects on retreat.

6.2 ZOC Effects

A unit must cease moving when it moves into an enemy unit's ZOC (EZOC). A unit already in an EZOC may move out of the hex, but may move only one hex that turn and may not move directly into another EZOC. Disrupted units do not exert a ZOC and; they may not enter EZOC during movement unless accompanied by a leader. Units beginning a friendly combat phase in EZOC may make attacks (there is a penalty for not attacking; see 7.3).

6.3 Negating ZOC

Some terrain types block ZOC into or out of hexes or across a hex side; see the TEC. During a retreat after combat, some EZOC may be negated by friendly units or ZOC (see 7.7).

7.0 Combat

7.1 Who May Attack or Defend

During his combat phase, the active player (attacking) units may attack adjacent opposing (defending) units. The attacking player may conduct as many or as few attacks as he wishes, and in any order within the restrictions below.

1. One battalion or artillery unit plus one other unit (infantry, cavalry, or artillery) plus one leader from the same formation may attack from or defend in a single hex.

2. Any additional units in that hex take no part in the attack or defense but will suffer any adverse results if the participating units are so affected. Also, they are not eligible for advance after combat.

3. An attacking unit may, but is not required to, attack into any adjacent hex into which it could move during normal movement. A unit may attack only once per combat phase (exception: 9.2 Cavalry Charge).

4. Attacking unit(s) in one hex may target only one defending hex per combat phase. If the attacking unit(s) are adjacent to more than one defending hex, the attacking player may choose which hex to attack (but see 7.3).

5. A single defending hex may be attacked only once per combat phase (exception: 9.2 Cavalry Charge). If attacked from more than one adjacent hex, all participating attackers must be combined into a single combat.

7.2 Combat Procedure

For each combat:

1. Identify the involved units (7.2 & 7.3). If more than one unit is involved for a side, the owning player must identify one combat unit (which may be a battalion, artillery, or cavalry unit) as the primary unit (this affects combat results; see 7.5).

2. Calculate the total strength for the attacking unit(s) as well as the defending units(s). Note the defender's strength is the sum of the defending unit strength plus potential modifiers for terrain. In some cases, the terrain the attackers are in and the number of attacking hexes also effect the defender's total strength.

3. Calculate the differential (7.4) and locate the corresponding column on the CRT (on page 6).

4. Roll two dice, one identified as the combat die and the other as the morale die. Cross-index the combat die roll with the differential column to get the combat result (7.5). Use the morale die roll as a morale check for the primary unit of the affected side.

5. Apply the results.

6. Conduct leader checks for any leaders that added their combat strength in the combat.

7.3 Counterattack

While the attacker has complete discretion as to which friendly units attack which enemy units, there is a penalty for choosing not to attack or bombard a defending unit exerting a ZOC onto an attacking unit at the beginning of the combat phase:

At the end of a combat phase, each such defending unit not attacked during the phase may counterattack any adjacent attacking hex. Counterattacking units may not combine with other eligible defending hexes; each such defending hex counterattacks alone but may counterattack a hex that has already been counterattacked (this is an exception to 7.1).

• The counterattacking unit counterattacks any one attacking hex; it may ignore any other adjacent attackers.
• The combat factor of the counterattacking unit(s) is doubled. The counterattacking unit(s) assume all attacking roles (advance after combat, terrain effects, etc.).
• If no attacking unit remains adjacent, the triggered defending unit may move one hex (must be a legal move and may be EZOC to EZOC) to make its counterattack.

Note: it is possible for an attacking hex to be counterattacked more than once, and, by virtue of the attacking units advancing after combat and leaving non-participating units behind, those non-participating units could be subjected to a counterattack. If this occurs, the player whose units are subjected to a counterattack selects a primary defender (and leader and support unit, if present).

7.4 Calculating the Differential

Determine the combat factor of each attacking unit. Any additions or subtractions to CF are applied first. Then CF is halved if the unit is disrupted or attacking into or out of some terrain (see the TEC). If a unit is to be halved once, divide the combat factor by two, rounding up any remainder. If a unit is to be halved more than once, treat it as having a combat factor of one, regardless of its original combat factor. Total the modified combat factors of all participating attacking units. Subtract the total combat strength of all involved defending units. The result is the combat differential. Find the appropriate column on the CRT.

7.5 Morale Checks

If the morale die is greater than the morale rating the unit fails the check. The MR can be changed by a number of factors; regardless, a unit always passes the check on a roll of "1" and always fails on a roll of "6."

7.6 Losses

Any step loss called for by the CRT must come from the primary unit of the affected side. If the unit does not have a band showing, flip it to its reverse side (and see 11.2).

If the unit is a one-step unit or a reduced two-step unit, it is eliminated or captured. If it has a line of retreat (safe or unsafe, see below), it is eliminated; set it aside for possible step recovery. If it has no line of retreat, it is captured. Remove it from play and hand it to the other player; it may count for victory conditions (3.4 & 14.0).

7.7 Retreats & the SLR

Each retreating unit, separately or in a group, must retreat one, two, or three hexes (owning player's discretion within any restrictions from the combat result) from its combat hex, moving closer to one of its side's entry hexes if possible. If no retreat path takes it closer, it retreats only one hex. No MP are expended. If a unit has no option but to retreat off the map, remove it from play; it does not count as captured or eliminated but may not return to play. In addition, battalions, artillery, cavalry and leaders flip to their ineffective side. At the time of its retreat, a unit either has a safe line of retreat (SLR), an unsafe line of retreat, or no line of retreat, as defined below.

Safe Line of Retreat (SLR): a path of hexes with no prohibited terrain, enemy-occupied hexes, or enemy zones of control. For this purpose, an EZOC is negated by the presence of a friendly unit or the ZOC of a friendly unit. However, the final hex of the retreat may not have an EZOC, negated or otherwise. The retreat path may pass through and/or end in friendly-occupied hexes, even if over-stacked (see 5.0). If the destination hex is bombarded later in the same combat phase, the retreated units suffer any combat results inflicted.

Unsafe Line of Retreat: identical to the SLR but passes through a non-negated EZOC and/or ends in an EZOC. The unit or group takes a loss (owner's player's choice, not limited to primary unit), then routs (7.8) from the unsafe hex. A routing group loses only one step, not one step per unit. A group may take a loss and rout any number of times until all units are eliminated, has no line of retreat, or retreats off the map.

No Line of Retreat: a path through prohibited terrain or enemy-occupied hexes. The retreating unit is captured. Remove it from the map and hand it to the opposing player; it may count toward victory conditions (3.4 & 14.0).

7.8 Rout

A routing unit acts just like a retreating unit except it must retreat three hexes from the hex where the rout began and is disrupted at the end of the retreat. If the unit was disrupted already, there is no further effect. If a routing group is routed again during its retreat, it suffers another step loss and starts a new retreat.

7.9 Advance

When a defender retreats, the attackers may, but are not required to, advance one hex. The decision must be made immediately. Defenders, disrupted units, artillery, and attackers in some terrain (see the TEC) may not advance. If multiple attacking hexes were involved, any or all of the participating units may advance; the decision may be made separately for each. An advancing unit may move into the vacated defender's hex, or into any vacant hex adjacent to it (as long as the advancing unit could move into the hex). Advancing units ignore EZOC. If the defending unit(s) rout for any reason, advancing attackers may advance two hexes instead of one; the first as above, and the second in any direction. There is no advance if a defender is eliminated.

Note: Defenders do not advance after combat.

8.0 Artillery

8.1 Artillery Units

Artillery operates in the same way as infantry except:

1. When it has two combat factors, the first is for attack and the second is for defense.

2. It always has only one step. The reverse side represents the unit in an ineffective state. It becomes ineffective whenever forced to retreat. It may recover effectiveness (11.3).

3. If in an EZOC, it may only attack one of those enemy hexes per 7.0.

4. If not in an EZOC, it may attack one enemy hex via bombardment (see 8.4).

5. It may not advance after combat.

6. It may not move or attack into some terrain types (see the TEC).

8.2 Line of Sight (LOS)

The LOS is a line from the center of the firing hex to the center of the target hex. It is blocked if any intervening hex or hex side has blocking terrain. If the LOS is congruent to a non-blocking hex side, the LOS is blocked only if both hexes adjacent to that hex side are blocked. Units do not block LOS.

Terrain in the firing and target hexes does not block the LOS, but bombardment is not permitted into certain terrain types.

8.3 Range

The chosen target is within range if the number of hexes from the artillery to the target is less than or equal to the artillery's range factor. Do not count the artillery unit's hex, do count the target hex.

8.4 Bombardment

To bombard, an artillery unit must:

1. Not be in an EZOC.

2. Have an attack factor greater than zero.

3. Have a line of sight (LOS) to the target (8.2).

4. Be within range of the target (8.3).

5. Be on its effective side (11.2).

Bombarding Alone: Artillery bombarding a hex not being attacked by units adjacent to the hex uses its attack combat factor as the differential; do not subtract the defender's combat factor but do subtract any bombardment modifiers per the TEC. Multiple artillery units may combine their fire against a hex. If the target is cavalry, double the artillery's combat factor after the terrain modifiers. If the defender's hex has more than one unit, resolve the bombardment separately against each defending unit. Bombarding artillery units are not affected by any combat result and can not advance after combat.

Supporting Fire: Bombarding artillery may add its attack factor(s) to an attack by other units adjacent to a defender. Resolve the combat normally but the bombarding artillery do not suffer adverse (A) results. If the artillery is in an EZOC, it can only attack defending units exerting that EZOC and does suffer any adverse results.

9.0 Cavalry

9.1 Cavalry Units

A cavalry unit operates in the same way as infantry except:

1. It always has only one step. The reverse side represents the unit in an ineffective state. It becomes ineffective whenever forced to retreat, but may recover effectiveness (11.3).

2. It may charge (9.2).

3. Its charge factor (C#) is doubled when attacking a disrupted defender.

4. It must retreat 3 hexes when retreating (this includes a failed morale check—see 9.2, step 2).

5. It is affected differently by certain terrain types (see the TEC).

9.2 Cavalry Charges

A cavalry unit may charge in lieu of a regular attack. Make the choice before starting the charging unit's move. The charging unit may not start in an over-stacked hex. Each charging unit must move separately. More than one charging unit may charge a single defending hex, but each charging unit must do so from a separate hex. Only one charging unit may be in a hex at the end of charge movement. The charges are resolved separately in the combat phase (this is an exception to 7.2).

For each charge conduct these steps:

1. In the movement phase, the cavalry unit must move one or two hexes to become adjacent to its target. If two hexes, the first can not be in an EZOC. It may start in and enter only clear or clear hill terrain, not cross any hexside terrain, and the target must be in clear or clear hill terrain. It may not enter a friendly-occupied hex (other than its start hex) including a hex containing a previous charging cavalry unit. Rotate the charging cavalry unit to indicate it is charging (or other mnemonic).

2. In the combat phase, when a defending hex is selected for a charge as an attack, and the defender primary, supporting, and leader units are chosen, first make a morale check for one of the charging units. If it fails, it is disrupted and retreats (9.1.4). If other cavalry units are eligible to charge the same defending hex, they conduct morale checks until one passes. When one passes, proceed to step 3.

Note: even if all charging units fail charge morale checks, the defender may not counterattack.

3. If the primary defending unit is an infantry unit in square (9.3) or is disrupted (11.0), proceed to step 4, otherwise make a morale check. If the defending unit passes, it may form square if it is infantry. If it fails, it disrupts and remains in place (does not retreat).

4. Use the cavalry's charge factor as its attack strength. It is doubled against a disrupted primary defending unit.

5. When resolving the charge, treat all Dr, Dc, Dx and Dm results as Dm; treat any other result as Am. If the defending unit(s) are still in their hex, the attacker selects the next charging unit and returns to step 2.

6. If the defender routs, the charging unit may immediately advance zero, one, or two hexes and conduct another charge (beginning at step 2). The new target hex may have been attacked already or yet to be attacked that phase. Twice victorious charging units may advance up to two additional hexes but may not charge a third time. Once charges and advances are complete, cavalry units flip to their ineffective side in their final hex.

Design Note: Cavalry charges are unlikely to be successful against an undisrupted foe, and highly successful against a disrupted one. Note that the threat of a charge may force units into square, making them vulnerable to attacks by infantry or artillery.

9.3 Squares

Any hex with an undisrupted, effective infantry unit in it may form a square at the beginning of its movement phase or during a cavalry charge. When the square is formed, place the square marker on it. Treat all units in the hex as being in square. The square may be removed at the beginning of the unit's next movement phase.

1. Units in square may move one hex per movement phase (but not into/across prohibited terrain). Make a morale check if the square enters or crosses any terrain other than clear or clear hill. If it fails, it is disrupted (no effect if already disrupted).

2. Only the one infantry unit forming square participates in combat (plus one eligible leader); all other units in the hex with it may not participate but are affected by combat results. A unit in square does not check morale when charged by cavalry (9.2, step 2) but does check morale for combat results.

   a) Add +2 to the unit's combat and morale factors when being attacked by cavalry (charging or not).

   b) Attacking units other than cavalry (including bombarding artillery) add +2 to their CF.

   c) If the square retreats, it retreats one hex and remains in square; if it retreats two or three hexes, it disrupts and loses its square marker.

   d) If a unit in square attacks, subtract 2 from its CF.

   e) Artillery in a hex with square may not fire.

10.0 Leaders

Leaders represent key generals who enhance unit abilities. They may move alone up to 12 hexes ignoring all but prohibited terrain. They may not enter an EZOC unless moving with a friendly unit or the hex contains a friendly unit. They may leave EZOC freely and are not limited to one hex movement. Leaders do not count for stacking; any or all leaders may stack freely with any friendly unit. Leaders exert no ZOC.

Effects: The factors of one leader may be applied to the units in his hex if the unit belongs to the same formation. A formation of "A" indicates all formations in that army. The leader may:

1. Add its movement factor to all units in the hex, but the leader must start the turn with and move with those units.

2. Allow disrupted units to enter an EZOC.

3. Add its combat factor to one infantry or cavalry unit (before that unit is modified), but not to bombarding artillery units. Disrupted units are not halved when attacking when stacked with the same formation leaders.

4. Add its morale factor to one attacking or defending unit for combat resolution (but that unit still fails on a die roll of 6 regardless of modifiers).

5. Add its morale factor to one unit attempting recovery (but that unit still fails on a die roll of 6 regardless of modifiers). If a unit is attempting both step and disruption recovery, a leader may support both.

Retreat: Leaders retreat with stacked units, or anytime an enemy unit moves adjacent to a lone leader. They become ineffective (11.2) after a retreat. If alone, the leader must retreat to the nearest friendly unit (7.6) within 12 hexes. If unable to do so, the leader is captured and is removed from play.

Each time a leader adds their combat factor to an attack or defense, roll two dice for each involved leader; on a roll of 2 or 12, the leader is eliminated and removed from play. Leaders that are captured or eliminated may count for victory conditions (14.0).

11.0 Disruption, Ineffectiveness, & Recovery

Infantry brigades and regiments (both one and two-step) may become disrupted. Mark a disrupted unit with a "D" marker.

Battalion, artillery and cavalry units, and leaders may become ineffective. When they do, flip them to their ineffective side.

11.1 Disruption

Disruption occurs due to failed morale checks, certain combat results, and certain movement into or across terrain.

Disrupted units suffer the following effects:

1. Are halved (rounded up) when attacking but defend with printed strength. Attack strength is not halved with a leader (see 10.0 (4)).

2. Subtract 2 from their morale rating (but always pass on a roll of 1) in any morale check or recovery attempt.

3. Exerts no ZOC and may not enter an EZOC. May enter EZOC with leader (see 10.0 (2)).

4. May not advance after combat and must retreat at least two hexes on retreat results.

5. Additional disruptions are converted to retreat.

11.2 Ineffectiveness

Ineffectiveness occurs due to failed morale checks, certain combat results, certain movement into or across terrain, or at the end of a cavalry charge.

Ineffective units suffer the following effects:

1. Can not attack but defend with printed ("0") combat strength.

2. Morale is reduced as per the counter.

3. Exerts no ZOC and may not enter an EZOC (even with a Leader).

4. May not advance after combat and must retreat at least two hexes on retreat results.

5. Additional ineffectiveness results are converted to retreat.

11.3 Disruption & Ineffectiveness Recovery

A unit may attempt to recover from disruption or ineffectiveness at the end of any friendly movement phase (after the owning player has moved all their units). It must be at least two hexes away from the nearest enemy unit. If it did not move during the movement phase, it recovers automatically. If it moved but did not start or end in an EZOC, make a morale check for it; if it passes, it recovers. If it fails, it remains disrupted or ineffective.

11.4 Step Recovery

The scenario rules state how many lost steps a player is able to recover. Step recovery is done during the owning player's movement phase.

One replacement step enables a reduced two-step unit on the map to attempt to recover its lost step. A reduced two-step unit may attempt to recover a step at the end of any friendly movement phase. It must be at least two hexes away from the nearest enemy unit. It may not have moved during the current movement phase. Make a morale check for it; if it passes, it is flipped back to its full strength. If it fails, it remains reduced.

Alternatively, one replacement step enables any eliminated (but not captured) unit to attempt to return to the map at its reduced strength for two-step units, or full-strength or effective side for one-step units at the end of the next movement phase. Make a morale check for it;

• If it passes: it is placed that die roll number forward on the Turn Track. The unit enters the map as a reinforcement (13.0) on that turn at a location specified in the scenario rules.
• If it fails, or passes but would be placed beyond the last turn of the game: it is removed from the game and counts as an eliminated unit towards victory at the end of the game (3.4).

During the Recovery Phase, units and leaders recover in the following sequence:

1. Step loss.

2. Disrupted units.

3. Ineffective units.

4. Ineffective leaders.

A unit that is both reduced and disrupted may attempt to recover both, doing so in the above sequence.

M&S Quick Play Revised CRT

Printed on page 6 of the system rules, referenced by 7.2 step 3. See the editorial note at the start of the system rules section for how it differs from the Combat Results Table on the scenario sheet.

Columns are the combat differential. Rows are the combat die roll. "A" results indicate the attacker(s) are the losing side. "D" results indicate the defender(s) are the losing side. "–" results are no effect.

Die roll	−6 or less	−5 to −4	−3 to −2	−1 to 0	+1 to +2	+3 to +4	+5 to +6	+7 to +9	+10 or more
1	Am	Am	Ax	Ar	Ar	Ac	–	Dr	Dx
2	Am	Ax	Ar	Ac	Ac	–	Dc	Dr	Dx
3

Leader check: Every leader that applies their modifier to a primary unit in combat roll two dice. On a result of 2 or 12, the leader is eliminated.

Combat Results

Result C

• If primary losing unit passes morale check: No Effect: all units remain in position.
• If primary losing unit fails morale check: Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side. If already disrupted or ineffective, units retreat 1–3 hexes. Victorious attackers may advance 1 hex.

Result R

• If primary losing unit passes morale check: Exchange: the primary unit on each side loses one step. No retreat or advance.
• If primary losing unit fails morale check: Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side and retreat 1–3 hexes. If primary losing unit already disrupted or ineffective, retreat must be at least 2 hexes. Victorious attackers may advance 1 hex.

Result X

• If primary losing unit passes morale check: Primary losing unit loses one step. Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side. If primary losing unit already disrupted/ineffective no further effect.
• If primary losing unit fails morale check: Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side and retreat 1–3 hexes. If primary losing unit already disrupted/ineffective, retreat must be at least 2 hexes. Victorious attackers may advance 1 hex.

Result M

• If primary losing unit passes morale check: Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side and retreat 1–3 hexes. If primary losing unit already disrupted/ineffective, retreat must be at least 2 hexes. Victorious attackers may advance 1 hex.
• If primary losing unit fails morale check: Primary losing unit loses one step. Losing unit(s) disrupt or flip to ineffective side and retreat 3 hexes. Victorious attackers may advance 2 hexes.

Bombardment Results

Result Dc

• If defending unit passes morale check: No Effect: all units remain in position.
• If defending unit fails morale check: Defending unit disrupts or flips to ineffective side. If already disrupted, no further effect.

Result Dr

• If defending unit passes morale check: No Effect: all units remain in position.
• If defending unit fails morale check: Defending unit disrupts or flips to ineffective side. If already disrupted, defending unit retreats.

Result Dx

• If defending unit passes morale check: Defending unit disrupts or flips to ineffective side. If already disrupted, defending unit retreats 1–3 hexes. Defending one-step units eliminated. Defending two-step units reduced.
• If defending unit fails morale check: Defending one-step units eliminated. Defending two-step units reduced.

Result Dm

• If defending unit passes morale check: Defending one-step units eliminated. Defending two-step units reduced.
• If defending unit fails morale check: Defending one-step units eliminated. Defending two-step units reduced and routed.

All "A" and "–" results are no effect in bombardment.