Battle of Blathano, Northern Italy

[Blathergut]

The endless Austrian/French wars shifted to the Italian front for the first time. Southern Europe saw mandatory steep/partially steep hills for the first time in our battles. We used the ammendments where difficult dropped one level only and skirmishers could test to stand in difficult.

Nappy brought along 4 small units of veteran light infantry which remained in tactical skirmish most of the game, driving up onto a large partially-steep hill in the face of Austrian artillery. Skirmish formation kept the Austrian hits from shooting down but the French poured out an amazing amount of fire from the four light units, all side-by-side. This was the first time the French used skirmish formation to such an extent and it, combined with the difficult terrain, proved all-conquering!

Anyone else had similar experiences with skirmishing lights and terrain?

[KeefM]

Perhaps this is one of the unintended side effects of light infantry skirmishers not having to evade in difficult terrain. In the open its not so much of a problem cos there are plenty of ways to clear them out by charging or by moving to close range.

I guess the counter is to bring your own skirmishers to the party ? Either that or simply stay well away from terrain if the opponent has a light infantry superiority.

[Blathergut]

Dead. was kinda stuck: +3 initiative was gained and he took the large partially-steep hill for the center!!!

[BrettPT]

4 units of veteran LI is pretty nasty to anything in front of it - not surprised you had problems.

A plan may have been to defend about 7MU behind the hill? Out of shooting range but with the possibility of advancing to pin the French 1/2 stuck in terrain if they tried to form up to come off?