This example represents a battle between three English foot brigades and one French foot brigade, supported by an artillery battery, protected by an earthwork. It is the French sides turn and they are about to fire.
The infantry are at long range, the light guns are at effective range. The musket shooting factor is ½, the following modifier is applied:
Shooter firing for the first time +1
This takes the shooting factor up to 1 for each musket element.
The light guns have a factor of 1, the following shooting modifier is now applied:
Artillery vs. supported line (unit in two ranks) +1
This takes the shooting factor up to 2.
The combined shooting factor for muskets and guns is therefore:
One each for muskets, and two for the gun giving a total of 6. This means that 1d6 is rolled to determine the number of hits. A 4 is scored which means that the English formation takes four hits. As there are three target units it is assumed that each takes a hit, with the unit in column receiving two, as it is considered the better target. The English player must make saving throws for each unit. The player must roll equal or greater than the number of hits inflicted, this is automatic if one hit is received and needs anything but a one for the unit with two his – a 5 is rolled, the save is easily made.
The English take their turn and attempt to advance before firing, a charge test is required. Both sides count up the number of units involved, the English have three, the French two, but these are counted twice because the French are in cover. Both sides roll 1d6 and add the score to the number of units -
The English have 3 and roll 4: 7
The French have 4 and roll 2: 6
This means the English have gained +1 to their charge factor. The English are C grade giving them a factor of 3, +1: 4. This means the English advance to effective range. The French stand.
The infantry are now firing at effective range. The musket shooting factor is 1, the following modifier is applied:
Shooter firing for the first time +1
Platoon fire +1
Target in hard cover -2
The modifiers cancel each other out so we are left with a shooting factor of 1. There are five elements that can fire (the front rank elements), giving a shooting factor of 5. A 2 is rolled giving one hit on each unit, the hits are marked against the French formation, but it is not enough to bother with a saving throw.
The infantry are also at effective range range, the light guns are at point blank range. The musket shooting factor is 1, there are no modifiers to be applied.
Shooter firing for the first time +1
This takes the shooting factor up to 1 for each musket element.
The light guns have a factor of 2, the following shooting modifier is now applied:
Artillery vs. supported line (unit in two ranks) +1
Firing canister +1
Each range band crossed by target +1
This takes the shooting factor up to 5.
The combined shooting factor for muskets and guns is therefore, one for each musket element and four for the guns, giving a total of 9. 2d6 are rolled and 11 is scored, 9 is the highest number of hits that can be inflicted at this factor, so 9 hits are marked off against the English formation. Each unit has received three hits, requiring a saving throw of three or more. The English player tests and fails on one unit (having rolled a two), one unit is Disordered.
The English take their turn and attempt to close with the enemy, a charge test is required. Both sides count up the number of units involved, the English have three, but do not count the Disordered unit, the French two, but these are counted twice because the French are in cover. Both sides roll 1d6 and add the score to the number of units -
The English have 2 and roll 2: 4
The French have 4 and roll 5: 9
The French have doubled the English score and gain +2 to their charge factor and therefore stand. The English suffer -2 to their factor of 3, giving a charge factor of 1. This means the English fail to advance. The English attack has been halted and seems unlikely to succeed unless the Disordered unit can be rallied or other units can be brought in to support the attack, the English player must decide soon because every turn the French will be able to pour their withering fire into the English units.
The English player has brought up reinforcements in the form of a Dutch grenadier and foot unit. Another charge test is attempted. Both sides count up the number of units involved, the English now have four, the French two, but these are counted twice because the French are in cover. Both sides roll 1d6 and add the score to the number of units -
The English have 4 and roll 6: 10
The French have 4 and roll 3: 7
This means the English have gained +1 to their charge factor. The English are C grade giving them a factor of 3, +1: 4. The Grenadiers have a charge factor of 4, +1: 5. This means the English advance to point blank range, the Grenadiers advance into contact. The French stand.
The combat is determined in the following way:
Grenadiers are platoon firing giving a basic combat factor of 3.
Each formed rear supporting element +3
Experienced grade +1
Opponent in fortification -2
This gives a total of +2, combat factor is therefore 5.
The French have a basic factor of 2 for rank firing and gain +1 for an overlapping element. Both sides have only one element in contact. The combat factors are 5 for the Dutch and 3 for the French, both sides roll 1d6 each. A score of 5 is rolled for the Dutch and 2 for the French, the Dutch have scored double, this Disorders an inferior grade unit.
The French are now in big trouble. The next round of combat will not be so close. The Grenadiers have an extra modifier for having won the previous round giving them a combat factor of 6, the French combat factor has been reduced to 1 as they are now Disordered. The Dutch side rolls a 4, the French can only score 1, the difference in scores is four, this means the French are pushed back and again Disordered, this means a rout test is required. The French will no longer have the advantage of cover, the Allied troops will take the position.