Description
Napoleon after Waterloo
Waterloo is a Military Strategy Board Game where Allied players attempt to stop Napoleon in his final battle at Waterloo.
-Highly acclaimed Pub Battles rules system. Known for command focus, fog of war, realism and replayability. Based on real combat data, officer experience and training principles from the era. Used to train officers in the US military and in military academies around the world.
• Period style map.
• Real Kriegsspiel style, hardwood pieces.
Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
Scale: 16,000:1
Complexity: Low wargame
Solitaire Suitability: High
Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
Components List
- Main Rulebook
- Map, 24″ x 28″
- Scenario rules & Setup
- Measuring scale card
- Hardwood blocks with custom stickers (52 French, 36 British, 35 Prussian long blocks. Enough for all the battles in the campaign. Quatre Bras, Ligny and Wavre will only come with a Scenario Rulebook and Map.)
Some Assembly Required
Learn more about the Pub Battles system.
Get the No Block Version and save by reusing the same Standard Blocks for all of your battles.
Paper maps are folded in a game box.
Canvas maps are rolled in tubes.
Real maps of the period were printed on canvas. This authentic, premium map is tough, durable and beautiful. Printed on 100 year, museum quality, archival canvas. It is water resistant, spill proof and lays flat and smooth. Truly a work of art.
The British under Wellington are outnumbered but they hold good terrain and Prussian reinforcements are constantly streaming into the battle. The French must strike quickly and shatter Wellington before the growing Allied numbers become overwhelming.
Gamer’s Assessment
The French have to crack the British army before the Prussians overwhelm them. The French have lots of good troops but the British are in good terrain and there isn’t much time. This game has amazing re-playability. It includes all the forces in the campaign. If Napoleon can survive the first day, you can fight an optional 2nd day with both sides feeding in reinforcements. There is an option for Grouchy marching immediately to Waterloo instead of attacking at Wavre.
The map is huge. It allows for more strategic maneuvering around the battle. There are many, many “what if” strategies to explore.
This game plays a little longer than the usual Pub Battle. There are tons of pieces! There are also many deep strategical considerations. Rather than a quick sandwich on the way, Waterloo turns Pub Battles into a full, 7 course, steak dinner.
This also makes a great 3-4 player game that can be played as a combined campaign with the other maps to come out later.
See the Waterloo page for more details.
Historical Background
The disaster in Russia ultimately ended up in defeat back at Paris, with Napoleon forced to abdicate his throne and exiled to the island of Elba. Approximately a year later, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to power in France. The 7th Allied coalition quickly formed against him. The British and Prussians were concentrating in Belgium as the Austrians and Russians marched in from the East.
Napoleon concentrated rapidly and struck, catching the British and Prussians by surprise. If he could move quickly, he could defeat them one at a time. Next he could reorganize and turn to take on the Austrian and Russian armies.
Delays, poor weather and poor health plagued his campaign. Running out of time, the Emperor struck Wellington near Waterloo hoping to deliver knockout blow to the British army. Grouchy’s detachment was expected to tie down the Prussians at Wavre but the Prussians slipped away and were able to join Wellington at Waterloo.
Even so, this epic battle of history was described by Wellington as:
“-the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life, by God!” -Wellington
Vince (verified owner) –
I just purchased Waterloo Pub Battle a few weeks ago and did my first few playtests over the past few days.
I purchased the Paper Map and Rules “only”, opting for the “clear” and transparent Kriegsspiel type blocks.
Also purchased measuring sticks/chains and Waterloo Dice.
Everything arrived safe and sound, but the plastic “tube” the game is shipped in was shipped without any protection, i.e. cardboard tube, box, etc.
Not a big deal, but IMHO it just risks theft along the way.
The map is top notch, even the paper version, but I felt the clear plastic blocks could have been made better.
For example, some of the blocks had one or two sloppy sides that were not smooth and had a raised line or cutting mark in it.
The dice, measuring sticks and chains were top notch, but I recommend per the instructions to spray clear coat over the dice and sticks to keep labels from peeling.
Only 2 labels on the sticks are peeling but that is only due to my placement being off on one, where my finger keeps catching it and the other just keeps popping one end up.
Per the instructions, you can avoid this by not touching the back of the labels, which I am sure was the cause on my part.
The rule book is printed on regular paper and as many players have cited can be learned very quickly.
My only complaint was the scenario book, which is not holding up very well to usage, as it is printed on a low quality magazine type paper that is already splitting at the bind.
However, the print on the interior pages seems very durable.
As I mentioned previously, I opted for transparent plastic Kriegsspiel blocks as an option, as I felt the map was too beautiful to cover up and also to be able to see the map terrain underneath.
In addition, I painted the blocks with either a horizontal single or double line in appropriate colors to represent the line of infantry.
Also, for artillery I used small vertical lines in the nations color as well.
I made one mistake IMHO, I used traditional board game symbols for the Cavalry instead of a pattern that would look more like a formation.
When it came time to play, I actually end up using the game counters from Avalon Hill’s (AH) old board game “Waterloo” as I completely forgot about listing the corps number and officer name on each counter.
I also forgot that “Chits” are needed.
Thus, I used the HQ counters from the AH Waterloo game as chits and that worked out quite well.
The issues with how I did this quickly became apparent, there was too much space between my AH counters and I can see how if I am to opt for the plastic Kriegsspiel blocks I am going to need more of them to avoid the same issue, i.e. I will use several plastic blocks to equal the length of the wooden blocks that normally ship with this game.
Despite all of my mistakes made regarding the options I selected to make myself, the game still played very enjoyable.
This is a testament to how great the rules are in that even when messing up like I did, you can still pull off a great game.
To remedy my mistakes I am going to buy both more plastic Kriegspiel blocks and also the standard wood blocks to see which I prefer.
I do realize I am spending at this point more than I probably would have if I just purchased the canvas map edition with everything you need instead.
However, I felt the investment in experimentation worth it, as it covers many options I have considered.
Thus, in conclusion, I would highly recommend going with the Canvas Edition Map and wooden blocks Command Post sells as a complete game.
Great job! Game designers! I look forward to buying Gettysburg next!
Shawn (verified owner) –
This is a truly beautiful game. I purchased the full set with the canvas map. From the full color game tube, the wooden pieces and the canvas map, to the rules, scenario book and decals, this is a top-notch product. The 3.0 rules are a great improvement, especially the addition of supply trains, and the Napoleonic specific special rules in the scenario book really captures the feel of the period using subtle, elegant and simple mechanics. Waterloo includes all of the forces needed for the entire 1815 campaign and I can’t wait until the other maps become available for the full campaign.
The system lends itself well to house rules. I have used command ratings from another Waterloo game to give unique activation numbers to the Corps leaders. I have also been looking at doing a brigade level version, vs the division level pieces provided, using exactly the same rules and map. Moving to a smaller scale allowed me to add horse artillery – move at mounted speed and shoot with only 2 dice.
Overall, I can’t recommend this game highly enough.
admin –
Thank you!!
Can you copy and paste this into a Review on the Review tab for us?
Mike Strand –
I have played Pub Battles’ Waterloo over a hundred times. Waterloo allows for very little maneuver, but Pub Battles’ combat is resolved so quickly that the big smash’em up in the center is very tense. You feel like you’re always on the edge of a breakthrough. The combat results frequently leave you with a whole new set of opportunities/crises every turn. Most other Waterloo games bog down in endless die rolls as units whittle away at each other, Pub Battles’ Waterloo explodes every turn. Games never feel the same, even if you use the exact same battle plan!
Luciano –
At first, I was a bit sceptical of this game due to its high price. However, I’m pleased to say it was worth every penny.
Unlike other battle games I’ve experienced, this one allows for a lot of space to move units.
Even though the battle game itself is very good, me absolute favorite game mode is when I set up the pieces myself and get to create new battles. This allows for endless replay value. Sometimes, I even simulate campaigns, using blocks as corps.
Overall, it’s a very good game and I highly recommend you buy it.