Overview

Austerlitz is a wargame simulating Napoleon’s decisive victory at the Battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805), where the French army faced the Third Coalition armies of Russia and Austria. One player commands the French forces under Napoleon, while the other controls the Allied (Austro-Russian) forces. The game recreates the tactical maneuvers and combat of one of Napoleon’s greatest victories, sometimes called “The Battle of the Three Emperors.”

Components

• 1 Game map (hex grid depicting the Austerlitz battlefield)
• Counters representing military units (infantry, cavalry, artillery)
• Combat Results Table
• Terrain Effects Chart
• Turn Record Track
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place the game map on the table.
2. Each player takes their assigned counters (French or Allied).
3. Deploy units according to the historical setup or scenario instructions.
4. Place the turn marker on the first space of the Turn Record Track.

Turn Structure

Each game turn represents a period of the battle and follows a standard wargame sequence:

1. Initiative Phase: Determine which player has initiative (may alternate or be determined by scenario).
2. First Player Movement Phase: Move units within their movement allowance.
3. First Player Combat Phase: Resolve attacks against adjacent enemy units.
4. Second Player Movement Phase: Move units.
5. Second Player Combat Phase: Resolve attacks.
6. End Phase: Check victory conditions, advance turn marker.

Actions

• Movement: Move units hex by hex, spending Movement Points based on terrain costs.
• Combat: Attack adjacent enemy units by comparing attack strength to defense strength, consulting the Combat Results Table, and rolling dice.
• Rally: Attempt to rally routed or disrupted units.
• Artillery Bombardment: Artillery units may bombard enemy positions at range.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory is determined by scenario-specific conditions, typically:

• French Victory: Control key terrain hexes (e.g., the Pratzen Heights) and inflict sufficient casualties on the Allied forces.
• Allied Victory: Hold defensive positions and prevent the French from achieving their objectives, or drive back the French forces.
• The game may also use a Victory Point system based on terrain control and units destroyed.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Pratzen Heights: The dominant terrain feature of the battle; controlling it provides significant tactical advantages.
• Fog: The historical fog that covered the battlefield in the morning may be represented by special rules limiting visibility and movement in early turns.
• Napoleon’s reserves: French Imperial Guard and reserve forces may have special entry conditions.
• Allied coordination: The Austro-Russian forces may have command restrictions reflecting their historical coordination problems.
• Terrain effects: Frozen ponds, hills, and villages all affect movement and combat.

Player Reference

Historical context: December 2, 1805 - Napoleon vs. Austro-Russian Coalition

Key terrain: Pratzen Heights, frozen ponds, Santon hill

Turn sequence: Initiative -> Movement -> Combat -> Movement -> Combat -> End