Hi all,

Emilio alerted me to this thread. Here are some thoughts on this scenario.

I (obviously) did not create this scenario, so I have no ego invested in it. It is an interesting historical scenario that the game tries to recreate. I also like the scenario because it is such a tough nut to crack.

However, I respectfully submit that while it is unbalanced, it is not horribly unbalanced. On paper, the British have a point value of 21 versus 24 for the Constitution. The two brigs are slightly more maneuverable than the frigate.

I've played this scenario face to face and lost, but I mauled the Constitution pretty well.

Now, please take the next part with a grain of salt. I'm not a great WS&IM player although I do fairly well face to face, I'm pretty terrible here.

Anyway, for this scenario, I think the advanced rules are where it's at -- especially with the optional rake determination if it's possible on youplay.it.

With full sails, the brigs can cover a lot of space in one turn, stay out of the full broadside, and probably get into a position for at least one of the ships to rake. I might focus on getting close and using grapeshot to take out as much crew as possible to degrade gunnery and make an eventual boarding possible. The repair rules in the advanced game (which I don't think are implemented here) can help too. When I played as the British, I was able to do some repairs with one brig while the other was engaged.


I think the key to using the British is to be aggressive somewhat unpredictable, and coordinated. Being cautious seems to result in getting torn up by the Constitutions long guns.

Bottom line: I think the British can win, although it will be tough.

As this isn't "my" scenario, I have no objection to variants of it that add another British brig, or other means of better balancing it. However, I hope that at least some folks would want to continue to try to find the key to British victory.

Maybe the key is to play against me.

The other two scenarios I've translated so far should be better balanced -- Constitution vs. Guerriere and Constitution vs. Java. I'll next be doing Chesapeake vs. Shannon, which should be very well balanced (and which the British won historically).

Regards,
-Drew