Lunettes and breastworks

[Amish John]

My understanding is there will be "already in place" lunettes and breastworks in the game. The last I remember hearing, we will not be able to build breastworks or lunettes during gameplay.

I have mixed feelings about the prebuilt lunettes and breastworks. I think I would rather not have them than to have them already in place (based on the historic battle?) when the first troops march on the virgin field. Because they are located historically, doesn't mean our recreated battles will require these fortifications in the same area. I'm not saying I'm against the idea, I'm just on the fence about the idea. I know historically, troops at GB used BWs built by others so that's an arguement for them. But having the BWs where no troops have been seems ahistoric and somehow not quite right from a gameplay aspect.

Just trying to induce some discussions on this to see how others feel.

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

I can only think of two places that would have army made breastworks Little round top 20th main possion and on culps hill.

[Amish John]

There are many places on the field where breastworks or lunettes were erected. Cemetery ridge, Seminary Ridge, Big Round Top, Stevens Knoll, Cemetery Hill come to mind.

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

I did not know that. I was thinking maybe for the scenarios they should set up HQ's on the map and camps and stuff.

[Hancock the Superb]

Lunettes were primarily used on Cemetary Hill and Ridge. Breastworks were only on the ends of the battlefield, and lower Cemetary Ridge. The Confederates had breastworks in the town.

[Gfran64]

AJ,

I would suggest this although I'm not sure it is possible. For the scenarios, if the troops are going to be in the same general area as they were during the actual battle and there were works there, then there should be works there so as to be as historically accurate as possible.

For MP, I think the breastworks would be a mistake. It would be like playing on a prepared table. Everybody would rush to where the works were and sit tight thus negating any real strategic planning.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,

Greg B)

[Amish John]

I can understand if a historical scenario is being recreated and breastworks/lunettes were historically correct for that scenario. However, it is my understanding (maybe I'm wrong) that the breasworks and lunettes are an integral part of the maps and once the map designer puts them there, there they will be for all game play (unless a modder can eliminate them). So if you are the first troops on the field on the morning of July 1st and arrive on Cemetery Hill by the Gatehouse and there are artillery lunettes already there, who built them?

[dale]

From what I have read it seems that defensive enhancements could have been done by the soldiers in a relatively short time at a position. Other games have built in levels of fortifications successively in their scenarios. For instance, fortifications could have been graded on a 1-5 scale with the effect being a percentage modifier against casulties taken.

Instant abatis could be created by felling trees so that they would fall into the direction of the enemy. The branches of the felled trees would considerably slow down the speed of an approaching enemy much like stringing concertina wire would on a modern battlefields.

If a position is occupied for at least 30 minutes could their be an option to fortify that position? HIgher levels of fortification could be an option depending on the amount of time that a unit was stationary at that position.

Just my two cents on the subject...

[Gfran64]

Dale,

I completely agree with you. Stationary troops routinely did what they could to improve their position with whatever means they had at their disposal and with whatever the terrain had to offer and became quite good at it as the war progressed. Significant works were able to be constructed in very short periods of time.

Greg B)

[louie raider]

Amish John wrote:

it is my understanding (maybe I'm wrong) that the breasworks and lunettes are an integral part of the maps and once the map designer puts them there, there they will be for all game play (unless a modder can eliminate them).

you are correct in your understanding.

So if you are the first troops on the field on the morning of July 1st and arrive on Cemetery Hill by the Gatehouse and there are artillery lunettes already there, who built them?

the map for Day 1 cuts off just to the north of the Gatehouse so this is a non-issue.

While i've placed lunettes across the road from the Gatehouse in other maps, i'm still debating keeping them there as they serve no real purpose other than to show they are lunettes... i guess it comes partly from finally confirming that my ancestor fought in Wiedrich's Battery, i dunno...