Series Rules

Index 9.2 Movement Allowances

1.0 Introduction 9.3 Roads and Trails
Definitions 9.4 Bridges and Fords
2.0 Components 10.0 Morale
2.1 Playing Pieces Avalanche 10.1 Area Morale
2.2 Map Press 10.2 Morale Superiority
2.3 Scale 11.0 Cavalry Charges
2.5 Charts, Tables and Scenario Book 11.1 Direction and Range
3.0 Sequence of Play 11.2 Procedure
4.0 Command 11.3 Heavy Cavalry Modifier
4.1 Exerting and Tracing Command 11.4 Enfilade Combat
4.2 Command Radius 11.5 Losses
4.3 Blocked Radius 11.6 Charge Repelled
4.4 Unit Command 11.7 Forced Retreats and Pursuits
4.5 Leader and Headquarters Command 11.8 Limitations
and Initiative 12.0 Artillery
4.6 Out of Command Formations and 12.1 Independent Artillery
Units 12.2 Attached Artillery
4.7 Reserve and Unassigned Leaders and 12.3 Combat
Units 13.0 Bombardment
4.8 First Turn Command 13.1 Procedure
4.9 Loss of Army Commander or Head- 13.2 Modifiers
quarters 13.3 Losses
5.0 Activation 13.4 Restrictions
5.1 Initiative 13.5 Target Priority
5.2 First Activation 13.6 Range
5.3 Second and Subsequent Activations 13.7 Line of Sight
5.4 Activating Headquarters 13.8 Voluntary Retreat
5.5 Assigning Reserves 13.9 Combined Fire
5.6 Eliminated Leaders 14.0 Assault
6.0 Leaders 14.1 Procedure
6.1 Leader Movement 14.2 Die Roll Modifiers
6.2 Leaders in Combat 14.3 Restrictions
6.3 Leader and Headquarters Casualties 14.4 Cavalry, Artillery and Headquarters
6.4 Artillery Leaders in Assaults
6.5 Staff Officers 14.5 Losses
7.0 Stacking 14.6 Stand or Retreat
7.1 Limitations 15.0 Retreats and Advances
7.2 Stacking Limits 15.1 Retreat
7.3 Dense Stacking 15.2 Light Cavalry Retreat before Com-
7.4 Divisions bat
7.5 Unit Conformation 15.3 Artillery in Retreat
7.6 Putting Things On Top of Other 15.4 Headquarters
Things 15.5 Advances
7.7 Movement and Stacking 16.0 Recovery
7.8 Artillery Fire and Stacking 16.1 Recovery Procedure
8.0 Facing 16.2 Leader Replacement
8.1 Front, Rear and Flank 17.0 Reinforcements
8.2 All Around Facing 18.0 Terrain
8.3 Enfilade Combat 18.1 Multiple Terrain Types
8.4 Multiple Divisions 18.2 Firepower Modifiers
9.0 Movement 19.0 Artillery Ammunition
9.1 Procedure All Contents © 2012, Avalanche Press™, Ltd.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
War of the States and War of the Empires are two
related series of games based on battles which took place
during middle of the Nineteenth Century. Both series use
this common set of game rules. Players take the roles of
the army commanders.
Each section of the rules is numbered, and paragraphs
within each section are identified by a second number, like
this: 2.2. When that paragraph contains subsections, they
are identified like this: 2.24.
When the rules refer to another, related paragraph, they
will have the number identifying that rule included paren-
thetically, like this: (2.2).
Some games in the series also include special rules ap-
plicable only to that game. These are found in the game’s
scenario folder or booklet.
If playing either Gettysburg or Chickamauga & Chat-
tanooga (issued with a previous edition of these rules),
ignore the first number (Command Radius) on Leader
pieces.
Definitions.
Active Player: The player who is currently conducting an
Action Phase (3.0, part 6).
Active Units: All units that are part of the currently acti-
vated Formation.
Area: A numbered section of the map. Units and Leaders
move from area to area like squares on a chessboard.
Army Commander: The Leader who commands all other
Leaders on his side, and sometimes troops of his own.
Artillery Leader: A Leader who may assist bombarding
artillery (13.2). Artillery Leaders do not command Forma-
tions.
Brevet Leader: A Leader promoted to replace a lost Subor-
dinate Leader (16.22).
Combat Strength: The first number on a unit. This repre-
sents the unit’s strength when attacking and defending,
expressed in terms of Strength Points.
Command Radius: Each Leader and Headquarters (except
Artillery Leaders) has a Command Radius (4.2). This is
the distance from himself over which a Leader may place
units under his command In Command, the distance over
which an Army Commander or Headquarters may place
Formation Leaders In Command, and the distance over
which a Formation Leader may place Subordinate Lead-
ers In Command. A Leader or Headquarters’ Command
Radius is equal to his/its Movement Radius (4.21).
Diagonally Adjacent: Map areas are diagonally adjacent if
their common border is just a single point, with no straight
border at all between them.
2 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
Division: Any unit portrayed on a “long” playing piece,
whether it’s called a division or a brigade. Unless noted in
the special rules, all divisions are infantry units.
Formation: All units belonging to the same Forma-
tion Leader or Headquarters. Some Formations contain
Subordinate Leaders who are under the command of the
Formation Leader, and all units reporting to a Subordinate
Leader belong to his Formation. Units activate (5.2) by
Formation.
In and Out of Command: Units that are “In Command”
may move and fire normally. Units that are “Out of Com-
mand” suffer several restrictions (see 4.6).
Inactive Player: The player who is not currently conduct-
ing an Action Phase.
Initiative Rating: The second number on a Leader piece,
and the only number on Headquarters pieces. Higher num-
bers are better. An Army Commander’s or Headquarters’
initiative equals how many Formation Leaders he or it
may place In Command if they’re within his or its Com-
mand Radius (4.2). High Initiative helps Army Command-
ers activate Formation Leaders before enemy Leaders can
activate (5.2). High Initiative makes it easier for Forma-
tion Leaders and Subordinate Leaders to place themselves
In Command when necessary (4.53). Players roll against
their Headquarters’ Initiative to assign reserve or unas-
signed units and Leaders to Formations (5.5).
Leader: Leaders have two numbers: a Tactical Rating and
an Initiative Rating. Most Leaders command units. The
Army Commander is a Leader as well.
Long Unit: Any unit portrayed on a rectangular rather than
square playing piece.
Morale Rating: The second number on a unit. It is an
expression of a unit’s cohesion and experience. Higher
numbers are better (10.0).
Movement Allowance: The maximum number of move-
ment points (MPs) a unit may expend per turn to move.
Each type of unit has a standardized Movement Allow-
ance (9.2). It costs varying MPs to enter areas and cross
boundaries with different terrain, or to move along trails
and roads (see Terrain Effects Chart and 18.1).
Range: The maximum distance in areas at which artillery
may fire (13.6).
Remnant: When a “long” division piece suffers enough
losses (11.5, 13.3, 14.5), it is replaced by a small piece
called a Remnant. Remnants are not Divisions and may
not recover lost Steps (16.1).
Seniority: Some game functions are limited to the senior
Leader present. The Army Commander is senior to all oth-
er Leaders. Formation Leaders are senior to Subordinate
Leaders. When Leaders of the same grade are present, the
owning player chooses which one influences the action.
Steps: Infantry units and some cavalry and artillery are
represented at several strength levels. Each level is called
States
a Step. Steps can be lost in combat. When a unit takes
a Step Loss, flip it to its back side or replace it with the
piece showing the next lowest Step. Unless scenario
special rules state otherwise, set up each unit at its highest
strength level.
Strength Points: A unit’s combat strength; higher numbers
are stronger.
Subordinate Leader: A Leader who reports to a Forma-
tion Leader. Subordinate Leaders trace a chain of com-
mand to their Formation Leader (4.1) and may be placed
In Command by their Formation Leader if they’re within
his Command Radius (4.2). If a Subordinate Leader is
outside his Formation Leader’s radius or if his Formation
Leader is Out of Command, the Subordinate Leader can
roll against his own Initiative to put himself In Command
(4.53). Each Subordinate Leader and the units under his
command are part of the Formation commanded by the
Subordinate Leader’s Formation Leader.
Tactical Rating: The first number on a Leader piece. He
adds this number to the total Combat Strength of units in
the same area with him (6.2).
Units: Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery pieces. Every unit
has a Combat Strength and a Morale Rating. Headquarters
and Leaders are not units.
2.0 COMPONENTS
2.1 Playing Pieces.
Most of the playing pieces represent Leaders and units
that took part or could have taken part in the campaign.
A unit’s Formation designation indicates the higher level
command to which the unit belongs.
Infantry Division
Corps
Division
Unit Name
Step
Combat Morale
Strength
Artillery
Range
(# of colored
triangles)
Combat Morale Leader
Strength
Initiative Name
Tactical
Formation
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
2.11 Divisions/Brigades.
The “long” pieces are infantry divisions in War of the
States games, and infantry brigades in War of the Em-
pires games (a European brigade was about the same size
as an American division). For clarity’s sake, all are called
“divisions” in the game rules. Units reduced to Remnants
are no longer Divisions for rules purposes. A line running
the length of the playing piece points to where the unit’s
flanks are for purposes of facing (8.1) and enfilade combat
(8.3).
All series rules references to “divisions” should be under-
stood to apply equally to brigades.
2.12 Artillery.
Artillery units have pictures of cannons and crew, and
sometimes horses (in the case of horse artillery). Heavy
artillery units have circles surrounding their combat
strengths. Each artillery unit’s range is equal to the num-
ber of triangles printed on the unit. Note that horse artil-
lery units are artillery, not cavalry.
2.13 Cavalry.
Cavalry units have pictures of men and horses. There are
two types: Heavy (battle cavalry) and Light (all others).
Heavy cavalry have a circle surrounding the Combat
Strength on their pieces.
2.14 Leaders.
Most Leader pieces have two numbers: Tactical Rating
and Initiative Rating. Artillery Leaders (6.4) have one
number, which is always “+1.” Cavalry Leaders have
horse heads on their pieces.
2.15 Headquarters.
Headquarters units act like Army Commanders, in that
they may place Leaders In Command if those Leaders are
within the Headquarters’ Command Radius (4.2). Head-
quarters have just one number: Initiative. A Headquarters’
Initiative equals how many Leaders the Headquarters can
put In Command (4.5). Headquarters can assign Reserve
or Unassigned units to Formations in the Reinforcement
Phase (5.5). Headquarters units have no combat strength
and are eliminated when they suffer one Step Loss (6.3).
2.2 Map.
The map is divided into numbered areas that define units’
positions like squares on a chessboard. The Terrain Effects
Chart (TEC) explains the effects of various map features
on movement and combat.
2.3 Scale.
Each turn represents approximately one hour of time
3
during daylight, and two hours at night. Each inch on lowing actions with his or her active units, in the order
the map represents approximately 300 meters. In War of shown:
the States, each infantry strength point (SP) represents
approximately 500 men, each cavalry SP approximately A. Cavalry Charge Segment.
400 mounted men and each artillery unit represents about Active, In-Command cavalry units and Cavalry Leaders
four guns. In War of the Empires, each infantry strength may charge (11.0) enemy units.
point equals about 750 men, and each cavalry strength
points equals about 600 mounted men. Each artillery unit B. Artillery Segment.
represents four to nine guns. First, active artillery units may attach to, or detach from,
divisions in the same area with them (12.2). Then active,
2.4 Charts, Tables and Scenario Book. unattached, in-command artillery (even those that just
The game includes charts and tables necessary for play. detached this segment) may bombard enemy units (13.0).
The scenario instructions describe starting positions and
special rules, and the reinforcement schedule indicates C. Movement Segment.
which units enter play during the game. Active units and Leaders (including any artillery that
attached in the Artillery Segment) that did not charge or
bombard this turn may move (9.0).
3.0 SEQUENCE OF PLAY
After selecting a scenario and choosing sides, each player
D. Assault Segment.
sets up his or her units as indicated in the scenario in-
Active infantry, attached artillery, cavalry and Leaders
structions, Facing (8.0) in any direction desired. Some
that didn’t charge this turn and that are In Command may
units enter play as Reinforcements (see 17.0 and scenario
Assault (14.0) enemy units.
instructions). Keep them off the map until they arrive.
No unit or Leader may attack more than once per turn.
War of the Empires and War of the States are played
However, units may defend as often as necessary.
in a series of turns. Each turn has a varying number of
phases. Each phase must be conducted in the order shown:
7. Second Activation Phase.
The Second Player now attempts to activate his or her
1. Weather Phase.
Formations.
Players determine any applicable weather effects for the
turn, per the game’s special rules.
8. Second Action Phase.
The Second Player may conduct the actions described in
2. Reinforcement Phase.
Step 6 with his or her active units.
Players place on the map any Reinforcements (17.0) that
arrive this turn, per scenario rules. They may also roll
9. Third and Subsequent Activation and Action Phases.
against the Initiative Ratings of their headquarters to try to
When the Second Player finishes his Activation Phase,
assign Unassigned or Reserve units to Formations (5.5).
the First Player tries to activate any of his Formations that
haven’t activated yet this turn, and takes an Action Phase
3. Command Phase.
with each one that does activate. Players keep alternat-
Each player determines the Command status (4.0) of his
ing and activating Formations until all Formations have
or her units. Players may attempt to place Formations that
activated, or both players fail on consecutive activation
are Out of Command, In Command (4.5).
attempts (5.3).
4. Initiative Phase.
9. Recovery Phase.
The players determine which player is the First Player
Both players attempt to recover Step Losses of divisions
(5.1) for this turn.
that are far from the enemy (16.1). They may also assign
Staff Officers or Brevet Leaders (16.22) to Formations
5. Activation Phase.
whose Leaders have been killed, or to reinforcements with
The First Player attempts to activate his or her Formations
no Leader.
(5.2). If more than one Formation is activated, all ac-
tive Formations must conduct the activities of the Action
10. New Turn.
Phase at the same time.
Flip Out of Command Leaders to their front sides and
start with the next turn’s Weather Phase.
6. Action Phase. The First Player may conduct the fol-

4 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the States

4.0 COMMAND
Units may move and fight normally if they are placed In
Command by their Leaders. Leaders may direct units to
move and fight if they are placed In Command by their
Army Commander (or Formation Leader if they are Sub-
ordinate Leaders), or if they are placed In Command on
their own. In the Command Phase, both players determine
which units and Leaders are In Command or Out of Com-
mand.
4.1 Exerting and Tracing Command.
Command emanates from Army Commanders and Head-
quarters. Each Army Commander and Headquarters exerts
command over its side’s Formation Leaders, and each
Army Commander usually exerts Command over a For-
mation of his own (4.42). Each Formation Leader exerts
Command over all Subordinate Leaders under him, plus
all units in his Formation that are not under the control
of Subordinate Leaders. Each Subordinate Leader exerts
command over the units assigned to him. See the game’s
Order of Battle card for which units and Leaders fall
under which Leaders’ Command. Each Formation Leader
can receive Command from his Headquarters or his Army
Commander, subject to the Army Commander or Head-
quarters’ Initiative (4.5). Unless the special rules state
otherwise, an Army Commander or Headquarters may not
“bypass the chain of command” to exert Command over a
Subordinate Leader who has a different Formation Leader.
4.2 Command Radius.
Each Army Commander, Headquarters and Leader has a
Command Radius equal to his Movement Radius (4.21).
This determines whether such Leaders can place the units
and Leaders they lead In Command. In effect, if a Leader
on horseback could move to a unit’s location this turn, he
may also send it orders via dispatch rider.
4.21 A unit’s Movement Radius is the distance in areas
(counted in Movement Points) from its starting location
that it could theoretically move in any given direction this
turn, without exceeding its Movement Allowance (9.2).
Command Radius may be traced through diagonally adja-
cent areas.
4.22 While all Leaders have a Movement Allowance of 4,
terrain and area boundaries can reduce Movement Radius,
while roads can increase it, and enemy units and impass-
able terrain can block it. A unit’s Movement Radius may
therefore be greater in one direction and less in another,
depending on terrain etc. in those directions. Use cavalry
movement costs to determine the movement radius of
Leaders and Headquarters (see Terrain Effects Chart).
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
Example: A Leader is located in an area containing a
road. The road begins in his area and extends to the east
for ten areas. His movement radius on the road is there-
fore eight areas, since he has a Movement Allowance of 4
and it costs 1/2 MP to enter each connected road area.
Only clear terrain lies in all other directions from the
Leader except west. The Leader’s off-road Movement
Radius in all directions except west is four areas. Only
woods areas lie to his west, with no roads or trails. His
movement radius to the west is therefore two areas, be-
cause it costs two MPs to enter each woods area.
If there were an enemy unit on the road three areas to
the east of the Leader, his Movement Radius on the road
would be blocked after two areas. He can then trace the
Movement Radius off the road, “counting around” the
enemy unit if desired (using his three remaining MPs) and
possibly reaching the road again if there is an unblocked
path back to the road that costs three MP or less. If he has
any MPs left at that point, he can trace Movement Radius
farther down the road at 1/2 MP per area until he runs out
of MPs.
4.23 In the Command Phase, start by checking whether
each Formation Leader is within his Army Commander or
Headquarters’ Command Radius. Each one within Com-
mand Radius may be placed In Command by the Army
Commander or Headquarters (exception: 4.51). Each
Formation Leader who is outside his Army Commander or
Headquarters’ Command Radius must make an initiative
roll to place himself In Command (4.53). So must each
Subordinate Leader who is outside his Formation Leader’s
Command Radius.
Example: Benedek is the Austrian Army Commander.
Austrian Leaders currently on the board are Gablenz and
Leopold. Only Gablenz is within Benedek’s radius, so
Gablenz can be put In Command by Benedek but Leopold
cannot. The Austrian player must roll against Leopold’s
Initiative Rating to see if he is In Command.
4.24 Once Command is determined for Leaders, check to
see whether each unit is within the Command Radius of
the Formation Leader or Subordinate Leader command-
ing it. Each unit that is within its Leader’s radius can be
placed In Command by that Leader if the Leader himself
is In Command. Each unit that belongs to an Out-of-
Command Leader or that is outside its Leader’s Command
Radius is Out of Command for the rest of the turn.
Example: Gablenz is In Command and has two brigades
in his Formation. During the Command Phase, only one
5
of Gablenz’s two brigades is within his Command Radius.
The brigade within Gablenz’s radius is In Command, and
the other is Out of Command for the rest of the turn.
4.25 When tracing Command Radius, count the area oc-
cupied by the Leader or unit to be commanded, but not
the area containing the Headquarters or Leader exerting
Command.
4.3 Blocked Radius
Leaders and Headquarters may not trace Command Ra-
dius through areas or boundaries that they could not enter
or cross (areas with impassable terrain or enemy units).
Therefore an enemy unit can cut off friendly units and
Leaders from their own Leader’s Command Radius, if
“counting around” the enemy unit puts the friendly unit or
Leader outside the Leader’s movement radius.
4.4 Unit Command.
4.41 Units are In Command if they lie within the Com-
mand Radius of the Formation Leader or Subordinate
Leader commanding them, who must himself be In Com-
mand. Units outside their Leader’s Command Radius are
Out of Command (exception, see 4.8). A unit’s command
status is determined in the Command Phase (3.0), and
stays the same for the rest of the turn even if it moves into
or out of its Leader’s Command Radius.
4.42 Units are often under the direct command of the
Army Commander, who acts as those units’ Formation
Leader. If a Formation starts the game without a Leader,
the Army Commander acts as its Leader unless the Head-
quarters assigns a Staff Officer or Brevet Leader (16.22)
to be its Formation Leader (16.2).
4.5 Leader and Headquarters Command and
Initiative.
During the Command Phase, each Army Commander
may place a number of friendly Formation Leaders equal
to his Initiative Rating In Command, as long as they are
within his Command Radius. Each Headquarters may do
the same. Army Commanders and Headquarters units are
always In Command. Players never roll against initiative
to put them In Command. Subordinate Leaders who report
to In-Command Formation Leaders are automatically
In Command as long as they are within their Formation
Leader’s Command Radius (4.2).
4.51 If the number of Formation Leaders within an Army
Commander’s Command Radius is greater than the Army
Commander’s initiative, then the player must choose
which of them to put In Command, and which of them
will have to roll against their own initiatives to put them-
6
selves In Command (4.53). The same applies to a Head-
quarters putting Formation Leaders In Command.
4.52 Leaders outside their Army Commander’s or Head-
quarters’ Command Radius may not be placed In Com-
mand by the Army Commander or Headquarters. They
must roll against their own initiatives to put themselves In
Command (4.53). The same applies to Subordinate Lead-
ers who are outside their Formation Leader’s Command
Radius, or whose Formation Leaders are currently Out of
Command.
4.53 Once each player has determined which of his Lead-
ers must try to put themselves In Command, the player
rolls one die against each Leader’s Initiative Rating. In
each case, if the result is less than or equal to the Leader’s
Initiative Rating, he is In Command. If the result is greater
than his Initiative Rating, he is Out of Command. Flip Out
of Command Leaders to their “Out of Command” sides
for the rest of the turn. All units under their command
will also be Out of Command for the turn. Note that if a
Formation Leader fails his initiative roll but a Subordi-
nate Leader under him makes his initiative roll, then the
Subordinate Leader and the units under him will be In
Command, while the Formation Leader and the rest of the
Formation will be Out of Command.
4.54 An Army Commander may not “bypass the chain of
command” to place a unit In Command. Units are only In
Command if their own Formation or Subordinate Leader
is In Command.
4.55 If a Headquarters unit is outside the Command Radi-
us of its Army Commander, then the Headquarters’ Initia-
tive Rating is reduced by one. If a Headquarters’ original
Army Commander is killed, this reduction is permanent.
4.56 An Army Commander’s Initiative Rating is increased
by one if he occupies the same area as his Headquarters.
4.6 Out of Command Formations and Units.
Formations and units that are Out of Command may be
activated, but they may not enter areas adjacent to enemy-
occupied areas. They may remain in place if they start
their activation adjacent to enemy units (they are not re-
quired to retreat). Their Movement Allowance is reduced
by one (but never to less than one). They may not attack,
but may defend normally. If they take Step Losses, they
may not elect to retreat instead (14.6).
4.7 Reserve and Unassigned Leaders and Units.
In some scenarios, some Leaders and units start the game
as part of a Reserve, or as “Unassigned units.” Each such
© Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the States
unit may not be Activated (5.2) until it is assigned to a
Formation (5.5). Once a Leader or unit is assigned, it be-
comes a part of the Formation to which it is assigned, and
activates when that Formation activates. Such units are
automatically In Command on the turn they’re assigned,
even if they start that turn outside their new Formation
Leader’s Command Radius, or if their new Formation
Leader is Out of Command that turn. On later turns they
must follow normal command rules.
4.8 First Turn Command.
Unless scenario rules say otherwise, all Leaders and units
are automatically In Command on the first turn of all sce-
narios (they made battle plans the night before) or on the
turn they enter play as Reinforcements (even if they have
no Leader with them at the time, 17.0). On the second turn
onward, they must follow normal command rules.
4.9 Loss of Army Commander or Headquarters.
In a few scenarios, if an Army Commander is eliminated
the opposing side wins immediately. If not, he may be
replaced by whichever Leader is specified in scenario
special rules. See rule 5.62 for activating Formations after
an Army Commander is eliminated.
If a Headquarters is eliminated, then for the rest of the
game all of that army’s Leaders (except the Army Com-
mander) must roll against initiative to be placed In Com-
mand. Also, that army may not assign any more Reserve
or unassigned units to Formations (5.5), nor may it assign
any Staff Officers to replace eliminated Leaders (Brevet
Leaders may be assigned normally, 16.22). Eliminate all
Staff Officers who are in the same area with the Head-
quarters when it is eliminated.
5.0 ACTIVATION
Just like pre-20th-century army commanders, players are
not always able to move and fight with all of their units.
The ability of units to do so is determined by a process
called “activation.”
5.1 Initiative.
To determine who goes first at the start of a turn, each
player rolls one die and adds his Army Commander’s ini-
tiative to the result. The player with the higher total result
chooses which player will attempt to activate his or her
Formations first (roll again if there is a tie).
5.2 First Activation.
The First Player rolls one die and subtracts the result from
his Army Commander’s Initiative Rating (see 5.21 if the
result is 0 and 5.22 if negative). The result is the number
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
of Formations (usually corps) that the player may activate.
When a Formation activates it may conduct an action
phase (see 3.0, Step 6). The owning player may move all
its units, and may fight with those of its units that are In
Command. When a Formation is done activating, turn all
Leaders in it sideways to show that no units or Leaders in
the Formation can activate again in the same turn.
Example: The French player is the First Player. He rolls a
1 against Bazaine’s initiative of 3, so he may activate two
Formations. He picks one Formation, activates it, may
move all its units and Leaders, and may attack with all of
its in-command units. After the first Formation is done
activating, he may activate the second one.
5.21 If the die-roll result is equal to the Army Command-
er’s initiative, the player may activate one Formation.
5.22 If the die-roll result is greater than the Army Com-
mander’s initiative, the First Player may activate no
Formations at the moment. The Second Player rolls to
activate instead and the First Player may try to activate
Formations again after the Second Player is done activat-
ing whichever of his Formations can activate.
5.23 A player may not “pass.” He or she must activate the
number of Formations the activation roll indicates (5.2). If
the activation result is greater than the number of unacti-
vated Formations remaining, he or she must activate all
remaining unactivated Formations.
Units and Leaders are not required to move or fight when
they activate. However, units and Leaders may only
activate once per turn, whether they do anything when
activated or not.
5.24 If a player fails to activate any Formation (either
by failing the activation die-roll or because he or she has
already activated all of his or her Formations), and the op-
posing player immediately thereafter fails to activate any
of his or her Formations (for one of the same reasons),
then all activations for the turn are done. Move on to the
Recovery Phase.
Example: The Federal player is the First Player. He rolls
the die with a result of 6. His army commander, Meade,
has an initiative of 5. The Federal player may activate no
Formations. The Confederate player rolls the die with a
result of 5. His army commander, Lee, has an initiative of
4. The Confederate player may activate no Formations,
and the Activation Phase ends with both players beginning
the Recovery Phase.
7
5.3 Second and Subsequent Activations.
When the First Player finishes activating all the Forma-
tions allowed by his activation die-roll, the Second Player
attempts to activate Formations by rolling against his own
Army Commander’s Initiative. Players alternate making
activation die-rolls until all their Formations have been
activated, or they fail consecutive activation attempts.
If one player has activated all his Formations, the other
player continues making activation attempts until he or
she has activated all of his or her Formations or he or she
fails an attempt. If he or she fails to activate a Formation,
all activations for the turn end.
5.4 Activating Headquarters.
A Headquarters is a Formation, and must be activated to
move. The Army Commander is the Headquarters’ Forma-
tion Leader, per the Order of Battle cards.
5.5 Assigning Reserves.
During the Reinforcement Phase of each turn, if a player
has a Headquarters on the board and also has Reserve or
Unassigned Leaders or units that are in the Headquarters’
Command Radius, he may attempt to assign one such
Leader or unit to a Formation of his choice. To do so, he
rolls against the Headquarters’ Initiative. If the result is
less than or equal to the Headquarters’ Initiative, he may
assign one leaderless Reserve or Unassigned unit to a
Formation, or he may assign one Reserve Leader plus all
units under that Leader’s command to a Formation. Units
and Leaders may be assigned to any Formation desired,
unless scenario rules say otherwise. Once a unit or Leader
is assigned to a Formation, it belongs to that Formation
for the rest of the game. Note all such assignments (make
written notes).
5.51 Newly assigned units and Leaders are automatically
In Command on the turn they’re assigned. They may
move and fight normally when their new Formation acti-
vates. On future turns they must follow normal command
rules (4.0).
5.52 A reserve Leader assigned in this way becomes a
Subordinate Leader reporting to the Leader of the Forma-
tion to which he’s assigned. All units under him become
part of the Formation he joins.
5.53 Each player may make only one Reserve assignment
die-roll per turn. If the die-roll result for a reserve assign-
ment attempt is greater than the Headquarters’ Initiative,
the player may not assign any Leaders or units to Forma-
tions that turn.
5.54 A Reserve Leader may only be assigned to an exist-
ing Formation that has lost its previous Leader. A player
8 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
may not create a new Formation through assignment of
Reserve Units and Leaders.
5.55 Unless the game or scenario special rules state oth-
erwise, a Reserve Leader may be assigned to any existing
Formation on the map (he does not need to be within the
Command Radius of the Army Leader or Headquarters).
5.6 Eliminated Leaders.
5.61 Formation Leaders and Subordinate Leaders.
In a given turn, if a Formation Leader or Subordinate
Leader is eliminated before he activates, then the units
under his command may not conduct an Action Phase that
turn (they can’t move or attack). Replace the eliminated
Leader with a new Leader in the Recovery Phase (16.2).
The new Leader may activate his units normally on future
turns.
5.62 Army Commanders.
If an Army Commander is eliminated, the owning player
may attempt to activate his as-yet-unactivated Forma-
tion Leaders in the current turn, using the eliminated
Army Commander’s initiative minus one. He may assign
a new Army Commander in the Recovery Phase, using
any Leader(s) specified in the scenario instructions. If the
Army Commander is killed before activating, his Forma-
tion may not activate this turn.
6.0 LEADERS
Each regular Leader has two ratings: Tactical and Initia-
tive. Each Artillery Leader has one number: +1.
6.1 Leader Movement.
All Leaders have a Movement Allowance of 4 (9.2).
Leaders may move when their Formation is activated. An
Army Commander may move when any Formation in his
army activates (5.2), but he may only move once per turn.
Leaders move using cavalry movement costs (see the Ter-
rain Effects Chart).
6.2 Leaders in Combat.
If one or more Leaders occupy the same area as units
attacking or defending in an Assault or Cavalry Charge,
the highest-ranking Leader (Army Commanders out-
rank Formation Leaders, and Formation Leaders outrank
Subordinate Leaders, owning player’s choice if two or
more Leaders of equal rank occupy the same area) in each
involved area adds his Tactical Rating to the total Combat
Strength of the units in the area (exception: 6.23). He adds
it just once – if there are multiple units present, he does
not add his rating to each unit’s strength. No more than
one Leader per area may add his rating, even if more than
one is present.
States
6.21 A Leader may add no more than the total strength of
combat units in the same area as the Leader and involved
in the combat.
Example: The Confederate player attacks with a division
with a strength of three and General Lee, with a tactical
rating of 4. Lee may only add three to the attack for a total
of six. If the division had a strength of four or more, Lee
could add four to the attack.
6.22 When attacking, a Formation Leader may only add
his tactical rating to units of his Formation. Attacking
Subordinate Leaders may only add their tactical ratings to
the units actually under their command (not other units in
the same Formation). Army Commanders may add their
tactical ratings to any attacking friendly units. Any Leader
may assist defending units.
6.23 Cavalry Leaders.
Subtract two from the tactical rating of Cavalry Leaders
(those with a horse symbol) stacked only with infantry
and/or artillery units. This cannot reduce a Leader’s tacti-
cal rating to less than zero.
6.3 Leader and Headquarters Casualties.
When units in an area containing a Leader suffer one or
more Step Losses in combat (from Bombardment, As-
sault or Cavalry Charge), the owning player rolls two dice
for each Leader present. On a result of 12 or more, the
Leader is eliminated from play. Add one to the result for
each Step Loss after the first that was inflicted on units
within the area during the current phase (not since the
beginning of the game), and one if the Leader is activated
and participating in a Cavalry Charge (11.0). If a Leader
survives but all units with him are eliminated, move him
to the nearest area containing a friendly unit, determined
by movement point cost (enemy player’s choice if more
than one friendly unit is nearest).
A Headquarters is treated as a normal unit for combat
purposes, except that it has no Combat Strength and is
eliminated if it takes one Step Loss. The owning player
is not required to assign any losses to a Headquarters
until all other units in the area with the Headquarters are
destroyed.
6.4 Artillery Leaders.
Artillery Leaders have a single value, (+1). When an Artil-
lery Leader occupies an area with bombarding artillery
(no matter the Formation to which they belong), add one
to the result of all bombardment die-rolls for those units.
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
6.41 Artillery Leaders with their modifier circled may add
one to the Movement Allowance of any one unattached
artillery unit they accompany during a move.
6.42 Leader modifiers for artillery are not cumulative. The
maximum bonus is always +1.
6.5 Staff Officers.
In some scenarios, one or both players will have Staff Of-
ficers assigned to their headquarters. Staff Officers must
remain with the Headquarters or Army Commander until
designated as a replacement Leader (16.2).
7.0 STACKING
More than one unit may occupy an area at the same
time. This is called “stacking.” Only a certain number of
Strength Points (SPs) may occupy a single area at one
time. Stacking limitations apply at all times. Units may
never enter areas containing one or more enemy units.
7.1 Limitations.
Each area on the map has a specific stacking limit. This is
the maximum number of SPs that may occupy the area at
one time. Headquarters and Leaders do not count against
stacking limits. Tactical Ratings (6.2), Morale (10.0) and
Morale Superiority (10.2) have no effect on stacking.
7.2 Stacking Limits.
Most areas can only contain one Division at a time. An
area with a circled number may contain that many Divi-
sions. The following lists the maximum number of SPs
that may be present in a single area:
• Normal area.
Maximum: 15
Dense (see 7.3): 11 and up
No more than one Division may occupy the area.
• Circle 2 area.
Maximum: 21
Dense: 13 and up.
No more than two Divisions may occupy the area.
• Circle 3 area.
Maximum: 25
Dense: 15 and up.
No more than three Divisions may occupy the area.
• Town.
Maximum: 12
Dense: N/A
No more than one, two or three Divisions may occupy the
area (per number indicated on the map).
9
7.3 Dense Stacking.
If an area contains Strength Points equal to or greater than
its “dense” rating, add one to the die-roll result for Bom-
bardments against that area.
7.4 Divisions.
Divisions (defined as all “long” pieces) may never enter
an area containing another Division unless the area has
a circle with the number “2” or “3” in it, indicating the
number of Divisions that may occupy the area. Divisions
entering such an area already containing a Division must
stop. The unit must be Faced (8.0) so that it conforms
(7.5) to the area without overlapping the other Division. It
may move normally during its next activation.
7.5 Unit Conformation.
A unit must fit inside an area’s boundaries or it may not
enter the area. A Division may not be placed so that it
overlaps into an adjacent area. Exception: Divisions mov-
ing along a road may extend into one adjacent road area
(9.3) along the road.
Example: In Figure A, the unit in 090 resides completely
within its area. The unit may not face north or south as it
would put itself beyond area 090’s boundaries.
Figure A
7.6 Putting Things On Top of Other Things.
Any number of Leaders may stack on top of a Division,
and up to two artillery units may attach to a Division
(12.2) and therefore stack on top of it. No Division may
be put on top of another Division. All other units may
stack in one pile as long as that pile fits into the area and
is not on top of a Division. Leaders may occupy any stack.
7.7 Movement and Stacking.
Units may move through areas occupied by friendly
units as long as the total stacking limit of the area and the
number of divisions allowed there is never exceeded. A
10 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
Division may not use road movement (9.3) when entering
an area already containing another Division.
7.8 Artillery Fire and Stacking.
Only four Strength Points of artillery may Bombard from
a single area at one time.
8.0 FACING
Facing is the direction toward which the front of a Divi-
sion is pointing. Facing affects combat (14.0), but not
movement (9.11; exception 9.3). When a Division moves,
the moving player may change its facing before or after it
moves, but not both (exception 9.11). The owning player
may change the Facing of units that Advance (15.5) or Re-
treat (15.1) as well. When setting up the game, the owning
player determines unit facing.
8.1 Front, Rear and Flank.
The line running lengthwise through a Division piece
separates the unit’s front from its back. Any area that lies
wholly in front of this line is in the Division’s front. Any
area the line points into (on the unit’s left and right) is on
the Division’s flank. Any area that lies wholly behind the
line is in the unit’s rear.
Example: This Division’s line has been extended to show
which areas it bisects. Areas 314 and 315 lie in the unit’s
front; Areas 316 and 313 are bisected by the command
line and therefore lie in the unit’s flanks; Areas 282, 276
and 284 lie entirely behind the command line and are in
the unit’s rear.
Figure B
8.2 All Around Facing.
Divisions in an area containing a pentagon symbol face in
all directions (the pentagon represents a fort or similarly
advantageous terrain). All units portrayed on small pieces
face in all directions when occupying any area.
8.3 Enfilade Combat.
Enfilade combat occurs when a unit attacks an enemy
Division while in one of the Division’s flank or rear areas.
States
8.31 Effects.
The attacking unit’s printed combat strength is increased
by 25%. The printed Combat Strength of the defending
Division (and any artillery attached to it) is reduced by
50% if it is attacked from one of its flanking areas, and
it may not fire at all if it is attacked from one of its rear
areas. If some units are attacking from the front while oth-
ers are attacking the same unit from the flank or rear, only
those attacking from the flank or rear receive the 25%
increase. In that case, the defending unit suffers the worst
applicable penalty.
8.32 Restrictions.
If units attacking a Division’s flank or rear have other en-
emy units adjacent to them, and if those other enemy units
are in a different area than the targeted Division, then the
attacking units do not receive the 25% enfilade strength
increase. The targeted Division still suffers the penalties
for being hit in the flank or rear (8.31).
8.33 Line of Battle.
An active Division may not attack enemy units that are
in its own rear areas (after it has finished moving and/
or re-facing itself). It may attack units in one of its flank
areas at 50% of its combat strength, but only if there are
no enemy units in its front areas (14.32).
8.34 If a Division is being assaulted in the flank or rear,
other non-division units in the same area with it do not
suffer the enfilade combat firepower penalties (8.3).
8.4 Multiple Divisions.
If more than one Division occupies the same area, they
may face in different directions as long as they meet Con-
formation requirements (7.5).
9.0 MOVEMENT
During the Movement Segment, the active player may
move his or her currently activated units. A unit may enter
an area containing other friendly units as long as stacking
and Conformation limits (7.5) are followed.
9.1 Procedure.
Units are moved one at a time from area to adjacent area,
expending Movement Points (MPs) from their Movement
Allowances as noted on the Terrain Effects Chart (see
18.11 for multiple terrain types). A unit may not exceed
its Movement Allowance during any action phase, except
that it may always move a total of one area no matter the
movement point cost. Attached artillery (12.2) moves with
the division to which it is attached, and active Leaders
may move at the same time as any unit they command.
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
9.11 Facing (8.0) has no effect on movement. A unit is not
required to move into the area it faces. Exception: Divi-
sions must line up with the road or trail (the front of the
Division piece is pointing toward the area into which the
road or trail leads) when using the road or trail movement
rate (9.31), and may not re-face after moving if they spent
their last movement point using the road movement rate.
A unit may re-face if it has a fraction of a movement point
remaining. Divisions using the road or trail movement rate
may overlap into the adjacent area along the road or trail,
and are considered to occupy both areas. This is the only
exception to 7.5. All attacks on Divisions aligned with a
road are resolved as if the unit was being attacked in its
flank (8.3, 11.4, 13.2).
9.12 Divisions are not required to use the road movement
rate when moving through areas containing a road. They
may face any direction the owning player wishes and
move along the road at the MP cost of the non-road terrain
along the road (this helps avoid the extra vulnerability to
flank attack (9.11)).
9.13 Units may move between diagonally-adjacent areas
only if ALL of the following apply:
• Both areas flanking the diagonal boundary contain no
enemy units other than Leaders, Headquarters, and zero-
strength units.
• Neither area flanking the diagonal boundary contains ter-
rain the unit is prohibited from entering.
• Neither area flanking the diagonal boundary would be in
excess of stacking limits if the moving unit entered it (7.2,
7.4).
9.14 A unit may never enter an area containing an enemy
combat unit with a Combat Strength of more than zero. It
may enter areas with only enemy Leaders, Headquarters
or zero-strength units. If this occurs, eliminate any Head-
quarters and zero-strength units and then move the enemy
Leaders to the closest area containing enemy units (mov-
ing player’s choice if more than one area is closest).
9.2 Movement Allowances.
Movement Allowances are standardized as follows:
• Leaders: 4
• Cavalry and horse artillery: 3
• Infantry with attached artillery: 1
• Headquarters and all others: 2
Units that are Out of Command (4.1) have their Move-
ment Allowance reduced by one (but never to less than
one).
9.3 Roads and Trails.
To obtain the movement benefit of a road or trail, move-
11
ment must follow the road or trail across area boundar-
ies containing the road or trail. Moving from one area
containing a road or trail to another, when the two are not
actually connected by that road or trail, does not count as
road or trail movement.
9.31 A unit expends 1/2 MP for each area entered along
a road, and one MP for each area entered along a trail
(exception, 9.12).
9.32 Both roads and trails negate the effects of area and
boundary terrain for purposes of movement and tracing
command (as long as movement and command follows
the road or trail, 4.2), but not for combat purposes.
9.33 A unit may follow both a road and a trail during the
same Movement Segment.
9.34 A unit may not use the road movement rate or any
benefits of road or trail movement to enter an area adja-
cent to an enemy unit.
9.4 Bridges and Fords.
Bridges (that is, any point at which a road or trail crosses
a river or stream) allow road or trail movement across
river and stream boundaries at no extra MP cost. Cross-
ing at a ford costs one additional MP. Attacking across a
bridge reduces the strength of the attacking units by 50%,
or by the reduction amount caused by the river or stream
boundary (whichever is greater, see Terrain Effects Chart).
All other effects are those of the boundary crossed by the
bridge or ford.
10.0 MORALE
The second number on a unit’s playing piece is its Mo-
rale Value. Morale affects combat (11.0, 10.2, 15.2) and
a unit’s ability to retreat in lieu of taking combat losses
(14.6).
10.1 Area Morale.
Each area containing units has a Morale Value for combat
purposes. The Morale Value of an area is that of the larg-
est division there (the one that currently has the greatest
number of Steps, not necessarily the greatest Combat
Strength; use the higher Morale Value in case of a tie).
Note that attached artillery increases a Division’s morale
by one (count the Steps of any attached artillery toward
the Division’s size). If no Division is there, use the aver-
age morale of the units there (round any fraction up). Add
one to Area Morale if a Leader is present in the area and
an additional one if a Leader present in the area has a Tac-
tical Rating of 4 or more (the Leader must be the Forma-
12 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
tion Leader or Subordinate Leader commanding at least
one unit in the area, or the Army Commander).
10.2 Morale Superiority.
If the Area Morale of the attackers or the defenders in an
Assault (14.0) or a Cavalry Charge (11.0) is higher than
the other side’s Area Morale, the player with the higher
Area Morale rolls extra dice equal to the morale differ-
ence between the two areas.
Example: At Solferino, two 6-8 French brigades assault
a single Austrian 5-6 brigade. The French player rolls 14
dice: 12 for the strength of the two brigades, plus two for
the difference in French and Austrian Area Morale.
10.21 If the attacker assaults a defender from multiple
areas, then his Area Morale is considered to be the highest
single Area Morale among all areas containing attacking
units.
10.22 If the defender has higher Area Morale than ALL
attacking areas, then he uses the difference between his
area’s morale and the highest Area Morale among the at-
tackers to determine if extra dice are rolled.
10.23 The number of extra dice gained for superior morale
may not exceed the unit’s total strength after modifying
for terrain, enfilade combat etc. Add the extra dice AFTER
applying all firepower modifiers (see 18.2).
Example: If two French 2-6 cavalry regiments charge a
lone 3-3 Austrian infantry brigade and don’t suffer any
Step Losses from defensive fire, they gain three extra dice
for Morale Superiority. But, if they were assaulting the
infantry unit, they would only gain two extra dice. This is
because cavalry have their combat strength halved in As-
sault Combat (14.41), and the Morale Superiority bonus
cannot exceed the modified combat strength of the higher-
morale units. The cavalry units have their combat strength
halved to 2, and therefore gain two more dice for superior
morale (for four dice total), even though their area morale
is three greater than the infantry brigade’s area morale.
11.0 CAVALRY CHARGES
Active cavalry units may charge enemy units during the
Charge Segment.
11.1 Direction and Range.
If cavalry units begin their action phase adjacent to enemy
units, they may not charge the adjacent units. Target units
must lie exactly two areas away from the cavalry’s start-
ing area. Cavalry may not “back up and charge” in the
States
same segment. They must move directly toward the target
area.
11.11 The intervening area must be empty of all units.
11.12 Unless allowed by special rules, all units conducting
a charge must originate in the same area.
11.13 Charging cavalry may not enter a town, village,
swamp, slope or hill.
11.14 Diagonally adjacent areas are open for charges only
if both of the following apply:
• Both areas flanking the diagonal boundary are free of all
units (enemy AND friendly).
• Neither area flanking the diagonal boundary contains ter-
rain the unit may not enter (see Terrain Effects Chart) and
through which it may not charge (11.8).
11.2 Procedure.
To resolve a Cavalry Charge, follow these Steps:
A) The Active Player moves his charging units adjacent to
the target area.
B) The Defending Player totals the strength of all units
in the target area plus the tactical Leadership of any one
defending Leader present and any extra dice for Morale
Superiority (10.2).
C) The defending player rolls a number of dice equal to
the target area’s strength. On a result of 6 (no modifiers
apply) a hit is achieved.
D) After the charging cavalry take any losses (11.5)
inflicted by the defenders, the attacking player totals the
strength of all surviving charging cavalry and adds the
tactical rating of the highest-ranking Cavalry Leader pres-
ent plus any extra dice for Morale Superiority.
E) The attacking player rolls a number of dice equal to
the charging units’ total modified strength. On a modified
result of 6 a hit is achieved on the defending units.
11.3 Heavy Cavalry Modifier.
If greater than 50% of charging units are heavy cavalry,
add one to the die-roll result for all charging cavalry.
11.4 Enfilade Combat.
If the Cavalry Charge strikes a target Division’s flank or
rear, then the usual penalties and bonuses for enfilade
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
combat apply (8.3). Defending cavalry, independent artil-
lery and Remnants are not affected.
11.5 Losses.
Every hit on an area causes a unit there to lose one Step.
The owning player chooses which units lose Steps, but no
unit may lose two Steps from a single attack (or defense)
until every unit in that area has lost one Step. No unit may
lose three Steps until every unit in the target area has lost
two, and so on (exceptions: 11.52).
11.51 The first Step Loss taken in a charged area must be
from a Division if one is present (not from any artillery
attached to it). Attached artillery counts as a separate unit
for this purpose, and may absorb additional Step Losses
separately from the Division to which it is attached.
11.52 A player is not required to assign any losses to an
artillery unit until all other non-headquarters units in the
area have been eliminated.
11.53 A player is not required to assign any losses to a
Headquarters unless it is the only unit remaining in an
area. A Headquarters is eliminated by one Step Loss. Step
Losses cannot be applied to Leaders.
11.6 Charge Repelled.
If a charge does not eliminate more than half the defend-
ing units’ Strength Points (not counting any increases for
Leader Tactical Ratings or Morale Superiority), OR if the
defenders’ fire inflicts more Step Losses on the charging
cavalry than the defenders suffer themselves, then the
charge is repelled.
11.61 If the charge is repelled, all charging cavalry units
must retreat back to the area from which they initiated the
charge, and then move one more area further away from
the target units (so they end up three areas away from
them). The target units do not retreat.
11.62 If the charge is repelled, surviving defending units,
including artillery, may fire on the charging cavalry a sec-
ond time. Repeat Steps B and C of the charge procedure
(11.2). Repelled cavalry do not get to return fire.
11.7 Forced Retreats and Pursuits.
If a charge reduces the total printed Strength Points of the
units in the target area to less than half of what they had
before the charge (not counting any additions for Lead-
ers or Morale Superiority), they must all Retreat (15.1)
one area. They may not retreat to avoid losses (14.6). If
defending units retreat or are eliminated by the charge, the
13
charging cavalry must Advance into the area the defenders
vacated (15.5) and pursue any retreating units.
11.71 Following a Cavalry Charge in which defending
units were forced to retreat, the charging cavalry units
must pursue the retreating defenders regardless of Move-
ment Point cost. The charging player must resolve the
Pursuit before taking any other action. All surviving
cavalry units that participated in the charge must partici-
pate in the Pursuit. A maximum of one Pursuit per charge
is allowed. Cavalry that advance into an area from which
defending units retreated must immediately make another
Cavalry Charge against the retreating units and any other
units in the area into which they retreated (the vacated
area counts as the intervening area for the second charge).
Resolve the Cavalry Charge normally, except that only
retreating cavalry and non-retreating units in the area
the retreating units moved into may fire at the pursuing
cavalry (11.6).
11.72 If the second charge causes a second retreat, the
cavalry may remain in place or advance into the vacated
area, as the charging player desires. If the second charge
does not cause a second retreat, the cavalry is not repelled,
even if it takes losses from units eligible to fire at it (11.7).
11.8 Limitations.
11.81 The intervening area into which cavalry may move
to initiate a charge must be empty of all units. Charging
cavalry may not enter a town, village, swamp, slope or
hill. Barring special scenario rules, all units charging the
same target must start in the same area.
11.82 Cavalry that charged (and any Leaders with them)
may not move during the Movement Segment or assault
during the Assault Segment.
11.83 Horse Artillery may not participate in a charge.
12.0 ARTILLERY
Artillery may be “independent” (12.1) or “attached”
(12.2).
12.1 Independent Artillery.
Artillery that is not stacked on top of an infantry unit is
“independent.” Independent artillery may bombard (13.0)
and has its normal Movement Allowance (9.2). It may not
attack in assault or charge combat but may defend. It may
not advance (15.5), and independent artillery (other than
horse artillery) may not retreat (15.3).
12.2 Attached Artillery.
An artillery unit that is stacked on top of a division is “at-
14 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
tached.” Attached artillery may attack and defend in As-
saults (14.0), and may Retreat (15.1) and Advance (15.5)
in combat along with its Division. Attached artillery may
not bombard (13.0) and must move with the division to
which it is attached. A Division with attached artillery has
a Movement Allowance of 1 (9.2). During the Artillery
Segment, each activated artillery unit may attach to any
friendly Division of the same nationality, no matter what
Formation to which it belongs. During the Artillery Seg-
ment, attached artillery may detach from its Division. An
artillery unit may not both attach and detach in the same
Artillery Segment.
12.21 Restrictions.
Heavy artillery (2.22) may not attach. A maximum of two
artillery units may attach to the same Division. Artillery
may not attach to another nation’s Divisions. Artillery
may not attach to Remnants.
12.22 An attached artillery unit is considered part of the
Division to which it’s attached for all purposes, except
that it may take Step Losses separately from the Division
(11.5, 13.3, 14.5). Attached artillery belongs to the Forma-
tion of the Division to which it is attached, regardless of
the artillery’s original Formation. Count the artillery’s
Strength Points when determining stacking limits.
12.23 If a Division with attached artillery moves, Advanc-
es or Retreats through area or boundary terrain that artil-
lery may not enter, the artillery unit immediately detaches
and remains in the original area (if this occurs while the
division is retreating, the attached artillery is eliminated).
If a Division “shrinks” to a Remnant due to Step Losses,
any artillery attached to it immediately detaches.
12.24 The morale of each Division that has one or two
artillery units attached to it is increased by one (total, not
per attached artillery unit, 10.1).
12.3 Combat.
Independent (unattached) artillery may bombard and
defend, but may not participate as the attacker in assault
combat.
13.0 BOMBARDMENT
During the Artillery Segment, active independent artillery
units may Bombard enemy-occupied areas within Range
(13.6) and Line of Sight (13.7).
13.1 Procedure.
The bombarding player indicates the target area, totals
the strength of all bombarding artillery units and rolls a
number of dice equal to their total strength (exception:
States
13.4). Every result of 6 is a hit (exceptions: 13.2). For
each hit, one unit in the target area suffers a Step Loss
(13.3; units may not retreat from bombardments to avoid
Step Losses).
13.2 Modifiers.
A bombardment die result of 5 or 6 is a hit if any of the
following conditions occur:
• The artillery is firing at a defender’s flank or rear (8.1).
• The firing unit is heavy artillery.
• The defending units are densely stacked (7.3).
• An Artillery Leader is directing the fire.
No more than one modifier (including those for Artillery
Leaders) may be added to the die-roll result.
13.3 Losses.
The inactive player may assign Step Losses to whichever
units in the target area he wishes, except that if a target
area takes two or more hits in the same Artillery Seg-
ment, at least one Step Loss must be inflicted on a Divi-
sion there if one is present. Attached artillery counts as a
separate unit for this purpose, and may absorb Step Losses
separately from the Division to which it is attached. Units
may not retreat from bombardment to avoid Step Losses
(14.6).
13.4 Restrictions.
13.41 Attached artillery (12.2) may not bombard.
13.42 If more than four artillery Strength Points occupy
the same area, only four of them may bombard (owning
player’s choice).
13.43 Each target area may only be bombarded once per
Artillery Segment, by up to four artillery Strength Points.
13.44 Artillery units in different areas may not combine in
one bombardment against the same target area.
13.45 Artillery that fires at targets three or more areas
away (if the unit has sufficient range, 13.6) has its combat
strength reduced by 50 percent.
13.5 Target Priority.
Bombarding artillery must fire at the closest enemy units.
An artillery unit may not attack a target two areas away
if a potential enemy target is only one area away. The
owning player may choose the target area if two or more
enemy-occupied areas are closest.
13.6 Range.
Each artillery unit’s range is equal to the number of
colored triangles along the right side of the playing piece.
This is the maximum distance at which the unit may
bombard enemy units. Thus, an artillery unit with two tri-
angles may bombard enemy units one or two areas away.
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
When determining range, count the target area, but not
the bombarding unit’s area, and follow lines of sight as
closely as possible (13.7).
13.7 Line of Sight.
Bombarding units must have a line of sight to their target.
The line of sight runs from the center of the area (deter-
mined by player agreement) occupied by the artillery unit
to the center of the target area.
13.71 Procedure.
To determine a line of sight, lay a straightedge (a ruler
or a piece of string pulled taut) between the center of the
artillery’s area and the center of the target area. If the
straightedge passes over any terrain graphic listed below,
the line of sight is blocked and the artillery may not bom-
bard the target area (exception, 13.73):
• Rises
• Slopes
• Swamps
• Woods
• Towns and Villages
Note that the straightedge must actually touch a terrain
symbol or graphic for the line of sight to be blocked. Line
of sight is not blocked if the straightedge runs through an
area containing a blocking terrain graphic but does not
actually touch the graphic. For example, if only part of
an area contains a slope, line of sight through that area is
not blocked if the straightedge does not touch the slope
graphic.
13.72 Human Shields.
Line of sight is also blocked by any area that contains any
division or at least three Steps of cavalry (it doesn’t matter
to whom the units belong). In this case, the line of sight is
blocked no matter what part of the area through which the
straightedge runs.
13.73 Close Terrain.
Terrain in the target area or the area occupied by the artil-
lery unit never blocks a line of sight. Boundary terrain
may block a line of sight between adjacent areas.
13.74 Elevations.
An artillery unit on a rise may “shoot over” intervening
blocking terrain that is on a lower level, to bombard an
area beyond the blocking terrain. Similarly, artillery that is
not on a rise may bombard a rise two or more areas away
(assuming it is within the artillery’s range), ignoring any
blocking terrain in between. However, artillery that is not
on a rise may not bombard a rise that is adjacent to it.
15
13.75 If one artillery unit may fire on another, the other
may fire back. If you can see him, he can see you (excep-
tion, 13.74).
13.76 Disputes.
In case of disagreement, players may settle the matter by
dice roll, fistfight or cybersmear as they prefer.
13.8 Voluntary Retreat.
Units may voluntarily Retreat one area after being bom-
barded. This Retreat does not reduce the number of Step
Losses and may not be performed if it would result in the
retreating unit(s) entering an area adjacent to an enemy
unit. If the decision to Retreat is made all friendly units in
the area must Retreat (if possible).
13.9 Combined Fire.
Unless specified in the game special rules, artillery units
must be stacked in the same area to combine in a single
bombardment attack on an enemy area, and each area may
only be bombarded once per turn. Units from different
areas may not combine for a single attack on an enemy
target. Note that this rule, combined with the stacking
rule that prohibits more than four artillery Strength Points
from firing out of a given area, will sometimes mean that
some artillery will not be able to fire effectively. This ef-
fect is intentional.
14.0 ASSAULT
Assault combat occurs between adjacent opposing units
during the Assault Segment. Only active units may initi-
ate an assault, and (unless noted otherwise in the special
rules) only infantry units and any attached artillery may
attack. The active player is the attacker and his or her
opponent is the defender. Attacking is always voluntary:
all, some or no active units in an area adjacent to enemy
units may elect to attack. However, defending is required:
all units in an area attacked by the active player must fire
back (unless prohibited by facing, 8.31). Each attack on
a given enemy-occupied area is a separate assault. Each
area may only be assaulted once per assault segment, but
active units in multiple areas adjacent to the same target
area may all attack in one combined assault in the same
Assault Segment (the attacking units need not all occupy
areas adjacent to one another, just to the target area).
14.1 Procedure.
In an assault, both the attacking and defending units fire,
and each side’s fire takes effect simultaneously. The at-
tacker totals the strengths of all attacking units and applies
modifiers for unit type (14.41), terrain (see Terrain Effects
Chart) and enfilade combat (8.3). He then adds bonuses
for Morale Superiority (10.2) and the Tactical Rating of
16 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
the highest-ranking Leader in each attacking area (6.2).
The total after all modifiers and bonuses is the number of
dice he or she rolls. Every result of 6 is a hit (exceptions,
14.2).
The defender then chooses one attacking area as the target
of his defensive fire, and repeats the procedure. Results
take effect simultaneously, so hits scored by the attacker
do not reduce the number of dice the defender rolls, and
vice versa. Once both sides know how many hits they’ve
taken, they apply those hits to their units (14.5).
14.2 Die-roll Modifiers.
An assault die result of 5 or 6 is a hit if any of the follow-
ing conditions occur:
• Target area contains only enemy artillery units, head-
quarters and/or Leaders.
• Firing unit is defending artillery.
14.3 Restrictions.
No unit may attack more than once per turn. Cavalry and
independent (unattached) artillery may not attack in the
Assault Segment. However, units may defend whenever
they’re attacked.
14.31 Units may not assault diagonally adjacent areas (un-
like movement or charges, which may be diagonal).
14.32 A Division may not fire at enemy units that lie in its
rear areas, either offensively or defensively. It may fire at
units in its flanking areas (at 50 percent strength), but only
if no enemy units occupy its frontal areas (8.1, 8.3).
14.33 A unit may not “split” its strength to attack more
than one area during the same assault.
14.34 A single enemy-occupied area may only be at-
tacked once per Assault Segment, but may be attacked by
as many active units as can be brought to bear from the
adjacent areas.
14.4 Cavalry, Artillery and Headquarters in As-
saults.
14.41 Cavalry.
Unless special rules state otherwise, cavalry may not
attack in the Assault Phase. Cavalry that defend in the
assault phase have their combat strengths halved (round
fractions up).
14.42 Artillery.
Independent artillery (12.1) may not attack in assaults,
but may defend against assaults. Independent non-horse
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artillery may not retreat, and is eliminated if all other units
in the same area with it Retreat (15.3). Attached artillery
may attack and defend in assaults.
14.43 Headquarters.
A Headquarters has no combat strength or morale. Units
assaulting a lone Headquarters receive no benefit from
Morale Superiority (10.2). One Step Loss eliminates a
Headquarters, but a player need not apply a Step Loss to
his Headquarters until all other units in the same area with
it are eliminated.
14.5 Losses
For each hit achieved, one unit in the target area loses one
Step, although a player may be able to reduce the number
of Step Losses by retreating (14.6). Any remaining Step
Losses after this reduction are applied to the retreating
units. The first Step Loss actually applied to units (not
avoided by retreating) must be taken from a Division if
present (not from any attached artillery). Attached artillery
counts as a separate unit for this purpose, and may absorb
additional Step Losses separately from its Division. The
owning player chooses which units lose Steps, but no unit
may lose two Steps in the same assault until every unit
in the same area with it loses one, no unit may lose three
until each loses two, and so on (exception, 14.52).
14.51 Only units actually participating in a combat may
take Step Losses inflicted on their area. If some units in an
area attack but others do not, only the attacking units may
take Step Losses inflicted by the defenders. All defending
units may take Step Losses.
14.52 A player is not required to assign losses to artil-
lery until all other units in the same area with it (other
than Headquarters) have been eliminated. A player is not
required to assign losses to a Headquarters until all other
units in the area with it are eliminated.
14.6 Stand or Retreat.
When up to three Step Losses are inflicted in an Assault,
the player suffering them may attempt to Retreat (15.1) all
of his or her units in the area suffering them to cancel one
Step Loss. If four or more Step Losses are inflicted in an
Assault, the player suffering them may attempt to Retreat
all of his or her units in the area suffering them to cancel
two Step Losses. If more than one Step Loss was inflicted,
those additional losses are still inflicted on the affected
unit(s). The attacker must announce his or her choice first.
If a player wishes to Retreat, he or she rolls one die. If the
result is greater than the Area Morale (10.1) of his or her
units involved in the combat, the units remain in place and
do not cancel any Step Losses. If the result is equal to or
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
less than the morale value, the units retreat and cancel one
or two Step Losses. Units that are Out of Command may
not elect to Retreat.
15.0 RETREATS AND ADVANCES
There is no MP cost to Retreat or Advance. Leaders and
headquarters may Retreat and Advance with units in the
same area.
15.1 Retreat.
Units may be forced to retreat due to Assaults, Cavalry
Charges or Bombardment, or may Retreat voluntarily to
avoid Step Losses from Assaults (14.6), or may Retreat to
avoid combat if they’re light cavalry (15.2). Units other
than light cavalry may not Retreat to avoid combat un-
less the game’s special rules state otherwise. Units may
Retreat after they are bombarded (13.8).
15.11 Procedure.
To Retreat, the owning player moves the retreating units
out of the area they occupy, into a single adjacent area
not occupied by enemy units. They must Retreat directly
away from the units they were fighting in the current
action phase if possible, and may only Retreat to an area
that is adjacent to an enemy-occupied area if they have
no other Retreat route available. Retreating units may
enter an area occupied by friendly units, but all Stacking
and Conformation limits apply (7.2, 7.5). Retreating units
may change Facing (8.0). A unit that is forced to Retreat
but has no Retreat route is eliminated. (It’s a good idea to
leave empty or lightly-stacked areas behind your units to
let them Retreat.)
15.12 Restrictions.
• If units Retreat, ALL units in the area they occupy must
Retreat (exceptions: light cavalry retreating before combat
15.2, independent non-horse artillery 15.3).
• All units retreating out of the same area must Retreat to
the same area (they may not split up).
• A unit may not Retreat into an area it would not be al-
lowed to enter during movement (see TEC).
• A unit may not Retreat to a diagonally-adjacent area.
• A unit may not Retreat to an area from which enemy
units attacked it in the current battle, even if the enemy
units retreated or were eliminated.
• A unit that is forced to Retreat twice in the same Action
Phase is eliminated (exception, Pursuit 11.7).
15.13 Leaders and Headquarters.
A retreating unit may enter an area that contains only
enemy Leaders and/or Headquarters. Move those Leaders
and/or Headquarters to the closest area containing enemy
combat units (retreating player’s choice if multiple areas
qualify).
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15.14 Shedding Deadweight.
If a unit is unable to Retreat, but could do so if it took
enough Step Losses to satisfy stacking limits (7.2), it may
take extra losses if the owning player desires.
Example: In Solferino, a 5-5 Piedmontese brigade has
no retreat route, but could Retreat to an area occupied by
a French brigade if it were reduced to its Step G, which
is a Remnant. The Allied player may reduce the unit to
its Step G and place the Remnant in the area with the
Piedmontese brigade. He may not reduce the French unit
instead; only the retreating unit may “shrink.”
15.2 Light Cavalry Retreat before Combat.
Light cavalry (any cavalry that is not heavy cavalry) may
attempt to Retreat before charge or assault combat against
it takes place, therefore avoiding combat. This is at the
owning player’s option. Cavalry may not retreat in this
manner to avoid bombardment. If any Light Cavalry unit
Retreats before combat, all Light Cavalry units in the area
must Retreat before combat.
15.21 Procedure.
After the attacking player declares a charge or assault
against an area containing light cavalry, but before combat
is resolved, the defender rolls one die for each light cav-
alry unit in the area (he or she may not attempt to Retreat
some but not others). In each case, if the result is less
than or equal to the light cavalry unit’s Morale Value, the
unit may Retreat one area to avoid combat. If the result is
more than the unit’s Morale Value, it may not Retreat and
must remain in place and be attacked.
15.22 Effects on Attackers.
The attacking player may not re-allocate his or her at-
tacking units if light cavalry retreats before combat. He
may attack any light cavalry that failed to Retreat before
combat, and/or any other units that remain in the area
from which the light cavalry retreated. Light cavalry that
retreats may be attacked by other units and may try to
Retreat again.
15.3 Artillery in Retreat.
Horse artillery may retreat like other units, but may not
avoid combat like light cavalry. Attached artillery (12.2)
may also retreat normally, but independent non-horse ar-
tillery (12.1) may not Retreat, and is eliminated if all other
units in its area Retreat (it’s hard to drag those guns).
15.4 Headquarters.
Headquarters may not Retreat or Advance (15.5) after
combat. A Headquarters forced to Retreat is eliminated
instead.
18 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
15.5 Advances.
Whenever an area is vacated due to the units there being
eliminated or retreating, any or all units that attacked the
area in Cavalry Charge or Assault combat (or would have
had light cavalry not retreated first) may advance into it if
the owning player desires. Advancing is optional (excep-
tion, Pursuit, 11.7). The attacking player must decide
whether or not to Advance before he does anything else.
15.51 Only active units that actually attacked may Ad-
vance.
15.52 Defenders may not Advance.
15.53 Stacking (7.2) and Conformation (7.5) limits in the
vacated area may keep units from advancing.
15.54 A unit may not Advance more than one area after
combat, and may not attack again after advancing (excep-
tion, Pursuit, 11.7).
15.55 Units may not Advance into terrain they would be
prohibited from entering during movement (see Terrain
Effects Chart).
15.56 Bombarding artillery may not Advance, but at-
tached artillery may do so.
15.57 Units may change Facing (8.0) after advancing.
16.0 RECOVERY
During the Recovery Phase, both players may attempt to
restore lost Steps to Divisions (only), and may assign new
Leaders to Formations whose Leaders have been elimi-
nated.
16.1 Recovery Procedure.
Divisions attempting Recovery must be at least four areas
away from all enemy units. The unit’s Army Commander,
Formation Leader or Subordinate Leader (if it is com-
manded by a Subordinate Leader) must be in the same
area with the unit for it to Recover (Brevet Leaders do not
qualify, see 16.22). The owning player rolls one die for
each unit attempting Recovery, and subtracts the Tactical
Rating of the Leader with the unit. If the modified result
is less than or equal to the unit’s current printed morale
(NOT its Area Morale), it regains one Step. Flip it or
replace it with its next-strongest playing piece. A Divi-
sion may never be restored to the strength level at which it
began the scenario (usually “A” level).
16.2 Leader Replacement.
If a Formation or Subordinate Leader is eliminated, then
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during the Recovery Phase the owning player may desig-
nate a Staff Officer from his Headquarters Formation to
replace him (6.5). A Staff Officer may also be assigned
to lead a Formation that begins the game with no Leader,
and which is not scheduled to receive one during the sce-
nario. Once a Staff Officer is assigned, he may move and
function like any other Leader.
16.21 Procedure.
The Headquarters does not have to roll against its Initia-
tive to assign a Staff Officer – it simply makes the assign-
ment. When a Staff Officer is assigned to a Formation,
he becomes part of that Formation and moves when it is
activated. Once assigned, a Staff Officer must remain with
that Formation for the remainder of the game.
16.22 Brevet Leaders.
If no Staff Officers are available, or if the Headquarters
has been eliminated, a Formation may be given a Bre-
vet Leader through battlefield promotion. Such a Brevet
Leader has Tactical and Initiative Ratings of 0-1. Pick an
infantry or cavalry unit in that Formation and write down
the name of the officer printed on it – he becomes the
Formation’s new Leader. The Brevet Leader stays with his
unit as long as it survives (he can’t be considered to be in
a different area than the unit printed with his name). If the
unit is eliminated, so is the Brevet Leader – promote the
printed Leader of another unit in the Formation to Brevet
Leader in the next Recovery Phase.
17.0 REINFORCEMENTS
Reinforcements are placed on the map during the Rein-
forcement Phase, at the time and place specified by the
scenario instructions. Roll to activate them like any other
Formation, starting on the turn when they appear. Rein-
forcements may not appear in an area occupied by enemy
units; if an enemy unit occupies an area where a reinforc-
ing unit is scheduled to appear, the owning player may
place the reinforcing unit in the map edge area closest to
the area where the unit was scheduled to appear (owning
player’s choice if more than one area qualifies). All Re-
inforcements are considered to be In Command (4.0) the
turn they appear, even if they have no Leader at the time.
18.0 TERRAIN
Terrain affects both movement and combat. There are
three types of terrain: AREA, BOUNDARY and SPE-
CIAL.
• AREA: The terrain within the area the unit occupies.
• BOUNDARY: The terrain along the boundaries between
areas.
• SPECIAL: Bridges, fords, defensive works, roads and
trails.
War of the Empires ­— © Avalanche Press Ltd.
18.1 Multiple Terrain Types.
An area or boundary may contain more than one terrain
type.
18.11 When moving across a boundary with multiple ter-
rain types, pay the MP cost of the ONE terrain type that
costs the most to move through (moving player selects
one if more than one are the most expensive). If entering
an area with multiple terrain types, pay the MP cost of the
ONE terrain type in the area that costs the most to enter
(moving player selects one if more than one are the most
expensive). If a unit crosses a boundary that costs extra
MPs and enters an area with terrain that also costs extra
MPs, it must pay the costs for both the boundary and the
area (not just one of them). Remember that units may
always move a total of one area no matter the MP cost.
Example: If a cavalry unit crosses a boundary that is part
stream and part clear, it pays one additional MP to do so.
If the area beyond that boundary contains a village and a
rise, it pays one MP to enter the area and one additional
MP for the village, for a total of three MPs. Since three
MPs is its Movement Allowance, it may move no farther
that turn.
18.12 When conducting combat against units in an area
with multiple terrain types, apply ALL the modifiers of all
terrain types there (see the Terrain Effects Chart). Do the
same for units attacking across a boundary with multiple
terrain types.
18.2 Firepower Modifiers.
Many terrain types occupied by defending units reduce
the Combat Strengths of attackers (but never defenders,
see Terrain Effects Chart), while enfilade combat can af-
fect the Combat Strengths of both attackers and defenders
(8.3). When calculating modified unit strengths in combat,
each player should add all the Strength Points of his units
involved together, and then apply any firepower modifiers
to the total, rounding any fraction up. All modifiers are
cumulative. After calculating the total modified strength
of the units, add any bonuses for Leader Tactical Ratings
(6.2) and Morale Superiority (10.2). Extra dice for Lead-
ership and Morale Superiority (10.2) are never affected by
terrain.
Example: In the Chickamauga game, two 6-6 Confederate
Divisions attack a 7-5 Union Division. The Confederate
Divisions are in clear terrain, the Union in woods, which
causes a 25% reduction to Confederate strength under that
game’s special rules. The 12 Confederate Strength Points
are reduced to 9 for this attack, even though they are in
clear terrain. Union strength is not affected. However,
19
note that the Confederates get one extra die for their better
morale (6 is one more than 5), so they will roll 10 dice.
If active units in more than one area are assaulting the
same target area, and some of those attackers are assault-
ing across boundary terrain that reduces their firepower
but others are not, then only reduce the firepower of the
units actually assaulting across the boundary terrain (see
Terrain Effects Chart). For example, if some units are
attacking the target area across a stream, only the Com-
bat Strengths of those units actually attacking across the
stream are reduced and the others attack at full strength.
19.0 ARTILLERY AMMUNITION
Each scenario lists the amount of artillery ammunition
available. Using the x10 and x1 markers, record the start-
ing amounts on the appropriate track, or keep track on a
20 © Avalanche Press Ltd. —War of the
separate piece of paper. For example, if the Union player
has 95 ammunition, she places the x10 marker on the
“9” space and the x1 marker on the “5” space. For larger
amounts, the back of the x10 marker says “10+100.” To
record 195, place the markers as described, but flip the
x10 marker so that the +100 side is face-up. When the
total falls below 100, then the marker is flipped back.
Each time an artillery unit fires for Bombardment or at-
tacks in an Assault, reduce the ammunition total by one (if
two artillery units fire Bombardment or participate in an
Assault, reduce the total by two, if three units participate
reduce it by three, and so on). Artillery defending against
a charge or assault do not consume ammunition. In some
scenarios, additional ammunition arrives via the reinforce-
ment schedule: add the new number to the existing total at
that time. If new ammunition would increase the total to
more than 199, ignore any excess.
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