Creating a Prussian Army

Creating a 1000 point Prussian Army

When creating a 1000 point list for the Prussians, 2 very important things come to mind -
1. Speed
2. Brittleness

A Prussian army can move very quickly into first contact (Cadence Step)
A Prussian army is expensive and so players find they do not feel like they get enough choices in 1000 points.

It is true that Prussians do not get the benefit of cheap lower class allies but they have other choices that work just as well.

Here is one of my preferred Prussian 1000 point lists...

Headquarters: 0 points
Class 0 General

Advanced Guard: 90 points
1x Independent Freikorps Cavalry Regiment
1x Independent Freikorps Infantry Battalion

1st Brigade: 215 points
2x Class 4 Fusilier Battalions
2x Class 5 Musketeer Battalions
1x Light Battery

2nd Brigade: 215 points
2x Class 4 Fusilier Battalions
2x Class 5 Musketeer Battalions
1x Light Battery

3rd Brigade: 160 points
3x Class 4 Landregimenter Battalions
1x Class 4 Garrison Battalion
1x Howitzer Battery

4th Brigade: 160 points
2x Class 6 Dragoon Regiments

4th Brigade: 160 points
2x Class 6 Dragoon Regiments

Grand Total: 1000 points

This is a very flexible force

1. It has 5 Brigades which is an ideal amount for 1000 point games.
2. Lots of cavalry
3. 3 Batteries of artillery

I like to use it like a spearhead. First the 3rd Brigade of Land regiment Battalions attacks flanked on one side by both the 1st and 2nd Brigades with the artillery out the front. These two Brigades are screened by the Freikorps infantry from artillery fire till they are ready to attack. On the other side of the 3rd Brigade is the Freikorps cavalry protecting 3rd Brigades vulnerable flank. Lastly I keep back both Dragoon Brigades ready to strike one or both flanks or straight up the centre depending on circumstances.

A 3:1 forward or even all 4 of the 3rd Brigades battalions forward with the howitzers behind. The job of the 3rd Brigade is to engage as much of the enemies front line as possible. 1st and 2nd Brigades use their artillery massed together to punch holes in the enemy formations prior to either attacking themselves or supporting 3rd Brigades attack. Do not worry if 3rd Brigade dies, that’s it job, so long as it pins the enemy long enough for the other batteries to take effect and also to chip away at all the battalions in their front so that none are at full strength. Meanwhile the enemy batteries are being reduced by Freikorps skirmishers or massed artillery and this tends to force the enemy to commit his cavalry or go over to the attack. When he does this your own 1st and 2nd brigades can keep stepping back or launch their own counterattack since inevitably they will shoot first. It also allows you to know where his cavalry are going to commit and thus be able to mass 4 Class 6 Medium Cavalry regiments to counter his cavalry, whilst still having local cavalry superiority in the form of the freikorps cavalry. The trick is to break 2 to three brigades of his early on before your seriously engaged and then do a voluntary withdrawal closer o your own table edge letting army morale do your work for you. Manoeuvre, speed and punching at the right moment with the right troops is essential to Prussian tactics. Always try attacking with the things that do not count to army morale like Independent formations and only committing 1 brigade in our case the 3rd Brigade to any real combat prior to turn 4. This way the enemy is weakened while you escalate your attacks for turn 8 victory….

The above army list reflects some of my thoughts on running a Prussian army in 1000 points. I have always found that the Prussians are very easy to use at 1000 points, but if not handled well are very brittle. As you increase the size of battles then the Prussians become very powerful indeed, especially at 3000+ points.

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Interesting thoughts. And vastly different from how I played them in KK2...

I've only played a few (one or two) games of KK3 and am curious how, once I'm more familiar with the "flow" of the game to see if my original list fares.

By your list, its obvious you feel the strenght of the army is its cadenced stepped infantry brigades. Which, of course makes sense. But one of the Prussian strengths is the cadence step. Yet 1/3 of your combat brigades don't benefit from it - Garrisons and Invalids... How does this impact your tactics?

If you would, what are your thoughts re: each typical army you'd face with this lot.

i.e. what would you fear vs Austrians with their pandors and hussars only to get smashed by their possible gun park. Same with the Russians...

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"..Drink, your majesty, and let battles be battles; it's well that you are safe. Let us trust in God that it will soon be our turn to conquer!.."

The Prussians have no cheap brigades that are expendeable except the Land regimenter Brigade. This is used as the spearhead because its the weakest link and can afford to get smashed, so long as it does damage. Now being class 4 and not having a good general it can be possible for this briage to suffer more than it gives and thence run too early forcing you to commit your better infantry earlier than wished. The Prussians basically always get to shoot first in games as a result of Cadenced step. However a very good class general can get the jump on Prussians and end up shooting first. Although only Ian has ever been able to outmaneuvre me ( A great General for timing) so basically its pretty hard for Prussians with Cadenced step to not shoot first.

I guess what I am trying to say is I like a weak brigade that is going to drain the enemy of resources being tied down to killing that while the rest of your troops concentrate on more isolated targets, etc.

Never engage British Brigades with Prussians unless its 2 Brigades to 1, always try and by pass the Brits and hit the allied brigades. Sure you may crush British Brigades but will suffer inordinate damage in return. Not something Prussian Brigades can afford to have happen. (Remember Army morale)

Against any otehr force do not engage their weaker brigades for long as even class 4 infantry can deal out as much shooting damage as class 5 Cadenced step infantry. Never be afraid to backstep outside shooting range of lesser brigades if you are going close to break point.

My biggest fear for a Prussian army is an Austrian Army. They are the only other army that has mobility with their Close order drill. 16 figure mobile infantry are just as bad as british infantry. So again try and hit the Austrian patsy Brigades or Allied brigades and serve them up on a platter first. Remember using this list with 5 Cavalry regiments of which 4 are Class 6 Medium Cavalry you will always own most other cavalry forces. Use that to your advantage by weakening his army break point and then using the cavalry to turn on the enemies flank once they have destroyed the enemy cavalry. Cadenced Step and Flanking Cavalry are a real nightmare....

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