Field of Battle

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Field of Battle, Designed by Brent Oman and published by Piquet, Inc., the Field of Battle system stands as one of the most respected horse-and-musket wargaming frameworks of the modern tabletop era. Originating from the broader Piquet gaming philosophy, Field of Battle streamlined classic card-driven mechanics into a single, cohesive system that masterfully simulates command friction, the fog of war, and battle momentum without forcing players into exhaustive chart lookups or micromanagement. Across its three distinct iterations—from the original breakthrough 2006 release, through the refined 2011 second edition, to the polished 2020 third edition—the rulebook family has continually perfected its core sequence deck concept. By replacing rigid movement turns with dynamic card draws and initiative rolls, Field of Battle ensures that no two actions play out identically, offering a deeply atmospheric and unpredictable grand tactical experience that scales brilliantly for 6mm Seven Y...
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Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98

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Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98

Written by David Hollins (Osprey Publishing: Men-at-Arms 413)

Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98: The Grenz-Infanterie

Introduction: For many Seven Years War enthusiasts, the Austrian Grenz troops are the most evocative units on the battlefield. Hailing from the wild "Military Frontier" between the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires, these fierce Balkan soldiers brought a new style of "small war" (Kleiner Krieg) to the European theatre. David Hollins’ detailed study in MAA 413 provides an essential look at the evolution of these troops from irregular bands of fierce warriors into the disciplined, yet still uniquely flexible, light infantry that plagued the Prussian army.

Historical Accuracy: This volume is a goldmine for the 6mm painter. The Grenz wore some of the most complex and distinctive uniforms of the era—characterised by their dark brown tunics, red cloaks, and Hungarian-style tight trousers with knotwork. For our 24-figure Baccus infantry units, the colour plates are indispensable for getting the specific distinctions of the various Border Districts (such as the Licca or Warasdin regiments) exactly right. Furthermore, the descriptions of their skirmishing tactics provide excellent narrative context for how we deploy these units on the table, often working in tandem with the 12-figure Baccus cavalry stands of the Hussars.

Conclusion: Austrian Frontier Troops 1740–98 is the perfect companion to the main Austrian infantry volumes. It highlights the diversity of the Habsburg military machine and provides the visual reference needed to make your light infantry screen truly stand out. Whether you are detailing a brigade commander base (two mounted Baccus figures) leading a vanguard, or setting up an overall commander base (three mounted Baccus figures) to oversee the defence of a wooded pass, this book ensures your Grenz look as formidable as their historical counterparts.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you read this volume? Did it inspire you to pick up the paintbrush, or were the technical errors too much to bear? Let me know in the comments!

Related project hubs for this period:
[The Silesian Wars 1740-1763 Project Hub]  |  [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]

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