General de Brigade

Analysis of the fire tables for Musketry and Artillery in GdeB 2 reveals an anomaly,
particularly in the Artillery table.
Intuitive expectation is that for any given modifier value the range of outcomes should
be a single peaked distribution.
The Musketry tables do produce this sort of effect, though they are ‘chunky’ in failing to
discriminate according to the number firing as finely as might be desired.
The Artillery tables however produce anomalous distributions of results for larger
positive modifiers (i.e. when using canister). This can be seen visually in the charts that
follow.
 Musketry

Visual analysis of Musketry table results for modifiers

from –4 to +4 showing probability of each casualty level
outcome for different size of units firing.

Vertical axis 0-36 is probability of outcome. Axis with

labels S1 to S14 indicates size of unit firing S1=3,
S2=7, S3=10, S4 =14 etc to S14 =49. Bottom axis
indicates outcome as 1=no casualties, 2=1 casualty etc.
 Musketry
Modifier -4
 Musketry
Modifier -3
 Musketry
Modifier -2
 Musketry
Modifier -1
 Musketry
Modifier 0
 Musketry
Modifier +1
 Musketry
Modifier +2
 Musketry
Modifier +3
 Musketry
Modifier +4
Proposed new Musketry tables

New table 1 produces results which are even ‘chunkier’ than

the existing table and discriminate even less between
smaller numbers of figures firing. The ‘chunkiness’ can be
seen by comparing the next chart with the preceding series.
New table 2 retains similar discrimination to the present
table between effect for smaller numbers firing but also
changes the shape of the distribution of outcomes
significantly
The equivalent existing table is repeated in the next
sequence for ease of comparison.
 Musketry – New
Modifier 0 Table No 1
 Musketry – New
Modifier 0 Table No 2
 Musketry – GdeB 2
Modifier 0 table at present
The table below gives a comparison of the expected
outcomes for the various musketry firing table options
with no modifier in effect.
 Artillery

Visual analysis of Artillery table results for modifiers from

–6 to +7 showing probability of each casualty level
outcome for different number of guns firing.

Vertical axis 0-36 is probability of outcome. Axis with

labels S1 to S14 indicates size of unit firing S1=1 gun,
S2=2 guns, S3=3, S4 =4 etc. Bottom axis indicates
outcome as 1=no casualties, 2=1 casualty etc.
 Artillery
Modifier -6
 Artillery
Modifier -5
 Artillery
Modifier -4
 Artillery
Modifier -3
 Artillery
Modifier -2
 Artillery
Modifier -1
 Artillery
Modifier 0
 Artillery
Modifier +1
 Artillery
Modifier +2
 Artillery
Modifier +3
 Artillery
Modifier +4
 Artillery
Modifier +5
 Artillery
Modifier +6
 Artillery
Modifier +7
A dice based alternative

This option will not suit all players but it has the merit of producing outcomes which
are more sensitive to the number of figures / guns firing and yet expected outcomes are
very close to the existing GdeB ones.
The shapes of the expected outcome graphs below evidence the smoother gradation and
loss of ‘chunkiness’ compared with existing tables.

Infantry firing Artillery firing

The graph below comparing expected casualties under the GdeB and die roll methods
gives an example of the difference between the approaches.
Dice based option:
2d6 plus a number of average dice thrown to
determine GdeB casualties
The tables following show how many average dice might
be thrown with 2d6 to establish casualties in GdeB.
Whilst shown in tables, there is also a simple rule shown
for working out the number of dice to throw. With
experience this should become fairly intuitive.
The sections in the tables without number entries relate
to situations where only the 2d6 are thrown.
Note the key to the colour codings.
Prepared by Colin Alsbury

Please address any questions or comments to me at

colin.alsbury@btinternet.com
or air them within the GdeB forum.

© August 2009