
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,281
- BGG rating
- 7.8
La Bataille de Preussisch-Eylau
- 2 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 1978

1977
Rules assistance for La Bataille d'Auerstædt
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
La Bataille d'Auerstædt is a board game released in 1977 for 2 players, 330–480 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Ed Wimble, Dennis A. Spors, and Monte Mattson and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid.
La Bataille D'Auerstaedt is a simulation of the encounter between Davout's III Corp and the army of the Hohenzollern King, Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, on October 14th, 1806. The game box includes a 34x22" period map and over 400 multi-colored playing pieces. The game is designed for two players but solitaire study is possible. The rules are a revision of the award winning system developed by Marshal Enterprises and cover the full range of features that were characteristic of the Napoleonic battlefield. The game is therefore designed with serious gamers in mind. scale = 100 m/hex; time = 20 min/GT; strength = 50-100 men/SP (Regimental/Brigade Size) counters = 480 (COA edition) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EDITIONS: Clash of Arms (CoA) did two versions (1984 "2nd Edition" & 1991 "3rd Edition"), differentiated by thick vs. thin counters, the 2nd vs. the 3rd edition series rules, typeset vs. simply word processed Special Rules (Regle Particulier) book, and differing units in the Order of Battle (OOB). 3rd Edition map was changed from the 2nd Edition and used a different artist. Note this map modified the church steeple as well as adding the sunken road, but otherwise was pretty much the same. In the 2nd Edition the original Marshal Enterprises (ME) 1st Edition (1977) negatives were used as a basis for the map artwork. That ME edition also had thin counters. The CoA 2nd and ME (1st Ed) had very similar OOB as well. So the ME 1977 and CoA 1984 maps do not differ much nor do the Orders of Battle. Per labataille.us: "A Note On Editions: Three editions of La Bataille de Auerstaedt were printed. One edition was printed by Marshall Enterprises and two editions were printed by Clash of Arms. The Marshall Enterprises edition (1977) and the 2nd Clash of Arms edition (1991) featured separate Grenadier and Voltigeur companies for each French battalion. In the 1st Clash of Arms edition (1984) only the Voltigeur companies are separate from the battalion....The OOB and initial setup [should be] amended from the original game, much of the Prussian Advance Guard was not at the battle!"
La Bataille d'Auerstædt supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for La Bataille d'Auerstædt is 330–480 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists La Bataille d'Auerstædt for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
La Bataille d'Auerstædt has a complexity rating of 3.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
La Bataille d'Auerstædt belongs to these categories: Wargame and Napoleonic. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of La Bataille d'Auerstædt are: Ed Wimble, Dennis A. Spors, and Monte Mattson. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists La Bataille d'Auerstædt as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.