FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Desperate Honor? A Napoleonic skirmish ruleset combining tabletop skirmish battles with AI-driven narrative. You command a detachment through the Peninsular War, fighting scenarios on your table and reporting results to the system, which generates your next orders based on what happened.

What do I need?

  • 30-45 miniatures (20-28mm Napoleonic British/French/Spanish/Portuguese infantry recommended)
  • Standard gaming dice, rulers, and a 4x4' table
  • The tabletop rules (provided)
  • Access to the campaign system (web and email based)

How does the campaign system work? You receive orders via the system via email—a scenario to play. Fight the action on your table using our skirmish rules. Submit an after-action report (casualties, outcome, notable events). The system generates your next dispatch, remembering everything that came before: your losses, your methods, your growing reputation.

Do I need to know the rules before starting? The skirmish rules are straightforward and included. Most players are ready for their first action within 30 minutes of reading. The campaign system guides you through after-action reporting.

How long does a campaign last? A career unfolds over endless scenarios, though some officers fall earlier. Each tabletop action takes 1-2 hours to fight. You can pause between scenarios as long as you wish—your career waits for you.

What happens if my soldiers are killed? Dead men stay dead. The system tracks casualties and replacements. Your original sergeant matters more than the fresh draft that replaced him. Veteran survivors gain mention in future dispatches. Some wounds heal; others end careers.

Can I play cooperatively or against a friend? The current system is designed for solo campaign play, with you commanding forces against procedurally-generated opposition. The tabletop battles can be fought solo or with a friend running the enemy forces or helping command your own.

Is this historically accurate? Scenarios and situations are grounded in Peninsular War history—convoy ambushes, outpost actions, reconnaissance patrols, village raids. While individual scenarios are fictional, they reflect the types of actions light infantry and line companies actually fought in Spain and Portugal.

What happens if I lose a battle? The campaign continues. Defeats have consequences—losses to replace, ground surrendered, reputation damaged—but the war goes on. Some of the most compelling narratives emerge from costly victories and hard-fought withdrawals.

Do I need to paint my miniatures? Unpainted lead fights as well as painted. But there's something to be said for taking the field with a properly turned-out detachment.

Can I use miniatures I already own? Absolutely. Any Napoleonic infantry work perfectly and in any scale. British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, will all come in handy.

What if I don't have miniatures yet? Start with the rules and campaign system using paper counters or tokens to learn the game. Miniatures enhance the experience but aren't required to begin your career.

Further questions? Contact us at highcommand@desperatehonor.com