Vive L'Empereur is a miniatures game for simulating large battles in the Napolonic era with small numbers of figures and smaller tables. The game is designed for 15mm figures with 1 figure = 100 men and a ground scale of 16" = 1 mile. Each turn represents 30 minutes. The basic unit of maneuver is the regiment/brigade or the artillery battery. Unit losses are kept on a roster.
Base width sizes for the game is determined by figure density:
two-rank infantry: 1 figure/10mm
three-rank infantry: 1 figure/7mm
cavalry: 1 figure/18mm
artillery: 5mm/gun (typically 6)
Sequence of play:
A. Roll for Initiative
B. Announce Full Moves
C. Announce Close Combat Attempts
D. Move Units
E. Fire Artillery and Musket Volleys
F. Fire Skirmisher Shots
G. Make Any Close Combat and Morale Checks
H. Take Close Combat Morale Losses
I. Perform Engineering Operations
J. Rally Units