Losses were inevitable, and accepted as such. Both map and counters are in full color ready for you to cut and paste. They must therefore choose with care where they apply their forces. Units activate in formation and can undertake a number of activities each with its own Combat Rules. Infantry can engage in rifle fire that is less decisive than assault, but also less destructive to the attacker.
Artillery can engage in bombardment, seeking to sweep the open terrain clear of large formations.
Infantry and cavalry can assault, and the German artillery can spearhead such attacks. The French may use their superior rifles to build fire zones which two days later at Gravelotte were to slaughter the Prussian Guard. Cavalry is usually too weak to prevail, but against shattered troops or when making the eponymous death ride it can halt and defeat much larger formations. In uniforms that reminiscent of Napoleonic warfare and weapons that prefigure World War One this game is an opportunity to test the events on a decisive day for France and for Europe. Deathride comes with four counter sheets and nine map panels, plus a 32 page Rulebook and aids.