A Pragmatic War: The War of the Austrian Succession 1741 – 1748 is a two-player game simulating the War of the Austrian Succession. One player represents the Austrian interest represented by the Austrians and those powers in Europe faithful to the original agreement, (“the Pragmatic Alliance”). The other player represents the challengers to the Austrians, the Bavarian rival for the Imperial title, Charles Albert and his supporters, primarily the Bourbon rulers of France and Spain intermittently joined by Prussia (“the Bourbons”). The war like its predecessor, the War of the Spanish Succession was fought primarily to determine who would succeed to the throne of a great empire, in this case the Austrian Empire. When the current ruler of the Austrian crown lands and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles VI died without male issue he had laid the groundwork for his eldest daughter Maria Theresa to succeed to the Hapsburg crown lands. Known as the “Pragmatic Sanction”, this diplomatic effort obtained the agreement of the leading powers of Europe to her accession to the Hapsburg dominions and the election of her paramour as the next Holy Roman Emperor. However, with the opportunistic seizure of Silesia by the young Frederick the Great of Prussia, the agreement unraveled and the war began. In time, it would involve virtually all of Europe.

A Pragmatic War continues the series pioneered and excellently portrayed by Don Herndon’s No Peace Without Spain! and expanded upon by Nine Years: War of the Grand Alliance 1688-1697. The basic NPWS system is ported to APW but expanded and adapted to include such period-specific features as:

Soldier-Kings (martial rulers) and their political-military effect upon operations

Expanded opportunities for French sea power to influence the war

Influence of historic British admirals

Young Frederick the Great’s opportunism

Variable full belligerency by France, Britain and Holland

Hungarian support for Maria Therese

The advent of light troops (Insurrectionists and Genzers)

The ’45 and the potential for a seaborne invasion of England

The Holy Roman Emperor and his effect on political-military affairs

Product Information

Complexity: 4 out of 10

Solitaire Suitability: 5 out of 10

Time Scale: 1 year per turn

Map Scale: point-to-point strategic level

Unit Scale: Corps of 10,000 mixed arms and Fleets

Players: 1 to 2

Playing Time: 4 to 6 hours

Designer: John B. Firer

Developer: Sam Harper

Components:

1 Map – 22 x 34 MOUNTED MAP

1 Sheet of 5/8” Counters

1 Deck of 55 Playing Cards

1 Rules and Scenario Book

Multiple Player Aid Cards

10 Six-Sided Dice

1 Box and Lid set