So, you've found yourself, one way or another, on Historical Difficulty, perhaps out of desire for a greater challenge, or perhaps out of curiosity. And then you find yourself floundering and wondering what the everloving hell to do and how to do anything. If you're struggling to even comprehend what the hell Historical difficulty is all about, or have never played on it and are curious, here's a heads-up.
Restrictions:
You aren't allowed the gods-eye view.
You can't move your camera beyond the confines of your general's unit.

These sound fairly limited, but they're pretty shocking in comparison to how most of us are used to playing strategy games. It feels so jarring to be restricted in view in a strategy game. But remember, this gamemode isn't meant to be the "optimum strategy game." It's meant to show you how the Napoleonic Battlefield was an amazingly chaotic arena in which only good staff-work and vigilance, as well as mastery of strategy could win the day.

However, in our next section, you'll be shown how to prevail against this confusion, and the tools you DO have at your disposal.

Before you have a mental breakdown about the concept of using the courier system for ordering your subordinates, keep in mind that you have alternative ways to give orders. You have a few options.

1.The Order of Battle System.
You can use the 'OOB' tab to look at the different units of your army. If you select a commander, and hit 'Select Unit,' then you can order him around as you would order your general's unit around. This is optimal for getting your subordinate specifically where you want his unit, whether it be on the high ground to your right, or in the woods to the french flank, or wherever you whim him to go.

2.The Command Map.
If you press 'N', you will be presented with the map. However, if you click on a point upon it, it will issue orders to your whole army to move to the point you have clicked on, in formation. This is incredibly useful, and I daresay the only true way to move an army or whatever size-element you are working with over long distances. But bear in mind it is sub-optimal for in-battle manouvers, as it moves literally all of your commanded forces.


With an understanding of how these things work, let's get cracking on the Courier system. Since the Order of Battle system is how you mainly direct the motion of your forces in battle itself, the Courier system is used for giving specific orders. For instance, say you have high ground to your right, which would be advantageous for you to hold. If you want your subordinate on that ground to actively defend his ground, then do the following in the Courier tab.

Select the Information tab. Under it, click on 'Execute Orders.' Once this shows up on the message to be sent on the bottom of the window, go to 'Orders.' Press 'Defend.' Then send the order.

Under the orders tab, you will find many helpful orders. Most are specific, but the broader orders may need some explanation. Here's what they do. We already know that defend tells the subordinate to actively defend his position. Attack has a general attack what is in front of their unit, and Hold has the subordinate specifically keep his forces where they are. Almost all orders have an 'At all costs' version of the same order, in which there are no limits allowed for the subordinate, and they are ordered to carry out the objective, as the name implies, at all costs, even to the complete destruction of their unit.

So here's some tips for the aspiring Napoleon or Wellington among you who have completed the guide to this point:

Move your general around. A lot. Through this not only will you spot the enemy first and be able to prepare, but you will also be able to pick out the best possible ground for your subordinates.

Always look at your map and consider the possibilities. Since you don't have gods-eye view, consider where the enemy might be coming from. Remember that they curtail roughly to the roads, and that they don't go over wide stretches of open ground unless they spot an enemy. The AI just might be on the road going past you, and you'll want to be prepared for the possibility of a flank.

Remember that you can direct artillery units to use specific ammunition types. The difference between shell and solid shot can mean life or death for your infantrymen who have to tussle with enemy infantry. Or, if you think you can chance it, rolling the cannons up and switching to canister can reap tremendous enemy casualties.

Thank you for reading. If you like this or think there are some edits to make, let me know in the comments. Keep on commanding, folks!