First Game as Soviets

[ObeseMonkey]

Having played the smaller scenarios, and a brief go (as the Germans) with the grand campaign to acquaint myself with the changes, I've decided to actually try and play through the whole thing, but as the soviets.
I've never played as them, not in this or the first game, so given the AI being better I'll be playing on Normal.

Has anyone got any tips for a first time soviet player?

[Repsol]

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4988479

[ast95]

ORIGINAL: ObeseMonkey
Has anyone got any tips for a first time soviet player?

1. Use AF heavily on interdiction and bombing units in areas, not covered by LW. AI often run ground support out of escort, it is nice opportunity to get some revenge.
2. Try to scatter isolated units in Belostock pocket and slowly move them in SE direction, into swamps. Air supply them as hard as you can, even with heavy bombers. You may save a good amount of force.
3. Use every opportunity to cut supply lines, even by suicide. In my current game I'd managed to occupy few German cities in Jule!
4. Use terrain. City with 3 fresh inf div could hold 3-4 full scale attacks. Use reserve stance actively. Most TD and MD and CD should be in reserves.
5. Trade units for time, but try not to be very generous on this. This is especially actual fo SW front.
6. In late autumn start to attack where you sure you will win. Romanians first.
7. Be sure of your upcoming victory, you only need to hold them before heavy mud! In my current game (normal difficulty) I had more man and tanks and guns in field than nazies with first snow. Only question is will Berlin be taken in 43 or 44 now.

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: ast95

ORIGINAL: ObeseMonkey
Has anyone got any tips for a first time soviet player?

..
6. In late autumn start to attack where you sure you will win. Romanians first.
7. Be sure of your upcoming victory, you only need to hold them before heavy mud! In my current game (normal difficulty) I had more man and tanks and guns in field than nazies with first snow. Only question is will Berlin be taken in 43 or 44 now.

not sure about #6, you should be looking to hit back a long way before the late autumn. Small scale counter-attacks should be a standard part of your game play (see the various AARs from the beta). remember a pushed back pzr regiment/division losses all its CPP and most of its MP.

7 - if you understand the game system, put the attacking AI on 110, it needs that bonus, esp as the Germans

[Nix77]

3. Use every opportunity to cut supply lines, even by suicide. In my current game I'd managed to occupy few German cities in Jule!

Cutting supply lines is an essential strategy, but I usually houserule myself from not exploiting the AI in certain aspects. Any T1 pocket pushing west toward Germany is one of the things I refuse to do, the AI isn't coded to counter that properly.

[56ajax]

Drop your dud units into the Reserve TB and in a few turns later they come back as super men.

[Repsol]

ORIGINAL: Nix77

3. Use every opportunity to cut supply lines, even by suicide. In my current game I'd managed to occupy few German cities in Jule!

Cutting supply lines is an essential strategy, but I usually houserule myself from not exploiting the AI in certain aspects. Any T1 pocket pushing west toward Germany is one of the things I refuse to do, the AI isn't coded to counter that properly.

I belive that this will be essential if you hope to get a good game out off the attacking germans. If you MAX OUT the cutting of supply lines and take FULL advantage of other 'oppertunities' that might present itself i doubt that the AI germans will manage it.

[ast95]

ORIGINAL: Nix77
Any T1 pocket pushing west toward Germany is one of the things I refuse to do, the AI isn't coded to counter that properly.

To be honest, AI isn't good at absolutely everything. Much better than WITE1 for sure, but still way dumber than human. I'm now just learning game mechanics, no more. For real play I will look for bio opponent.

[ObeseMonkey]

Thanks for all the reply’s! I’m thinking of putting the Ai on 110. I’m far from the best player so that should give it just a bit of a boost.
Like Nix I tend to houserule quite a bit, as I tend to play AI given lack of time. Just ran German turn 1, I think maybe the AI could do a little better with its initial air attacks (flew a lot of unescorted bomber raids). But it did well enough. Ground it did fine of course (in fact it’s a little ahead of historical in the north!)

Might be a silly question, but was wondering how desperate should I be to ensure the other theatres have the required ground forces? It seems most start under 100% which could cost me some points in the long run.

Also should I worry about cut off Air HQ’s, how important is it to get them out? Or should I not worry as they can be rebuilt?

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: ObeseMonkey

...

Might be a silly question, but was wondering how desperate should I be to ensure the other theatres have the required ground forces? It seems most start under 100% which could cost me some points in the long run.

Also should I worry about cut off Air HQ’s, how important is it to get them out? Or should I not worry as they can be rebuilt?

I personally would write it off, over the game your units there will refit to meet the requirements and its a lot easier as the Soviets to dump some unneeded SU or divisions into the Theatres say in mid/late 42 and over the game you can come out well ahead in terms of both VPs and events

I'd say get them out if you think you want to use the relevant air command (if I recall they take a few turns to refit in the reserve). While the command counter isn't too important it does supply the leader and the allocation of support squads so while its off map (or cut off), any AOGs in that command won't function that well

[carlkay58]

I leave the HQs in the pockets to give support, buy time, and make life miserable for the Axis. The longer they take reducing the pocket the less time they have to capture more VP cities.

I would also like to remind people who have read the manual and inform those bad people who have not that Soviet counterattacks can also reduce the MPs of the Axis defender for the next turn. Not only those in Reserve that reacted to the combat but also those that received the attack. This can be a great method to keep the panzers in lower MPs which means less combat/maneuver capabilities and less pockets.

[Erik Rutins]

I agree that in the case where you understand the game and are playing as the Soviets, it's advisable to put the Axis AI on Challenging or at least 110 Morale Level. Attacking is a bit harder than defending for the AI and while 1941 will be a bit scarier at Challenging I think the campaign as a whole will end up more interesting.

[carlkay58]

When you get really good you set the Axis to all 120s. That gives them the teleport for line forming that starts at 110 but adds the nice automatic leadership success AND tac nukes! Tac nukes are really just an increased disruption ability but when you lose three entire armies in one turn tac nukes is a better description!