Matrix Games Forums

Hello.
After a long break, I installed Red Storm again and I have "fun". I did win a few scenarios etc., but now I`m just angry as hell.
I know about orders cycle, HQ range, and all of this, but right now I think the game is broken or I doing something horribly wrong. Currently, I play the first USA campaign scenario. After 90min of gameplay receive M1 Abrams 4 tank platoons. I give them the order to move. They moved after 4-5 minutes of a new cycle. After 2x 16 min cycles, they reach their destination.

And here is my problem. I give them new move order. It took almost whole 3x 15-16 min cycles for them to move (status Screen). Why? Main HQ is 3 hexes from them, their own HQ is with the group, but they just don`t move. I have a feeling like Russians move around the whole map (with 37 min order cycle) without any problems. Where is the great NATO maneuver style? Long-range Arty is working ok, but 90% of my units take ages to do just ONE hex move. There is no enemy ECM on the battlefield I think, at least they did not disrupt my orders.

Can someone explain this to me, pls? I was thinking to buy a new game but right now, I`m not sure if I really wanna. Because I don`t have a feeling I control anything in this game. It`s a great game, but right now I just don`t want to play anymore.

Thank you.

Units have no actual delay when issuing either initial orders for the scenario or initial orders to reinforcements. After that, they are subject to delay when orders are issued, and that is based on the current command delay, EW, and readiness. Issuing multiple orders to the same unit can also create additional delays as conflicting orders must be sorted. Units in hold/screen also take time to receive orders and move out. These delays, in many cases, are long, and we did a better job in the new game engine with Southern Storm to have better delays and order communications.

Thx for the fast answer. I understand what saying, but why 5 enemy units after they destroy my unit and take control of VP, in less than 10 minutes all of them move into new Victory Point? I don't see them waiting in the same hex for 30 minutes even when their HQ order cycle is 47 minutes. I don`t see any dealy, and I hit their HQ 3 times already. I play a game right now tbh .
In this situation with M1 tanks, they didn`t give another order after they finished the first one (and no enemy contact). I give a new one....and nothing for over 2 cycles 16 min. Why do they move almost immediately when they arrive and just second-order feels like something impossible? Russians fly on this map, roads, cities even forests.

In most cases, the AI will plan and order deep missions, and they are not replanning and suffering orders delays in those cases. If they do replan, and you have degraded their command and control, they will sit as the new orders are generated and communicated to the forces involved. As noted in the previous answer, there is no delay for the initial scenario orders or first orders when reinforcements come on the map.

Ok, this makes sense now. They just plan to move to target areas far away, if they meet my units they fight, and when they win, they continue their orders and move again. So if I have reinforcements I should think hard and send them to a good position right away as a long plan, not step by step?

Thank you for your help. I have the first game box edition, and now I thinking about the second one, also a box edition. Ech, wife is gonna kill me. (any pictures of the hardcover manual?)

Thanks again

Southern Storm manual look like this:

As for moving and positioning your forces, you did need to plan ahead a couple of cycles. This can be crucial with recon and lighter forces to set them to move away from the enemy. If the enemy can see you, you will often take fire and have difficulty trying to disengage. Planning your battle and where and when you want to fight is a learning process. The Cold War battlefield is very deadly, and you pay for mistakes in location and timing. Feel free to ask more questions. We are here to help.

Thank you for the answer and the great photos. Well, the next payment (or maybe sooner) I going to buy this Boxed Edition. 110%

The last question, just can`t find an answer.
I know when my units see the enemy, I don`t have whole information about them. The numbers and letters in the left corner of enemy Units, what are they? Sometimes after a hit, the numbers go down, then after another hit goes up. A letter can change from "T" to "W".


I`m not sure how to read them and what this information means.

Bottom left is the estimated number of active subunits. Middle bottom is the movement mode (t=tracked, w=wheeled), bottom right is the current order (your side only). This information is in the game manual.

Yea, I need to read this book again.

Ok, Big thanks for all your answers. Have a nice day!