Unit Counters

[goodwoodrw]

Why don't counters display unit designations?

[ComradeP]

Because they don't. Numerous ideas for what the counters could/should depict have been posted, but the current setting is all there is for the moment.

[Zovs]

Once you spend a fairly long time in the game you'll soon realize that the unit designations can be found in at least 3 ways in the interface and over a very long period of staring at the map IMO unit designations displayed on the limited available counter space would add nothing to the game while taking away from the visual aspect. For example in the screen shot below where would you put the unit designation of 2nd Panzer Division, it won't fit on the counter:

[Grotius]

Also, armies are color-coded, so it's easy to see at a glance where your major HQs and their attached units are.

Still, it might be nice to have a "soft factor" option for a very short unit ID: say 2Pz in the example above. Or a toggle to put something like 2Pz on the left side of the NATO symbol, in small type, maybe visible only when fairly zoomed-in. Kinda low on my wish-list, though.

[goodwoodrw]

I know there is numerous ways to identify a unit, however it would be nice for an instant recognition at times so don't have to open another window up. As for cluttering up the counter this is not necessarily so, using your example all you have to do is add a 2 to either side of the counter and the unit would be easily identified as the 2nd Pz Div Nato symbol idenifies an Armd unit, XX identifies the unit size, and an added number gives you the unit name. The counter is already colour coded for Corps ID. A simple fix no windows need to be open to ID unit.

[LiquidSky]

Most units will be in stacks...

[henri51]

ORIGINAL: BASB
... The counter is already colour coded for Corps ID. A simple fix no windows need to be open to ID unit.

No the color corresponds to armies and not corps.

Henri

[FredSanford3]

ORIGINAL: LiquidSky

Most units will be in stacks...

So just they can just handle that like the other counter stats. If the 2nd Panzer, 167th Infantry, and 14th Motorized Divisions are stacked together, just add 'em all up, and display 183. Totally intuitive.

[E]

ORIGINAL: Franklin Nimitz
So just they can just handle that like the other counter stats. If the 2nd Panzer, 167th Infantry, and 14th Motorized Divisions are stacked together, just add 'em all up, and display 183. Totally intuitive.

ROFL!!!! Two points awarded.

[jomni]

I don't even bother knowing what the unit name is. They're all just little cogs to my war machine. I mainly look at the CV. [:D]

[Tophat1815]

ORIGINAL: jomni

I don't even bother knowing what the unit name is. They're all just little cogs to my war machine. I mainly look at the CV. [:D]

I'm with you...where is my commanders report? 13th Tank division CV is WHAT????????????

I'd like to see soviet leaders ratings improve when stacked with an NKVD rgt.[:D]

[Martin James]

I agree with BASB, and would like to see unit IDs on the counters.

Let me explain. I play wargames to try and put myself in the position of the actual commanders. The impression I get is that that the players represent (approximately) the OKH and Stavka in this game.

So when I look at the main game map, I would like to see what Zeitzler, or Vasilevsky saw on their operational maps in 1943. What they actually saw was unit IDs. They lacked computers, so could not necessarily get an instant read-out of the exact numbers of squads, tanks & guns in each unit, especially if it was in heavy combat. Again without computers, any numerical calculation of what this all meant in terms of attack & defence factors was out of the question, even at times when the data was available.

With perhaps 200 German & allied divisions under command at any one point, and finite numbers of staff officers, OKH for example were forced to adopt a simple code for divisional capabilities. Operational units would each be rated as I-IV. There is some evidence that they sometimes found this approach a little simplistic, but also that they were unable to find anything better with the systems & processes available at the time. They could certainly drill down into more detail on individual divisions if required, but such data was not always 100% accurate or up-to-date.

I appreciate that lots of folks like to have attack factors etc and really value having the detailed stats, and I’m not trying to say they shouldn’t. I think it’s great if folks can play the game just the way they like to play it. They’re the customer after all, and I recognise my view may be in the minority.

I would just like to be able to play it as the OKH & Stavka had to do. So I’m asking whether an alternative counter-display could be added as an option, with no factors, but instead the unit ID and (if possible) some indication of the capability of the unit. That could be the I-IV German system, or perhaps a traffic-light system (red/amber etc).

Here’s hoping…….

Martin