A Clash of Titans, Xhoel (Axis) vs Bitburger (Soviet)

[joelmar]

ORIGINAL: xhoel
The second attack was very close to crossing the 1.5 odds ratio which is needed to drop fort levels by 1 full level.

That I didn't know, thanks for the info. I am currently fighting for Sevastopol in my PBEM game in turn 16. After the turn action, the city is completely isolated, but I didn't attack it yet, as I am still in the process of clearing the mountains to the east. So forts level in city still at 5. I hope to finish it before the end of the year, but mud is coming and the railhead is at Nikolaev. So it might be hard to maintain myself there for 3 mud weeks and I might need to pull back a bit, giving the Soviets time and space to reinforce.

[xhoel]

Sure thing. I was planning on doing a separate thread on the forums about dropping fort levels but have been busy lately. I have run quite a few tests and have been fighting in the Crimea for a year now so I can give you some advice if you want ( feel free to PM me).

There are 5 weeks of mud if I recall correctly. I would advise you against pulling back from the Crimea. If you can't assault the city, have your units sit tight and dig in there. Come blizzard, the Crimea will be a safe heaven as it only suffers blizzard penalties for 4-5 weeks (in January), the rest of the time the weather is snow and you can get Romanians there and a couple of German IDs to hold the line without any problems like I did in this AAR.

Cheers!

[joelmar]

I'm playing with normal weather option. I checked the normal weather table in the manual's and it gives me 4 weeks:

18 - 16 oct
19 - 23 oct
20 - 30 oct
21 - 6 nov

And there is no blizzard at all in the winter 1941-42 for Europe Zone. Again, that is normal weather. But you're right for the random weather from what I see in the tables.

At the moment I have 11th army down there, with a full line-up of 12 divisions, including Air Landing and a few rumanians, and some of my best leaders at corps level. Also the Soviet guys remaining down there are not very strong, so it's very good for me... so don't worry, I have no intention to pull back an inch from my actual positions unless I have no choice because of the supply situation, which is my only concern for now.

[xhoel]

I am playing with the fixed weather option too and yes you are right, mud lasts for 4 turns, turn 18,19,20,21. Turn 22 is snow.

You are incorrect on the blizzard thing though. There is Blizzard in the Europe Zone but only in January. December and February have Snow. I just rechecked the AAR and can confirm this is the case.

Good. I would say hold the position and wait till supply catches up. I doubt the units will be isolated but will probably be >50Mps from rail. Burning some trucks is worth it in this case since it offers you a good advantage!

[joelmar]

ORIGINAL: Xhoel
You are incorrect on the blizzard thing though. There is Blizzard in the Europe Zone but only in January. December and February have Snow. I just rechecked the AAR and can confirm this is the case.

Might be from experience, so I won't argue since I never played it myself. But unless I misunderstand, here is what the manual v. 2.5.5 states at 22.2.1:

Notes 1: There will be no automatic Blizzard in December 1941 and January 1942 in Europe Zone.

For the Sevastopol situation in my game, thanks, that confirms what I thought. For the trucks, I'm already taking steps to make sure I use as little of them as possible everywhere on the front.

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: joelmar

ORIGINAL: Xhoel
You are incorrect on the blizzard thing though. There is Blizzard in the Europe Zone but only in January. December and February have Snow. I just rechecked the AAR and can confirm this is the case.

Might be from experience, so I won't argue since I never played it myself. But unless I misunderstand, here is what the manual v. 2.5.5 states at 22.2.1:

Had the experience of both reading that in the (old) manual there was no blizzard and knowing that there is a blizzard in January in Europe in the game. I am not sure if it is updated in the new manual?

[joelmar]

ORIGINAL: Telemecus
Had the experience of both reading that in the (old) manual there was no blizzard and knowing that there is a blizzard in January in Europe in the game. I am not sure if it is updated in the new manual?

That might indeed be the problem. I makes quite a difference though if it is the case.

[xhoel]

Just checked the manual. Having seen it first hand I would say that the manual is incorrect. I had normal blizzard in January which then reverted to Snow in February. I also just checked the 2by3+ team game, January shows blizzard in the Crimea.

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: xhoel

Just checked the manual. Having seen it first hand I would say that the manual is incorrect. I had normal blizzard in January which then reverted to Snow in February. I also just checked the 2by3+ team game, January shows blizzard in the Crimea.

is that in the new manual - if so Chris will want the corrections for next version

8MP team game and another one too - so very definitely blizzard in January in Europe zone

[xhoel]

I think so, yeah. The 8MP game was random weather though, right?

[Telemecus]

Both 8MP and 2by3+ were random weather but beyond unlikely possibility of freak repeat blizzard. I suppose you could test it to be sure by a game against yourself with fixed weather and press end turn 18 times for each side without moving any units. All the saves I keep to test things are random weather unfortunately.

[xhoel]

ORIGINAL: Telemecus

Both 8MP and 2by3+ were random weather but beyond unlikely possibility of freak repeat blizzard. I suppose you could test it to be sure by a game against yourself with fixed weather and press end turn 18 times for each side without moving any units. All the saves I keep to test things are random weather unfortunately.

I checked and 2by3+ is fixed weather. Or at least that's what the options screen shows. I'm sure that 8MP is random though. I'm pretty sure that January of 42 is blizzard so no need for tests there really

[Telemecus]

ORIGINAL: xhoel

ORIGINAL: Telemecus

Both 8MP and 2by3+ were random weather but beyond unlikely possibility of freak repeat blizzard. I suppose you could test it to be sure by a game against yourself with fixed weather and press end turn 18 times for each side without moving any units. All the saves I keep to test things are random weather unfortunately.

I checked and 2by3+ is fixed weather. Or at least that's what the options screen shows. I'm sure that 8MP is random though. I'm pretty sure that January of 42 is blizzard so no need for tests there really

Wow - I am sure we agreed random! Well you discover something new every day [:D]

[xhoel]

Telemecus

Wow - I am sure we agreed random! Well you discover something new every day [:D]

I stand corrected, 2by3+ is also random weather, my bad while checking the options.

[joelmar]

I started an AI vs AI game when you mentionned it, it ran in the background for a while, and I can double confirm that it's blizzard all the way in January in Crimea.

[xhoel]

Thanks for the confirmation. I posted it in the New Manual thread and hope Chris will change it soon.

Cheers!

[EwaldvonKleist]

Model does not seem up to his Job. You should appoint a better general at Sevastopol.
Cost/return ratio of the Sevastopol operation worsens @)

Sometimes I wish to have an "execute general" button to reduce aggression (it removes the general permanently from the game and AI picks a replacement)

[xhoel]

I have had some really bad luck in Sevastopol and the Soviets have had some really good luck. That is the way of war I guess. You can imagine my frustration after all 3 attacks failed [:@] Bitburger was surprised that the city held again as well. I have been laying siege to this cursed fortress for more than a month now and I really hope I can take it next week. Getting those units to surrender (if things go the way I have planned) although most men will escape will be a small consolation prize.

[EwaldvonKleist]

Is the port damaged sufficiently so Soviet units will be isolated ?

[xhoel]

ORIGINAL: EwaldvonKleist

Is the port damaged sufficiently so Soviet units will be isolated ?

Nope, after all the combat of 5 weeks, the port is at around 60% damage. But I have figured a way that can force the Soviets to surrender instead of routing. Won't ruin the surprise, will be part of the next update when the city falls And no, it is not gamey, it simply utilizes an overlooked documented rule which I am pretty sure can only be applied on Sevastopol.