War of the Rings v05

[rhinobones]

Attached is the War of the Ring scenario updated to TOAW IV. The update includes a complete rework of the unit icons for which I thank T. Walsh (aka Redass) whose graphic art skills made this possible. Other changes include: 1) complete rework of personnel/equipment attributes, 2) new Equipment256 file which replaces modern equipment with WotR images, 3) new Gametext file that marries WotR names to the personnel/equipment and 4) inclusion of 5 randomized objective tracks designed to make Sauron & Allies a worthy programmed opponent. Enjoy.

Regards, RhinoBones

Download WotR v05 here: Go to Sept 6th posting.

[Lobster]

The counters look fantastic.

[rhinobones]

The original zip file did not include the Gametext file as part of the graphics override bundle. This zip file contains Gametext.

Regards

[Cheeks]

This looks great!!

Many Thanks Rhinobones!

[Rayak]

Thank you for this nice update

[rhinobones]

This looks great!!
Many Thanks Rhinobones!

The one to thank for the graphics is Redass (T. Walsh). The credit is his.
Now it's time to see if it plays as good as it looks.

Regards

[secadegas]

I heard about this scenario from previous versions but I've never try it before.

But this time - with these trully amazing graphics (congrats to T. Walsh) - I had to try it.

After 30 turns I must say it plays OK but combat resolution is far different from the usual TOAW feeling:
Small, tiny and weak units resist beyond imagination against extreme odds.
Flanking attacks seem useless. Probably because most units only have one type of active defender equipment.
Even if attrition divider is set to the default level (10) losses are much lower than other half week scenarios. How is this achieved?

I'm not sure the replacements levels are well designed because after 25 turns both forces are down to minimum replacements rate (Rate 1 on almost all pieces of equipment). Is this right?

Some units, even if unsupplied, keep building up their supply level until the max 150. Is this intended design?

I also believe that the scenario briefing is a bit too simple for the complexity of this scenario (with more than 300 events defined) and the new players would like to know what to do with the Graphic override file. Can't find any instructions to newcomers how to deal with the customs graphics.

When the scenario is opened on the force editor some options aren't active (i.e equipment list scoll down) but i presume that's due to the customized equiment base.

However this is a great scenario and its ("madly") uncertainty surely represents the magic of this really interesting
project.

[rhinobones]

Good to hear that the scenario plays OK, that’s always a big concern for the designer. In the game against the Sauron PO the Nazgul are programmed to cause havoc behind the lines but you’ve probably chased them all down by turn 30.

Let’s see if I can answer your questions.

Small, tiny and weak units resist beyond imagination against extreme odds.

Let me know which units you are talking about and I’ll do some testing. Some of the character units are designed to be hard to kill, but this sounds like foot or horse units.

Even if attrition divider is set to the default level (10) losses are much lower than other half week scenarios. How is this achieved?

Almost all foot, horse and garrison units are marked as “armored”. My guess is that armor is impacting losses.

I'm not sure the replacements levels are well designed because after 25 turns both forces are down to minimum replacements rate (Rate 1 on almost all pieces of equipment). Is this right?

My intention was to go into battle with the forces available/mobilized with minimal replacements. As in the board game, once a unit comes off the board it stays off the board. This assumes that the manpower available to fight the war is finite with replacements limited to wounded returning to the fight. Also, I’m not a fan of endless replacement streams. I’ll keep in mind that a few more replacements would make the game more enjoyable and if comments warrant a change, make the bump-up in a revision.

Some units, even if unsupplied, keep building up their supply level until the max 150. Is this intended design?

Supply is not intended to be a big factor in this scenario, but an unsupplied unit gaining supply doesn’t sound right. Please double check the supply points. I’ll need an example before I can do some testing.

I also believe that the scenario briefing is a bit too simple for the complexity of this scenario (with more than 300 events defined) and the new players would like to know what to do with the Graphic override file. Can't find any instructions to newcomers how to deal with the customs graphics.

I’ve made a note to add some installation instructions in the event version 6 is produced. Will also expand the briefing to describe the impact of critical events.

When the scenario is opened on the force editor some options aren't active (i.e equipment list scoll down) but i presume that's due to the customized equiment base.

Since I have all of the support files on my machine I’ve never noticed inactive editing options. Don’t know if there is anything I can do about the situation.

Appreciate the comments and questions, thank you.

Best Regards, RhinoBones

[secadegas]

Let me know which units you are talking about and I’ll do some testing. Some of the character units are designed to be hard to kill, but this sounds like foot or horse units.

It's mainly high proficiency 1:1 archers which are resisting high ratio attacks (well over 100 AR), even accepting high combat losses and sometimes unsupplied. It's a bit crazy...

Supply is not intended to be a big factor in this scenario, but an unsupplied unit gaining supply doesn’t sound right. Please double check the supply points. I’ll need an example before I can do some testing.

My forces surrounded Saruman many turns ago. It's unsupplied for "ages". I've checked carefully.
The "damned beast", besides supporting flanking ratio attacks of over 1500 - the power of almost all Rohan's cavalry plus Gandalf the Grey - with very few losses, is still with on 150% supply.

Even if I can master the Evil Ed well I'm not familiar with the equipment database or the Bio Ed you've used so it's a difficult for me to do some testing.

One more question. What's the pratical use of the Gametext file?

[Adamrf3r]

I was interested in adding the Balrog in the deeps of Moria to the War of The Ring scenario but unsure whether or not it would affect the overall gameplay. At present it is incredibly easy to liberate Moria by attacking the city with Lothlorien elves.

In-lore the liberation of Moria by Lothlorien during this period in history is virtually impossible as they are fighting a war with Angmar that requires their full attention and the breaching of Moria's defences would eventually necessitate a confrontation with the Balrog. A monstrosity that the Elves with the exception of perhaps Glorfindel would be unable to vanquish.

Having said that Moria is said in the appendices to be liberated in the 4th age by the Dwarves so it just feels very discordant with the legendarium for the Elves to have the ability in-game to step foot into Moria when they would have no motive or means to do so. At present the target is tantalisingly close for the Free People's player to ignore.

Anyhow The graphics do not display for me either.

[rhinobones]

Let me know which units you are talking about and I’ll do some testing. Some of the character units are designed to be hard to kill, but this sounds like foot or horse units.

It's mainly high proficiency 1:1 archers which are resisting high ratio attacks (well over 100 AR), even accepting high combat losses and sometimes unsupplied. It's a bit crazy...

Supply is not intended to be a big factor in this scenario, but an unsupplied unit gaining supply doesn’t sound right. Please double check the supply points. I’ll need an example before I can do some testing.

My forces surrounded Saruman many turns ago. It's unsupplied for "ages". I've checked carefully.
The "damned beast", besides supporting flanking ratio attacks of over 1500 - the power of almost all Rohan's cavalry plus Gandalf the Grey - with very few losses, is still with on 150% supply.

Even if I can master the Evil Ed well I'm not familiar with the equipment database or the Bio Ed you've used so it's a difficult for me to do some testing.

One more question. What's the pratical use of the Gametext file?

Sounds like you’re describing a last stand of heroic proportions . . . kind of like the 300 Spartans. To me this is what separates sword & shields from guns & ammo. In the WotR universe surrender is not an option and the fight is to the last man, elf, or Orc.

If Saruman is still at Isengard, he is sitting on a 100 supply point. If the stack is elsewhere, supply has to be coming from somewhere. Where? I don’t know. If not from Isengard I have no explanation of what’s going on within the game engine that keeps supply at 150.

Gametext is primarily used to modify unit/equipment and terrain names. See the Order of Battle or an archer unit report for name changes. Note that bombardment has been changed to archery. These are changes which are outside the scope of Force/Unit Editing.

From your descriptions I’m guessing that you are playing against the PO without using the commander movement/attack option. Otherwise, I doubt you would be able to surround the enemy or achieve the flanking attack bonus. All my game time has been with the commander movement/attack option so I’m at a loss to fully appreciate your experience. I hope these problems have not become a showstopper.

Regards, RhinoBones

[rhinobones]

Anyhow The graphics do not display for me either.

You need to have the custom graphic files installed as shown.

[secadegas]

I hope these problems have not become a showstopper.

Not at all. They go along with the magic atmosphere of the scenario.

I’m guessing that you are playing against the PO without using the commander movement/attack option. Otherwise, I doubt you would be able to surround the enemy or achieve the flanking attack bonus. All my game time has been with the commander movement/attack option so I’m at a loss to fully appreciate your experience.

No. I'm playing 50/50 hot seated / against the PO in order to fully test the scenario. However I'm using Gandor & Allies commander movement/attack option exactly as per game rules. I tend to concentrate a lot of cooperative leaders on the map hot spots in order to obtain advantage; surround and flank attacks. In addition Rohan, Gondor and Men formations are reasonably supplied of leaders.

If Saruman is still at Isengard, he is sitting on a 100 supply point. If the stack is elsewhere, supply has to be coming from somewhere. Where? I don’t know.

I'm aware Isengard is a 100 supply point. He was caught isolated from any supply source. The unit report shows "unsupplied" together with the corresponding lack of supply symbol. You don't know where the supply comes from? Me neither.

Meanwhile I just noticed that Hobbit's archers miss their arty range. They behave like regular infantry. You might want to change this in later versions.

[Adamrf3r]

Could you please walk me through those instructions to play the mod with these graphics

[RedAss]

This looks great!!
Many Thanks Rhinobones!

The one to thank for the graphics is Redass (T. Walsh). The credit is his.
Now it's time to see if it plays as good as it looks.

Regards

Thanks for the shout out -- but let's be honest, much easier to illustrate Lord of the Rings than it is to write it. I am the father of 4 or 5 scenarios which all look pretty good but are mired in the nuts and bolts of playability, which is the acid test.

[RedAss]

Could you please walk me through those instructions to play the mod with these graphics

Let's see if I can remember this:
There is a folder called Graphics Override. Actually, there are two: one in your C drive and one deep in your Documents folder.
STAY AWAY FROM THE C DRIVE ONE.

In your documents folder -- and this is from memory -- find your Games folder, and in that Matrix Games, and in that the Operational Art of War Folder. In that should be one called Graphics Override (you probably dumped this scenario in this folder in the folder entitled "Scenarios").
Create a new folder in Graphics Override with the EXACT name as your scenario, and drag and drop all the good stuff in there.
Relaunch the game and enjoy that "Dorothy opening the door into Oz" feeling.
DO stay away from that C drive folder until you know what you are doing. Screwing with that can be like a house falling on you.
Someone correct me if I've led him astray.

[rhinobones]

Meanwhile I just noticed that Hobbit's archers miss their arty range. They behave like regular infantry. You might want to change this in later versions.

Stupid Hobbits . . . always causing trouble!
The problem is that an icon slot not having a hard coded range capability was used for Hobbit archers. It’s an easy fix, but it does mean that there will be a version 06.
v06 will also address some of your earlier comments.

Regards

[Adamrf3r]

Thank you sorry I find it difficult to understand things the first time around without them being made abundantly clear to my autistic mind.

[vispainiusii]

Impressive work!

[IslandInland]

Thank you sorry I find it difficult to understand things the first time around without them being made abundantly clear to my autistic mind.

The scenario is packaged in a way that makes it hard for people not in the know.

Download the scenario from this post. Unzip it.

Go to your Documents folder. From there go to My Games then the The Operational Art of War IV folder. Cut and paste the folder named WotR v05 inside the unzipped scenario folder into the Graphics Override folder.

Go to the Scenarios folder inside the The Operational Art of War IV folder where the Graphics Override folder is and cut and paste the WotR v05 bmp, WotR v05 pdf and WotR sce into a folder of your choice in the Scenarios folder.

For scenarios such as this I have created a folder named SciFi Fantasy Films and Novels but you can place it any folder inside the Documents>My Games>The Operational Art of War>Scenarios folder.

More info here.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 5&t=317677

WotR v05.zip

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