Scenario Size in MCS

[Gerry4321]

Hello All:

Sorry to have to so many questions. Wondering how many units (thinking in terms of counters on a boardgame) would one command in an average-sized scenario?

I guess for me if I have around 20, I think that's plenty. What percentage of scenarios would be under that?

Thanks in advance,

Gerry

[Jason Petho]

There are a number of scenarios with 20 or so units, with more in the works. 20 or so units would be a battalion with reinforcements sized battle.

Of course, it depends on the type of scenario. Defending with 20 units is far less time consuming than attacking with 20 units.

I prefer the extremely large scenarios mainly because they always turn into a number of small battles. It keeps things more interesting, and one is more likely to fight those small battles with a little more care, as the units will be required for the next small battle.

Jason Petho

[Gerry4321]

Thanks Jason.

Seems like just a few are small. A better question then might be "How many units in a typical MCS scenario"?

Thanks again. And thanks for your video tutorial.

Take care,

Gerry

[junk2drive]

He posted that there are a number of scenarios and more in the works and from that you get just a few??
 
Last October you were looking to get into computer games
 
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1272883&mpage=1&key=&#1272883
 
Did you ever buy anything or do you just ask questions?

[Gerry4321]

Hello junk2drive:

What questions I ask is up to me. Please do not participate in any threads I start if that is your attitude. Surely you have something better to do with your time!

Thanks to anyone that answers any of my questions.

Take care,

Gerry

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: Gerry
Seems like just a few are small. A better question then might be "How many units in a typical MCS scenario"?

I guess that depends on how one defines "typical". I would imagine that everyone would have a different answer.

With hundreds of scenarios with the three included games, plus campaigns, (a battalion level LCG would be about 20 units that you would command, for example) there is ample for everyone.

ORIGINAL: Gerry
Thanks again. And thanks for your video tutorial.

No problem, I will have more when I have some more free time.

Jason Petho

[serg3d]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho
I prefer the extremely large scenarios mainly because they always turn into a number of small battles. It keeps things more interesting, and one is more likely to fight those small battles with a little more care, as the units will be required for the next small battle.

I prefer campaigns for the same reason. However lesser scale campaign game is faster and more involving (IMHO) then single huge scenario. Also AI turn take forever for huge battle.

[vadersson]

Hi Gerry,

Here is a link to a complete list of all scenarios included with the game.

tm.asp?m=1565361

The complexity number is a relative indicator of how many units are in the scenario.

The chart is something like this:
1   1-20 total units
2   21-50 Total Units
3   51-90 total units
4   91-140
5   141-200
Etc.

At complexity of 4 or less there are quite a few scenarios.  If you want 2 or less your choices are much more limited (about 6, not counting all the boot camps.)

I hope that helps.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: vadersson

Hi Gerry,

Here is a link to a complete list of all scenarios included with the game.

tm.asp?m=1565361

The complexity number is a relative indicator of how many units are in the scenario.

The chart is something like this:
1   1-20 total units
2   21-50 Total Units
3   51-90 total units
4   91-140
5   141-200
Etc.

At complexity of 4 or less there are quite a few scenarios.  If you want 2 or less your choices are much more limited (about 6, not counting all the boot camps.)

Keep in mind, that is the total amount of units for both sides, including noncombat units like wagons, trucks, etc.

Jason Petho

[1925frank]

It kind of sounds like Gerry wants scenarios that he can play to completion in about a half hour.  Campaign Series lends itself to that small of a scenario better than TOAW. 
 
I tend to agree that the number of scenarios that small to pick from would be relatively small.  On the other hand, the game editor is very simple, and you can design small scenarios quickly and have a lot of fun both creating them and play testing them.  I think you'd find the game isn't that complex and plays easily with more units. 
 
If you persisted, however, I'm fairly sure there are a lot of people who have small scenarios they've created but haven't shared precisely because they are small.  You might have tapped into an area of the game no one has previously pursued.

[Gerry4321]

Thanks vadersson, Jason, and Frank. These responses help me.
 
My struggle I think is moving away from a boardgame and getting into computer wargames. I have tried but am still not sure I can make the switch.
 
I do know that I am not into games that have a "boatload of units" as someone mentioned, e.g. TOAW and HPS's Panzer Campaigns seem to be like this. I have tried SPWAW, the Combat Mission demo, and I have bought Squad Battles: Advance of the Reich. None have gripped me like a boardgame yet - I play ASL using VASL.
 
One of the interesting things for me in the calculations involved in ASL is that it seems to pull me into the game. And I really see the effect of each Pin, etc. on the units.
 
Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks for the help,
 
Gerry

[Jason Petho]

As noted above, there are plenty of scenarios for everyone, for everyone tastes.. and there are plenty more coming. From the small company sized battles, to the massively corp sized battles.

Hope you take the plunge and give it a whirl!

Jason Petho

[1925frank]

ORIGINAL: Gerry

Thanks vadersson, Jason, and Frank. These responses help me.

My struggle I think is moving away from a boardgame and getting into computer wargames. I have tried but am still not sure I can make the switch.

I do know that I am not into games that have a "boatload of units" as someone mentioned, e.g. TOAW and HPS's Panzer Campaigns seem to be like this. I have tried SPWAW, the Combat Mission demo, and I have bought Squad Battles: Advance of the Reich. None have gripped me like a boardgame yet - I play ASL using VASL.

One of the interesting things for me in the calculations involved in ASL is that it seems to pull me into the game. And I really see the effect of each Pin, etc. on the units.

Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks for the help,

Gerry

I have SPWAW and TOAW as well and enjoy them. For me, they generally involve more units and more micromanagement. There is some management in Campaign Series, but it's minimal compared to the other two games. You can pretty much saddle up and ride in Campaign Series, especially if you have a small scenario.

I haven't tried it, but if you asked around, I'm sure people would volunteer to share small scenarios. I'm not sure if the next patch will include more smaller scenarios, but if a sufficient number of small scenarios is your concern, the forum is responsive enough to get past it.

[Shawkhan]

...Gerry, as the owner of over 300 boardgames, including multiple copies of most of the Squad Leader/ASL stuff, I can tell you that the Campaign Series does a pretty good job of simulating tactical combat. Units can be disrupted, much like being pinned. Artillery support is handled well in the game I think with radio contact dierolls and all, much like ASL. Vehicles, minefields and such are all handled automatically so one doesn't have to remember to use the proper tables and make all the dierolls themselves when moving/firing units.
...As an older guy, I use the largest monitor I can fit on my desk, and play this game mostly on normal 3D setting, with the bases shown on the units.  When playing Squad Leader I used to love the larger (multi-board) scenarios which would take up an inordinate amount of table space. The computer is much more compact.
...One of the unsung advantages of the Campaign Series is that you can play a scenario the same size as a ASL scenario in a fraction of the time.
...It has been years since I have done anything more than occasionally dust off box covers on most of my old games.

[1925frank]

If a person likes having to remember which units have moved and which haven't, and if a person likes having to figure out where they are on the Combat Results Table, then a board game is the way to go, because a computer game will disappoint you tremendously on those points.  It's all done for you.  That may be why Gerry likes the small number of units.  In a board game, keeping track of units was always a headache for me, and, in some games, it wasn't always easy to figure out where you were on the Combat Results Table.  If you were interrupted by a phone call, a cat biting at your ankle, or a dog spilling your coke while knocking over the TV tray, you might not even remember which combat you were trying to resolve.
 
I didn't play board games all that much because I wasn't particularly good at keeping track of units and didn't care to play solitaire.  I've enjoyed computer gaming.  Finding a computer game you will enjoy isn't always that easy.  You'll never find out if you never try.  There's no guarantee you'll like Campaign Series, but a lot of people do.  The manual and the forum are good resources. 
 
There's a learning curve with any computer game, but there's a learning curve with board games too.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: 1925frank
...I'm not sure if the next patch will include more smaller scenarios...

There are a few slated for the 1.03 update, primarily for East Front.

Jason Petho

[baltjes]

Hello Gerry,

As an former board gamer, I liked the huge scenario's with very many units. The disadvantage of that were the huge counterstockpiles (as e.g in Squad Leader). So,I am very happy with the present day computer games, where a total order of battle can not be destroyed by a too kindly girlfriend/wife, bringing me and my opponent the necessary cups of coffee (or something like that!). I prefer to play and design very large scenario's. The number of units used in them (for both sides together and including transport, leaders etc. can mount up to more than 10.000! (I am developping a scenario now with at least 15.000 units and a map about 500 (width) x 650 (heigth), see if it works.

There is, however, one enormous drawback when using scenario's of this side. That is when the computer is on turn, it takes quite a long time before he is finished (not as long as I take, but I have to wait untill its turn is finished, he won't!), moving every single unit (sometimes he/it moves single trucks, empty, forth and back untill its movement points are exhausted). So, you'd better go shopping, cutting trees or do other necessary things when 'Compu' is at work.

Oh, yes, I never play in 3D mode, only in 2D, because I don't like the 3D landscape, and, of course, there is some nostagic connection with the old time of boardgaming.


Hajo Baltjes

[Dumnorix]

The matrix people do not have nevertheless my knowledge notion of the CS codes (exe codes). The rights are here probably still with Talonsoft. To those one would have to thus turn, if one places such questions!!!

H.Balck (The god creator)

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: Dumnorix

The matrix people do not have nevertheless my knowledge notion of the CS codes (exe codes). The rights are here probably still with Talonsoft. To those one would have to thus turn, if one places such questions!!!

H.Balck (The god creator)

I am failing to see how this is relevant to the topic?

Jason Petho

[tide1212]

It isn't Jason. [8|] He must be board? [;)]