OOBs

[PaladinSix]

Is there a way to access the OOB other than the standard method? What I'm looking for here is a format that can be pasted into a word or text program, so that I can get a usable list of the units at my disposal. The OOB (in game or in the editor) is woefully inadequate for all but the smallest scenarios.

I may be in the minority here, but when I'm planning an attack, I prefer to think in terms of "4th Infantry Division assaults St. Lo, 1st Infantry holds the left flank, while 82nd Airborne moves south into the bocage around Falaise." Aids in strategic thinking and efficient operation control. Otherwise, a medium or large scenario descends into simply a series of anonymous, local battles.

I realize that this information can be accessed in game, but to get a printed list of the units involves either a lot of tedious typing or else a scenario dump from the editor and a lot of tedious editing and deleting. In a game largely written by grognards for grognards, I'm surprised that an easily-accessible, printable OOB wasn't a basic requirement.

Any help and/or resources would be appreciated.

PaladinSix

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: PaladinSix

Is there a way to access the OOB other than the standard method? What I'm looking for here is a format that can be pasted into a word or text program, so that I can get a usable list of the units at my disposal. The OOB (in game or in the editor) is woefully inadequate for all but the smallest scenarios.

From the editor, you can hit F4. This will export the OOB to a text file. But I don't think you'll find this very useful for your purposes.

Personally I don't find this to be a huge problem. It's not necessary to bear in mind every unit all the time, just the overall picture.

I may be in the minority here, but when I'm planning an attack, I prefer to think in terms of "4th Infantry Division assaults St. Lo, 1st Infantry holds the left flank, while 82nd Airborne moves south into the bocage around Falaise." Aids in strategic thinking and efficient operation control. Otherwise, a medium or large scenario descends into simply a series of anonymous, local battles.

Sure. If you want to keep hold of strategic perspective, don't just think in these terms, write it down in an AAR. Then you are always bringing everything back to the overall purpose.

[PaladinSix]

Yeah, its not a huge problem really.  I just kind of like to be able to think about what I'm doing in at least marginally realistic or historical terms.  Combine that with the need to avoid cooperation penalties and I think I would like to be able to look at a proper OOB to do my planning.  Not a big deal on the small scenarios, nor too much of a problem with the medium ones, but makes things difficult for me on the large ones.  I've found that by simply cycling through the units in order, I tend to forget what orders I've given to the early ones by the time I get to the late ones.
 
Of course, the other option is to look at things in a purely geographical perspective.  Take each segment of the front and make the necessary decisions and then move on to another sector.  The problem I have with this is that I tend to miss a few units that fall through the cracks, and they are sometimes units that could make the difference in a fight.
 

[Veers]

Geopgraphically is how I do. My secret is that I spend hours more time per turn than I should, ensuring that I have gotten all the units. I also write an AAR as I go, which enables me to not forget any far off regions...Finland, Iran. And I have a system in place to get to all the area. First Normandy, then brittany, then southern France, then italy, then my AF, etc.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: PaladinSix

Yeah, its not a huge problem really.  I just kind of like to be able to think about what I'm doing in at least marginally realistic or historical terms.  Combine that with the need to avoid cooperation penalties and I think I would like to be able to look at a proper OOB to do my planning.  Not a big deal on the small scenarios, nor too much of a problem with the medium ones, but makes things difficult for me on the large ones.  I've found that by simply cycling through the units in order, I tend to forget what orders I've given to the early ones by the time I get to the late ones.

Rather than go through the units in order, I usually just work my way down the length of the front(s).

Of course, the other option is to look at things in a purely geographical perspective.  Take each segment of the front and make the necessary decisions and then move on to another sector.  The problem I have with this is that I tend to miss a few units that fall through the cracks, and they are sometimes units that could make the difference in a fight.

Yeah. Best to take a second sweep at the end of the first round to grab any units you missed the first time around and ship them off to wherever they're most needed.

[Catch21]

I did build a VB program to export scenario data, including what you're looking for, several years ago into an Excel S/S. Someone did ask for it once and I passed on the files so it hopefully wouldn't get lost and I don't remember to who. If they're listening maybe they'll check in.

It included pretty much everything you could dig out of a scenario 'dump'- units and composition, formations, events, objectives.

Others may still have some of the Excel S/Ss created which I passed around on request. Particularly those in some tournaments I was in. I know for sure I did it for Balkans 12, Balkans 41, Bastogne 44 and DNO. It wasn't a foolproof process given what comes out of a scenario 'dump' but it worked for most. I'm not sure how it will work for TOAW III but it worked in ACOW given a reasonably constructed scenario.