Is it me or the AI? AAR

[incbob]

Hello all.

I am going to try and do my first FOF AAR. In fact, this is going to be my first AAR on a Matrix. Yep, I am a virgin. I bought COG (Crown of Glory) read the manual and tried to play a game or two, but could never seem to get into it. I knew FOF would be interesting just based upon that fact that it was about the ACW (American Civil War) and even though I didn’t care for it I did like the quality of COG.

I read Gil R’s and jchastain’s AAR and let me tell you that if you haven’t you should be reading it. After reading their AAR, reading the manual once, I decided to jump in and play on Advanced. I played one game as CSA for 3 or 4 turns and then played another at SGT difficulty till 1863. I am now ready for a bigger challenge.

I will be playing the CSA on 1st SGT difficulty on Advanced. I have no delusions and realize that I am a mediocre at best tactician so if you see something that looks like a mistake, it probably is and if the computer doesn’t kick my butt I will be happy.

If you have any questions or want any information just ask.

[incbob]

My Strategy
I am sure that many of you will look at what a I say as a easily recognizable, but I feel I should mention my strategy for operating the CSA against the dastardly Union.

1) The battle of the East around Richmond has to have priority. The war, I feel, cannot be won here, but it sure can be lost here. Other areas are where I will strike at the dastardly Union, but the security of Virginia and Richmond must be paramount.

2) The Mississippi river must be controlled by the CSA in its entirety. If possible a strike from Tennessee into Kentucky and Ohio is desirable as long as it does not threaten the security of the Mississippi or the supply of forces in Virginia.

3) Unless the Union mounts operations within the far west this area (Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri) can be safely ignored. The caveat to this is any operations that threaten the security of the Mississippi river.

4) Raiders, Partisans, and blockade runners should maximized at all times to disrupt the supply of enemy troops.

By the end of 1861 I want to be fully organized with an Army of N. Virginia and the Army of Tennessee (maybe just a Corp in game terms), out of Kentucky (in the vain hope it may actually join me), and maintaining my position on all fronts.

In 1862 I want to concentrate on having my armies and forts better equipped with full replacements and some extra brigades thrown in. One thing I have noticed in my playing of the game is the lack of artillery. I hope to have a couple of artillery units in place with both the ANV (Army of Northern Virginia) and the AoT (Army of Tennessee).

If 1863 if all goes correctly will see me start to build up my Naval forces in order to scare and challenge the Union Navy. Breaking the blockade will be on of the main elements of this strategy.

If all that goes as planned I won’t need 1864 because I will be well on my way to winning. Of course, we all know that this won’t go as planned.

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Early Nov 1861
Being the first turn I know this is going to be a long one.

The first thing I do is move my blockade runners. I agree with others that it moving runners, raiders, and partisans first is the best way to make sure you don’t forget them. One runner I send off the North Carolina coast for 40 Horses (80 chance/10 risk) the other runner I send into the Tallahasse, Fl gulf coast for 40 Money (60/30). It won’t get there this turn, but will next. Honestly I am not happy with the amount of risk, but the 40 Money is just to much to pass up. I move my partisans into the Central Mississippi River province because I think that is where they are going end up. The raiders I move toward the east for better hunting grounds.

I them move begin my army moves. In the Tennessee-Mississippi river province I move the garrison out of Fort Harris into Island No 10 and order its destruction. I am hoping this will allow me to hold Island No. 10 longer in the case of a siege.

I order the Missouri brigades and the 17th division to form up in the Ozarks of Northern Arkansas. I order the 13th division into the Tennessee-Mississippi river province in order to protect Memphis from a move by the Union Army of Illinois. I station the 14th division in Hatchie, TN for the same reason. I order the brigades to move out of Kentucky into Knoxville and order the 16th division to move from Chattanooga to Knoxville. I order the 15th division to move to Sparta, TN where I hope it will be reinforced by the 75th brigade.

I then move to the east for the big re-arrangements. I order the 10th division into Rappahanock, Va. where I am hoping they take Fort Monroe. I then start to look at the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) and my generals. I end up being very underwhelmed. Not may really, really, good ones, though the fact that I am using hidden stats may mean there is a great one I am missing.

I go to the nations screen and see that I have the standard CSA problems. Little money, no iron, but lots and lots of horses. I decide to hit the diplomacy route right away and spend 20 on each. I am sure I will want to cut back later, but the more I spend the more I hope my runners get good stuff and maybe some technology from foreign powers.

[incbob]

I then turn my eyes toward my economy. I order Richmond and Lynchburg to produce Iron since I have more of a deficiency in that and can do without the extra horses.  What I am looking to build is a Mine in Augusta, Ga. This is so I can produce more Iron and has been stated before there is already an Iron Works in Augusta so the mine will produce even more. I want a barracks so that I can produce a new Corps, I then want to produce a Laboratory so I can start getting better Logistics. Then of course I need the camps and anything else I can produce.   I end up getting the Barracks in Wilmington, NC. Some may wonder why Wilmington, well I will tell you. It is one of the few places that already has a Barrack, it is away from Union forces so I don’t have to worry about loosing the city anytime soon, and it has lots of room. Looking at my reserves I realize I don’t have enough for a Mine so I build a Laboratory in Milledgeville, Ga (since it has a University and thereby the Laboratory will be more effective) and a factory in Natches, Ms (see why I built in Wilmington for why.)   I get to promote a general and it is a really touch choice. No one jumps out at me, but I finally decide on DH Hill (4-6-3-?-?). Obviously not great, but the best overall of what I can see.   With that I see my turn is done so I wait to find out what is going to happen.  

[incbob]

Late Nov 1861

[incbob]

next screen

[incbob]

Sure enough the Army of Illinois tried to move to take Memphis, luckily my 13th division was there and gave them somewhat of a spanking. My Partisans also got into the act causing some good economic damage.

Looking at my runners I move one off the Georgian Atlantic coast for a chance I can’t resist 65 Weapons (60/20). My other runner I move to get that 40 money I saw last turn.

I continue military re-organization moves and order the 10th division to siege Fort Monroe. I know some say it doesn’t matter, but it sitting there just insults my southern honor. The one “big” order in my opinion is my ordering the 17th division into the Black River area. I figure the Yankees won’t move there and the threat it provides may make them think twice about moving into Memphis.

[incbob]

and out east

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Looking at my economy I get that Mine I wanted at Augusta, Ga and then look to build a camp, but find that I am ONE labor away. I have 19, but need 20. AAAAIIIIIGHH. I hate that. I get another 4 star, but again am not happy with my choices. I finally decide to go with RS Ewell.

[incbob]

Early December 1861 part 1

[incbob]

Early December 1861 part 2

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The good news is my runners did exactly what I wanted and I get a big bounty. My Partisans again exact a big economic cost to the Union. The bad is a surprise. The Army of Illinois moves against Hatchie, TN before General Ewell is able to take command of the 14th division. The result is defeat I am not happy about and now I will have to kick them out in winter or let the have the area until spring.

First my runners, I move my gulf coast runner to the west of the Keys for 65 money (80/40) and my Atlantic runner I move off Charleston, SC for 55 money (80/40). Both are greater risk than I want, but they are so much money I can’t pass it up.

I order my divisions to surround Hatchie, TN. All the moves are doubtfull due to the winter, but if I can surround him and get him without supplies the Army of Illinois may just melt away.

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Looking at my economy I change from spending 20 on each to spending 30 on Britain, 20 on France, and 20 on Europe. I am happy where Europe is at and sure it will go down, but Britain is far more important than Europe.

[incbob]

LOL. I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t seeing any Governors request. It is because I had the messages turned off. Going to my Governor screen I find that my firm ally Letcher (VA) wants a factory and Rector (AR) who I am mildly adversarial with wants a hospital….I don’t think he will get one. The factory on the other hand, although not an emergency, will add to my labor and sounds like a good idea so I build one in Richmond. I then turn to updating some of my units weapons. I update some of the more disciplined (better quality) artillery in the ANV to 12 pounders (from the 6) and then update a couple of units to Enfields. I then go west and update a couple of units to Minnies and find my money and guns running low so I decide enough is enough.

[incbob]

Uggg…
I promote General B Hugar to 4 Stars since he appears to be my best Calvary commander. Governor Milton, of Florida, wants me to make an appointment to the District of Potomac Corp which I refuse due the the…….inexperience…..of his candidates.

[incbob]

The bad news is the 17th division does not move fast enough and is caught in Black River by Union’s 4th Army. I only loose 300+ dead, but the defeat isn’t pleasing. That and the fact that many of my other units didn’t move to cut off supplies to the Army of Illinois and the fact that Kentucky decides for the Union makes for a frustrating turn.

There is some good news however. My runners were successful raking in 110 Money!!! I move them to take 80 horses (80/30) and 30 labor (80/30). I then turn to my economy and order an Artillery unit from Richmond and build a camp in Louisiana.

[incbob]

Another Ugggg…
First, the Union 4th Army again moved against my 17th division. Again another defeat, though not a horrible one. The real killer is that Army of Illinois, perhaps sensing its week position moves to the Lower Tennessee river and engages the 15th division under Ewell producing another defeat.

[incbob]

next screenie

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and the next....

[incbob]

the west before my moves