Humungous Core Forces: Who Likes Them?

[KG Erwin]

In playing as the nasties (the Germans), I've tweaked and fiddled and diddled until I can create a long campaign core of impressive size (41 formations, 192 units, with 5 purchase points left unspent). The long campaign almost always starts with that 80-hex wide full-size map. Of course, I DO use SSVT units, which are more expensive than generic Heertruppen.

By contrast, my USMC core is considerably smaller, even though I have a wealth of points to use (some 2000+ points left unspent, even after buying an entire tank company and a rifle battalion, plus a few heavy weapons). The map sizes are medium (60 hex wide) to small (40 hex wide). That apparently is my "comfort zone".

So, would any of you really want more than 200 units in your core force? Realistically, isn't that the upper limit of communications manageability for a commander (a battalion commander is usually a Lt Col)?

(Speaking of communications, check out this guy's WWII German radio collection [X(]

[KG Erwin]

OK, I suppose manageable core force size is also a function of communications ranges, which I'm a little shaky on. Every unit is ideally within communication range of its parent HQ, which eventually leads to YOU, the battalion commander. Even with C&C OFF, it still matters in assigning indirect fire missions.

Personally, I try to keep company assets (light mortars) within 5 hexes of each other. For battalion assets (on-board medium mortars and light artillery, off-board regimental and divisional fire support) it's more problematic, due to the vagaries of combat.

To me, core force size and communications issues are definitely a point to consider, especially with my beloved Marines. Historically, I really can't recall a time when needed fire support was NOT available to a Marine unit in distress, except maybe in the early defensive phase (Dec 41-Aug 42).

[vahauser]

The game limits your core to 201 units.  You can't build a core larger than 201 units. 
 
 

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: vahauser

The game limits your core to 201 units.  You can't build a core larger than 201 units. 

Right. But if you had your choice, would you want MORE?

[azraelck]

If I feel like playing with a small force, I like smaller forces. If I feel like playing with a huge, 201 unit core, then I like them. [:D] Seriously, while I wouldn't mind one bit if the game was updated to let me have 10,000 units, I also don't mind operating as small as a company. Smaller than a company I don't like for playing the long campaign, though it's not the small size an issue, it's just I don't like dealing with the larger long campaign maps with such a small force.

[vahauser]

I think 201 units is a reasonable maximum size for a core.  Years ago my brain could handle a 201-unit core, but these days I'm doing good to deal with a core 1/3 that size (and even then it takes me hours to play a single turn).
 
I prefer large cores, but my brain says no so I don't do it any more.

[robot]

In each of my campaign starts I always go the limit 201 units for each and every nation. I would honstly like to go to 250 because there are so many neat units i would like to use but cant. But then thats me and thats the way i like it. May not be right for anybody else. I dont mind the long turns moving each and every little unit. In all of them i have 3 companys of infantry and at least two companys of tanks plus all the support i can get with only 201. Love it that way which may mean im a little waw crazy.[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Kuokkanen]

Greater the force, longer it takes to play turn. I prefer smaller forces becouse to me SPWAW is lesser obsession than MegaMek