Why so many CSA losses?

From the legendary team at 2 by 3 Games comes a new grand strategy masterpiece: Gary Grigsby’s War Between the States. Taking gamers back to the American Civil War, this innovative grand strategy game allows players to experience the trials and tribulations of the role of commander-in-chief for either side. Historically accurate, detailed and finely balanced for realistic gameplay, War Between the States is also easy to play and does not take months to finish.

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GBS
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Why so many CSA losses?

Post by GBS »

I'm in August 62 as CSA on normal. Seems like every battle I take more losses than the Union. I reviewed the Major battle history and found that this is in fact true for wins (rare) and losses. Why is this. Any suggestions?
"It is well War is so terrible lest we grow fond of it." -
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JanSorensen
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by JanSorensen »

Maybe your units are spotted and the US units are not.
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Grotius
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Grotius »

Maybe your leaders, Army Commanders, or Theater Commanders aren't as good, or aren't nearby.
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XLegion
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by XLegion »

Wow! I'm glad to hear that because when I take the Union against the Confederate AI my armies are nearly always taking MORE losses. I still can't figure out the optimum way to win battles yet.
GBS
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by GBS »

Do theater commanders have to be in the same region of a battle to give their help or just nearby?
"It is well War is so terrible lest we grow fond of it." -
R. E. Lee

"War..god help me, I love it so." - G. Patton
JanSorensen
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by JanSorensen »

Just nearby
oldspec4
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by oldspec4 »

Where is the best Western region for the Union TC at start?  I'm at July '62 and have moved Halleck (my Union TC) among regions such as Paducah and Cairo w/ no success at initiative. 
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PyleDriver
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by PyleDriver »

The only help they give is initiative to AC 's (6 areas away). They don't impack the battle at all...

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PyleDriver
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by PyleDriver »

Keep your western TC in St.Louis, remember pop and factories at 4 or above for best results...I sometimes move him to Columbus OH if I have one TC to cover both fronts, he will reach to Washington DC or Cario IL. You may need to do this early in the war if Scott dies.

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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by willgamer »

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

The only help they give is initiative to AC 's (6 areas away). They don't impack the battle at all...

[8D]
Jon

This can be a trade off since the Theater Commander Initiative Bonus (TCIB) is based upon the number of factories and population in the region where the TC is located, whether it's your home turf and whether it's your capital.

There are important details to this in the manual on p. 76. [X(]

It can be a tough choice at times! [:D]
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jimmyPx
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by jimmyPx »

One thing that you might want to check is that all of your troops are Infantry and not militia. What i always do is move my militia to either Washington or Manassas and with the Theatre Commander and Army Commander, they get trained up quick. I then move the Infantry to the Generals all over the map.

Infantry is WAAY more effective and take less losses than militia. This one tip I read on the board has made a HUGE difference when playing.
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Pford »

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

You may need to do this early in the war if Scott dies.

This game is brutal on Scott. The poor chap is always kicking off. In reality, he made it to 1866. Also, McClellan who's listed as Deceased in the 1863 scenario.

Winfield Scott games trivia:
In 1846, General Winfield Scott visited New Orleans, and let his hosts know that he desired an evening of chess with a strong local player. Chess was an infrequent pastime of Scott's, but he enjoyed the game and considered himself a formidable chess player. After dinner, the chess pieces were set up and Scott's opponent was brought in: diminutive, eight-year-old Paul Morphy, dressed in a lace shirt and velvet knickerbockers and looking like anything but a ferocious opponent. Seeing the small boy, Scott was at first offended, thinking he was being made fun of; but when assured that his wishes had been scrupulously obeyed, and that the boy was a "chess prodigy" who would tax his skill, Scott consented to play. To General Scott's surprise, Morphy beat him easily not once, but twice. The second time the boy announced a forced checkmate after only six moves. Two losses against a small boy was all General Scott's ego could stand, and he declined further games and retired for the night, never to play Morphy again.
Frido1207
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Frido1207 »

Well, that´s a great story. [X(]
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Treefrog
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Treefrog »

The TC must be within 6 areas/regions to add his bonus to the AC. However, as I read the rules and vocabulary, major rivers count, thus Halleck at St. Louis can count going down any river and then across land regions to reach an AC within 6.
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PyleDriver
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by PyleDriver »

If you control the river then those ares count, so river areas can speed up everything. If your not sure go to the political screen to find out. It will take a turn but you will learn whats what...

[8D]
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Pford »

ORIGINAL: th1207

Well, that´s a great story. [X(]

Yes, interesting. Paul Morphy was the Bobby Fischer of the 19th century. Without the lunatic volatility.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphy
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lparkh
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by lparkh »

Are you implying that Theatre and Army commanders have some training advantage intrinsically or simply that the historic ones we start with a good at training. So you actually move eastern confederate TC to Manassas? Or are you talking about with the union? Wouldn't putting TC in Manassas hurt initiative contribution?
Thanks for your thoughts in advance,
Lin
ORIGINAL: Jim Power

One thing that you might want to check is that all of your troops are Infantry and not militia. What i always do is move my militia to either Washington or Manassas and with the Theatre Commander and Army Commander, they get trained up quick. I then move the Infantry to the Generals all over the map.

Infantry is WAAY more effective and take less losses than militia. This one tip I read on the board has made a HUGE difference when playing.
Berkut
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RE: Why so many CSA losses?

Post by Berkut »

ORIGINAL: PyleDriver

If you control the river then those ares count, so river areas can speed up everything. If your not sure go to the political screen to find out. It will take a turn but you will learn whats what...

[8D]
Jon

If you select Scott, the map will highlight how far his bonus reaches. It becomes clear at that point that rivers count, since he goes quite a bit beyond six land spaces. Clever mechanic...
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