Some Gameplay Questions

[Knavery]

Hey guys,
I've just started to dig into this game with a buddy of mine and we're having a hard time understanding the strategic map in the grand campaign. I've read the manual, but we're still having a hard time making heads or tails of certain aspects.

For instance, if you do nothing at the beginning of a game, where do you start? It doesn't show a "next battle this turn" icon, so I've no idea where the starting location is. Also, After finishing a battle, a "next battle this turn" icon shows up on another map location. Does this mean we don't have control of what map locations to attack? Or is it that we have to fight in contested territory and take complete control of those locations before moving on? It also doesn't appear that you can move battle groups out of contested territory, but must take the territory first with the occupied battle group. Is this correct?

One last question related to multiplayer. We tried to play over TCP/IP, but we couldn't detect each other's games. I have a router, so am not sure if I have to open some ports through port forwarding. Could someone please explain how to get this to work? Thanks!

[davidss]

ORIGINAL: Knavery

Hey guys,
I've just started to dig into this game with a buddy of mine and we're having a hard time understanding the strategic map in the grand campaign. I've read the manual, but we're still having a hard time making heads or tails of certain aspects.

For instance, if you do nothing at the beginning of a game, where do you start? It doesn't show a "next battle this turn" icon, so I've no idea where the starting location is. Also, After finishing a battle, a "next battle this turn" icon shows up on another map location. Does this mean we don't have control of what map locations to attack? Or is it that we have to fight in contested territory and take complete control of those locations before moving on? It also doesn't appear that you can move battle groups out of contested territory, but must take the territory first with the occupied battle group. Is this correct?

One last question related to multiplayer. We tried to play over TCP/IP, but we couldn't detect each other's games. I have a router, so am not sure if I have to open some ports through port forwarding. Could someone please explain how to get this to work? Thanks!

Hi,
1. when you first enter the Grand Campaign (GC)... you are able to move Battle Groups (BG's) and/or assign Support to maps (if available). You can also do nothing, but in order to start the GC ... you have to click the execute button. Then you will see the results of movements by both players. You will have to keep clicking the Next button in order to progress further, and finally into a battle.

2. The game decides which battle will be fought next ... of the battles that are present on the Strategic map.

3. After the "Move" stage of the GC ... (and after you click execute), you will not be able to move a BG. Once you have finished all the battles present during a turn ... you will once again enter the "Move" stage of the GC.

4. During the "Move" stage of the GC ... you can move a BG onto a enemy occupied map. If there is no enemy BG there ... you will control this map. If an enemy BG is present, then you must battle to decide control of that map. If things don't go well for you ... you can move off that map (using the VL exit/s you control). You can also bring in (trade places) with a stronger BG ... but note that the newly arriving BG will have only the ground around the entry VL (you will forfeit any previous gained ground on that map).

5. You can also move a BG through a contested map as long as you control the entry/exit VL to another map that you want to move to. This option will be available to you during the "Move" stage of the GC.

6. Ports info:
tm.asp?m=1945059

7. May I suggest trying the TLD Ground Tactics 1.4 Mod
http://closecombat.matrixgames.com/Long ... Dmods.html

David

[Peterk1]

For instance, if you do nothing at the beginning of a game, where do you start? It doesn't show a "next battle this turn" icon, so I've no idea where the starting location is.

The first part of every turn is the movement phase, where you also get to assign artillery and air support to the contested maps. You have to move forward from there before you start getting to the battles.

Also, After finishing a battle, a "next battle this turn" icon shows up on another map location. Does this mean we don't have control of what map locations to attack? Or is it that we have to fight in contested territory and take complete control of those locations before moving on?

The computer will decide the order of the battles for you.

You don't have to totally control a map before moving on. Provided that you own the Exit Victory location that leads to another map, you may be able to leave without finishing the fighting. It depends on what the enemy does and the comparative speeds of your two battlegroups....and also whether you are in supply and have fuel. You will give up control of your owned victory locations if you do leave.

You can also swap battlegroups on a map if you want, but your owned victory locations will become neutral when you do that.

It also doesn't appear that you can move battle groups out of contested territory, but must take the territory first with the occupied battle group. Is this correct?

No, you can leave. And as the Allies its actually a good idea to just drive for the Exit victory locations, move forward and leave the mopping up to followup reinforcements coming onto the same map later. You can advance the Date indicator to see where your reinforcements will be arriving and when.

Reread the section in the manual on the strategic layer again. Most of your questions are answered in there.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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