Fall Blau ..........

[Baelfiin]

We are calling this one over.

Things go very very badly when you have to redeploy and you are stuck in static mode. I think the old way that would release units that have been attacked is better, my take on static mode is sure you get some attrition protection and maybe a little fort bonus but you are screwed if you have to fight a mobile battle.....
Make no mistake, the germans can force a mobile battle, especially if they spend a couple turns chewing on the russian army.

[Flaviusx]

Baelfiin, for whatever it is worth, I agree with you on static mode. This was done to prevent gamey farming of APs, but imo it was overkill. Simply disallowing static mode in 1941 largely resolved the AP farming problem.

The new static mode is a deathtrap for anybody on the defense who isn't sitting on a ton of APs. The Germans can usually contrive to keep an enormous AP pool for such contingencies (except in scenarios) -- the Soviets, not so much.

The static mode change caused a number of problems in late war scenarios, btw.

All that being said, I think the Soviets can probably get away with doing some static mode in the northern portions of the map. But beyond that, no way. Immobilizing yourself on most of the front is just an invitation to disaster.

The other thing I'm seeing in a lot of 42 games is too many Soviet players not keeping large reserves behind the lines to deal with emergencies. Everything is being put up front. So when the Germans bust a hole somewhere, they have nothing to respond with. Always, always have something in reserve until you are absolutely sure the Germans have committed all their mobile reserves. (And maybe even then you should have something in the kitty just on general principles.)

[zasit]

It is more easy with human player than with computer AI - try to do the same with 41 campaing with the russian AI - probably you will have big problems.

[bigbaba]

@flaviusx:

the problem with russian reserve units is that they must be some hexes away from the front so the german player can not encircle them but not too far away to keep some MP for the attacks to reopen pockets.

let's take the available russian units for counterattacks mid 42:

-rifle divisions: too weak and too few MP to attack german stacks.
-cavalery corps: enough MP but not enough punch to attack german stacks.
-tank corps: same like cavalery units. they still need months to get a better TOE and more xp.
-rifle corps: enough punch but not enough MP.

it's what seperates good players from average players: the ability to counterattack and save pocketed units in 42 as red army.