Monster Tutorial

[blastpop]

It is a tough scenario in the boardgame version. Yet, despite the perceived difficulty for the German, there is something classic about the scenario. It is more puzzle like in the computer version based on what I hear (yet to download) maybe since it can be setup played and picked up (saved) quicker so it gets more plays.

Regardless, I like difficult challenges so I am looking forward to this scenario once I purchase it.

[JFalk68]

I haven't cracked it yet but I found some success grouping or platooning my tanks. I got 4 of them grouped and I started to roll up the left side of the map and was able to take out 3 of the Soviets armor pieces. Of course I suffered heavy losses and was destroyed but I did better then the last 27 times!

[stormbringer3]

Be sure to use group firing when you are battling for the center objectives. You need the dice roll bonus.

[Bison36]

The hardest part of the scenario is that the German units are so spread out that it's a struggle to group and smoke screen an advance or defense before the Soviets on the high ground begin to systematically destroy you. [:D]

[jomni]

I still haven't won The Gap as the Germans.  Grrrr.

[VALENT PHILIPPE]

i have a problem[&:]

and the Soviets always get better cards lol

a friend who plays this game says that the IA play better than the player: the odds are for the IA in the same conditions!!

the game is not good balenced (equilibré in french)bad IA [:(]too hard

Cyberstratege forum:
." Il y a juste quelques moments, ou scénarios peut-être, plus frustrants que d'autres."
"Je suis un peu sceptique sur l'IA, qui parfois tire trop bien, mieux que ce que mes unités me semblent pouvoir faire (dans des conditions similaires, distance, etc...)."
Sorry its a little bit difficult to traduce in english[;)] it was so bad lol
a great player this one

[Krupinski]

ORIGINAL: stormbringer3

It took me about two days to beat the scenario. I use my 1st two turns to lay smoke and protect my PzIIIe units. Once they are obscured the AI always moves a T-26 forward. I let it advance close enough so I can easily take it out. I move the left flank forward and add the Pz IIIe units to that advance also. The anti-tank guns move forward and bear toward the right using the light woods. I leave as little as possible to hold the right and focus most of my forces to the left. I use my best units to take the objectives in the center and I send two units along the left side to take the rear objectives. If I lose one of the PzIIIe units right away I hit the restart button. I'm sure that there are other ways to win this scenario. I hope this helps.

Tried different approaches about 100 times. No one worked. I dont believe that its possible to win. sorry. but without proof i cant believe it. [:@][:@][:@][:@][:@][:@]

[kvob]

Well, after being trounced for the umpteenth time in this scenario, I'm glad I dropped by here. At least I know now that I'm not alone.

I've tried everything I can think of but still no luck. The German starting position appears very poor with most lines being impossible shots. I've tried smoke whilst trying to manouver into better positions but, because the turn system alternates between players, I move one tank and, next thing I know, another has just been taken out.

Frankly, I'm very close to throwing the PC out the window.[:@]

[Blind Sniper]

Surely is very difficult, moreover if the Russian win the initiative and get some lucky roll the game is already lost in the first turn.
Against a human opponet this Firefight is unbalanced.

In the original boardgame the German has the initiative in the first turn and a Pz38t.

[stormbringer3]

Here's a couple of things that helped me finally win. The taking of the rear objective on the right has to be timed just perfectly. If you take it too soon, the last T-34 will turn and retake it. If you time it just right, it will turn to retake the hex removing it from the fight in the center, but it won't have enough turns to retake the objective. It will fall just short. Also put a PzII in the woods on the right of the center objectives. When the 1st T-34 moves adjacent, move your PzII away toward your lines and right. Most of the time the T-34 will chase and you keep moving away, keeping your unit alive as long as possible. As the T-34 turns to chase it will turn toward the right exposing it's flank and rear to your PzIIIs. If possible go for the kill. If you get the kill then you only have the middle T-34 to contend with and it doesn't matter how many units you lose as long as you keep it from retaking one of the objective hexes.
I hope this helps.

[JFalk68]

What difficulty level did you pull this off in? I'm still trying to figure out a valid strategy for Normal level AI.
I found that in the boardgame version, this scenario gets a Pz 38t to help out with.

ORIGINAL: stormbringer3

Here's a couple of things that helped me finally win. The taking of the rear objective on the right has to be timed just perfectly. If you take it too soon, the last T-34 will turn and retake it. If you time it just right, it will turn to retake the hex removing it from the fight in the center, but it won't have enough turns to retake the objective. It will fall just short. Also put a PzII in the woods on the right of the center objectives. When the 1st T-34 moves adjacent, move your PzII away toward your lines and right. Most of the time the T-34 will chase and you keep moving away, keeping your unit alive as long as possible. As the T-34 turns to chase it will turn toward the right exposing it's flank and rear to your PzIIIs. If possible go for the kill. If you get the kill then you only have the middle T-34 to contend with and it doesn't matter how many units you lose as long as you keep it from retaking one of the objective hexes.
I hope this helps.

[Lebatron]

Two main reasons why the Monster scenario is hard on the PC than it is on the board game. First reason and a minor one. A mistake was made to make initiative random. The Germans are supposed to make the first move. It really hurts when the Soviets go first and the very first shot they make hits one of your PzIIIe's. Just restart right away until you get the first move which you can use to get at least one smoke down before they Soviets fire.

And the second reason this is so damn hard on PC is the use of Persistent AP. It really messes with the balance of this scenario a lot. It gives the Soviets the all to easy freedom to switch firing units as needed. Want to advance on that Soviet tank in the woods near you while he just activated a fresh unit elsewhere? Under Classic AP that Sovient tank would have to take an opportunity action to defend itself or use CAP. Doing so is more expensive action wise for the Soviets. But Persistent AP makes switching units compleatly free. There is no downside anymore. Only experienced CoH players will understand just how much this impacts a scenario like this. In the board game this scenario was very closely balanced. Under Persistent AP it is grossly in favor of the Soviets. I haven't really given it much thought on how to balance it but off the top of my head I'd say remove 2 Soviet tanks and 1 T34 on turn 3. When Classic AP is working fully it is clear to me that the unit mix will have to be different between Persistent and CLassic in a lot of scenarios. But Monsters is one that it's more easy to see that.

[stormbringer3]

Normal difficulty. I'm retired, so when I stated earlier that it took me around two full days to win the scenario I literally meant it. I had to do this over and over so maybe it comes down to just getting the "right" die roll at a crucial time.

[stormbringer3]

IMO, this scenario is way too hard for a tutorial, especially since you get to do it again in the 1st group of regular game scenarios. I would make the tutorial easier and leave it the same when you encounter it again later.

[Svend Karlson]

This scenario has humbled me half a dozen times so far. So glad to see that I'm actually part of a club [:)]

[JFalk68]

Joram has posted a successful AAR as the Germans, be sure to check it out!

[Duck Doc]

Kept at it as the Germans & got a victory. I learned a lot & had fun at the same time. If it had been easy I wouldn't have learned as much. Great gaming experience so far. Love the board game feel. Mixes the best of board & pc gaming. Thanks also for the tips on this thread.

[kvob]

I'm still struggling with this and it's getting more infuriating each time. In my latest attempt, I had a tank on a hill getting fired at by a Russki. Attempting to fire in reply, I get 'impossible shot'. The Russki tank moves closer, still 'impossible shot'(in open ground). The tank is adjacent, still 'impossible shot'. Okay, I think, perhaps it's the crest of the hill. I move and manouver into the hex directly behind and adjacent to the attacking Russki and I still can't get a shot at it. Next thing I know, I'm dead. One thing that is really difficult in this game is working out elevation. The graphics are just not clear enough.

[JFalk68]

kvob, there is a Pz-38t missing from the scenario. It should be added back soon

ORIGINAL: kvob

I'm still struggling with this and it's getting more infuriating each time. In my latest attempt, I had a tank on a hill getting fired at by a Russki. Attempting to fire in reply, I get 'impossible shot'. The Russki tank moves closer, still 'impossible shot'(in open ground). The tank is adjacent, still 'impossible shot'. Okay, I think, perhaps it's the crest of the hill. I move and manouver into the hex directly behind and adjacent to the attacking Russki and I still can't get a shot at it. Next thing I know, I'm dead. One thing that is really difficult in this game is working out elevation. The graphics are just not clear enough.

[kvob]

To be honest, I don't think a Pz-38t will make a blind bit of difference with my problem. Here's why - the manual states
Hover over enemy to target...blah blah.....If you are unable to attack the reason is shown at the top of the screen.

This simply is not the case. With impossible shot, you get the dots indicating LOS but no reason as to why it is an impossible shot. Is it an impossible shot because I can't roll the number required? Could I use CAP to make an impossible shot possible? I don't know because it doesn't say why it's impossible.

Now, if it said something like 'hill crest', 'hull down', 'heavy woodland'.....anything.... At least then I'd know the reason why I seem to get line of sight but no chance to hit.