Are you a planner or seat of the pants commander?

[MarkShot]

I am just curious to what extent people plan their battles out prior to the scenario start?

Do you quickly glance at your forces, determine the first step, start the game, and take it from there?

Do you carefully review the OOB, the objectives, and the terrain before starting?

Do you decide what your particular axis' of advance will be before starting, sequencing, and assignment of tasks?

Do you work out a detailed time table of what needs to happen by when in order to achieve victory?

Thanks!

[Kevinugly]

Well Mark, so many questions:)

When I'm wargaming, no matter what the specific game or scenario, I always check my OOB, examine the terrain and the objectives, and finally the intel regarding the enemy. From there I formulate a rough plan with the intention of securing a strong defensive position with a good field of fire from where I can wear down enemy forces to the point where I feel I can launch my own offensive so as to secure the objectives. Should the game scenario require a more aggresive opening then I normally attempt to deny the enemy the aforementioned positions as far as possible. I never plan in detail because, to use a well worn cliche, 'no plan survives contact with the enemy' (or something like that!!).

How about you?

[Fallschirmjager]

The best laid plans go to waste as soon and the first bullet is fired



I shoot from the hip

I have a basic outline of what I want to do and how I want to do it...but thats about it

[Tbone3336]

I definitley have some plan formulated as it gives me a baseline to judge if I am being successful. Sometimes I get to the point where I look and see I am ahead in points or such and do not really have an endgame plan and come the end of the game I end up losing because the ultimate objective was not accomplished and I got sidetracked . However I am not meticulous in planning just an order of march and timeline for objectives.

[MarkShot]

In AA, I try to plan to the greatest extent possible. I realize that plans don't often survive first contact, but I find the act of planning better prepares to respond to the unexpected.

Also, in a game like AA, planning is a good educational tool. What I mean is that you learn how things work:

- how long will order delays take?

- how fast the troops will move?

- how tired will they get?

- how long can they fight?

...

[U2]

I just go and adjust as things happen. Yes, that can be stupid but it's the way I've played since I was a kid...no big plans just go and play as quickly as possible. My brother on the other hand shows up with detailed plans and OOBs on paper and drives me crazy!:D

[JeF]

FWIW.

I take some time to study the map, the OOB (but not in detail), the objectives, the timetable of reinforcements.

Then, I setup some early objectives : where to place the arty, which battalion (I usually play at that level) attack, which defend and where. I try to guess the route for the opponent reinforcements and block them, if possible.

It's very rough and not written of course.
I tend to play one day at a time (around 24 hours). So, when I get back to the scenario, it's the middle of the night. And I'm back to rough planning. Repeat Ad Lib.

Cheers,

JeF.