Bug or design feature?

[Captjohn757]

Noticed that the AI, upon Germany's declaration of war upon the USSR, places the Russian fighters within a hex of the front line -- the Germans simply swoop in and blow them away. Seems only an idiot would place fighters that close to the front lines, so I'm wondering if this is a bug, or was it done intentionally by the programmers?

Also, what's the deal with the hex immediately north of Thessaloniki in Greece? Seems reinforcing a unit occupying that hex is a hit or miss proposition, even with a headquarters unit in an adjoining hex. What am I overlooking here?

All else considered, Strategic Command seems to work as advertise and has a nice flow and feel about it.

[canuck97]

I don't know for sure but could imagine it was done on purpose: In the first weeks or even months the German army hit the Soviets totally unprepared and captured/destroyed many airfields and planes. So maybe it's intentional because it would be somewhat historically accurate. No idea regarding the Thessaloniki hex though.

[xwormwood]

For all I know it was done intentionally to represent the surprise factor, and to allow the Axis player to get some historical results.

[mavraamides]

I think this is by design. My somewhat gamey way of dealing with it is to crowd the borders where those units are going to be deployed with inf and garrison units. This causes them to be deployed behind the lines and makes it a little tougher for the Germans to get to the valuable air, armor and HQ units on the first turn since they have to get through the speed bumps first. This allows me a chance to retreat out of danger on my first turn as Russia although I do lose a lot of cheaper units. It's a trade off.

[Ironclad]

That's sneaky; there is no substitute for human ingenuity in game play which is why I'm looking forward to the multiplayer option.

Btw I agree that its probably WAD. I recall stats on Barbarossa that the Germans destroyed 2000 aircraft in a remarkably short period (within the first day apparently). Pretty impressive stuff considering that the Luftwaffe's entire inventory in the east of all types was around 2700 aircraft in June 41. But they bagged a lot more - by the end of the campaign the Soviets had less combat aircraft than the Germans down I think from 15-20,000 at the start admittedly including many outdated models.

[ILCK]

ORIGINAL: Captjohn757

Noticed that the AI, upon Germany's declaration of war upon the USSR, places the Russian fighters within a hex of the front line -- the Germans simply swoop in and blow them away. Seems only an idiot would place fighters that close to the front lines, so I'm wondering if this is a bug, or was it done intentionally by the programmers?

Also, what's the deal with the hex immediately north of Thessaloniki in Greece? Seems reinforcing a unit occupying that hex is a hit or miss proposition, even with a headquarters unit in an adjoining hex. What am I overlooking here?

All else considered, Strategic Command seems to work as advertise and has a nice flow and feel about it.

I think a more bizarre on is the Yugoslav HQ that spawns east north east of Sarajevo directly on the border.

[BillRunacre]

ORIGINAL: Captjohn757

Also, what's the deal with the hex immediately north of Thessaloniki in Greece? Seems reinforcing a unit occupying that hex is a hit or miss proposition, even with a headquarters unit in an adjoining hex. What am I overlooking here?

Hi

The ability to reinforce a unit can change from turn to turn if its supply value is changing, and this can happen even with a HQ present if the HQ is receiving damage. Could it be this?

The only other factor I can think of in this example would be if the controlling Major lacks sufficient MPPs.

Bill