Is this a game for beginners?
Moderator: MOD_SPWaW
Is this a game for beginners?
I've been checking out this game and I'm wondering if this is a good candidate to be my first wargame. It all seems a bit overwhelming, especially since I don't really have much knowledge of the weapons or tactics used in WWII. Do you think I'll be able to get up to speed and enjoy myself with this game, or is this more for the "wargaming vets"? Thanks for your input.
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David Heath
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- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2000 5:00 pm
My (almost) first wargame was SPI. Back then I didn't read any manuals etc, " 'cause they're for sissies" 
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I am sure that you will learn basics of SPWaW very quickly. (User interface is very intuitive, for example). That level is good fun, but it's not war yet. There's lot to learn and you might get seriously hooked.
BTW most of the scenarios are made by SP veterans to SP veterans. So don't give up too soon.
-Sasa
. I am sure that you will learn basics of SPWaW very quickly. (User interface is very intuitive, for example). That level is good fun, but it's not war yet. There's lot to learn and you might get seriously hooked.
BTW most of the scenarios are made by SP veterans to SP veterans. So don't give up too soon.
-Sasa
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Hauptmann6
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- Location: Portage, MI
- Contact:
The learning curve for SPWAW is a little strange though you have to admit.
Easy to learn the basics. Once you get firing, moving and loading vehicles (this one got me I have to admit) down minue command and control you are quickly on your way to "intermediate" level.
Getting beyond that is a much longer process IMO. Lots of little nuances make up for a long and subtle learning process. I have been playing SPWAW for about a year now and played SP 1 for about the same and I am still learning with each game.
My advice would be learn the very basics as I mentioned. Play a little (something easy and light like the random generate battles or campaigns) then play through the excellent new tutorials... then play and play a lot more.
One "express" route way to learn is playing in the leagues. Heck I learned more in getting whooped in a couple email games than I did in 6 months...
Easy to learn the basics. Once you get firing, moving and loading vehicles (this one got me I have to admit) down minue command and control you are quickly on your way to "intermediate" level.
Getting beyond that is a much longer process IMO. Lots of little nuances make up for a long and subtle learning process. I have been playing SPWAW for about a year now and played SP 1 for about the same and I am still learning with each game.
My advice would be learn the very basics as I mentioned. Play a little (something easy and light like the random generate battles or campaigns) then play through the excellent new tutorials... then play and play a lot more.
One "express" route way to learn is playing in the leagues. Heck I learned more in getting whooped in a couple email games than I did in 6 months...
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Larry Holt
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May I also suggest that your read my tactics tutorial at Tankheadcentral.com?
The game is not a problem for beginners, just keep C&C off and choose battles with only a few units, perhaps several platoons.
Oh and stay away from anything designed by Wild Bill that says "hard" on it.
Really they are expertly designed but to be challenging not for learning.
The game is not a problem for beginners, just keep C&C off and choose battles with only a few units, perhaps several platoons.
Oh and stay away from anything designed by Wild Bill that says "hard" on it.
Really they are expertly designed but to be challenging not for learning.Never take counsel of your fears.
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Colonel von Blitz
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2000 10:00 am
- Location: Espoo, Finland
The easiest way to learn is to set a scenario to Computer VS Computer - if the scenario was set up correctly - you will be able to watch the movement and firing of both sides. Then pick a side and try it yourself.
To make sure this works properly - set the "OpFire" control to "Zero". You may also want to increase the time delay of the screen displays - geez - I can't remember which ones they are - I'm at work and don't have the game. Maybe the other guys will be able to tell you just which ones those are. All of these option are in the "preferences" screen.
Good Shooting!!
Figmo
To make sure this works properly - set the "OpFire" control to "Zero". You may also want to increase the time delay of the screen displays - geez - I can't remember which ones they are - I'm at work and don't have the game. Maybe the other guys will be able to tell you just which ones those are. All of these option are in the "preferences" screen.
Good Shooting!!
Figmo
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes ...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, f
Spwaw is an easy game to learn and as on of the guys already stated, you can make it as easy or as hard as you like. You don't have to be an expert on military history, but the more you play the more you will become interested in learning about the different units, battles, etc. When you get comfortable with the game, start playing some PBEM games, that is when you will really start to learn the more interesting(exciting, frustrating, adictive) aspects of SPWAW. Please try it, you won't be sorry.
Cheers,
Cheers,
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have."<br />- Gerald Ford
just as guys says in here, agree I with them. Afterall they have learned it as I also 
Nobody is born to spwaw, except WB, so practise is the key and to better gameexperience (after a year or so,- joke)you'll have to do pbems and get your butt kicked as all have done at the beginning...but what a joy it is to see that you did get your friend in trap
mosh
Nobody is born to spwaw, except WB, so practise is the key and to better gameexperience (after a year or so,- joke)you'll have to do pbems and get your butt kicked as all have done at the beginning...but what a joy it is to see that you did get your friend in trap mosh
salute
mosh
If its not rotten, shoot again
mosh
If its not rotten, shoot again
It is an excellent game for beginners! We get new players all the time, and if you read the manual, read Larry's guide and play the tutorials you will be fine. In fact, you sound alot like me a year ago, but you will do much less bumbling around trying to figure things out (than I did) with all the resources that are now available.
Don "Sapper" Llewellyn
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victorhauser
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- Location: austin, texas
One easy way to learn is to play battles that favor your side. "The Raiders Ride to Work" is a good scenario to learn with. The Germans provide just enough of a challenge to keep you on your toes, but you playing as the Americans should win that battle easily.
It's hard for me to remember what it was like when I learned to play Steel Panthers, but I learned a lot in the first 50 games I played. I started to develop a tactical doctrine by the time I'd played 100 games. By the time I'd played 1000 games I had a pretty good idea of how combined arms could be best applied to my tactical doctrine. After more than 2000 games, I still find myself learning something new every time I play and I'm still refining my tactical doctrine.
Welcome to Steel Panthers and happy gaming!
It's hard for me to remember what it was like when I learned to play Steel Panthers, but I learned a lot in the first 50 games I played. I started to develop a tactical doctrine by the time I'd played 100 games. By the time I'd played 1000 games I had a pretty good idea of how combined arms could be best applied to my tactical doctrine. After more than 2000 games, I still find myself learning something new every time I play and I'm still refining my tactical doctrine.
Welcome to Steel Panthers and happy gaming!
VAH
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Panzer Capta
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- Location: Bedford, NH, USA
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Les_the_Sarge_9_1
- Posts: 3943
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2000 10:00 am
Heheheehehh is Steel Panthers easy.....
hmmm well actually its easy to learn to play chess too, but chance do you have against someone that has played like forever right?
I measure virtually all wargames against my old cardboard favourite Advanced Squad Leader. Once you have played that game, anything looks easy.
The only people that have trouble with Steel Panthers, are the hard working guys that ensure the design is accurate.
hmmm well actually its easy to learn to play chess too, but chance do you have against someone that has played like forever right?
I measure virtually all wargames against my old cardboard favourite Advanced Squad Leader. Once you have played that game, anything looks easy.
The only people that have trouble with Steel Panthers, are the hard working guys that ensure the design is accurate.
I LIKE that my life bothers them,
Why should I be the only one bothered by it eh.
Why should I be the only one bothered by it eh.
Bob, you won't really know till you give it a try.
I think however, if you start with the first tutorial and learn the basics of fire and move, then move on through the tutorials, by the time you finish them you'll have a good feel for the game.
It is easier than many other wargames out there, I promise you, but just take it a slow step at a time and you will do well.
Wild Bill
I think however, if you start with the first tutorial and learn the basics of fire and move, then move on through the tutorials, by the time you finish them you'll have a good feel for the game.
It is easier than many other wargames out there, I promise you, but just take it a slow step at a time and you will do well.
Wild Bill
In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant
It's true, try the tutorial first, and read the manual at the same time (if you got the paper and ink to print out 200+ pages, good; otherwise, flip back and forth on applications, though I must admit it is troublesome). The manual would tell you what basically you need to know, but the rest is up to you.
For myself, I find switch the C&C is much easier to control.
If you know military history, you can even design your own scenario. Personally, I'd try to read up on the materials on the Long March. That should give me some ideas.
For myself, I find switch the C&C is much easier to control.
If you know military history, you can even design your own scenario. Personally, I'd try to read up on the materials on the Long March. That should give me some ideas.
Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
Mao Tse-Tung
Mao Tse-Tung
Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. I'm going to go ahead and try to learn this very impressive-looking game. I'm new strategy games of any kind, so the whole world's my candy store right now. I'll let SPWaw be my intro to wargaming. Who knows? Maybe I'll be bitten by the "bug" just like you guys. I hope so! Thanks again.
