Questions

Korsun Pocket is a the second game using the award winning SSG Decisive Battles game engine. Korsun Pocket recreates the desperate German attempt to escape encirclement on the Russian Front early in 1944. The battle is a tense and exciting struggle, with neither side having a decisive advantage, as the Russians struggle to form the pocket, then try to resist successive German rescue efforts and last ditch attempts at breakout.
elmo3
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Questions

Post by elmo3 »

The Features page for KP seems pretty light on details. Can anyone with the game help me:

What is the scale of the map, turns, and unit sizes?

Are air units represented or abstracted?

How is supply handled? I see trucks and supply depots in the screenshots, but does a particular truck or dump supply a specific organization or are they generic?

Can anyone briefly describe the scenarios and number of turns in each?

For Matrix: Any chance we'll see the pdf part of the manual online for reading?

Thanks in advance for any responses.
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Post by Wilhammer »

12 hour days.

3 KM hexes.

Regiments and Battalions.

Supply is dumped base, with trucks abstracted to deliver generically to an army.

The Supply rules are the best I've seen, actually.

Air units are abstracted. They provide combat Air Support shifts and localized interdiction.

Scenarios:

Smallest: 12 turns, Last Stand at Korsun.

Largest, the Full Campaign, 48 turns.

System:

You Go, I Go.

In your turn your units can conduct two operational tasks.

Regular Move + Combat

Regular Move + Extended Move (Force March)

Regular Move + Specialized Task (blowing bridges, building bridges, etc.)

Units have Operational Points that are used much as Movement Points.

Much, much detail, including:

Detachments (rear guards).

Motor Pool Movement, the ability to aportion a limited amount of transport to your leg units.
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Post by elmo3 »

Wilhammer

Thanks much. I know the game just came out but have you played enough yet to comment on the AI? Specifically, can it handle a fighting withdrawal as the Germans or carry out a credible attack as the Soviets? Most likely I'll be playing this one solo so a decent AI is important to me.

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Post by Wilhammer »

I have played the tutorials, and read much of the rules.

No scenario play yet.
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Post by elmo3 »

Fair enough. I'd be happy to hear your opinion on the AI after you've put in some time in the trenches. Thanks.

Funny but I just noticed we have the same number of posts right now.
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Post by Nickel »

I have played all the scenarios, they are good to go through as they generally cover all the aspects of play. I have also played TAO3 to 12 turns, the new scenario that is out for KP at DBWWII. There is alot of difference in play between TAO3 and the KP scenarios, mainly due to all the clear terrain in KP. You may want to try letting the AI play offense in each game to kind of get a feel for how to start out playing. :D
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Post by Nickel »

Correction to the last post, I have played all the tutorial scenarios.
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Post by Adam Parker »

Originally posted by Nickel
There is alot of difference in play between TAO3 and the KP scenarios, mainly due to all the clear terrain in KP. :D


Nickel I'd have thought that the mud, deep snow, the Dnepr and the torrents of the Gnilloy would be extreme features affecting gameplay?
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Post by e_barkmann »

Nickel I'd have thought that the mud, deep snow, the Dnepr and the torrents of the Gnilloy would be extreme features affecting gameplay?


Once the rasputitsa thaw hits, absolutely. The ground is frozen up to about turn 19 in the campaign game if you use the historical weather option.


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Post by Adam Parker »

Thanks mate - there's something reassuring talking wargaming and seeing so many Aussies :)

I've temporarily put aside some 18th century reading for another game and have begun a quick read of the Korsun campaign in Alex Buchner's Ost front 44.

I can't believe it's impossible to easily find a copy of "Hell's Gate" in this country. Only by import it seems.
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Post by e_barkmann »

I wonder if the Technical Bookshop in Melbourne can get it in...http://www.techbooks.com.au/ ...they have some pretty interesting military imports there.

I managed to buy my copy earlier in the year via Amazon but it cost around $100 to get in. Good book and a fascinating account of the battle, although you could say it is more from the German perspective. I find the Jack Radey article included in the game is written more from the Soviet perspective, so together provide good reading.

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Post by Nickel »

I guess I didn't want to give too much away, but clear ground is deadly for overrun attacks! :cool:
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Post by e_barkmann »

Deadly indeed. You only want to stay on clear terrain if you have at least one 3 or 4 step unit that is stacked with an entrenched unit or is entrenched itself - this will prevent an initial overrun attack.

Even then it's a bit dubious, especially if there's some powerful enemy units hanging around... a multiple attack could ruin a defender's day in this situation.

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Post by Rob Gjessing »

Clear ground deadly.. gosh where have I heard that before. Need not worry about the German ability to conduct a fighting withdrawl. If the soviets get too cocky then the Germans can really give them a punch when they dont expect it. Esp if they leave troops in the clear unsupported.

I wont mention any names, but I had a look at a PBEM battle of KP going on between two of the guys from SSG - it was a blood bath - for both sides really.. (those of you who have the game, dont forget about the toggle to see KIA units on the map).. but it was clear that its not always run and defend for the germans..

The other thing to note is that it is surprising how differently one game can play from the next - esp against different human opponents. Whilst I agree the solo game is fun.. I think one of the true appeals is the PBEM aspect.
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Post by elmo3 »

Ok, I went out and picked up KP at CompUSA last night so I'll be posting my own opinions of the AI in a while.
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Rob Gjessing
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Post by Rob Gjessing »

Well done Emlo3. If you need an insight into the game or some tips, check out the articles on Wacht am Rhien.
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Post by elmo3 »

Rob

Been there, done that. Your support site was one of the reasons I bought the game.

elmo3

PS - Hey Adam, does Glenn know you're over here playing Matrix games when you should be testing PzC??? ;)
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Post by Adam Parker »

LOL!

(He quickly spends the next 10 minutes changing his signature... writing a note to self "next time use nom de plume").

I've got games of Eckmuhl, French and Indian Wars and Korsun 44 all going, whilst trying to make some art for a future game.

We take good wargaming wherever we can get it :D

Hey! No fair posting sneaky things like this during my wife's internet time ;)
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Post by Wilhammer »

elmo3, when you are ready, let's PBEM it, OK?

I barely played TAO2, since when I came across it, TAO3/KP was in developement (and CMBB was occupying my time along with TOAW:COW), so it will be two relative KP newbies taking each other on.
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Post by elmo3 »

OK, you're on but give me at least a week. Currently doing PBEM of CMBB, online play of AoW:SM, and keeping track of my 3 year old has me pretty busy. I'm printing out the pdf files at work right now.
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