Connect Four Team Game

[thedoctorking]

At this point, the game came to an end. It's unfortunate that we won't be able to show the outcome of our anticipated winter counteroffensives. Given that the Axis AGC commander demonstrated an intention to withdraw his armor, it is conceivable that the next thirty turns would have been quite quiet. The best strategy for the Axis in this situation would be to withdraw to good defensive terrain eight or ten hexes to the rear of their current positions - about the line Riga - Smolensk - Gomel - Kiev - Nikolaev - and then prepare for a 1942 offensive. If we had pushed forward and pressed our attack, our poor supply situation would lead to high combat and attrition casualties (we had built some railroad repair support units, but have no FBD's for rapid advance of supply). If we just took the proffered territory, the Axis would be no worse off in terms of combat power, and remaining in their current positions with only infantry at the front would probably have resulted in many units cut off and destroyed. Committing armor during the blizzard courts high attrition losses in tanks that can make the Axis 1942 offensive much less effective.

Nevertheless, despite the premature end to this AAR, we hope that it has given new players a better sense of the strategies and mechanics of the game. We have illustrated many poorly documented but critical elements of a successful campaign:
- Soviet air operations were characterized by aggressive attempts to engage Axis air forces every turn. Air squadrons with low morale (<40) were withdrawn at the start of each turn to national reserve, and then re-inserted into the line next turn or placed in rear area bases if they needed further morale and experience gain. Air loss ratios on the order of 5 or 6 to 1 were acceptable as long as total Axis air losses remained above 100 and fighter losses above 30 or 40.
- We did not spend AP on manual conversion of plane types, permitting the engine to change planes automatically. This worked out reasonably well and saved us dozens of AP over the course of the campaign.
- After some experimentation with leaving HQ support levels at 0 and allowing SU to migrate up the chain of command (the Telemecus approach with the Axis), we went with locked support levels. Most of our SU purchases were for artillery units, meaning that we had an enormous artillery park by the end. This may have contributed to our growing armaments shortage in the short term, but we still felt this was a good move given our units' ability to hold against Axis attacks (often attacks made without their own artillery support).
- Our strategy was largely reactive. We took every opportunity to isolate German armored spearheads. We deployed our defensive forces to encourage lateral movement by Axis mobile forces. We decided not to evacuate factories from some cities (Kharkov and Stalino in particular, but also Moscow) to encourage Axis lunges towards those goals.

[Crackaces]

It is very sad the game had to end. Great Advice in your summary.

"...was a good move given our units' ability to hold against Axis attacks (often attacks made without their own artillery support). "

With all the other advice given .. in my opinion this is extremely important. I am not a very good player, but on a tactical and operational level I can achieve some success mainly by selecting the right SU for the right job and my opponent not doing so in kind. I believe this is critical for the German. Despite the controversy of "German Supermen" this AAR shows that if the Soviet skill set out matches the German skill set .. the "Superman" or more like puppies ..[8D]

[DeletedUser1769703214]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

Despite the controversy of "German Supermen" this AAR shows that if the Soviet skill set out matches the German skill set .. the "Superman" or more like puppies ..[8D]

Good thing you don't read my posts, but I read yours and this was a poke at me. There is no "controversy". The Germans are Supermen. I have played enough games and seen enough data I don't have to debate the case any longer or with anyone. One day the rest of the forum will wake up or get good enough to see what the Germans really can do.

[thedoctorking]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

It is very sad the game had to end. Great Advice in your summary.

"...was a good move given our units' ability to hold against Axis attacks (often attacks made without their own artillery support). "

With all the other advice given .. in my opinion this is extremely important. I am not a very good player, but on a tactical and operational level I can achieve some success mainly by selecting the right SU for the right job and my opponent not doing so in kind. I believe this is critical for the German. Despite the controversy of "German Supermen" this AAR shows that if the Soviet skill set out matches the German skill set .. the "Superman" or more like puppies ..[8D]

I don't know that we outmatched them in skills. Our CoS was SparkleyTits, who has only been playing for about a year and a half though he plays an enormous amount. The Axis CoS was Telemecus, who is one of the most highly experienced players in the community. As far as ground commanders are concerned, none of the Soviet players had more than three completed CG's against human players, and for two of us - Dade and LittleBrother - this was the first full CG against live opponents (Dade left the game fairly early, to be replaced by Elloboloco, who had two games under his belt). I don't know the full background of all the Axis players, but they seemed pretty good. I know the Axis commander right across from me in the Center, Hobotango, has played all the way through the 2by3+ multiplayer, which I am also involved in. I'd say he is comparable to me in experience level. Certainly Erzac, the Axis air commander from turn 6 or so, was very cagey and did a good job reviving the German air force. And Joneleth, the Axis south commander during the first six turns or so, came up with a brilliant and innovative technique for advancing Axis supply lines in his sector that deserves everybody's attention.

I think this was a game between pretty well-matched opponents. As the USSR, we got some good luck. The random weather system gifted us with two mud turns (one in the Central sector and one in the North & South) right when the Axis offensives were really getting rolling. I think the Axis decision to commit everything to an all-out drive for Moscow was, in retrospect, an error. They should have concentrated on killing Soviet units wherever they found them. Aside from that, they did a fine job and should be complimented.

[SparkleyTits]

Yeah I have to say Littlebrother took to brawling and the thinking it needs like a duck to water for this being his second game with only about 20 turns experience before playing in connect4

[thedoctorking]

Yeah actually Littlebrother and I played an abortive full CG that started about the same time as this one.

[thedoctorking]

Another key thing in this game that really helped was good communication on our team. We had a separate Discord channel with sub-channels for CoS communication with each player. At the beginning of the turn, Sparkley would do air recon. I would do the intelligence briefing maps, spreadsheet, and a quick written briefing describing what I could see of Axis deployment, supply status, etc. Then, we would all get together on the Discord voice channel and talk out what we were planning to do. Sparkley would go to each player in turn and, with the assistance of maps, lay out his ideas about where we should resist, fall back, attack, etc. We'd collectively decide on resource allocation and realignment of our fronts, if necessary. We'd say when we could go so the order of play was fixed. Sometimes, Sparkley would take a separate time on voice with an individual player if that person was having trouble figuring out some issue or needed extra tutoring on mechanics, etc.

I've never had this experience with another multi player game. Socially, it was great. I was already friends in RL with Littlebrother, but I feel like I forged a real friendship with Sparkley and Elloboloco. I know our team worked better as a result. And we were better at getting our turn in on time. I highly recommend this to any team in a multi.

[mrhuggles]

Your latest turn thoughts are very interesting. I made some plans based on my own thoughts combined with Bela's suggestions and plans. Unfortunately the forums won't let me post an image due to my account post number.


In the north, our main effort for the next few turns was going to be a Sumy snow offensive. This would be tasked with encircling and destroying units in the Sumy area, employing the units currently pocketing Soviet units, as well as railed Jaegers and a Paradropped Fallschimjaeger unit to seal them in. If successful, we thought we could cause some serious casualties, cause a Soviet response, and temporarily capture Sumy before most likely retreating come blizzard.

As for more South, it seems we correctly predicted your plan of action in a broad offensive from the north, however, we decided to gamble with the panzer units in the east. Following a plan that Bela had, and with some support from the Ezrac in the air to bomb Odessa's port, the panzers would attempt to trap the units along the Azov in the few turns of snow. The hope was to be able to destroy these units before the blizzard, and then conduct an orderly retreat, withdrawing the panzers from the oncoming Soviet offensive. The big question mark was whether this could get done before the blizzard offensive started to make the situation hairy.

[Zug]

ORIGINAL: thedoctorking

a brilliant and innovative technique for advancing Axis supply lines in his sector that deserves everybody's attention.

I enjoy the insight and analysis, the behind the scenes sort of stuff, thanks.

Can you describe this technique? I had a look back and I see the double FBDs headed for Odessa early on, but otherwise I must be missing it.

[SparkleyTits]

Funnily enough that was what Littlebrother wanted AGS to do, "I want to tempt to him keep his panzers east!" wheels within wheels when it comes to this game haha [:D]
Witnessing the execution of both of your plans as they collided would of been a joy to experience!

Littlebrother had also been saving/training a lot of paratroopers and airframes ready for drops behind your Rumanians in the Crimea then they would of hit with CAV corps, hopefully routing everything out in one turn and opening a floodgate/Axis panic
If that had happened and your panzers were east it would of hopefully caused a hasty retreat damaging your panzers, trucks and hopefully catching us a couple of units if well executed, with us being somewhere near the Dnepr come the end of the blizzard

These things never quite go to plan so I am sure things would of gone wrong especially if you planned on keeping your panzers out all winter as they bring anything to a halt with time given they don't have to defend too many hexes by themselves but it's always good to dream the glorious "Cavalry charge to break open the way" once you get past the trenches [:D]

The north is interesting as I feel that was the area where we could of been surprised and least able to repulse a commited offensive throughout most of the game so I think that well could of suceeded and payed divedends for you guys aslong as you got your plans off quickly and in good order without it descending into a brawl, so good eyes there guys!

[SparkleyTits]

The AGS, FBD strat is a fairly complicated mistress brought to life as the brain child of a player called Joneleth

You need knowledge on the mechanics of the FBD's and how they work (Would be very hard to for me to describe in one sentence over the forum unfortunately as I am not very eloquent) and then it takes a few tries to get down properly but yes you need two German FBD's in AGS and some auto RR on Odessa and you will be 8 hexes ahead of the normal path by turn 8 I think it is off the top of my head?

A whole two turns ahead of what most players do currently [X(]

[mrhuggles]

Ooooh that definitely would have been interesting to see!

ORIGINAL: SparkleyTits

...A whole two turns ahead of what most players do currently [X(]

Is it possible to learn this power [X(]

[SparkleyTits]

It's difficult to articulate well over forum post but I will try

1: First you start your FBD going from Rumania to Kishnev to Odessa route
2: Then you take Odessa and Ochakov ASAP, move your Germans FBD's ahead so you can repair from Odessas port once it repairs and move along the Kishnev/Odessa route before until then
(You can repair rails up to 6 hexes away from a railhead or a port that's why you need ochakov as this means with the 2 FBD you can repair more than than the usual 4 hexes per turn in AGS)
3: Get an auto RR to and Rumanian FBD to link up the Kishnev/Odessa line that the German FBD's did not finish while the German FBD's push past Nikolaev
4: You need to time this so that your railheads link at Odessa on the same turn your FBD's get past Nikolaev so they can continue on without pause

It's abit finicky and takes a bit of practice but once you have the timings down you'll be golden!

[thedoctorking]

Here's the map Mrhuggles wanted to post

[thedoctorking]

Interesting that you were planning to use your paratroopers. We were thinking the same thing and for the same purpose, to close the last hex of a pocket.

[thedoctorking]

ORIGINAL: mrhuggles

...and with some support from the Ezrac in the air to bomb Odessa's port,

Do you mean Sevastopol? Because I tried that one time and it was a complete failure. The port needs to get to like 96% damage to be closed for supply deliveries.

[mrhuggles]

Actually he idea was to bomb Odessa's port so that the units hopefully trapped by the push by the panzers would be unable to rout away.

[thedoctorking]

Reading back through this AAR and finding it really interesting. I'm glad I had this chance to play the game with such an interesting team. I think we all learned a lot. I think this was the first public appearance of the southern rail repair gambit that made capture of the Donbass and Rostov a real possibility. Kudos to Joneleth for figuring it out. Great that this game can maintain such a high level of engagement. It's only a shame that we couldn't continue the game past the coming of mud.

[Telemecus]

Epilogue

SparkleyTits left the Connect 4 team game on turn 3. At the same time they left all other WitE games we knew they were in including all other team games and left all discords others saw them in. The Soviet team asked for a rule change so that one of their ground commanders could stand in as their Chief of Staff, and Searry and Joneleth also decided to leave on turn 3 straight after SparkleyTits left and because of it. Searry agreed to a handover and spent several days teaching Erzac everything there is to know about the air war and deserves high praise for this. Joneleth declined any hand over and so everything in the south including the rail repair should be credited to the new southern axis commander Belgavox (mssm45) who took over in turn 4. SparkleyTits was also messaged asking if he would do a handover and replied with a one word message "No". Several days later they deleted the dropboxes from not just Connect4 but all the dropboxes they had created for all the team games they were in. The previous evening they had sent a message implying they would do something but without saying this would be done, done for different games and not telling anyone else to give them a chance to back files up either. This action was confirmed by others using the game dropboxes in the Soviet discord channel by Soviet team members, the Axis discord channel by Axis team members and in the discord channels for both teams. Support from the company that runs Dropbox confirmed that they were the only person who could delete the dropboxes, no one else could do it even if they wanted to. I told others then not to talk about it publicly as it would be embarrassing for them.

Many files were never found. We were lucky with the 2x3+ team game that Crackaces had been doing back ups all along even though he was not playing it then and was happy to leave his computer on continuously for a couple of weeks to restore all the files. Belgavox found the most recent Connect 4 save we could find on his hard drive which he had downloaded to learn about the game shortly before - otherwise the Connect 4 game could have ended then. He also created the new dropboxes for the game and helped in the restoration of the game there. There were problems with players who exceeded the data limits for their free dropbox accounts. And of course we had the problem of hundreds of files with the same name which were restored from various players but had been saved at different times. The latest version was not always the correct one. So for myself and others this took weeks of deduping files until we had only the right ones left. With a lot of boring and drudgerous work, not to mention a lot of luck, we were able to recover enough files and relatively recent saves of the game to be able to carry on this and other team games, have a history of the files to show new players and to provide reassurance of no reloading after passwords are exchanged at the end. Without this there would have been no AAR either.

Scrupulously everytime there is a change of players every player was told and given a chance to object beforehand. This courtesy went all the way back to 2017 for the 8MP team game and it was strictly agreed no one could not know who they were playing or have to play with anyone they did not want to. Repeatedly updated player lists were emailed to everyone. And Connect 4 had the strict rule that no one could be in this game if they were not in the game discord - Neogodhobo who had so long refused to join discord had to in order to be allowed to join this game at the start. This was at the insistence of SparkleyTits who created the rule right at the start of the game. There was never any room for confusion over who was in the game and who was not. Many will remember the attempt to create a new team game, https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4545778 , and how that was trolled by the same person. There would be no mistake of their malevolence after that.

Ragequitting is not unusual in the gaming world. Nuking a game to stop others carrying on with it is sadly not unusual either. However in WitE you are not just wasting hours or days that others have put into a game but months or even years. But hijacking an AAR and others to claim you never left the game afterwards and denigrating those who spent the time recovering the game and actually playing it is something I had never expected or seen before.

The last word given was that this AAR was going to be locked at the end of turn 11 to avoid further vandalism, trolling and humiliation games. That has not been the case. The last few pages since then are simply bogus and a travesty of the truth. It is an insult not only to those who did play the Connect 4 game but especially to those who gave their time for others to recover the game that someone who left and did everything to stop others playing on turn 4 should be written in their AAR as having been in the game after then. This has since continued in the last couple of years on these forums to include publishing the passwords for and information that should be secret to one side in these team games. I am glad that staff from Slitherine are now taking action against this.

Instead the heroes from this game should be complimented. Searry who after they left on turn 3 spent days doing a handover to the guys who took over. Belgavox (mssm45) especially who even though he joined and took their first go on turn 4 had already recovered some of the latest game saves that no one else had a copy of and created the new game dropboxes for the team game to continue. They and others like Erzac were the most lively, active and enthusiastic participants in the team game and in the channels for both sides to chat on. When they spoke out about what was wrong, they had their comments hidden and were then told they had never had a voice at all. Although never in the Connect 4 game Crackaces and Darojax both had to deal with the fall out from it. Crackaces was responsible for finding and recovering the files from the 2x3+ team game and along with Belgavox had to keep responding to the various accusations that someone else had deleted the dropboxes by the person who had actually deleted them. Erzac, Belgavox, Darojax and Searry are all great WitE players who were messed about in two successive team games. I can understand why they say they will never play WitE or a team game again and that is a great loss for War in the East.

[SparkleyTits]

I did not leave connect 4 at any single point, that was investigated by Devs when you claimed it, it was then presented and proven to you personally that your claims were wrong.
I never deleted any dropbox files man, you know this isn't true, I messaged you making sure you had every file from my dropbox, from any game we may have shared and I double checked with you personally before I closed my dropbox.

Please just stop with your myopic obsessions of controls and lies, it's all very silly amd reflects poorly that you are still trying to cling onto these base ideas, years later.

I won't be commenting again, as frankly these childish games are all rather beneath me at this point and I am far past them