New Player, Overwhelmed

[ScottVal]

Hello-
I thought I'd give this game a try. I watched some YouTube, read the manual, and designed a simple
scenario. I started playing the scenario, and quickly felt overwhelmed. There is so much

going on. Can someone make a suggestion, as to how to proceed? For now I guess I'll re-read the
manual and maybe watch some more YouTube. Maybe I should make my simple scenario even more
simple. Thanks! This forum UI is terrible!
-Scott

[mmacguinness]

It's not easy, but give it a chance. It's not an RTS, it's not a clickfest.

It requires more planning than most games during set up, but when you get it right, especially in defense, you can sit back and watch the enemy get chewed up by your forces.
Attack is of course harder. That is why artillery, armour and airpower were invented.

So, to start and get to understand how it works, generate a scenario in SE Finland, Infantry defense of a bridge v any faction, mech or armoured, not just Soviet, use only half your points, buy squads and atgm sections, deploy half your squads & atgm sections in blocking positions, the other half on your defense line.

It is so much fun when you get it right, almost automatic Total Victory after your infantry murder the Opfor armour.

BTW, I don't like fair fights.

[wodin]

Yeah make yourself some small scenarios.

Having little knowledge of post WW2 weapon systems can also make,things difficult. As that's my major difficulty with wargames set after WW2.

I'd like the game to have descriptions of units and their pros and cons and how best to use them ie front line attack or behind line in support etc. Also how good it is compared to similar enemy vehicles As well as compared to similar units you may have.

[kevinkins]

I think you might want to try fighting across small maps with a small number of units (a few plattons) and pick the Red force size to match your own. There is nothing more frustrating than having the AI select a Red force that has you outnumbered while you are still learning. Maybe start with armor only since it's just fun and the battles are quick. Then add in some mech infantry on both sides for the next few games. Then add in a/c. Then arty. As the battles get larger, so will the maps you select to fight on. In a few nights of scaling up your battles you will be Commanding several Companies across large maps.

Kevin

[ScottVal]

Thanks for the replies, yea, I probably should have mentioned the battle I set up was a meeting engagement. I try one on a small map, defend, bridge crossing, not too many units to keep it simple. Thanks again.

[nikolas93TS]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Yeah make yourself some small scenarios.

Having little knowledge of post WW2 weapon systems can also make,things difficult. As that's my major difficulty with wargames set after WW2.

I'd like the game to have descriptions of units and their pros and cons and how best to use them ie front line attack or behind line in support etc. Also how good it is compared to similar enemy vehicles As well as compared to similar units you may have.

We would like to introduce Unit Specification screen in purchase menu, just like the one you have in-game. But having some kind of encyclopedia with unit descriptions is quite prohibiting due to sheer number of them: over 700 ground units and 100 aircraft at the moment and that number is growing fast.

[wodin]

OK maybe just some sort of rating on how it was perceived at time compared to similar so Poor, Standard, Good and Cutting edge. Then something like Offensive or Defensive. Then Frontline or Support and finally Rear. That alone would help alot.

Also just the vehicles I think is the main area that I'm guessing at alot.

[reg_reg]

Scott,

I have the same issue, this game is different from ordinary tactical RTS. You cannot just select a bunch of units and order them around as order delay and lethality of modern weapons will kill you.

My biggest problem is not knowledge of individual platforms, but understanding how these units should be properly employed. Let say that I need to advance across an open plain and establish contact. How should I divide my forces, e.g. into advance force, support force, main force? What is the distance that I should maintain between them? What formation is appropriate for each role? How should I use cover to establish overwatch, and cover advancing force with supportive fire?

For these reasons, I tried to find sources that are discussing real-life tactics:
1. Arm Chair General site has a series of articles on tactics, that discuss these and many other topics, I'm not allowed to post links, so search for "armchair general tactics 101"


2. Close Combat Marine Handbook, a cookbook with a collection of tactical situations. Again, search for "CCMWorkbookMcBreen2002.pdf"


This helped to understand the fundamentals of combined arms combat, but to be honest it is a still long way for me.

Saying that it is obvious that this game is not intended to play like Close combat or some other ordinary RTS, but then it would really help if developers could give some hints about how it should be actually played. We cannot expect that they would have time to write a Field Manual for the game, but a few articles or youtube playthroughs where they would show how a typical task (e.g. attack on the fortified place) should be done and explain how to properly use features of the game, would help a lot. CMANO's team, for example, is doing a great thing with articles on Warfaresims site.

I think that this game is underrated as players don't understand and appreciate how deep the game could be, and the aforementioned articles could help with that as well.

[ScottVal]

Thanks for the ideas!

[altipueri]

From the reg_reg link to infantry tactics - written by a Marine officer so not to be sneered at:

AT Positions Positions with deep and narrow sectors of fire—‘keyhole’ positions—are best for AT missiles.

Your AT positions should have defilade protection on both sides, with a narrow sector of fire limited to one tank. This protects you from the return fire of multiple enemies. If only one tank is engaged, only that tank might see you to return fire.

When enemy vehicles cannot overwatch each other and concentrate their fires against you, their mutual support is defeated. The strongest positions are over-runnable—structures or entrenchments that protect you from intense direct and indirect fire and can be overrun by tanks. The enemy will target your AT positions.

Observers and flank defenders need wide visibility, but AT missiles need the concealment and protection of narrow keyhole sectors.

Keep yourself hidden The enemy cannot respond if he cannot find you. Camouflage your positions well. Shoot at the tank’s vulnerable flank or rear whenever possible to reduce your risk of detection.

Use keyhole positions to mask your firing signature. When you are detected, move. Use smoke to mask your withdrawal.

[ScottVal]

Thanks for the tactical guidelines, I'll try 'em.