How about giving Rockets some steroids in the base game?

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

No one uses, nor invests in German Rockets. Is it time to give the Germans one Rocket unit to appear at some point? IF not, how about bumping up their tech level at beginning of the game or allowing them to do some damage?

I don't know the WW2 history of their effectiveness, but every time I watch some YouTube video, seems like they did some damage or the Allies were doing some mission to hose up their operation.

[Epekepe]

+1 for rockets more powerful. What to do with the railgun is also interesting question. It's pretty useless right now and nerfing range will make it totally no no for me.

[Platoonist]

Frankly, I think the game does a brilliant job of reflecting what a waste of resources the German rocket program was. If anything it even overstates their effectiveness.

Although technically brilliant, and of undoubted propaganda value to a beleaguered Nazi hierarchy, the V-2 weapon in particular inflicted comparatively little damage in return for the vast sums lavished on it. The total quantity of explosives delivered by the payloads of the 3,000 or so V-2s fired in the whole war was far less than could be dropped in a single raid by RAF Bomber Command, and the V-2s were one shot weapons unlike the bombers. It's estimated that 9,000 people were killed in V-2 attacks. Tragically a far greater number of slave workers died building these weapons. Like so many wonder-weapons, such as the Maus tank and the Me 163 Komet the wonder is in the publicity they garner.

[Pocus]

Sure, but it makes for poor game balance [:D] Pushing the reasoning to the extreme, they can be removed from the game entirely with this logic, as no one build them (in competitive environment I mean)

For rockets, I would favor giving 2 in 44 by script, as a reward for the 0.1% players who did not resell the original rocket research chit! [;)]

[Platoonist]

ORIGINAL: Pocus

Sure, but it makes for poor game balance [:D] Pushing the reasoning to the extreme, they can be removed from the game entirely with this logic, as no one build them (in competitive environment I mean)

If my worthy German opponent is blowing his hard won MMPs on rocket weapons, I do all I can to encourage him in his effort to make sure either America or the Soviet Union win the moon race someday. [:D]

[Christolos]

Although technically brilliant, and of undoubted propaganda value to a beleaguered Nazi hierarchy,...

Hi Platoonist,

I agree with your analysis, but what value would you say they also had in terms of terrorizing the UK population? Would it have been enough to factor in as having some sort of NM lowering effect that would be within the scope of what could applied/modeled in the game?

This, in the context of games going beyond 1945, coupled with tech improvements, could potentially make them useful to some extent in a protracted war, and therefore an interesting option to invest in, particularly if the war is going well for Germany such that the investment may be worthwhile.

What do you think?

Cheers,

C

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

Rockets, far as "National Morale", victory points, propaganda, etc. is yet another discussion. In 1940's, having an unmanned missile wasting civilians is a big on the population. On the flip side, the receiving end of Rockets, one could argue this would motivate the civilians to want to fight. It's fight or flight in war.

Everyone has a bias, or point of view. I lean in favor playability.

[Platoonist]

ORIGINAL: Christolos

Although technically brilliant, and of undoubted propaganda value to a beleaguered Nazi hierarchy,...

Hi Platoonist,

I agree with your analysis, but what value would you say they also had in terms of terrorizing the UK population? Would it have been enough to factor in as having some sort of NM lowering effect that would be within the scope of what could applied/modeled in the game?

This, in the context of games going beyond 1945, coupled with tech improvements, could potentially make them useful to some extent in a protracted war, and therefore an interesting option to invest in, particularly if the war is going well for Germany such that the investment may be worthwhile

Were they more impactful on national morale than the thousands of Allied bombers that ranged the skies above Germany? And yet German civilian morale never quite cracked.

For me, the beauty of rocket weapons is that it's the of the few research categories that you can safely ignore as Germany. In a game where your MMPs are always stretched to the limit here is a no-brainer item you can skip until that happy day when you are awash in Reichmarks and have few areas left to invest them in.

Of course, by that point any potential targets might be out of the rocket's rather limited range.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

ORIGINAL: Platoonist

ORIGINAL: Christolos

Although technically brilliant, and of undoubted propaganda value to a beleaguered Nazi hierarchy,...

Hi Platoonist,

I agree with your analysis, but what value would you say they also had in terms of terrorizing the UK population? Would it have been enough to factor in as having some sort of NM lowering effect that would be within the scope of what could applied/modeled in the game?

This, in the context of games going beyond 1945, coupled with tech improvements, could potentially make them useful to some extent in a protracted war, and therefore an interesting option to invest in, particularly if the war is going well for Germany such that the investment may be worthwhile

Were they more impactful on national morale than the thousands of Allied bombers that ranged the skies above Germany? And yet German civilian morale never quite cracked.

For me, the beauty of rocket weapons is that it's the of the few research categories that you can safely ignore as Germany. In a game where your MMPs are always stretched to the limit here is a no-brainer item you can skip until that happy day when you are awash in Reichmarks and have few areas left to invest them in.

Of course, by that point any potential targets might be out of the rocket's rather limited range.

Morale is debatable. Depends who you asked, when you asked, and what they were allowed to express.

The attack on Pearl Harbor railled a Nation. US Troops had overall lower combat morale, but rallied the fastest.

To keep on subject, civilians. Come on man. Your entire city is wasted, family dead, life in ruin, and morale is up? LOL, sure. Then again, does morale matter for civilians? It's not like they are in front lines. Maybe you go berserk, because you have no choice. (see Kamikazes) People are People. Just depends.

People are people, so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully?
People are people, so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully?
And now you're punching and you're kicking and you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far, it hasn't surfaced but I'm sure it exists
It just take a while to travel from your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand

[BillRunacre]

How about if the rockets were to start at 1 level higher?

[eriador08]

When i knew, that i won a game, i liked to invest into rockets, if it was not too late. But i never got past level 3 and bombed London a few turns. But i was never able to see, what damage they really did. Should it be visible at strategic bombing statisitcs, what damage they did to my opponent? If i remember correct, it was never listed there.

[ElvisJJonesRambo]

ORIGINAL: BillRunacre

How about if the rockets were to start at 1 level higher?

Hi Bill,

I'm biased. I lean to playability. Playability, meaning, I want games that are 50/50 chance of winning, and players have the most options. Yes, giving the Germans an extra level of Rockets would tempt an Axis player to buy them. The Germans start with 1-chit of tech for Rockets. EVERYONE sells it.

I can provide you this information, seeing that I've played the most game (quantity wise) against humans. No one has ever bought Rockets. I did buy Rockets, in one game. It takes awhile to get their tech going. Obvious targets are London, Malta because of short range needed EARLY in the war.

As time progressed, the RAF/Royal was easily able to force German Rockets to leave the coastline. Only place to take, them is Russia, which is fine. Point them at Moscow/Lennigrad/Etc. Russians usually have pretty good supply except for Lennigrad. Thing is, against valid opponents, pressing Lennigrad doesn't win games. So yet not good bang for buck for Rockets in Russia.

About the only thing Rockets can do then, is to hide in France. WAIT, for Allies to land, and use to blast their ports and supply city. Thing is, won't have much of a chance against RAF/USAAF. The cost of the Rocket program will be expensive, so Germany won't have Mechanized Infantry pieces or some other better item, even Artillery.

Some of the historical speakers on the Forum, stated, Rockets were overrated in real WW2. Maybe they were. Just depends how you want the game.

So what to do? Asking me. I would give the Germans one Rocket unit, as an actual piece to enter the game, no charge. Could bump the tech up 1 also. Same could be said with Kamikazes I'd just give Japan some Kamikazes late in War.

Everyone has an opinion. The lower level player's don't win as Axis, that's actually quite historical. The Top players, and there's about 5 that are much higher skill level then the rest of us.

-EJR

[Will952]

I agree, rockets fairly useless as it stands. A starting research of 1 would help, as would some free rockets (or maybe a 1944 DE to grant rockets at a discounted price)

[Platoonist]

ORIGINAL: BillRunacre

How about if the rockets were to start at 1 level higher?

Yeah, that sounds like a fine tweak for those who want to see these "exotic hi-tech" weapons in action more. Ballistic missiles will still be on the bottom of my priority list, but with the proposed change more players might be tempted to invest in them mid-game.

[EarlyDoors]

I dont play as Axis so can't comment but will

IRL the Axis put their faith in wunderweapons because of the promise they held out

so maybe...

top level rockets really could be a war winning weapon?

not sure of their properties but at top level maybe they could have greater range and punch

obvs we had the v1 and v2 but maybe the higher levels could become v3 or even ICBMs?

that would give the Allies the hurry up

[Platoonist]

ORIGINAL: EarlyDoors



obvs we had the v1 and v2 but maybe the higher levels could become v3 or even ICBMs?

that would give the Allies the hurry up

It wouldn't neccessarily have to be an ICBM. The Germans did experiment with submarine launched missiles.[:D]

[James Taylor]

Obviously the way to get rockets into game play is make them more effective. There are numerous ways including increasing NM in Germany's state and decreasing it in the application to the Allies.

There are possibilities for supply/strategic damage in addition to unit losses as their(rockets) effectiveness increases in the higher tech levels. Higher tech levels could actuate a DE to gain rocket units at reduced costs also.

What would really be cool is an enhancement to other weaponry, like Early Doors and Platoonist suggest. Rocket launched ordinance could be additionally effective making naval vessels and aircraft an ever increasing threat.

[Christolos]

I agree, rockets fairly useless as it stands. A starting research of 1 would help,

I think if most of us (or enough of us) agree that Rockets are fairly useless as they are currently modeled, and enough of us feel they still belong in the game because they add interesting depth/historical value/consideration, then they should be given a bit of a head start at the beginning of the game to make it potentially attainable and worthwhile in terms of being able to upgrade them to V3s and even ICBMs.

Of course, and to keep in line with what could have been historically feasible, the ability to have longer range/more powerful V3s and/or even ICBMs, would have to adhere to a reasonable timeline such that it could only be achievable in games that go beyond early to mid 1945.

It would still be a matter of investing in them or not, but at least this way, the choice to do so or not, may seem a lot more evenly weighted in terms of the pros and cons.

C

[James Taylor]

Historically feasible: Sarin gas warhead?

[Pocus]

Don't go this way ...

Starting at level 1, yes, it is a gentle push in the right direction. And it will prevent the reselling.

I believe (semi related) that there should be an option that prevents reselling techs (except if the tech field is completed, but in this case, it would be automated, no point in forgetting about MPP sitting iddlessly)