New player - questions about bootcamp

[Crashingtree]

Hey all!

Just started playing the game and am enjoying learning the mechanics! Very fascinating and the bootcamp scenarios, combined with the manual and associated Youtube videos, are very helpful.

A few things have stumped me, however. I have heard Bootcamp II is relatively difficult, so I am not necessarily beating myself up about not scoring a major victory. But I would appreciate some help demystifying some components:

1. Having played to the end once, it seems like once the VC get their 150 victory points from securing the airfield, it's really hard to win. But I wish I knew that from the start! The instructions just told me to protect the firebase at all costs, which I did. Is this typical for other scenarios? It feels frustrating to get to the end and lose because of an objective I didn't realize was important to hold.

2. Airstrikes and Air Points. In my first playthrough, I used up all my airstrikes and they were pretty helpful. In my second playthrough (restarted the game from an earlier turn), I get an error which says "No air points available to assign to air attack". I couldn't use even one air strike. Why is that? I also just used the enhanced close air support (control-A) instead of the airstrikes (control K) Why should I use one over the other?

3. IEDs. Is it just me, or is it very difficult to click the "lay IED" button? The manual says it's in the "units" menu, but I can't find it. I can use control-M, but it only works 10% of the time, when I seem to click the buttons exactly right. Is there something I am missing?

4. Supply trucks and ammo: Are supply trucks a "one and done" unit? As in, if I bring a supply truck into a hex, it dumps out its supply and is useless? Or can I let it hang out nearby and bring it into a hex every so often to replenish ammo.

Thanks in advance for any help with these! Cheers

[Jason Petho]

Good day Crashingtree! Thank you so much for your purchase and your support.

Some answers and thoughts!

1. Having played to the end once, it seems like once the VC get their 150 victory points from securing the airfield, it's really hard to win. But I wish I knew that from the start! The instructions just told me to protect the firebase at all costs, which I did. Is this typical for other scenarios? It feels frustrating to get to the end and lose because of an objective I didn't realize was important to hold.

It is rarely likely that you would know the objectives of the opposing force, although you can guess. While your task was to build the firebase and keep it secure against the attacks, the VC in this case was tasked with attacking your base and ensuring the airfield was not able to be used for hypothetical reinforcements (or something). In many other scenarios, you will not know what the opposing players missions will be, sometimes they will overlap, sometimes they will not. But watching and seeing what they are doing will provide you some thoughts on how you can counter their moves.

2. Airstrikes and Air Points. In my first playthrough, I used up all my airstrikes and they were pretty helpful. In my second playthrough (restarted the game from an earlier turn), I get an error which says "No air points available to assign to air attack". I couldn't use even one air strike. Why is that? I also just used the enhanced close air support (control-A) instead of the airstrikes (control K) Why should I use one over the other?

Air Points will let you know how many airstrikes you can assign. The amount of Air Points are given to you randomly (determined in the lua file). You may be given 0, it is the luck of the die. Only when you have an Air Power greater than 1 can you use an airstrike.

3. IEDs. Is it just me, or is it very difficult to click the "lay IED" button? The manual says it's in the "units" menu, but I can't find it. I can use control-M, but it only works 10% of the time, when I seem to click the buttons exactly right. Is there something I am missing?

You can find it here:

Screenshot 2022-03-26 160532.jpg (96.38 KiB) Viewed 1710 times

When using a CTRL + whatever, it is always wise to make sure your mouse isn't hovering over a unit.

4. Supply trucks and ammo: Are supply trucks a "one and done" unit? As in, if I bring a supply truck into a hex, it dumps out its supply and is useless? Or can I let it hang out nearby and bring it into a hex every so often to replenish ammo.

It will depend on the scenario. In this scenario, it is one and done. In the A WEEK IN scenarios, you'll be using the supply trucks throughout the week for daily missions.

[Crashingtree]

Thanks Jason! I appreciate the quick response and the helpful guidance.

Regarding IEDs: I feel a little silly for not looking in the units drop-down menu at the top of the screen, I had been looking at the bottom toolbar Thanks for clarifying!

Regarding Airstrikes: That is very useful info. It sounds like I randomly generate a certain number of air points per turn? Is there any place I can see how many I have accumulated?

While you're here, any advice for this scenario? I find that I can keep the firebase if I concentrate all my attention/troops there, but if I try to do that + hold the runway I am spread too thin.

Thanks so much

[Jason Petho]

Thanks Jason! I appreciate the quick response and the helpful guidance.

You're most welcome, it's my pleasure!

Regarding IEDs: I feel a little silly for not looking in the units drop-down menu at the top of the screen, I had been looking at the bottom toolbar Thanks for clarifying!

No problem at all, there are a lot of little things. It's easy to lose things!

Regarding Airstrikes: That is very useful info. It sounds like I randomly generate a certain number of air points per turn? Is there any place I can see how many I have accumulated?

Yes, it will generally randomly generate a number of airstrikes per turn (when they are available). The Air Power number will cumulate in the Unit List (the big list on the right side, where the units are shown and hex information is shown). In many scenarios the Air Power will max out between 2-4 air strikes, only to be replenished if you use them... also keep in mind, they are finite (as displayed in the list of aircraft available).

While you're here, any advice for this scenario? I find that I can keep the firebase if I concentrate all my attention/troops there, but if I try to do that + hold the runway I am spread too thin.

At the beginning, do everything you can to build up the IP's of the base, so when your construction engineer arrives, it can focus strictly on upgrading the Improved Positions to Trenches - that is vital for a victory is to have all three firebase hexes as trenches.

I'd also try and lay as many ID's north of the runway as you can. You have a lot of brisling MG's, use them as close to the airfield as you can and don't be afraid to counter attack. Your airstrikes will make a huge dent in the exposes Viet Cong - if you target the right hexes. I believe you have a truck with a heavy machine gun on it, use it wisely!

[Crashingtree]

Thanks! That helped considerably. Luck of the draw allowed me to build a trench on the actual airstrip itself too, which was quite useful. The IEDs were great too. A decisive victory followed!

One last question, as I move to bootcamp 3...on occasion, I got notified that my artillery was "unavailable". It would then transition to available seemingly unpredictably across turns. Is that also a die roll?

Cheers! Thanks for the help with this

[Jason Petho]

Good day!

Glad you had some success with the Bootcamp 2! That's fantastic!

One last question, as I move to bootcamp 3...on occasion, I got notified that my artillery was "unavailable". It would then transition to available seemingly unpredictably across turns. Is that also a die roll?

Yes, after a unit has fired, there is a check against the ammo levels, which is a die roll.

Bootcamp 3, definitely pay attention to the instructions in detail. Follow them precisely and you should end up with a victory at the end.

Happy thoughts indeed!

[Crashingtree]

Hey there! I am afraid I am back with a few more questions as I have been working through bootcamp 3

Any help would be appreciated! I am greatly enjoying the game and feel like I am making progress with the mechanics.

1. You mentioned there is a die roll to determine the likelihood of getting artillery. Can I see the odds of that die roll? I imagine it's based on the artillery ammo levels, to your point, but am unsure what "80" ammo levels implies in terms of my likelihood to keep getting artillery shots. If that likelihood is pretty low even with that number, I'll be more prudent about when to fire them.

2. This one is a silly question...where can I determine what company infantry units belong to? In this scenario, all the infantry units are listed as "Infantry 67 A". Where can I see whether they are company A or Company B? (I imagine the A in that name stands for Airborne and not company)

Cheers!

[Jason Petho]

Hey there! I am afraid I am back with a few more questions as I have been working through bootcamp 3

Any help would be appreciated! I am greatly enjoying the game and feel like I am making progress with the mechanics.

1. You mentioned there is a die roll to determine the likelihood of getting artillery. Can I see the odds of that die roll? I imagine it's based on the artillery ammo levels, to your point, but am unsure what "80" ammo levels implies in terms of my likelihood to keep getting artillery shots. If that likelihood is pretty low even with that number, I'll be more prudent about when to fire them.

Your artillery will be available until you fire it. Then it will likely go out of ammo on the following turn for that battery, which is where the die roll comes into play if it is resupplied or not for the turn. 80 implies that you have an 80% chance of it being resupplied (ish - there are other variables).

2. This one is a silly question...where can I determine what company infantry units belong to? In this scenario, all the infantry units are listed as "Infantry 67 A". Where can I see whether they are company A or Company B? (I imagine the A in that name stands for Airborne and not company)

You can select a unit and press F2, that will open the unit information and provide you the organization of the unit.

You can also select a unit and then press the Highlight Organization button, and it will highlight the company, plus the HQ. You can than cycle through the units with the "Next" button of that particular company that is highlighted. Very handy for keeping your units together.

[Crashingtree]

Thanks! That solved it. Love that show organization button.

I have just finished Bootcamp 3...and scored a Minor Defeat. And as you can expect...a few more questions came up Any advice on these would be super helpful!

1. I can't say I understand why I lost the scenario. I followed all the directions (except one in the manual about assaulting 26.42 with my rat), bringing A company back home to the firebase. I conquered hill 1294 with B company and by the end of the scenario, had eliminated some (but not all) of the VC that were hanging around in the woods. I never got any notification of any additional missions. The only difference versus the Manual's instructions is that I was probably a few turns behind - I can't seem to move units as fast as the Manual does! (Maybe the Manual assumes heavy use of Double Time?)

2. What's the deal with the Tunnel rat? I can get my tunnel rats underground but can't really find a productive use for them. Is that fine for this scenario?

I am learning a lot with this feedback, I really appreciate it!

[Jason Petho]

Thanks! That solved it. Love that show organization button.

I have just finished Bootcamp 3...and scored a Minor Defeat. And as you can expect...a few more questions came up Any advice on these would be super helpful!

Happy to help, of course. If the advice doesn't help, I would recommend watching the Bootcamp 3 tutorial here: I do get a major victory (if I recall correctly and I explain things as I go along). It is an hour and half to watch, but certainly worth the time. https://youtu.be/L-4LAzb4APM

1. I can't say I understand why I lost the scenario. I followed all the directions (except one in the manual about assaulting 26.42 with my rat), bringing A company back home to the firebase. I conquered hill 1294 with B company and by the end of the scenario, had eliminated some (but not all) of the VC that were hanging around in the woods. I never got any notification of any additional missions. The only difference versus the Manual's instructions is that I was probably a few turns behind - I can't seem to move units as fast as the Manual does! (Maybe the Manual assumes heavy use of Double Time?)

There are quite a few different missions that needed to be completed for Bootcamp 3, all involving A and B Company. B company has most of the tasks while A Company has one primary task. Make sure that B Company is going where it is supposed to go and make sure you're keeping all your platoons for each company within 4 hexes.

Double timing is a good thing, especially in the woods. Just remember, while you can double time DOWN HILL or along the same level, you cannot double time UP HILL. So, use that wisely, but it does make a HUGE difference when moving through the jungle.

2. What's the deal with the Tunnel rat? I can get my tunnel rats underground but can't really find a productive use for them. Is that fine for this scenario?

Your tunnel rats, once underground, should move around the mountain tops. You may just find some juicy targets when you do.

I am learning a lot with this feedback, I really appreciate it!

My pleasure, of course! Always happy to help!

Jason Petho

[Crashingtree]

Great! I will do that, and that's helpful to know about double time.

Okay here I am in Bootcamp 4 and if you hadn't lost patience with me yet...this one may get you.

How can I get these labels to display? They seem to be off by default, and hitting ` or Alt-1 doesn't turn them on. I can see the button in the toolbar turn yellow, but nothing on the map changes. I can make labels appear/re-appear in other saves (I just went back to my bootcamp 3 saves and I can turn them on/off just fine) but the button isn't working here!

Is this a bug or am I just missing something?

[devoncop]

Hi

Glad you are enjoying the game (as I am !)

Just checking you have updated your game to the latest version using the updater on the start up screen as the lack of labels in tutorial 4 was a bug on release but it was fixed pretty quickly with subsequent patches.

If its up to date then I am sure Jason can help you out.

All the best

Ian

[Jason Petho]

Great! I will do that, and that's helpful to know about double time.

Okay here I am in Bootcamp 4 and if you hadn't lost patience with me yet...this one may get you.

How can I get these labels to display? They seem to be off by default, and hitting ` or Alt-1 doesn't turn them on. I can see the button in the toolbar turn yellow, but nothing on the map changes. I can make labels appear/re-appear in other saves (I just went back to my bootcamp 3 saves and I can turn them on/off just fine) but the button isn't working here!

Is this a bug or am I just missing something?

Yes, that was a mixup with the 1.00 release, but there is the 1.11 UPDATE that will remedy that. It was fixed with the 1.10 UPDATE, so should be fine in 1.11 UPDATE. Let me verify in my install.

[Jason Petho]

Yes, verified, the 1.11 UPDATE certainly remedies this.

You can access the UPDATE by pressing the UPDATE button on the main menu, or downloading it from here:

https://www.matrixgames.com/game/campai ... es-vietnam

.

[Crashingtree]

Brilliant - phew! OK problem solved.

This is a great scenario! Everything was going swimmingly (although I was a little behind) up until the VC ambushes on the route back. I might have to try again...

One puzzling error I am getting is that as I try to load one of the civilians into the trucks, it doesnt seem to want to load. Apologies for not being able to quote exactly, but it says that the carrier can't take any passengers (it is empty). It was previously working (this is my second leg), but perhaps it got damaged from some VC shooting? Let me know if there is no obvious answer and I can try to replicate, but alas I reloaded it.

Once I am done with the bootcamp, can you share whether it's best to proceed down the scenarios chronologically? It would be helpful to have some sort of difficulty rating so I can get a sense of what will be reasonable as I still learn the game

Thank you so much!

[Jason Petho]

Hmm I am going to guess that the carrier was reduced, so it didn't have enough strength points to carry the other civilians.

I believe you need at least 3 strength points for each truck in order to carry the 6SP passengers.

[Jason Petho]

As to your second question, yes, doing the scenarios chronologically would be wise. You'll start earlier and then have the fancier weapons coming online as the years pass.

You can use Complexity as a guide, kind of, as the more units there are, typically the more complex a scenario will be.

But, of course, that's not always the case.

[berto]

Hmm I am going to guess that the carrier was reduced, so it didn't have enough strength points to carry the other civilians.

I believe you need at least 3 strength points for each truck in order to carry the 6SP passengers.

If this is the issue, you might try the Units > Reduce feature (also available in the All and Units Toolbars, else hotkey Alt+E) to lower the Civilian SPs to a point where the truck can accommodate them.