Modifying trench effects

[mdsmall]

Hi Bill,

I've been discussing with another player (mssm45) various ideas about modifying trench effects in this game. It would be ideal if trenches could be made an upgrade to a hex at a specific cost per hex side and level - like AA upgrades. I don't think this is possible with the Editor in the current game engine, but thought I would ask.

Another approach would be to have only engineer units build the higher level trenches in specific hexes after a certain period of time, as engineers do when they build fortifications in the WW2 era games. Would that be moddable in the WW1 game?

Cheers,

Michael

[BillRunacre]

Hi Michael

Engineer units can build a Fortress, which might not be exactly what you're after, but I think it's the closest possible.

Perhaps try using an Engineer unit to build a Hindenburg Line equivalent?

[mdsmall]

Bill - yes, that is exactly the kind of idea we are playing around with. But how could I introduce engineering units in the WW1 game, as they are not in the current unit mix? That was in part the reason for my other thread asking about how to design new unit types that are not included in the standard game.

Also, is it possible to write a mod which allows for trenches to be built as if they are fortifications, i.e. permanent features of hexes, not tied to a given unit that built them, and with varying levels of protection and facing? Right now, entrenchment in the game is a highly evolved kind of ground cover - it is a property of the unit occupying the trench, not the hex it is sitting in.

Michael

[BillRunacre]

I must apologise as what I was saying for Engineer units was valid to our original WWI release a decade ago, and as the feature was never to my knowledge used, we used that unit slot for ANZAC Corps in this game, but they lack the functionality to build Fortresses.

There isn't therefore a way to add things like this during a game, such things could be added via the Editor prior to the game but I doubt that is of any help to you?

[mdsmall]

Hi Bill - That is what I had in mind. So, let's say I wanted to switch the ANZAC corps slot back to engineering units. How would could I do that using the Editor? And how would I set the functionality of the engineers e.g. turn length required to build each hex face of a fortification?

Michael

[BillRunacre]

The functionality doesn't exist I'm afraid.

The only very rough way around it that I can think of would be to have a new infantry unit type (e.g. Fortress Division) that has a better defense value when entrenched than all others.

This can be set in the Editor by going to Campaign -> Edit Penalties/Bonuses Data, and giving them boosts when in both Fortifications (i.e. Trenches) and Fortresses.

It just means that to form this heavy defensive line new troops have to be deployed and entrenched in it, and it will be tougher to break than if anyone else was defending it, all other things being equal.