I have noticed there....

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MonkeyBrain3
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I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

...is a slight low volume traffic at this forum, so where is Larry?
😬

Larry have another Dr. Pepper and write us, another Directive 21 AAR. 😬😽
Larry you were right, this is one of best scenarios for TOAW.
News of my death has been exaggerated lol so I am in Dublin, Ireland now 😬

Back to TOAW 4 between WITE2 heh - and last year I have started playing Directive 21 scenario by Steve and Rick and was really pleasently suprised.
Maybe I will write AAR one of these days but when I setup new laptop....

So basically I am on Turn 59. No real mumbo jumbo but I think that I have weakened Soviet AI good but he is still not beaten and Soviet Winter Offensive is not so easy even for Grandmaster of TOAW like me cough cough 😁

I havent go all out for Moscow it is well defended but I've got Leningrad, Murmansk will be mine in 10 turns as well as Sevastopol maybe even less. I also have Rzhev but not Kalinin, Orel but not Tula, Kharkov but not Rostov...
Great game till now.
I think that defense is very important at this point as supply is the issue. Why so many players have continued attack boggles my mind 🤪

Larry that's why it would be good that you play not so fast - and try to conserve strength - I still have full set of Heavy Rifle Squads around 37000 and 9000 On Hand on Turn 59.
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

Also, all praise to Rick who wrote 5 tracks PO that follows history!

Man sell this PO to NATO for invasion of Russia 😁 We will call it TOAW Proton Blue 2.0 AI worth 2 Billion $
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

Jeez, this is like ghost town in wild west.... only strong wind is pushing some branches through deserted town 🤠

BTW, what other popular scenarios are right now?
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altipueri
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by altipueri »

I am replying because I have just finished reading:

"TOAW Strategy Guide - version 1.06" by Steve Knowlton and Steve Schneider dated 26 January 1999 from The Wargamer.com

There seem to be very few discussion articles on wargames these days - or have all disputes been resolved?

---

PS - anybody got some articles on John Tiller's Battleground Napoleonic series? - I am having a retro period - indeed the TOAW article I mentioned above was actually a 23 page printout I found in the box of my copy of A Century Of Warfare when I looked inside.
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Zovs
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by Zovs »

MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:01 pm Jeez, this is like ghost town in wild west.... only strong wind is pushing some branches through deserted town 🤠

BTW, what other popular scenarios are right now?
Patience grasshopper....

...the tumbler weeds do speak when awakened...

the dust has yet to settle...

What was the question pilgrim?
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MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

altipueri wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 9:04 am I am replying because I have just finished reading:

"TOAW Strategy Guide - version 1.06" by Steve Knowlton and Steve Schneider dated 26 January 1999 from The Wargamer.com

There seem to be very few discussion articles on wargames these days - or have all disputes been resolved?

---

PS - anybody got some articles on John Tiller's Battleground Napoleonic series? - I am having a retro period - indeed the TOAW article I mentioned above was actually a 23 page printout I found in the box of my copy of A Century Of Warfare when I looked inside.
Altipueri, that's an excellent suggestion to have some discussion on TOAW strategy sometimes I am wondering about inner secrets of prophet Norm Koger 😁 about passive elements being targeted so easely to make units retreat or evaporate.
Oh, I've lost two Jgd Geshwaders in Directive 21 and didn't get it back oh well

I think that for TOAW 5 some substantial changes need to be implemented and bring TOAW modern features and some drastic changes.
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

altipueri wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 9:04 am I am replying because I have just finished reading:

"TOAW Strategy Guide - version 1.06" by Steve Knowlton and Steve Schneider dated 26 January 1999 from The Wargamer.com

There seem to be very few discussion articles on wargames these days - or have all disputes been resolved?

---

PS - anybody got some articles on John Tiller's Battleground Napoleonic series? - I am having a retro period - indeed the TOAW article I mentioned above was actually a 23 page printout I found in the box of my copy of A Century Of Warfare when I looked inside.
Altipueri, that's an excellent suggestion to have some discussion on TOAW strategy sometimes I am wondering about inner secrets of prophet Norm Koger 😁 about passive elements being targeted so easely to make units retreat or evaporate.
Oh, I've lost two Jgd Geshwaders in Directive 21 and didn't get it back oh well

I think that for TOAW 5 some substantial changes need to be implemented and bring TOAW modern features and some drastic changes.
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

Zovs wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:27 pm
MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:01 pm Jeez, this is like ghost town in wild west.... only strong wind is pushing some branches through deserted town 🤠

BTW, what other popular scenarios are right now?
Patience grasshopper....

...the tumbler weeds do speak when awakened...

the dust has yet to settle...

What was the question pilgrim?
Haha Zovs that made me fan of Star Wars from San Rafael and LucasArts chuckle 🤣🤣🤣

Question was: where is Larry, I miss his Directive 21 AARs

I have 3 AARs and one was about WW3. In NATO HQ they are studying my technique 🤪
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Zovs
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by Zovs »

MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:44 pm
Zovs wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:27 pm
MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 10:01 pm Jeez, this is like ghost town in wild west.... only strong wind is pushing some branches through deserted town 🤠

BTW, what other popular scenarios are right now?
Patience grasshopper....

...the tumbler weeds do speak when awakened...

the dust has yet to settle...

What was the question pilgrim?
Haha Zovs that made me fan of Star Wars from San Rafael and LucasArts chuckle 🤣🤣🤣

Question was: where is Larry, I miss his Directive 21 AARs

I have 3 AARs and one was about WW3. In NATO HQ they are studying my technique 🤪
:D

Larry, is here and still around and he pokes his head in everyone once in a while, not like he used to but he is here, and has also updated his various scenarios from time to time.
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Cpl GAC
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by Cpl GAC »

MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:49 pm Also, all praise to Rick who wrote 5 tracks PO that follows history!
I recently suffered under one of Rick's tracks in Russo-German War 1941-45. There were about 4 turns of "Wait... where did they come from... is it the whole... I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RAIL TO STOP THAT!"

General question; is entering units/formations into the database to build a scenario as tedious and time-consuming as it seems? I'd like to try building one but I am daunted by entering all the pieces. Is there any way to spreadsheet/import the unit & formation data?
If you're STILL making Panzer IIs after seeing your first T-34... you're probably going to lose.
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cathar1244
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by cathar1244 »

Cpl GAC wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:05 pm
MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:49 pm Also, all praise to Rick who wrote 5 tracks PO that follows history!
I recently suffered under one of Rick's tracks in Russo-German War 1941-45. There were about 4 turns of "Wait... where did they come from... is it the whole... I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RAIL TO STOP THAT!"

General question; is entering units/formations into the database to build a scenario as tedious and time-consuming as it seems? I'd like to try building one but I am daunted by entering all the pieces. Is there any way to spreadsheet/import the unit & formation data?
Try saving an .xml version of a scenario and then look at the saved file in a text editor. One can see how the units and formations are entered. But I think are numeric codes for various unit and formation states and don't know if those are documented anywhere.

There is also an alternative scenario editor available, I'd have to look for it.

But yeah, scenario editing is chore-like.

Cheers
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rhinobones
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by rhinobones »

cathar1244 wrote: Fri Apr 12, 2024 10:55 am
Cpl GAC wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:05 pm General question; is entering units/formations into the database to build a scenario as tedious and time-consuming as it seems? I'd like to try building one but I am daunted by entering all the pieces. Is there any way to spreadsheet/import the unit & formation data?
Try saving an .xml version of a scenario and then look at the saved file in a text editor. One can see how the units and formations are entered. But I think are numeric codes for various unit and formation states and don't know if those are documented anywhere.
I expect that you are familiar with copying/duplicating formations, so the real problem is time consumed scrolling thru the equipment file. There are a few techniques you can use to reduce scrolling.

1. Direct answer to the “import the unit & formation data” question is to use the “Save Unit As…” function liberally. You can inject a saved unit into a formation and save on individual unit editing.
2. Keep the TOEs as simple as possible. The number of equipment items per unit is directly proportional to editing required.
3. Copy units from existing scenarios using the “Save Unit As…” function. There is a scenario which is basically designed as a German/British TOE library containing unit TOEs for division thru battalion. I would like to give the author credit for a marvelous piece of work, but I have long since forgotten where/when I acquired the scenario. See picture below.
4. When editing equipment within units, try to group the editing by equipment category. Such as, editing all Force 1 artillery units in one session rather than individually and skipping around the Equipment file. Saves time by reducing scrolling among equipment categories.
5. Build a customized Equipment File by deleting equipment types which never appear in your scenario. For a WW II scenarios you can delete out most of the biplanes and jets. Gives you fewer units to scroll through.

Regards, RhinoBones

The Save Unit As Function.JPG
The Save Unit As Function.JPG (114.31 KiB) Viewed 1042 times
Unit TOE Scenario.JPG
Unit TOE Scenario.JPG (130.61 KiB) Viewed 1042 times
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Post by broccolini » Sun Nov 06, 2022
. . . no-one needs apologize for douchebags acting like douchebags
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by sPzAbt653 »

is entering units/formations into the database to build a scenario as tedious and time-consuming as it seems?
A small scenario, like Antietam, can be done in a day. Large scenarios can take months or even longer if you don't have the time to dedicate to the project each day. I've been working on RGW 1942 for over a year now, although some time has been spent on other projects at the same time. :?
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by sPzAbt653 »

the “Save Unit As…” function.
For equipment there is also the Copy [G] and Paste [A] feature from within the Force Editor. And of course the Copy Unit button also in the Force Editor.
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by sPzAbt653 »

I would like to give the author credit for a marvelous piece of work, but I have long since forgotten where/when I acquired the scenario.
If you look in the Scenario Briefing, all of the credits are there ;)
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rhinobones
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by rhinobones »

sPzAbt653 wrote: Fri Apr 12, 2024 3:08 pm
I would like to give the author credit for a marvelous piece of work, but I have long since forgotten where/when I acquired the scenario.
If you look in the Scenario Briefing, all of the credits are there ;)


As usual you are correct. Below are the first few lines from the briefing. There are many more credits listed.

v1.19
TOAW v3.4
Equipment Database designed by:
Derek Weichs (Panzer_War)

To find units of a specific country, hit 'b' on the keyboard and type in the name of the country. If that country is in the OOB, the map will jump to that area.

Countries Included:
England
Germany
United States
Soviet Union



Regards, Rhinobones
Colin Wright:
Pre Combat Air Strikes # 64 . . . I need have no concern about keeping it civil

Post by broccolini » Sun Nov 06, 2022
. . . no-one needs apologize for douchebags acting like douchebags
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

Zovs wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 2:48 pm
MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:44 pm
Zovs wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:27 pm

Patience grasshopper....

...the tumbler weeds do speak when awakened...

the dust has yet to settle...

What was the question pilgrim?
Haha Zovs that made me fan of Star Wars from San Rafael and LucasArts chuckle 🤣🤣🤣

Question was: where is Larry, I miss his Directive 21 AARs

I have 3 AARs and one was about WW3. In NATO HQ they are studying my technique 🤪
:D

Larry, is here and still around and he pokes his head in everyone once in a while, not like he used to but he is here, and has also updated his various scenarios from time to time.
That's good to know. Thank you. I really did enjoyed his AAR's.
Hopefully he will came back. Glad that I have stirred some good TOAW discussion haha.
I had made a short break from TOAW playing again WiTE 2 as Germany now for the third time. This time I will go for a victory.
Only have done first turn almost in WITE and killed or captured almost half million Ruskies.

Third Reich 1942-1945 is also good scenario.

Well, glad that TOAW is still alive. It is too valuable IP to let it collapse.
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

Cpl GAC wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 4:05 pm
MonkeyBrain3 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2024 9:49 pm Also, all praise to Rick who wrote 5 tracks PO that follows history!
I recently suffered under one of Rick's tracks in Russo-German War 1941-45. There were about 4 turns of "Wait... where did they come from... is it the whole... I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RAIL TO STOP THAT!"

General question; is entering units/formations into the database to build a scenario as tedious and time-consuming as it seems? I'd like to try building one but I am daunted by entering all the pieces. Is there any way to spreadsheet/import the unit & formation data?
Well, Directive 21 is great scenario but with very buffed up Soviet PO which is fine - for veteran players piece of cake.

Artificially Sevastopol and Moscow are made super massive fortresses. Many formations are held back - I don't have any intentions to assault Moscow like that "Napoleon" 😬 Silvanski in his aar, in the middle of the winter, and pestilence.

I maybe didn't done brilliant rail repair campaign or bad luck roll so Leningrad and surrounding are OK but Cente and more South is sometimes overextended
But mighty barrage of Wehrmacht guns make wonders among Soviet formations, slicing them down like a mince machine.

PO has managed to have few local one hex breakthrough but that is it - but all my reserves are commited! What will Hitler and Paulus said, and our old pal Rommel in Africa?

Stay tuned, when we get Moscow - you will hear corks popping up in Cincinnati 😬
MonkeyBrain3
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by MonkeyBrain3 »

TOAW goes very well with Earl Ziemke.

Ziemke is one of best military historian with very shrewd mind and attention to details.

As part of his research he used OKW and OKH German command so called Tagebuch. Pedantic Germans have recorded even most bizarre daily actions almost to platoon, patrol level. But there is also invaluable informations.
So valuable is when Germans prepared Operation Trappenjagd Manstein against Kerch...To not go into details but Germans in 1942. pioneered aside from first Cluster bombs also used in Crimea- they perfectef something called Concentrated Air Power.

Manstein knew that Soviets had superiority so first he tricked them that attack will come from the North. But he attacked in the south. Carrell say that he used motorboats to break first most difficult Soviet line by sea assault timed with land assault.
But he also concentrated air power - to pin Soviet reaction, to neutralize Soviet guns, and to make way for tanks and motorized infantry.
So he said: "Infantry would have to be pulled by Air Power".

But there is also bizzare episode when in 1944. Soviet landed behind German controlled Narva.
Sea landing party of 500 Soviet soldiers was wiped out without problem almost to a man the only damage in being some German Stukas Ju87 knocking out their own Tigers by mistake haha.
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sPzAbt653
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Re: I have noticed there....

Post by sPzAbt653 »

v1.19
TOAW v3.4
Equipment Database designed by:
Derek Weichs (Panzer_War)

Regards, Rhinobones

A more recent version has now been posted:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0#p4224990
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