Campaign for South Vietnam Recon Help

[dylan103601]

Hello everyone.

Currently in a Campaign for South Vietnam (CSV, henceforth), and I'm playing as the allies. I had some success on my first few turns, rapidly responding to the VCs as they appeared and smoking them left and right, but now, after a few turns, I can't for the life of me find a single VC.

They just kinda appear, attack a capital, and then disband so i can't respond. This has gone on for several turns. I follow the newstrings when VC activity occurs, even when a move every recon unit in the area into the (sometimes small) province, I can't find a single hint of VC presence save for a blown bridge. I suspect they've already disbanded.

What should I actually be doing to find them? I send rangers into rural areas for sweeps, but I've swept so much they're undersupplied and low on movement points so I'm letting them rest. The VC that attack seem to just come out of nowhere, and I need help on what I should be doing to find them.

We're playing with both optional rules (The big one being hex possession is invisible. The second is pretty, irrelevant, only really effects the VC player)

Thanks, let's save this run.

Edit: This is a PBEM game, forgot to mention

[Lobster]

So, historically accurate?

[dylan103601]

So, historically accurate?

Could be, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels more like I'm doing something wrong. The VC managed to attack Saigon and its still 1965. I have no idea how they got there, I have troops in the area.

Did America really have 5+ month stretches where they wouldn't see combat? The only troops who seem to be seeing action right now are ARVN garrisons.

[Lobster]

Honestly, I've not even cared to looked at that scenario. I think maybe Larry has.

[dylan103601]

Honestly, I've not even cared to looked at that scenario. I think maybe Larry has.

I was hoping he'd respond on this thread to be honest, he seems to be the expert on this particular campaign

[dylan103601]

If anyone stumbles across this thread, I didn't realise you have boats that can move through rivers, marshland and canals. They have about 300 movement points and they're really good for finding VCs in hard to reach places. Recommend.

[RedAss]

If anyone stumbles across this thread, I didn't realise you have boats that can move through rivers, marshland and canals. They have about 300 movement points and they're really good for finding VCs in hard to reach places. Recommend.

Yes, the "Brown Water Navy". Featuring https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Williams.

Been meaning to try this scenario -- from what I gather, it is proceeding exactly as designed.

[Menschenfresser]

I'm playing it for the first time (on my list for years now) and it's one of the best Vietnam game experiences I've had. Finding the VC is maddening. And when things go quiet a few turns, you know they'll be everywhere on the next turn. Or the NVA crosses the DMZ in strength right a the moment you've stripped the border to chase some rumor.

It's quality.

[Raindem]

To the OP, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Just sounds like your NLF opponent is being extra sneaky. If he chooses to disperse the VC before the turn end then you are not going to find them. But there is a trade-off. By doing that your opponent is reducing the amount of damage each VC unit can inflict. You will also notice that the VC often pop up in the same place and can station troops there to limit the damage. Cat and Mouse at its finest.

Aside from the tactical frustration, how is the game going generally? What are the victory and U.S. comittment levels?

Curt

[NightTime977]

To the OP, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Just sounds like your NLF opponent is being extra sneaky. If he chooses to disperse the VC before the turn end then you are not going to find them. But there is a trade-off. By doing that your opponent is reducing the amount of damage each VC unit can inflict. You will also notice that the VC often pop up in the same place and can station troops there to limit the damage. Cat and Mouse at its finest.

Aside from the tactical frustration, how is the game going generally? What are the victory and U.S. comittment levels?

Curt

I'm having a blast playing this thank you Curt for making this

I am Dylan's opponent and he is working overseas at the time so I will answer some questions you have but

what I gathered is that his EEV is at around 53 at the moment it is November 1967 he's doing a pretty good job of holding his ground from VC attacks

the reason I go underground a lot is because he has overwhelming air support once he finds me he bombs the crap out of me and it makes it very hard to move around the map I was struggling to hit positive VPs I'm slowly turning the tide back to positive

I don't want to go too into detail about my VC stuff wanted to answer for Dylan

[Raindem]

Sounds like both you guys are playing this the way it is supposed to be played. Good job. The Allies are at their peak strength and going underground is what every smart VC player should do.

What's the victory level at? I dug out some of my old notes from play testing. For comparison sake, historically at this point in the war the EEV would have been around 62 and the victory level at +31 Allies.

Edit: I just noticed you were posting the AAR in the other forum. Which version of the scenario are you using?

[NightTime977]

Sounds like both you guys are playing this the way it is supposed to be played. Good job. The Allies are at their peak strength and going underground is what every smart VC player should do.

What's the victory level at? I dug out some of my old notes from play testing. For comparison sake, historically at this point in the war the EEV would have been around 62 and the victory level at +31 Allies.

Edit: I just noticed you were posting the AAR in the other forum. Which version of the scenario are you using?

So my victory level is 3 at the moment was around -19 at some point but I did a little let's say offensive during monsoon and it moved it up toward -11 and know its 3

62? Not bad honestly I can see i might need to step it up again but Im really trying to not run my self into the ground and take a very consertive state in the game yes I'm well aware of the time but I got it planned out

We are currently on 5.0 Verison and I currently paused that AAR since I'm doing my other AAR at the time

I really enjoy the different play style of Gorilla tactics lots of hit and runs ambushs and going underground before his recon shows up ect ect very well made, I have had almost no bugs so far that I have seen

[Raindem]

Just an FYI the latest version is 5.1. Not a huge change from what you are playing, but it utilizes TOAW 4's monthly turn setting. Based on the screenshots in the AAR it looks like your version is using the older weekly turn scale, modified to simulate monthly turns.

Curt