Ypres DLC MP match coming soon

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Tue Jul 28, 2026 2:22 am

Ep 7 "Thunder Magic on Hill 60": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6bHPq8lC-E

This video follows OldCrowBalthazor as he continues his multiplayer match against Bill Runacre in the Second Battle of Ypres scenario for the Strategic Command: World War I game. The gameplay focuses on the intense trench warfare and tactical maneuvering required to hold or capture key positions on the Western Front.

Key Gameplay Highlights:
Artillery and Shell Management: A major theme throughout the video is the scarcity of artillery shells and the importance of shell discipline (1:38-1:49). Balthazor frequently struggles with depleted shells and the tactical need to conserve them for critical pushes (5:08-5:22, 13:41-13:56).

Terrain and Weather: The challenging weather conditions, specifically mud, significantly hinder unit movement and offensive capabilities, forcing a slow, grinding approach to combat (1:17, 4:41, 14:03).
Strategic Objectives: Much of the maneuvering centers around Hill 60 and Kitchener’s Wood. Balthazor expresses frustration over the difficulty of taking these fortified positions and notes the importance of entrenchments (15:52, 24:44, 30:42).

Command and Control: The player discusses the management of his generals, such as Rupprecht and Gallwitz, and the strategic benefits of maintaining experienced HQ units despite the costs (1:54, 35:14).

Late-Game Observations:
As the session nears its conclusion, Balthazor reflects on the difficulty of breaking through the enemy's defensive lines. He notes that while he has made progress, the campaign remains a difficult, long-term struggle, and he plans to continue pushing his trenches closer to enemy fortifications in the upcoming turns (42:20-42:35).

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Thu Jul 30, 2026 3:01 am

Ep 8: The Fort of Bellewaard becomes a Boneyard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gppf1FXio80&t=316s

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Sat Aug 01, 2026 3:18 am

Ep 9 "4th Armee Unleashes 'Ops Fafnir': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6I43CqxOSQ&t=750s

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Mon Aug 03, 2026 4:40 am

Ep 10 "The Devil Storms The Fort Line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzDU5yk1Wog&t=2s

This video (Episode 10) captures a multiplayer match of the Battles for Ypres DLC in Strategic Command: World War I, where creator OldCrowBalthazor (Germany) faces off against Bill Runacre (Entente/Allies), a developer from Fury Software.

Match Highlights:
Last turn, Ops Fafnir was executed.The British make intense counter-attacks, and the remainder of the turn involves intense tactical maneuvering to take the Ypres frontal fortification, fill gaps in the lines and manage supply lines.
Tactical Challenges: Balthazor struggles with digging in due to limited action points and high costs. The player notes the difficulty of breaking the enemy's defensive lines, particularly around key fort locations.
Resource Management: Throughout the session, the player carefully manages their MPPs (Military Production Points) to purchase new divisions and maintain reinforcements, noting that the battle is proving to be a brutal, war of attrition.
Strategic Outlook: As the match progresses toward its conclusion (approximately seven turns remaining), the player acknowledges that achieving a major victory may be nearly impossible given the fortified defenses, but they remain committed to exerting pressure on the Entente line to force a potential collapse or tactical retreat.

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Wed Aug 05, 2026 2:06 am

Ep 11 "Ypres Town is captured in savage hand to hand combat": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCcQoo2_IKQ&t=1s

This video, Episode 11 of a multiplayer series, captures a tense turn in the Second Battle of Ypres (dated May 12, 1915) from the Battles for Ypres DLC for Strategic Command: World War I. The creator, playing as the German forces against developer Bill Runacre (Entente), navigates a critical juncture in the campaign.

Key Highlights:
Tactical Situation: The German forces have captured the entire fort line, but the player emphasizes the constant, grueling cycle of "two steps forward, one step back". The front is packed with troops, and the player is struggling to find the resources and Action Points (AP) necessary to entrench and hold vital positions.

Strategic Challenges: The player discusses the difficulty of managing supply, artillery placement, and the constraints of the map—notably the lack of towns for troop placement and the danger of losing momentum due to the impending "muddy" weather.

Game Mechanics: The video touches on unit management, including using HQs for bonuses, the importance of keeping units supplied, and a "trick" involving flipping units on rail lines. The creator also reflects on previous experiences, including high-stakes poker, as a way to relate to the risk-management decisions made in the game.

Current State: By the end of the session, the German forces hold the ridge, which is viewed as a major success, but the player remains cautious, aware that the opponent has the final turn and could force an epic, down-to-the-wire conclusion.

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Fri Aug 07, 2026 3:54 am

Ep 12 "Abyssal Slaughter under the Church Bells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wAe5Ixb_m8

OldCrowBalthazor · Post by **OldCrowBalthazor** » Sun Aug 09, 2026 3:10 am

Ep 13 "The Wheat Grows Thin": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a0r4BgVRqI&t=2s

In this 13th episode of his multiplayer campaign for the Strategic Command: World War I - Battles for Ypres DLC, the creator (OldCrowBalthazor) plays as Germany against Bill Runacre (a developer at Fury Software, representing the Entente).

Current Tactical Situation:
Campaign Status: The scenario is set on May 16, 1915, with only about four turns remaining in the game. The creator is fighting desperately to hold or recapture Ypres.
Challenges: The creator notes that British forces are getting thin, but the Entente has successfully pushed them back in key sectors.
Gameplay Focus: The creator prioritizes managing unit fatigue, rotating troops, and attempting to clear edges to prevent breakthroughs.
Reflections: Throughout the video, the creator discusses the intensity of the World War I attrition style of play, drawing parallels between the historical context of the game and contemporary conflict footage.

Key Takeaways:
Attrition over Territory: Success in this game relies on grinding down the opponent's forces and managing resource (MPP) capacity rather than just capturing territory. Preserving your own units is vital, and the creator emphasizes the need for strong general support and stable defensive lines.
The DLC: The Battles for Ypres DLC introduces focused, divisional-level scenarios that evolve as technologies like gas and aircraft are introduced, creating high-pressure environments for players to test their risk management skills.