Some newbie questions, and what next?

[Plessiez]

I got HTTR a couple of days ago and my first impressions are that it's great.

My second impressions, after playing through the tutorials are that I haven't really got a clue how to be good at this game.

I am not a grognard, nor a hard-core WW2 History buff. I've read 'A Bridge Too Far' (and of course, seen the movie ' so I have a passing idea of what is going on. But I don't know enough to be able to say 'Well obviously, the 2nd regiment should be on that hill and these trees are a perfect spot for my artillery.'

So which scenarios are good to mess around with and get a feel for the game? I'd like to throw myself into the full campaign and see how I do but maybe that is a waste of time?

Also a couple of other questions relating to gameplay?

Can I use ferries?
Can I use boats?
Can I build bailey bridges?

Thanks in advance.

[KNac007]

About last questions:

You can use use ferries (consider it boats if you want) at the specified crossing points. However, that's very very slow and very dangerous, be sure to do it under cover of artillery & other units, nd if you can on night.

I don't know the exact transltion to bailey but I suppose what does it mean. Yes, you can build bridges at free crossing points (these w/o nothing, or that have been blown up). You need a bridging unit nd as much support from other engineers to do it as fast as possible.

[RobertWevodau]

Plessiez,

As far as scenarios go, I found that "PI on the Popenberg" is a good one for beginners (which I am). It has well defined objectives and not too many forces to command. It's fun to play either side, but more instructive when you play as Axis (attacking force). Another good one is "Air Landing Assault".

Robert

[HercMighty]

Now if we had that strategy guide [8|]

[CriticalMass]

ORIGINAL: HercMighty

Now if we had that strategy guide [8|]

or even some kind of input from Matrix...one may start to think things aren't as they should be with Digital River.

Sorry, I AM getting boring!

TANX
Andrew

[Tactics]

My second impressions, after playing through the tutorials are that I haven't really got a clue how to be good at this game.

You and I are probably in the same boat. I love wargames, but usually get my butt spanked in MP. When I first got the game I did the tutorial with the manual open, as it suggests. I tried to do the scenarios in order, but when I saw the word "fictional" I skipped it. For some reason Im only interested in historic engagements with full realism. As a result, I jumped from the tutorial to the "Arnham Grand Camp".

I felt ok with restarting and doing it over...and over. It's a long scenario (9 days) so I'm still yet to finish it. Each time I usually get to day 3 or 4 and realize that I've made a huge blunder...then I restart and try not to make the same mistake. My only advice regarding restarting the same scenario over and over is to play the same side each time. I dont like to know what's around the corner so if you switch sides it feels like cheating...at least to me.

May I insert a minor question for everyone? I prefer to play German rather than Allied, but the nature of the scenarios seems to favor the Germans. The Allies are on the offensive and have time tables to keep, where as the Germans can defend and only need to worry about holding out. Am I being a panty waist for playing German? Also, do you think Im missing out on the full flavor of the game by playing the defenders? Thanks, sorry for the minor hijack.

[pcelt]

Plessiez

For developing ideas and tactical understanding I suggest you read through and try out the various ideas and approaches suggested in the 2 "Hints" threads by "Markshot" in the "Sticky" section at the top of this forum. These together with the excellent tutorials in the on-line manual should give you a good basic understanding.

Cheers [8D]

[Golf33]

ORIGINAL: Tactics

May I insert a minor question for everyone? I prefer to play German rather than Allied, but the nature of the scenarios seems to favor the Germans. The Allies are on the offensive and have time tables to keep, where as the Germans can defend and only need to worry about holding out. Am I being a panty waist for playing German? Also, do you think Im missing out on the full flavor of the game by playing the defenders? Thanks, sorry for the minor hijack.

Well, the Germans certainly have an easier task in some of the scenarios, though it's a bit tougher for them in the battles further South where XXX Corps is either breaking through or arrives fairly shortly into the game.

I certainly think you are not getting the most out of the game by only playing one side - although there are a couple of scenarios which are better played from one side than the other against the AI (PI on the Popenberg, and Advance on Loenen) they are the exception rather than the rule. I think the Terror of the Tyne Tees is better played as the Allies first, but it's also fun as the Germans. If you play Para Rescue as Axis against the AI, make sure to set both reinforcement schedules to Favour Allies to provide a decent challenge. In fact the same applies playing that scenario against a human. Playing as the Allies against the AI, leave it on the default settings or select Favour Axis to really give yourself a challenge.

Regards
33

[Makoto]

Yeah, I like this game a lot, I've only "lost" one battle against the AI so far, but I'm still not "good. My battles usually end up being a slugathon. Bout a 2-1 ratio in kills 1.5-1 in AFVs and a 1-1 for guns is what the stats end up saying. My last few games have been kinda boring; set up troops, wait for attack, stal attack with superiour firepower, bring in the artillery, counterattack, repeat as needed.

[Plessiez]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the responses so far.

I played through Raid on Renkum last night which was pretty easily. Mostly set up my forces, wait, shuffle them around a bit and wait some more. The only really stupid thing I did was try and chase out some armour with infantry from the polder south of the river. Not a smart move, but close enough to the end of the scenario that it didn't count.

I want to try my hand at the Grand Campaign now but I'd like to ask a few questions first.

Can anyone give me some good starting moves for the first couple of hours of the scenario? I know historically the air landing brigade guarded the drop zones and the para batallions moved into Arnhem by 3 routes. Will this get me going if I follow a similar plan?

Secondly: Recon. I've seen threads about this but I don't know to what extent I need to micromange. If I send a battalion to some point do I need to micromanage one of its units to conduct recon, or can I just trust the AI to set up an advance guard and sort itself out?

Thirdly: HQs and Bases. What should I do with these? I don't really have a concept of what a base actually is so I can't envisage what role it would take. Are these units that I should just set up somewhere, defend and leave where they are? What about HQs? Logically to me they should be near the base. But then what if my units are getting too far away from their HQs. How does that affect things?

Thanks for the help

[EricGuitarJames]

May I insert a minor question for everyone? I prefer to play German rather than Allied, but the nature of the scenarios seems to favor the Germans. The Allies are on the offensive and have time tables to keep, where as the Germans can defend and only need to worry about holding out. Am I being a panty waist for playing German? Also, do you think Im missing out on the full flavor of the game by playing the defenders? Thanks, sorry for the minor hijack.

Well, when RDOA came out I started with the Historical Campaign playing as the Germans as I felt this was the 'easiest' option (set everything on standard but with no orders delay). Achieved a marginal victory and, emboldened, worked through the alternatives until I felt I had a solid idea of what the best tactics for the Germans. I then reversed it and played through the campaign as the British until I achieved victory playing the Historical campaign.

I too have a preference to play as the Germans but would agree with Golf that you are missing out. However, if you play with the idea that the Germans are just 'holding out' you'll not achieve a 'Decisive Victory' in any scenario.

[EricGuitarJames]

Can anyone give me some good starting moves for the first couple of hours of the scenario? I know historically the air landing brigade guarded the drop zones and the para batallions moved into Arnhem by 3 routes. Will this get me going if I follow a similar plan?

Focus on capturing the Road Bridge as quickly as possible. Ignore all other objectives until you've established a defensive cordon in Arnhem, Drop Zones inclusive. Oh and set the orders delay to 'none' for now, you'll be able to fix your own mistakes better that way[;)].

Secondly: Recon. I've seen threads about this but I don't know to what extent I need to micromange. If I send a battalion to some point do I need to micromanage one of its units to conduct recon, or can I just trust the AI to set up an advance guard and sort itself out?

For now let the AI handle it, once you've got a decent 'feel' for the game you'll be able to micro-manage to your hearts content[:)]

Thirdly: HQs and Bases. What should I do with these? I don't really have a concept of what a base actually is so I can't envisage what role it would take. Are these units that I should just set up somewhere, defend and leave where they are? What about HQs? Logically to me they should be near the base. But then what if my units are getting too far away from their HQs. How does that affect things?

Depending on what side and scenario I'm playing I use HQ and Base units for different things but I always keep them together. Protecting artillery, securing objectives behind the front lines, holding down a 'quiet' sector, or other 'less important' tasks. Again, if you keep the orders delay to 'none' you'll be able to play around until you feel comfortable.

Above all, SAVE OFTEN![:)]

[Plessiez]

Ignore all other objectives until you've established a defensive cordon in Arnhem, Drop Zones inclusive.

Pardon my ignorance but the two different interpretations of what you're saying could have very different results. [:)]

Do you mean:

Ignore all other objectives including drop zones until you have a cordon in Arnhem?

Or

Set up a defensive cordon around Arnhem big enough to include the drop zones?

Thanks [:)]

[EricGuitarJames]

Sorry, I could have worded that better[:)]. The Road Bridge is vital, if you don't capture it, the Drop Zones are effectively worthless and if you do take it the Germans will be focussing on recapturing that so the DZs won't be a worry. I hope that clarifies things a bit for you[:)]

[Plessiez]

Thanks for the clarification I'll give that a try following your suggestions.

[EricGuitarJames]

ORIGINAL: Plessiez

Thanks for the clarification I'll give that a try following your suggestions.

Good luck and have fun[:)]

[Makoto]

A.) don't get caught in the open
B.) move quickly, if you diddy daddle the Germans' tanks will pulverize you
C.) don't get caught up in inflicting lots of casualties on the enemy, the Germans outnumber you by a lot
D.) take the Germans' artillery into account whenever attacking
E.) protect your HQ units and try to kill off the enemy's
F.) The Germans' reinforcements are mostly second-class units, they'll break; on another note, there's a lot of 'em so don't underestimate them

hope that helps, I just got done playing Arnhem campaign as the Gerries.

[Plessiez]

Well I decided to give Advance (Assault?) on Loeren a try. It seemed like a good choice since it involves trying to cover a lot of ground quickly and that seemed like good practice for playing as the British Paras in Arnhem.

I've played it 4 or 5 times and although each time I'm getting a little better I'm still nowhere near being able to complete this mission. Can anyone give me any tips?

I've tried setting ROF to high, and aggro to Low in the hope of my troops keeping moving without getting bogged down in combat. I've tried using my arty to bombard things out of the way. I've tried using a battalion to pin down the Germans and then move past them in other places. Nothing is working.

Any tips would be much appreciated!

[EricGuitarJames]

Plessiez, if you head over to page three of the forum topics you'll find one called 'advance on Loenen, winnable as the Allies?'

tm.asp?m=595782

The link should take you straight there.

I've only played it a couple of times as I generally prefer the big scenarios but I did find it very difficult.