It was a relief to find you guys ...

Greg J · Post by **Greg J** » Mon Dec 10, 2001 10:09 am

... I was beginning to think I must be the only one in the world wandering off to do my laundry, while preoccupied with the possibility that my Panzers, propped just outside of Moscow, could get cut off (and they did). Let alone having a strange compulsion to keep track of the casualties. But I can see I am not alone.

I installed 3.0 a couple of weeks ago at home and had been reading the manual and watching the computer play against a completely computer-controlled Soviet opponent, to get the hang of it. I had just started my first real game, when I discovered this forum and realised I needed to update to 3.0.1. Now I am cranking.

Still playing my first game, takes a long while to work out what to do with all those pieces, especially while you are still struggling with the rules.

I had played the board game "Russian Front", many years ago, so at least understood the basic concepts. Still it has been a struggle at times, and still is, to work some things out. So I might post a few questions from time to time, to draw on your wealth of experience.

Onwards ...

Mist · Post by **Mist** » Mon Dec 10, 2001 11:03 am

Hiya Greg!

You are welcome to WiR community. I am sure you will find answers to all your questions here. As well as opponents for PBEM game. Feel free to ask.

Ed Cogburn · Post by **Ed Cogburn** » Mon Dec 10, 2001 4:19 pm

Originally posted by Greg J:
I installed 3.0 a couple of weeks ago at home and had been reading the manual and watching the computer play against a completely computer-controlled Soviet opponent, to get the hang of it.

Don't follow the AI too closely Greg, its an idiot. The manual is also out of date in many places now, sadly. Updating it would require a commercial PDF editor, which Matrix either lacks or is not interested in paying for (or can't afford one?).

Quick tips: frontal attacks are an absolute no-no if you can possibly avoid it. Use armor to surround, then use infantry, possibly with armor, to kill. When possible, use infantry only, if you think the enemy is weak enough, this will keep losses to your armor units down. Penetrate, but don't outrun your supply, keep track of when the supply levels change during blitzkreig supply so you do not leave your armor too far out on a limb where they are vulnerable to a counter-attack. Penetrate shallow, to destroy the Soviet army piecemeal, or penetrate deep, which has a greater payoff but also a greater risk. Against a human opponent, however, be much more careful with deep penetrations. This is important, because if you plan to play other humans eventually, you should not pay any attention to the AI, since emulating it is not a good thing.

czerpak · Post by **czerpak** » Mon Dec 10, 2001 4:44 pm

Originally posted by Greg J:

I had played the board game "Russian Front", many years ago, so at least understood the basic concepts. Still it has been a struggle at times, and still is, to work some things out. So I might post a few questions from time to time, to draw on your wealth of experience.

Onwards ...

Greg,
I play it for 5 or so years now, and it's still a struggle - not about the rules, but how to use them for my advantage and not to abuse them.
And start PBEM ASAP, this will bring you to a totally different (and much more enjoyable ) game.
And allows you to learn lots of tricks from others and I'm pretty sure that anyone from this forum will share his experience with you while playing PBEM.
Last advice - if you want to jump into PBEM quickly, dont forget to learn house rules stated in Lorenzo's post some time ago.
many victories
Maciej

Greg J · Post by **Greg J** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 8:44 am

Tah.

I have just survived my first winter as the Germans (against the computer oponent). I think I will finish that game off, play a game as the Russians (against the computer oponent) and then I will jump into PBEM.

But the game is so time consuming! It could be too hard to wait until I have finished both games.

There are still a couple of things I need to work out though. Some of them are rules things, but others are more strategy things (like, I have left my Italian and Western fronts intact, during my first Axis game, so I have something to compare it with in my later Axis games, where I might tamper with these fronts).

Muzrub · Post by **Muzrub** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 10:08 am

Hi Greg,

I find it best not to mess with the other fronts- just in case it all goes to hell and it creates bad habits, if you do it once you may find the need to do it again and then all of a sudden the whole house comes tumbling down.

Make use of your Luftwaffe in these fronts- train them up and rotate them with the aircraft in the East.

Anyway- welcome aboard, its good to see another Australian enter the wonderful world of WIR!

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