frastrated newbie's questions

[DiRaC]

I am a fan of wargame that noticed SPWaW several years ago. However i didn't start to play it until a while ago, because I found this game was somewhat time-consuming compared to its scale. It's just like the turn-based Close combat but with much more time to put in.

I can manage to play KP,Bin,WiR,UV very well, and i don't mind learning new stuff and spending time on this. I just feel this game takes too long to finish a single turn, in a relatively moderate-sized map. I am doing kinda slowly on this because I have to think every move and every shot. In addition, I have to confirm the Opfire(if it's called so) in the enemy's turn. So the total time is huge. And the AI seems very strong, I couldn't get edge of it and lose the game most of the time.

Unlike other boardgames that I played, I am bit frastruted with this game, and the only place I can search for help is here. I would like to listen what you guys think of the following questions. (maybe some sound silly or do not make any sense at all)


1 I am spending too much time on every turn. I don't know if that's because I am too new to this game and need time to settle down. I am wondering how long you guys normally spend per turn on a medium size game?

2 Do I have to make decision for every confirmation of Opfire in the enemy's turn? Or i can let the computer take over?

3 I have read the manual (not all of it though) and did the tutorials. I still can't even win the "The Real thing" small scenario with German against Yugoslavia. (Germans have to take the enemy's war college) I don't know what i did wrong. (I used indirect fire covering and smokes, flanking and stuff, but I am always losing to AI) If you have won that scenario, could you give me a few tips?

4 Can I get some suggestion on how to learn this game and which scenario to start with? Any additional tutorial articles and tactical tips would be super great.

5 I found my Mega Campaigns are empty. Where do i download them?

[Captain Cruft]

ORIGINAL: DiRaC
1 I am spending too much time on every turn. I don't know if that's because I am too new to this game and need time to settle down. I am wondering how long you guys normally spend per turn on a medium size game?

You will speed up with practise. Just play a lot

2 Do I have to make decision for every confirmation of Opfire in the enemy's turn? Or i can let the computer take over?

Set the Op-Fire Confirm value to 0 in the Preferences screen and the computer will handle all your op-fire for you.

3 I have read the manual (not all of it though) and did the tutorials. I still can't even win the "The Real thing" small scenario with German against Yugoslavia. (Germans have to take the enemy's war college) I don't know what i did wrong. (I used indirect fire covering and smokes, flanking and stuff, but I am always losing to AI) If you have won that scenario, could you give me a few tips?

That scenario is quite hard as far as I can remember. Just because you are the Germans doesn't mean it will be easy ...

4 Can I get some suggestion on how to learn this game and which scenario to start with? Any additional tutorial articles and tactical tips would be super great.

When I was a newbie I abandoned scenarios and played random Battles (meeting engagements) against the AI. My confidence went up quickly.

5 I found my Mega Campaigns are empty. Where do i download them?

Mega Campaigns cost money so are not available for free download. Check out main Matrix Games SPWaW site for details.

[DiRaC]

thank you for your fast replay.

Set the Op-Fire Confirm value to 0 in the Preferences screen and the computer will handle all your op-fire for you.

Is it the "wise" way of playing?or it's lazy way?
What's the trade off if you don't fire or let the computer take control? I read the article on top of the training section. Seems the Op fire control is very important.

[Alby]

turn off the op fire function...The op fire function is sort of a cheat against the AI.
It was at one time a good function to have against online players who like to use up your shots running junk at you..
However, the op fire prgram in spwaw almost totally eliminates this problem now, so the op fire function is basically a user preference.


Visit www.spwaw.com and join the academy...you will learn alot there.

[Captain Cruft]

Once you know what you are doing with the AI it won't make any difference. Plus it is good training for PBEM, where there is no choice but to use automatic op-fire.

[Captain Cruft]

Like Alby says, the ONLY place you would want is in an online game. Not that I've ever actually played one of those ...

[PimpYourAFV]

Without opfire I'd be overrun. I got AI advantage and Hard(2x) both set to on with arty at 140/140 soft/hard with default purchase point setting so sometimes I lose units to enemy arty as well I restrict myself to 3 platoons of infantry, a special forces/airborne platoon, 6 arty guns, and one platoon of tanks with a couple of AA and AT guns for defence. Its very fun this way and makes the game a challenge even against the AI. I have to kill about 1500 enemy people each battle to get a victory. I'm going to fire up a USMC campaign soon so I don't know how this arrangement is going to affect me in the jungle. Maybe scary. [:(]

You should try my settings DiRaC. I suspect your long turn problem is caused by having too many units. Buying companies of anything is micromanagement suicide as well as unfair against the AI.

[Puukkoo]

I think the long campaign with default settings is the easiest way to start the game. Play Brits at North Africa against Italians and you'll learn how to beat the Artificial Intelligence.

Scenarios always tend to be hard ones. If you want an easy scenario (which are surprisingly difficult to find!), try no.334 (in SPWAW version 8.4) CARRE D'AS, which lets you command French heavy tanks. The vets of SPWAW handle that scenario without losing a single frenchman.

[omegaall]

ORIGINAL: Alby
Visit www.spwaw.com and join the academy...you will learn alot there.

Sound advice if you are starting or restarting after such a long break.

Sorry Alby just making it more obvious!!

[steveh11Matrix]

BUT, the academy is for pbem...and I'm allergic, play solo only.

Otherwise, I'm sure that's good advice!!

Steve [;)]

[Swamprat]

Actually all the scenarios in the academy are played solo. As are all the tutorials. It's all against the AI. The only bit of the academy course that is PBEM is the last battle you need to do against an instructor in order to graduate - and you don't need to win it to graduate; it's more an exercise to show you understand how to set up a PBEM game. It's not compulsory to play anything other than solo after that, if you don't wish.

[omegaall]

ORIGINAL: steveh11Matrix

BUT, the academy is for pbem...and I'm allergic, play solo only.

Otherwise, I'm sure that's good advice!!

Steve [;)]

The important aspect of the Academy is not the PEBM.

The most important aspect of the Academy is the material in there. That is the BIG issue.
Just going through the lessons and associated tutorials/scenario tests will help. The scenario test are against the AI not other players.

The final "test" is a PEBM game but you dont have to do that to get the knowledge.

[Major_Mess]

Trust me, even if you think you know what you're doing, these courses will open your eyes.
I've been playing since 5. something or other and I still took them.
All subjects offered are quick, concise lessons.
The material is straight forward, even this idjit was able to follow the teachings.

I learned a bunch of stuff, I highly recommend joining (unless you're either a SPWaW ringer, or one of my opponents Ha Ha).


And don't be freaked out about the PBEM thing ........................ relax, it's a good thing.



Major Mess .................. Proud Graduate - Summa Cum Laude