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Huge game even though im just at the first scenario after winning the 2 tutorials. I guess this is the real thing since winning the tutorials was relatively easy but the germans are truly pounding me. I set a strong opposition in one bridge and i got overrun on the other side...powerful AI logics.

Definitely a must buy title....going to sleep with laptop in bed to read the reference manual need I say more!

As has been stated already, this really is a great game. Thirty years ago, I wanted to lose the hexes, the alternate moves and inject FoW. The Airborne Assault games do all this superbly. IMHO, they are the best computer wargames ever produced, sans 3d, or otherwise.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

ORIGINAL: Helpless
BTW, COTA is not only Greece and Malta. There is also North African scenarios with estabs. Also mods on Norway and several other what-ifs - http://cota.matrixgames.com/downloads/

Yep, I wonder how many customers didn't realize that COTA expanded into pre-1942 North Africa with the last patch?

I've read the mod documentation...there's no troop colors, no troop regimental names (i suppose), no total historicity i mean which was not possible due to modding features not changeable from the vanilla version to the new scenarios so i didn't really check those mods out...i'm very interested about these things. Cota is what it is not only for the ai logic but also because all troops, all counters are exactly what they were historically. Replacement and use of a counter or a troop type with the real one, that is, using the standard COTA greeks in place of the polish is something i don't like. Better off using different colors but as i said i didnt further investigate on those mods.

One other little thing about CotA seems worth mentioning at this time; stability. In my several hundred of hours of playing this game I've had one (1) CTD-that's right, one. And I brought that one on myself by having far too many things going on with multiple (big) programs running. It is very system efficient; using about 50 to 150 MB of RAM in a recent large scenario. It is rather CPU intensive-for my system, but hums right along at a very good speed.

It plays great, it is stable, it is smart, and it is very historically accurate. It has enough scenarios to keep you occupied for quite a while.

If you don't have CotA, and like great war games, you are truly missing out.

Went home for lunch. Had time to buy it, download it, install it and patch it. Can't wait to start learning tonite. Thanks to everyone involved in my decision. Sounds like a great community, I'm sure I'll be asking some questions in the future.
Jim

ORIGINAL: GShock

I've read the mod documentation...there's no troop colors, no troop regimental names (i suppose), no total historicity i mean which was not possible due to modding features not changeable from the vanilla version to the new scenarios so i didn't really check those mods out...i'm very interested about these things. Cota is what it is not only for the ai logic but also because all troops, all counters are exactly what they were historically. Replacement and use of a counter or a troop type with the real one, that is, using the standard COTA greeks in place of the polish is something i don't like. Better off using different colors but as i said i didnt further investigate on those mods.

Hmm.. i'm not sure i got you right, probably it's just matter of taste, but the only thing not historical in these mods is the the equipment of forces which are not in COTA estabs. It means that you have to find appropriate substitution for the particular weapon and equipment for the force your are trying to model. Well, that equipment tab then may look ugly..[:)] but OOB with all the namings and structure can be 100% perfect. After that you can model combat value of unit by changing all these experience, training, fitness, moral, stubbornness, commander values, etc, etc, etc... It means that you can virtually model any army of that period. Of cause level of approximation is higher than for stock estabs, but still much lower then in any hex turn base game I know. And the most amazing feature in COTA for me is the way you can create maps. It's easy, fast and accurate..

Oh, and colors [:)].. In some way you can even change colors as well.. not for the whole unit, but for the bottom strip [:D]

Here is the screenshot of 361st Rifle Regiment of 156th Rifle Division defending Perekop isthmus in Crimea, waiting for the Manstein's assault. I've used Australian/British estabs to model Soviets. So far i'm getting result which are very close to history. I'm not sure I'll find time to finish this mod, but I'm enjoying modding not less then playing.[8D] Someday I hope to see Eastern Front Game from Dave&Co [&o]

Took me the better half of the day to play through tutorial #1 and immediately lost my first small mission after, as I was not able to achieve objectives in due time. [:)]

On a side note for the dev's: CoTa refused to cooperate at first and told me something about an 'invalid serial number'. I fortunately got this fixed by starting the game in WinXp compatibility mode.

Looks great Helpless! [&o]

In this case (Russian Front) the modder have to use existing stabs to simulate units.
But on most of the other unofficial maps and scenarios, all is 100% historic.
For example, for the North Africa scenarios pre 1942 included with the third patch you have all the unit template you need on COTA: british, Commonwealth, German and Italian formations.
After 1942 its different as the COTA templates don't have newer tank models (Grants, Shermans, Tigers and the like).
Regards!

ORIGINAL: Arsan


Looks great Helpless! [&o]

In this case (Russian Front) the modder have to use existing stabs to simulate units.
But on most of the other unofficial maps and scenarios, all is 100% historic.
For example, for the North Africa scenarios pre 1942 included with the third patch you have all the unit template you need on COTA: british, Commonwealth, German and Italian formations.
After 1942 its different as the COTA templates don't have newer tank models (Grants, Shermans, Tigers and the like).
Regards!

Thanks. [:)] .. it's still in the blueprints..

Well for 1942+ you can play around with HTTR estabs and hopefully soon BFTB. I've heard there is a plan to include HTTR estabs to BFTB [&o]

ORIGINAL: Lützow

Took me the better half of the day to play through tutorial #1 and immediately lost my first small mission after, as I was not able to achieve objectives in due time. [:)]

Timeliness is critical in this game-as it is in RL. This forces a player to think like a real commander. The task at hand is not to kill all enemy units upon first sight, but to achieve positions through maneuver and fire power which puts the enemy in untenable positions. With a combination of luck and skill, you can achieve your objectives and sometimes trap the opposing forces while suffering low losses on your side-a very satisfying achievement. It is also quite satisfying just to avoid a total defeat by the end of a battle. The AI is very, very good, and some online players are even better.

One tip for anyone new to CotA; plan your operation before you start the game. Plans can be flexible, but you need to know where you are making your main thrust so you can properly position supporting units and choose the correct paths for new reinforcements. Without a good plan, (or even a so so plan), your operation will lag behind your opponent-not good.

ORIGINAL: Helpless

ORIGINAL: Arsan


Looks great Helpless! [&o]

In this case (Russian Front) the modder have to use existing stabs to simulate units.
But on most of the other unofficial maps and scenarios, all is 100% historic.
For example, for the North Africa scenarios pre 1942 included with the third patch you have all the unit template you need on COTA: british, Commonwealth, German and Italian formations.
After 1942 its different as the COTA templates don't have newer tank models (Grants, Shermans, Tigers and the like).
Regards!

Thanks. [:)] .. it's still in the blueprints..

Well for 1942+ you can play around with HTTR estabs and hopefully soon BFTB. I've heard there is a plan to include HTTR estabs to BFTB [&o]

Well I wouldn't hold your breath on that. If I remember correctly, Dave was hoping/planning to include the HTTR estabs into COTA, but decided it would be too much work.

Not a criticism...just a heads up.