Matrix Games Forums

At least you didn't list the distance in hexes. [:D]

ORIGINAL: slybelle
What I'm wondering is how the heck do you know which unit/actions you have worked on versus the ones you still need to issue orders? Is there any kind of feature that allows you to cycle to all units in some kind of order? Otherwise, how do you veterans of this game actually make sure you have done everything that is possible in a turn.

Signed,

Overwhelmed:)

First.., get used to the idea that "perfect" isn't going to happen! Then establish a "routine" and stick with it! Third, make a note when you see something you overlooked so you can be certain not to do it again.

First.., get used to the idea that "perfect" isn't going to happen!

Precisely

Then establish a "routine" and stick with it!

Precisely again [:D] My routine is by Command, I Army, II Army etc. I have only in my mind their main missions and there is it.

I have not read the manual and am just launched straight into the grand campaign. I will make loads of mistakes, but my learning style is best this way. I simply run round the map, starting at one end and moving round. I'm allies. Already there are a lot of places where there is an autopilot at work really, and other places where I really need to think.

As Allies once you get your own view of how things should go in the 'backyards' then its not worth doing much planning till you se what the Evil empire is up to - a lot of stuff is going to be reactive for the first 6 months

Roger

Probably going to get destroyed asking this question, but would anybody actually recommend a new player like me to take a step back and maybe try Uncommon Valor first? Or is the scope of that game just as daunting? Or should I just slug it out and stick with AE and figure things out?

I know I probably should I have thought about that before purchasing:)

If you want to learn AE you should play AE.

slybelle, I'd stick with AE. Start the Coral Sea Scenario or the Guadalcanal Campaign. There's UV right there. Plus, it's been drastically updated since the days of only UV.

ORIGINAL: 88l71

At least you didn't list the distance in hexes. [:D]

He wanted to, but couldn't decide on WitP or AE hexes.

"Probably going to get destroyed asking this question, but would anybody actually recommend a new player like me to take a step back and maybe try Uncommon Valor first? Or is the scope of that game just as daunting? Or should I just slug it out and stick with AE and figure things out?"

UV would not help you, au contraire! It will just take space in your Brain-Memory combo. It is not just sucking data you have to learn, it is also the brain mechanisms you will develop when you play.

Seriously, just give it a go, and don't expect to master anything, just gaze in absolute wonder at what is there.....I am utterly transfixed by the level of detail and can almost smell the places!

Roger

A learning point.

This is a game. Just imagine what it must have been in real life -- with no automation, computers or spreadsheets to help out.

War operation are more complex than most civilians will ever understand. In modern times, it explains why there are still occasional SNAFU's. However, the media will play up a mistake as if everyone involved is a incompetent boob.

Regards,
Feltan

For what it's worth, I've played UV, WiTP and now AE. My approach has been similar in all three systems.

Like other posters have said, I try to do a geographic systematic search. When playing the allies, start with the West Coast of CONUS-look at new arrivals, base forces, available supply, prepare for movement of LCUs, TFs, etc. I'm having to force myself to look at 'off-map' ports now too...my WiTP methods need updating!

Then I'll migrate to Hawaii and the Central Pacific islands. Go to SW Pacific including NZ and Oz, New Guinea, work up into the DEI, PI, China and, last, India / Burma.

For those islands or bases that are only peripherally involved in my planning (e.g., Nome, Alaska), I'll usually only scan those in a cursory fashion once every couple weeks or so. Once you get your system down, it's not too bad-you can punch out an uneventful turn in 30 minutes or so as an allied player.

When some particularly important battle or event is in progress, I'll come back to that after doing my 'theater sweep' and spend a good deal of time on units involved in that event. For example, after a surface combat TF has broken off, I'll make sure to check all ships' ammo, damage, split off any wounded in escort TFs, etc.

ORIGINAL: Feltan

A learning point.

This is a game. Just imagine what it must have been in real life -- with no automation, computers or spreadsheets to help out.

War operation are more complex than most civilians will ever understand. In modern times, it explains why there are still occasional SNAFU's. However, the media will play up a mistake as if everyone involved is a incompetent boob.

Regards,
Feltan

Maybe. But having done a similar job on a modern Wing staff , I can tell you , they had lots of people reading and anaylzing reports, photo's and maps. Lots of people pushing pins around a giant map , and in the USN at least , all kinds of people trained to write backwards on a big plexiglass board. There's your computer assist , for those who don't have 120 or so "helpers". [:D]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

ORIGINAL: Feltan

A learning point.

This is a game. Just imagine what it must have been in real life -- with no automation, computers or spreadsheets to help out.

War operation are more complex than most civilians will ever understand. In modern times, it explains why there are still occasional SNAFU's. However, the media will play up a mistake as if everyone involved is a incompetent boob.

Regards,
Feltan

Maybe. But having done a similar job on a modern Wing staff , I can tell you , they had lots of people reading and anaylzing reports, photo's and maps. Lots of people pushing pins around a giant map , and in the USN at least , all kinds of people trained to write backwards on a big plexiglass board. There's your computer assist , for those who don't have 120 or so "helpers". [:D]

My mother was one of those human search engines for Army Intelligence during the war. She describes a typical task as "Here's a stack of assorted intelligence reports. Read through all of these to see if there is any mention of the subject I am interested in. Set those aside and bring them to me."

During her +1 year she got to stick pins on a big map of China to keep track of the Chinese civil war. She describes getting simultaneous reports that unit A is at location B and another one that it is at location C. The real fog of war during WWII was much worse than anything we face in the game.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

slybelle, I'd stick with AE. Start the Coral Sea Scenario or the Guadalcanal Campaign. There's UV right there. Plus, it's been drastically updated since the days of only UV.

Seconded. [8D]

I am looking at this and want to do it but it seems overwhelming! Is another game that helps us get to know how to do or or just nut up and shut up and play?

LOL

Any help would be cool...

Avid gamer but not to this level...I fly F14s and F16s in DCS

Thanks

TexasThunder - I felt the same way the first time I started a Grand Campaign: overwhelmed at first. I always wanted a massive Pacific War game that covered everything, then thought I wish I hadn't gotten what I wished for! The game sat dormant for years until I gave it a go. But I read the manual and the forums over and over, and eventually started. I made many mistakes at first but was not as overwhelmed as I thought I would be because I just took my time. Even now it takes me about 45 minutes to an hour to plan a turn because I tend to be a little OCD and check everything to make sure I haven't missed anything.

As others have said, develop a system that works for you. I use Tracker to tell my what new arrivals have come in that turn (ships, LCUs and air groups) and I usually start with them. I then start with a geographical turn through the map. I usually start in Abadan, Aden and Cape Town, work my way through India and Burma, down through Oz, etc., and finish on the West Coast (playing as Allies, that is). I hit all the bases, check the air groups, ships, convoys, LCUs, etc. It takes time but is not overwhelming, I don't take a lot of notes, unless I am moving units by sea for bases, invasions, etc. Everyone has their own style.

Once you plot your first turn in the Grand Campaign (if it's your first time, and you're playing as Allies against the AI, which I recommend, use Kull's excellent setup spreadsheet available in the forums), save that first turn somewhere safe. If you make too many mistakes, just reload and start over again. Once you play through, you'll get the hang of it. Like anything challenging, practice makes perfect, or at least better, because there is no reaching perfection in this game.

You WILL make mistakes. Just remember that even the real life counterparts did so, after years of specialized training and decades of practical on the job experience. But they didn't have the benefit of reloading and starting again. If, after all their experience and training, mistakes were made, you're allowed a few as well.[:D]

Awesome! So I looked and will need to DLOAD tracker....

I am usually into the FLYING sims want to do this...

I am also getting Task Force Admiral once that is out as well..... A microprose game

Yes Microprose...Go figure....I do play Afghanistan 11

Holy batman necro!
But some things never change.
And GC scale is one of them.

As Allies, you don't have to get everything right first day.

As Japan, it's even more complicated, since they do need a good Dec 7, 1941...