Learning as USA..An open Discussion AAR on the April 1861 Campaign

[seydlitz_slith]

I decided not to build anything this turn to let the money build up a bit again. You can see my planned balance in the bottom of the screenie.
One thing that I did decide to do which I should have done earlier, is to Apply MARTIAL LAW in the state of Missouri. Since the average loyalty there is only 12%, and the highest is 60% at St. Louis, I will benefit from taking this action.

[seydlitz_slith]

Turn 9 brings news.....

[Gem35]

Some observations,
I'm not sure what is more fun, planning and organizing your men is a game within the game.
Anticipating your moves versus the enemy is a bit tense.[:)]
Good idea with MO, I have been learning alot about the mechanics. Interesting to see what the AI is doing and your strats to counter.
I am loving this.[:D][:D]

[seydlitz_slith]

..

[Gem35]

I am trying to concentrate my forces to their respective zones, is this what you are mainly doing with your reinforcements?

[seydlitz_slith]

ORIGINAL: Gem35

Some observations,
I'm not sure what is more fun, planning and organizing your men is a game within the game.
Anticipating your moves versus the enemy is a bit tense.[:)]
Good idea with MO, I have been learning alot about the mechanics. Interesting to see what the AI is doing and your strats to counter.
I am loving this.[:D][:D]

Yes, it is quite exciting to see how the amount going on in the game seems to scale up each turn like it is building towards a climax. The first couple of turns seemed pretty calm compared to the storm that is developing.

[seydlitz_slith]

The naval sitrep...

[seydlitz_slith]

More naval news:

[Mike Scholl]

"the powers that be decided to build me an excellent armoured frigate on the Great Lakes".   Now that's just plain stupid.  Not only is it a total waste of resources that you have no control over..., but there wasn't a shipyard on the Great Lakes capable of building an armoured frigate at that time.  

[seydlitz_slith]

In the east the Rebels are raiding with their cavalry again.

[seydlitz_slith]

Paducah Raid..

[seydlitz_slith]

Western Front..

[seydlitz_slith]

builds..

[Jim D Burns]

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl
Not only is it a total waste of resources that you have no control over..., but there wasn't a shipyard on the Great Lakes capable of building an armoured frigate at that time.  

Let's not jump to any rash conclusions please, the USS Michigan was the navys first iron hulled warship. The unit starts off there as part of the game setup and was actually built in 1843, so I'm sure the facilities would still be around in 1861.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Michigan

Jim

[duckenf]

an ironclad on the great lakes might come in handy if the British intervene ...

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns
Let's not jump to any rash conclusions please, the USS Michigan was the navys first iron hulled warship. The unit starts off there as part of the game setup and was actually built in 1843, so I'm sure the facilities would still be around in 1861.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Michigan

Jim

Hi Jim. Michigan wasn't built on the Great Lakes..., she was pre-fabricated, shipped, and assembled there. And not really sizable enough to be considered an "Armoured Frigate" (pretty much a "blue water/high seas" design.) She certainly had an interesting career, but if the Government in the Civil War ordered and paid for an Armoured Steam Frigate, they would have contracted with a specific Shipyard to build it and known where it would "appear". Having it "pop up" by suprise on the Great Lakes should not be an option in the game.

[jimwinsor]

Early versions of the game had ocean-going ships showing up in spots where there was no ocean access, but recent patches (were supposed to have) corrected that.
 
Now, in this AAR example, it looks like he is indeed referring to the historic Michigan (looking at the screenshot...am I right?), which starts the game in Detroit, where it is supposed to be.

[Mike Scholl]

OK, That would explain it... I take it that when you "lay down" a ship normally in the game, you have some control over where it will "arrive". Thanks.

[jimwinsor]

"Some" is the key word here, yes.  You can choose the state or region where a unit will be built, but can't pinpoint exactly what city it will build/muster in.  This goes for ground units too...this adds some interesting gameplay decisions...should you build a new unit in a battleground state?  Pro: Close to the action, saves rail points.  Con: Your muster/build city might be vulnerable and get taken, and your new unit destroyed before it's ready!

[Mike Scholl]

Still sounds a bit odd. So if you chose to build some river gunboats in Ohio, there is as much chance of them showing up in Cleveland (on the Great Lakes) as there is of them arriving in Cincinnati (on the Ohio River)? That would be a bit irritating.