Matrix Games Forums

See title. I've not had a lot of wargaming experience, but I thought I'd give this a go. (After finding and re-playing my first ever PC game, Axis and Allies!)

Any advice would be welcome. I bought Uncommon Valour, but I found it so overwhelming that I can't play it. [8|]

I have not yet purchased the new version (I am still playing the original GGWAW) but I plan to very soon (maybe today). I too bought UV and find it very very hard to get into (I just need some extra time to just sit down and play it). So, I stink at wargames (but I love them, odd). I'm no newbie, but here are some types from me to you.

1. Read the manual fully, making sure to try and understand all of the different details and how they work within the game.
2. On this very forum, read any AAR (After-Action Reports). These are write ups of PBEM games played between to people who are a little more familiar with the game. These contain wonderful tips and often informative screen shots. This can get you started thinking about strategy in a general sense, and help you to think about unit balance.
3. Play any tutorial that may be included. Sure, it's boring. Sure, it will teach you how to click on and move units. But it will also give you a general sense of how to do everything (even some complex things).
4. Play on low levels against a computer for your first few games. Don't be afraid to restart over and over to try new moves. Experimentation is the way to go. Also, you can set all players to computer and watch their moves. That can help.

I think you would enjoy GGWAW:AWD. It is not close to being as detailed and cumbersome as UV. It plays very similar to Axis and Allies, but it has some very nice additions that give it more depth. It is also highly replayable, as it offers many different game starts (one with Germany not in Poland, one with it in Poland, and a new Allies vs. Russia scenario). Many of the aspects that make other wargames overly complex are abstracted in GGWAW:WD. Technology is simply buying tech points and assigning them to tech areas (like Infantry attack, Fighter range), supply can be fully abstracted to a overarching number for all forces or can be an actual unit, units themselves are abstracted to a grand scale (no worrying about the ammo levels and loadout of one particular Cruiser as in UV). The game is one of Matrix's best and easiest to get into.

If you want some of the more simple wargames Matrix offers, here are some of my favorites (that are not as crazy as UV). I love Titans of Steel, it is a Mechwarrior style game that offers a computerized version of the old Mechwarrior tabletop game. For pure simplicity, Starships Unlimited is a fun and fast paces space empire sim. Once you graduate from GGWAW:AWD you may want to move up to Korsun's Pocket or the Battle in... (Italy/Normandy) series. These are a bit more complex, but they offer nice streamlined control over particular battles (although it is a deep wargame, many of the complexities are a bit abstracted and the interface is one of the best in the business). Finally, once you have gotten addicted to wargames, I would say give Forge of Freedom a look. It is fun, as complex as you want it to be, and it allows for varying levels of wargaming goodness.

Welcome to Matrix Games, one of my favorite publishers in the gaming industry! Edit: LOL, I see that you joined the forum before I did! Well welcome back anyway! [8D]

Son of Montfort

It's a very good game.

In terms of complication it is more complicated than Axis and Allies but it is very playable (fun) even if you don't know all the rules. The manual is very good and the strategy section gives a lot of great advice. While its not as complicated as say Hearts of Iron, it provides a huge series of significant trade off and balance choices that you have to weigh which is what strategy wargames are all about. I've played countless games and there are still things I am learning though. There are lots of scenarios and rules that are not always immediately apparent.

I've been playing with a friend and have been having a great old time.

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort


Welcome to Matrix Games, one of my favorite publishers in the gaming industry! Edit: LOL, I see that you joined the forum before I did! Well welcome back anyway! [8D]

Son of Montfort

Yeah, I've not been around much, though! [:)]

Right, here's my first stupid question - every time I start the game, it runs an animation introduction. First point - it runs like a 3-legged dog, stuttering all the way - I've no idea why, since my PC is pretty decent. Secondly, I can't click on it to end it, so I'm having to endure this horrible stuttery introduction every time I want to play. Any ideas?
[edit] Sorry, I should really have directed this to the support forum - will do so now.

Just had a look through the tutorials, and I know I'm gonna like this game! The political aspect is brilliant. [:)]

I think that most people that liked Axis & Allies will love this one. AWD is more detailed and has more strategic depth without creating too much fuzz in my opinion. [:)]

OK, I've read over 50 pages of the manual, and done the 4 tutorials.... what's the best stater scenario to try out?

Try Total War on a low difficulty setting as Germany or the Soviet Union. Or play one of the two "unbalanced" scenarios with the favoured side. [:)]

Gotta go for it, my friend, "Total War", is of course the way to go; after 50 games or so against humans, you may wish to try somthing else............PBEM is an absolute must with this game.....you are welcome, sir.  Is that a PH picture you have there?

Thanks...er....what's a PH picture?? My avatar is the Graf Spee burning. [8D]

Sorry; I thought that may have been battle ship row at Pearl Harbor, I noticed that the flags at the US embassy were at half-mast Dec. 7............feel free to ask any question, I can field most of them and am online.................;

Hey, no apologies necessary, Christian. [:)] Thanks for the offer - I will almost certainly be asking lots of foolish noobie questions! [8|]

Yep, start a PBEM as soon as you figured out the basics. You'll most likely get a beating, but you'll learn more in less time.

ORIGINAL: GKAR
You'll most likely get a beating, but you'll learn more in less time.

Aint that the truth

It is best to play the best (not me) in order to get really good
Try Brian (WanderingHead) Leo, (Apollo  11)  or Timmehtoo (Tim) or Döbeln for a real challenge.........these guys make me feel like a clown...............

ORIGINAL: christian brown
It is best to play the best (not me) in order to get really good
Try Brian (WanderingHead) Leo, (Apollo 11) or Timmehtoo (Tim) or Döbeln for a real challenge.........these guys make me feel like a clown...............

You should add Forewarn to the list - he is kicking my sorry behind as we speak

I've finally got the chance to play a bit today - work was really manic and stressful before Christmas, so I just came home wanting to lie down / calm down! [:(]

Anyway, I'm a bit recouped now, and starting to learn the mechanics of the game. I'm playing Germany, Total War, normal difficulty, auto supplies. I took Poland first go, then Denmark, then Norway (eventually - got confused about sea invasion - nothing was happening), then the low countries, and finally (summer 1940), I've taken northern France and Vichy has been declared. And I've also taken Yugoslavia

On the downside, Russia is starting to mobilise. What would one do to prevent that? In real life, Russia was totally unprepared and didn't even believe reports that she was being invaded.

Also, what would you advise about trading, spies, diplomacy with other nations, etc?

IRL of course, the Allies did rule the Atlantic and North Sea, although German subs and raiders made their mark. Is this reflected in the game, or if one moves German naval units into these areas, does it always end in a pitched battle?

just got the game myself yesterday and am very excited to figure it out! to answer your question about the beginning animation you can go to

C:\Matrix Games\Gary Grigsby's World at War A World Divided\dat

on your hard drive and rename the video directory to no video - this gets rid of all the movie animations in the game too

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros
On the downside, Russia is starting to mobilise. What would one do to prevent that? In real life, Russia was totally unprepared and didn't even believe reports that she was being invaded.

It sounds like Russia has declared war in 1940 ... ?

If so, there is only one thing likely to bring that about: the garrison requirement in W Poland. For every turn that the German fails to garrison W Poland with a number of garrison units (inf/mil/arm/airborne) equal to or greater than the turn number the Russian WR increases by the shortage.

The Russian WR will increase very rapidly if you do not properly garrison W Poland. Be sure to leave the garrison warning feature turned on, and be sure it is garrisoned every turn.

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros
Also, what would you advise about trading, spies, diplomacy with other nations, etc?

General suggestions only:
1) Germany, buy security.
2) Japan, buy security if they can afford it.
3) WA+Rus, buy spies against Germany, mostly to steal tech.

There is an approach that involves the Germans buying spies against the Japanese, to accelerate research into some key areas like fighter speed, but I must admit I've not been enamored of it myself. The one time I tried, I tried halfheartedly, and I think it didn't pay off at all.

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros
IRL of course, the Allies did rule the Atlantic and North Sea, although German subs and raiders made their mark. Is this reflected in the game, or if one moves German naval units into these areas, does it always end in a pitched battle?

It is very tough to do anything useful in the Atlantic with German surface raiders, but German subs are very very useful.

ORIGINAL: WanderingHead

It sounds like Russia has declared war in 1940 ... ?

If so, there is only one thing likely to bring that about: the garrison requirement in W Poland. For every turn that the German fails to garrison W Poland with a number of garrison units (inf/mil/arm/airborne) equal to or greater than the turn number the Russian WR increases by the shortage.

The Russian WR will increase very rapidly if you do not properly garrison W Poland. Be sure to leave the garrison warning feature turned on, and be sure it is garrisoned every turn.

General suggestions only:
1) Germany, buy security.

It is very tough to do anything useful in the Atlantic with German surface raiders, but German subs are very very useful.

Thanks WH - yes, I did wonder what the little glowing man meant! [8|] Also, amazingly, after I'd taken the Low Countries, the Allies attacked Spain!! That did surprise me, I must say.

Thanks for the advice. [:)] I'm going to try and see how long I can stay "friends" with the Soviets.

ORIGINAL: Flanker Leader

just got the game myself yesterday and am very excited to figure it out! to answer your question about the beginning animation you can go to

C:\Matrix Games\Gary Grigsby's World at War A World Divided\dat

on your hard drive and rename the video directory to no video - this gets rid of all the movie animations in the game too

Thanks, FL. [:)] I'm just taking it a bit at a time - using auto supply at the moment, and learning about movement, etc.