First Game Mike13z50

[Mike13z50]

I will post my impressions and any problems I encounter here, first here are the options I am using.

[Mike13z50]

When I ended the first turn the Promotion window came up. I don't think we need that anymore, as we can promote the generals from the containers.

[Mike13z50]

It was nice to see the biographies.

[Mike13z50]

The Union AOP starts in the Potomac, but all the generals start in Washington, either start the army in Washington, or start the generals with the army.  I tried to move the generals to the army, but the battle starts before they get there.

[Mike13z50]

I brought the Penn. Div Down from Cumberland as reinforcements, the bug where reinforcements stack up on the entry hex, and you only get a few units appears to be fixed. The second brigade entered before the first could move, and deployed in a different hex.

[Mike13z50]

The Union Army advances through the wilderness; note that I have eleven brigades and four supply wagons, now that is a difference I like.

[Mike13z50]

I don't know if this is a new feature, a bug, or a result of ALT-TABing to paste pictures, but when the AI started to move, the screen went to the strategic map. I was able to ALT-TAB back to the HW screen after he finished moving.

[Mike13z50]

BTW, I'm playing on my laptop using Vista, can post specs if helpful.

[Gil R.]

Things like that sometimes happen when alt-tabbing. It sometimes takes more than one try to get back to the right view. Not a bug, just a Windows thing.

[Mike13z50]

The AI seems more deliberate on defense, or at least it recognizes key terrain, just as I was approaching Chinn Ridge, Stonewall shows up. This should be interesting.

[Mike13z50]

They aren't kidding about generals having a higher chance of dying, in about the first volley with a general D.H.Hill met his maker.

[Mike13z50]

The tactical AI has learned a lot, this is one turn later.

He didn't conduct a single charge, not even with cavalry, and note the artillery battery posted on the hill! This looks like a challenge.

[Mike13z50]

This is beginning to resemble history, we are both trying to take the other in the right flank. This is going to require relearning how the AI fights, he is using manuver tactics, I'm impressed.

[Mike13z50]

Whew, the new AI is tough, morning can't come to soon, I think I've lost the first Battle of Bull Run. The only question is how much it will cost me.

[Mike13z50]

This ought to make the "Historical" school happy, fairly equal casulties, though I got my butt whipped.

[Mike13z50]

Another new feature in action, The Pathfinder trains the army of the west.

[Mike13z50]

I had two brigades surrender, even though not complete surrounded, ZOC must block retreat now? Here is my contribution to the CSA arsenal. That stack of generals on the white horses are all the Union generals who missed, and were missed, in the battle.

[Mike13z50]

I should have promoted McClellen, though under the new rules he has a chance to get worse with promotion, but he might get better. Look at that initiative, I love random stats as the Union; its not like you can get worse generals.

[Mike13z50]

I should have fallen back with the inexperience army, while avoiding battle (it could work). After joining up with the rest of the generals, and bringing in some artillery, then I could advance in the fall.

The AI continued to flank me on my right the entire battle. We both shattered the others left, but my troops were immobilized (even had 0% chance to go to column) at night, while he kept advancing on my weak and really inexperienced (all troops <2.0) right flank. My army broke before dawn, and I never had a chance to exploit his shattered right. It might have been different with more leaders on my side.

I was really impressed with the tactical AI. Have to watch and see if it favors the left flank attack regularly, if so that is a tendency that can be exploited.

[Gil R.]

Mike, notice that New Orleans now has a university, as per your suggestion? Perhaps the most important improvement of all...