Newbie Combat Question: I'm totally stuck!

[explorer2]

Is there no way the game displays combat odds/anticipated results prior to an attack?
Maybe in my newbie-ness I’m overlooking something or asking a really stupid question, but any help would be appreciated.
I can’t imagine with all the things programmers can do with computers that I can’t get an estimate of the odds for an attack’s results without trying to figure it out manually with all those many, many charts. Simply comparing the number on the units gives such an incomplete picture of all the combat variables as to not seem to help much.
Any ideas, suggestions on the easiest ways to anticipate results from combat?

Please help! Thanks in advance.

[freeboy]

when you start selllecting your attacking units you will see two sets of numbers.. an attacker defender set and an odds variable percentage from flanking attacks in favor of the attacker.. remember these numbers do not imo reflect qaulity of the troops exp hq influence etc... but play a few battles against yourself in head to head mode and see how things turn out

[Barthheart]

There is no way to see the "odds" of an attack before combat.

That being said, I haven't really missed it all that much. Each subformation interacts with each other subformation in so many combinations that I don't even try to do it manually any more. After playing for a while you get a good "feel" for how things are going to turn out by closely examining the makeup of the opposing unit and your own. Even then with FoW on you're never sure that you know all that's in the other unit. I feel this gives the game a truely unique feel and is not just about number crunching. It feels close to what a field commander most have been up against. Intel is only so good after all.

Keep playing and you'll get the hang of it. The random games are a great way to try out different combinations of SFTypes against other combinations. Use them to pratice, then try some of the scenarios.

You're in for a real treat with this game.... it's much deeper than it seems at first....[8D]

[yoggi75]

Play around a bit and you will soon learn to estimate battle results pretty well. A few things play a big role on the outcome of a battle that you should look into before attacking

1. Terrain - Attacking across rivers, cities, hills, forests and fortifications is harder
2. Readiness - both the attacker's and the defender's readiness value is vital information - softening up the defenders with artillery and/or air attacks prior to attack helps alot
3. Flanking - Attacking from multiple directions gives the attacker a bonus. Because over-stacking gives penalties to the attacker it's always better to attack with smaller units from more than one direction than attacking with one large unit.
4. Supply - always keep your troops well supplied and if you have the chance, cut supply from your enemy. If you suceed in pocketing enemy troops you will find that they are easilly destroyed when their supply (and therefor readiness) values plumet.
5. Equpment - usually do better either on offense or defense. Look out for machineguns, Infantry guns and AT guns as those can tear your attack to pieces.
6. Quality - Attacking higher quality troops can be a real pain, for example attacking Rifle III with Rifle's or Medium Tanks with light tanks is often a bad idea.

Good luck!

[seille]

ORIGINAL: explorer2
Any ideas, suggestions on the easiest ways to anticipate results from combat?

Look at the enemy units entrenchment level, the unit mix and the numbers.
Look at the unit strength (the number at teh bottom of the counter).

Then reduce enemy entrenchment when needed by own artillery or planes
and try to attack with enough power if possible from 2 or 3 directions to get
a bonus.

If you play for a while and get some experience you´ll learn to anticipate the results.
For myself i know very good my chances before i attack cause i analyze the situation
as explained above. Good luck.

[Herode_2]

ORIGINAL: yoggi75
1. Terrain - Attacking across rivers, cities, hills, forests and fortifications is harder
2. Readiness - both the attacker's and the defender's readiness value is vital information - softening up the defenders with artillery and/or air attacks prior to attack helps alot
3. Flanking - Attacking from multiple directions gives the attacker a bonus. Because over-stacking gives penalties to the attacker it's always better to attack with smaller units from more than one direction than attacking with one large unit.
4. Supply - always keep your troops well supplied and if you have the chance, cut supply from your enemy. If you suceed in pocketing enemy troops you will find that they are easilly destroyed when their supply (and therefor readiness) values plumet.
5. Equpment - usually do better either on offense or defense. Look out for machineguns, Infantry guns and AT guns as those can tear your attack to pieces.
6. Quality - Attacking higher quality troops can be a real pain, for example attacking Rifle III with Rifle's or Medium Tanks with light tanks is often a bad idea.

and do not forget HQ support. I lost many battles in my first PBEM game by neglecting this important bonus [8|]