Matrix Games Forums

Is it possible to create a Random Battle with historically realistic sized platoons? By that I mean 4 or 5 tanks, or 4 or 5 squads of infantry.

I suspect that the answer lies in the Scenario Editor or a Template? I’m not sure I am ready to get my feet that wet yet!

I thought I might be able to work round it by giving the side I was to play a large number of points, and only picking the squads I wanted. However, I was given the option of some platoons with large numbers of squads (9 in one case), other platoons only had one or 2 squads. I have experimented with using the ‘Full Strength’ and various ‘Presets’ but can’t seem to get what I am after. It would also be useful to match Panzergrenadier infantry squads with the correct number of vehicles.

Hopefully I have missed something obvious.

Still a cracking game by the way!

kam

kam,

The platoon strength setting specifies the "maximum" platoon size. The game may need to scale this down depending on numerous factors.

For example if you specify a 500 point battle with 20% in armour and full strength Russians. If the game picks a T34 (which is worth around 33 points) then the max you can get will be 3 (3 * 33 = 99 = 20% of 500). This is less of a problem with infantry because they are cheaper.

There is also a random element. Russians fielded larger platoon sizes than the Germans on the average, so on the average their platoon sizes will be larger for the same setting. From memort I think operational strength Germany uses 5 squads as the set point but applies a small random modifer, so that will get you closest to what you want.

This is for purely random stuff. You can of course set a core force to be whatever size you want for a RB/RC (eg make your own battle plan). However for that you do need to get your hands a little dirty [;)] (although not hugely so ). Hopefully future updates / new releases will add more utility in this direction.

Yeah I noticed large infantry formations for mostly Russians.
It's like their being commanded on a company level vs. platoon level for Germans.

Stridor,

Thanks for the fast, helpful reply. You have confirmed what I suspected but fleshed out my understanding. Hopefully, soon, better minds than mine will start posting their battle plans and smaller scenarios on the forum. The scenarios included are a little large for me at the moment.

Many thanks.

kam

If there is a consensus of unhappines about the size of platoons for each strength setting, I am sure Erik will direct me to make the necessary changes [;)]

ORIGINAL: jomni
Yeah I noticed large infantry formations for mostly Russians.
It's like their being commanded on a company level vs. platoon level for Germans.

That is historic in the sense of CnC for the Russians company was more equivalent to the German platoon. The German platoon was usually 4-5 tanks while the Russian was 3. A tank platoon of 3 usually stayed integral to its company.

ORIGINAL: Stridor

If there is a consensus of unhappines about the size of platoons for each strength setting, I am sure Erik will direct me to make the necessary changes [;)]

Not me ... Note my forces in my AAR or ATR in AAR thread ... for the Germans it rolled a 9 squad platoon !!! That battle is Autumn 1942 RBG, default German, with about a 30% infantry setting ... I'll have to check.

Granted, I haven't played too many RBG, but I was surprised to see a size 9.

Rob

that's strange.  they might be lacking skilled officers... [&:]

ORIGINAL: jomni

that's strange.  they might be lacking skilled officers... [&:]

Yes, they are ... I'm the skill lacking officer in charge! [:D]

Rob

lol!