Blitzkrieg Staff Academy for Pacifists

[Manus von Olie]

Hi Victor and all,

would you like me to write 'lessons' in the form maybe of a dialogue with the 1941 scenario as example? There could be regular updates. The whole thing could be published on the website for all to enjoy. I noticed that with a few handy things to know most players could perform much better. This is 'important', because when there are more players with a high standard of play we could seriously test the game and scenarios more to improve them even more. Lessons which proved to me very helpful would include: motorisation, breakdown of units for multitasking, efficiency in advance, combined arms attacks, full use of HQ bonuses, surprise attacks, attacking in waves, destroying enemy HQs, etc.

regards,
Herman.

[Vic]

Sure man!
I give my warm support to any additional tutorials and documentation that can help AT players.
The topics you name are not covered in the manual and are very interesting.
 
kind regards,
Vic
 

[seille]

Could be interesting to read.
And after the lesson you teached me i´ll read it [;)]
 

[Manus von Olie]

He Seille, when will we again ? Sorry for nagging you all the time to play, but it's the quickest way for me to become nr 1  in the ladder. My 'secret' is that I just meditate for hours on the best way to proceed and then I'll work that out. Next time it's your turn to play German, mirrorred, 1941, waiting for you .
Herman

[LazyBoy]

I would love to see a few lessons on production and strategic matters.
 
I have had the game for a few months but find the production balance hard to get right.
I like WAW but get swamped by the strategic side of thing.

[british exil]

that would be great. Always willing to learn more, how to improve. And how to get 100% out of my units.

Manus hope you're already busy writing.


Mat

[Manus von Olie]

Hi,
 
yes, I did already begin, hope to finish the first 'episode' in two weeks. Promise not to start new games, until it's ready [;)]. The text will be on three levels: the example is the 1941 scenario, and there will be many remarks about the technical ins and outs of the game: I noticed that many players don't master these, which make you an easy prey to people who do. Third level is tactical/strategical remarks. I'll try to incorporate some things about production too. You can still write here for more subjects you want info about, then I'll see what I can do.
 
Herman.

[Tagwyn]

Manus: Thanks!! This game has nearly unlimited potential which I would like to utilize. L3

[Manus von Olie]

OK, I'll send the first part this week to Victor, to make a start, but it's not so much about the ins and outs of the game yet (that will come, very extensively, no worry), I have to figure still out how to explain the dozens of subjects first, maybe to do that in one replay is not practical enough. First part is more about general tactics and strategy and how to behave playing PBEM games  . Hope you guys and dolls will give feedback!

[Vic]

the first draft you send me a few weeks ago looked very good!

[Manus von Olie]

Thank you, Victor, I'll send you the latest version of part one this week: updates, improvements or changes can be made later. It's also not so good to wait too long.

[Manus von Olie]

Hi you players,
 
The first part of the Free Blitzkrieg Staff Academy for Pacifists is published on the AT website.
 
 
You can give whatever reaction here, or mail to atacademy@hotmail.com
 
 
Hope you will enjoy .
Success with your studies ,
 
Herman .

[SSFSX17]

I have a small question: Do small random games have pre-set build orders? I feel like if I don't make 80% trucks or tanks, 10% staff and 10% something else on the first turn then I've hindered my chances of success.

[Manus von Olie]

Interesting question: let's say the terrain isn't too rough and you have the standard research (meaning you can build most things rightaway). Then you have to be quick, since the board is small.
 
Now staff you just build in order to have 100% staff the next turn, you can count this out with the amount of powerpoints you're going to build (1 staff subunit takes care of 10 power points).
 
Make sure you have enough political points to build new formations and maybe to start a two front war the next turn (then you'll need 5 extra pp to build an extra HQ).
 
Have engineers to build roads if there aren't any. You'll maybe need them to to unlock areas where there are no roads.
 
If there are roads, sure produce trucks. If there are no roads yet produce horses to transport yourself in the beginning: mounted troops can go 1 friendly hex and 2 enemy hexes in one turn, like wheeled/tracked units off-road, but horses are much cheaper. On foot you will be able to go only 1 friendly hex and 1 enemy hex a turn.
 
For initial firepower and reconnaissance I prefer Armored Cars in the beginning.
 
Quite soon you'll have to build artillery to conquer enemy positions. Your artillery you have then to protect against divebombers by fighters, flak, or not.
 
Resumed:
-staff and engineers, if necessary
-Armored Cars for speed, reconnaissance and firepower,
-horses/trucks for transport
-rifle as backbone
 

[Manus von Olie]

The counting of the hexes in the last reply is for units advancing straight in enemy terrain: if you have some strength in your unit the hex in front of you will be friendly at the start of your turn and after that it's enemy terrain.

[Arditi]

  The tactical and strategic suggestions are good.  Some wording, in the writeup, comes off as condescending and political in nature.  Personally, it ruins your obvious hard work for me.
         Regards, Arditi

[Manus von Olie]

I understand your opinion and feelings, Arditi, and won't argue them.
 
Remember the thing is meant to serve our common (crazy) hobby and I hope you'll be able to just ignore my political opinion, as most world leaders do, and only look at the content of the story that is hopefully based on logic only and completely forget about the wrapping, which is, indeed, frivolous of nature and off topic.
 
I'm interested: what do you think about the PBEM Code of Honor?
 
Regards,
Herman.

[british exil]

Just printed your "orders" out, will dispatch them to all the units. The Heeresführung has agreed to the tactics.And will execute them immediately.


The info/tips you gave about the HQ's were valuable to me, never really thought about creating new HQ's and using them like you mentioned.

Still pondering how I'm going to cross the river in the Rumanian sector. Never mind Riga in 2, Minsk in 2, Kiev in 3 etc.

is it so easy??[&:]

Well I'll just have to try and find out.

Looking forward to lesson 2.

Mat

[Arditi]

ORIGINAL: Manus von Olie

I'm interested: what do you think about the PBEM Code of Honor?

I think it is good...a bit self-serving...and meant as a back handed response. [;)]

[Manus von Olie]

To cross the rivers you have to use one of the key points: use some frontline units to advance maximally. Tip of the day: attack units on the roads sideways, so they will retreat off the road.

I didn't find a move to encircle all units of the Odessa front as they are described in the Academy, you need a bit luck there (not too much though). So it is to find a move which is closest to the described ideal IYHO. So, it's not that easy, I think it's impossible. But both rivercrossings are possible to conquer! Especially the Southern one is a must, as it is the gateway to Sevastopol and beyond for Army Group Rumania.