A second look a year later

[beserko]

I got this game about a year ago but was stumped by the complexity (And I didn't print out the manual)

Recently I ran into an AAR on wargammer by Hard Sarge so I thought to give it another try.
I now have a couple of detailed battles under my belt but there are many things that stump me. Like artillery range, rallying troops and making this scenario act like a Napoleonic battle.

The other stuff like production and diplomacy I will wait for another day. I have noticed that the Emperors Edition has some really nice features. When is it coming out?

I'll be watching the boards!

[Gil R.]

Like artillery range, rallying troops and making this scenario act like a Napoleonic battle.

Good to know you're giving it a second shot. What exactly is causing you trouble with artillery, etc.?

[beserko]

Well to start off I first set the game to all computer opponents. [/align]After hitting end turn a few times I will eventually have a battle, so far as the French![/align] I then choose detailed battle. Later I'll try to use screen shots to explain whats going on.[/align] [/align]My latest battle I set up in a large L shaped formation with my arty on the long side(faceing open terrain) The short bar Inf in line formation with a couple of arty on what look to be hills. I fill in cav on various flanks looking for juicy targets.[/align] [/align]OK from reading the manual LOS is about 6 hexes so my primary long line of arty should be makeing hamberger out of advanceing arty and inf but some of them can't hit the same enemy and others get measly damage. Heck at times it seems allmost 50/50. [/align]Aparently you can't shoot through or over a line with units which is why I set up the south end of my formation with the arty on hills.[/align]A LOS option like in Steel panthers would be sweet![/align] [/align]One time I had an enemy arty almost surrounded by cav, each attack led to depressing losses as the arty defended itself 4 times? Shouldn't it fire just once.[/align] [/align]I also have trouble figuring out just how big a unit is when determining what unit to attack.[/align] [/align]In last nights game I had a supply wagon surrounded by out of supply units and I couldn't get it to supply anything![/align] [/align]Not to worry, I'm starting to enjoy this game so much that I Ordered Forge of Freedom(with the manual) last night. I'll probly order the Emperors edition whan it become availible![/align] [/align]Viva La Matrix[/align]

[beserko]

Oh btw[/align]   Whats the best way to insert .jpegs here?  Is http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/upfiles an option for lowly Matrix Troopers?[/align]

[Matto]

I´m using "Upload file" here, when writing reply (but not fast reply) ... it is up to 200kB, for jpg is it enough

[Hard Sarge]

ORIGINAL: beserko

Well to start off I first set the game to all computer opponents. [/align]After hitting end turn a few times I will eventually have a battle, so far as the French![/align] I then choose detailed battle. Later I'll try to use screen shots to explain whats going on.[/align] [/align]My latest battle I set up in a large L shaped formation with my arty on the long side(faceing open terrain) The short bar Inf in line formation with a couple of arty on what look to be hills. I fill in cav on various flanks looking for juicy targets.[/align] [/align]OK from reading the manual LOS is about 6 hexes so my primary long line of arty should be makeing hamberger out of advanceing arty and inf but some of them can't hit the same enemy and others get measly damage.Are your guns limbered or formed ?, also shooting at the same target causes smoke, which will reduce damage done Heck at times it seems allmost 50/50. [/align]Aparently you can't shoot through or over a line with units which is why I set up the south end of my formation with the arty on hills.You can not fire though Inf/Cav, you can fire though Wagons or Guns, if your guns are on a hill, they should be able to fire over Inf in front of them, but Guns on Hills are weak[/align]A LOS option like in Steel panthers would be sweet!Agree ![/align] [/align]One time I had an enemy arty almost surrounded by cav, each attack led to depressing losses as the arty defended itself 4 times? Shouldn't it fire just once.It will fire as many times as it is attacked, it will always defend itself, but will run out of ammo very fast, which should weaken the damage it does, but you are very close to it, so will take heavy damage for range, and not sure but sounds like you are firing at the guns with your Cav, Charge it, almost, when ever a Gun is not supported by friendly inf or cav, charge it[/align] [/align]I also have trouble figuring out just how big a unit is when determining what unit to attack.Right click on the unit, it will show a short detail list of the unit, rounded up or so, so a unit showing 0 men, will have between 0 and 1999[/align] [/align]In last nights game I had a supply wagon surrounded by out of supply units and I couldn't get it to supply anything! Do you remember if the wagon had take fire ? it could be broken or is not formed, or does not have the MPs needed to make a supply run, or it could be terrian[/align] [/align]Not to worry, I'm starting to enjoy this game so much that I Ordered Forge of Freedom(with the manual) last night. I'll probly order the Emperors edition whan it become availible![/align] [/align]Viva La Matrix[/align]

Good, CoG is a great game, FoF is a great game, and it is looks like CoGEE is going to follow along the same lines, but then again, I am a little bit bais

[Hard Sarge]

Just in case, when I say guns can not fire though Inf or Cav, the How can fire over them, but has shorter range

in CoG, and HW, Cav is very importent, but it is tricky, use it too soon and it is wasted, use it too late, and the battle is already lost or won, knowing when to hit with your Cav will win you a lot of battles you may of lost, and using it too early, can really hurt you in what should of been a easy battle

Inf Charges can also be tricky, what may be a nice chance to hurt another enemy inf, may also just open you up to a counter charge, and the AI is very good at picking the right time to counter charge

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: beserko

Oh btw[/align]   Whats the best way to insert .jpegs here?  Is http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/upfiles an option for lowly Matrix Troopers?[/align]

I have no idea what that link is. Uploading images is very easy. Start a new post. See the "Embed picture in post" box just below the text field, and beside it the "Click here to upload!" link? Click on the box and then on the link. There's a 200KB limit, but most screenshots are smaller than that.

[beserko]

Well I'm getting the hang of it I think[8|]   With arty unlimbered you mean line formation?  That would explain alot. Arty in trees and cities stay unlimbered I guess. Supplying famished troops is still a head scratcher even though supply wagons haven't been hit, are in formation and surrounded by out of supply units. I can generally resupply cannon but other then thay .............[/align]I was thinking an option when loading a game would be a tatical battle screen with choices for side, types of troops terrain, weather and size! [/align]Tonight I think I'll add moveing officers around and see if that helps![/align]

[Hard Sarge]

ORIGINAL: beserko

Well I'm getting the hang of it I think[8|] With arty unlimbered you mean line formation? Yes, for travel, you want unlimbered, for fireing, limbered is best That would explain alot. Arty in trees and cities stay unlimbered I guess Yes it is, also, remember, you take a penaty for formation status, and the terrain you are in, so, unlimbered and in woods is a double wammy. Supplying famished troops is still a head scratcher even though supply wagons haven't been hit, are in formation and surrounded by out of supply units. I can generally resupply cannon but other then thay .............Without seeing this, I can't be sure, wagons got to be close enough, have enough MP, the unit getting supplies got to be formed, being tired won't stop them from getting supplied[/align]I was thinking an option when loading a game would be a tatical battle screen with choices for side, types of troops terrain, weather and size! [/align]Tonight I think I'll add moveing officers around and see if that helps![/align]

[beserko]

Thanks Sarge. Another thing I realized is I charge with cav in column which I thought was true Napolonic style and I seem to remember Napoleon was very keen on Infantry column charges! After re reading some messeges on the boards again it would seem chargeing in line is the best.

[Hard Sarge]

deploying in line is best, but at times, you have other things to think about, MP, how well you can change formations and what not

[morganbj]

You guys have the lingo backwards.  Limbered means in "column."  Unlimbered arty are in line and ready to fire.
 
Being Limbered means attached to a caisson.

[Hard Sarge]

Roger, it was late in the day

[morganbj]

I knew you knew HS.  I just had to demonstrate a little of my own superior and comprehensive knowledge of the subject of historical artillery operations.  [:D]
 
After all, I was a forward observer in an artillery unit myself for a while. [:(]
 
That was NOT a fun job.