Which patch to use?

[micha1100]

I just finished my first game against the AI with a decisive victory in autumn 1917 despite several f...-ups (I guess choosing the TE and TE-advantage helped). I played with the official patch 1.23.
My question now is whether to upgrade to the newest Beta. I read a lot about game-spoiling bugs in the Betas so could someone who has already played with it tell me if the newest Beta is preferable to the official 1.23 patch?

Also, does anyone agree with me that it's stupid that TE ships traveling from Southampton or Scapa Flow to the Atlantic are intercepted by the High Seas Fleet in the North Sea? Scapa Flow is actually on the northern tip of Scotland so from there ships never even enter the North Sea but just go west to reach the Atlantic, and to stop someone from going west from Southampton the Germans need not only to control the North Sea but would also have to maintain a permanent presence in the English Channel. I understand very well that the naval aspects of the game have to simplify the situation but I found this really strange. Seeing the importance it always had for Britain, perhaps the English Channel should be made a sea zone of its own, encompassing the routes from both Plymouth and Southampton to Brest?

And another thing - I'm not sure if the diplomatic aspect of the game takes the military situation into account (enough). For example, in my game Bulgaria joined the CP in a situation when they were already obviously losing. At that time I had already taken Vienna (Austria surrendered the very next turn), several western German cities and half of the Ottoman territory. Bulgaria was already "wavering" immediately after entering the war. There can be no doubt that under these circumstances Bulgaria would never have entered the war, or at least not on the CP side.

[hjaco]

I love this game but the later patches were kept in a loop of new bugs. The latest beta patch, if it ever gets finished to an official patch, should IMO be the last necessary patch. I for one have put the game aside until that patch is finished as there are too many new bugs between patches.

Sure if compared with AGEOD there is nothing to complain about but I don't think that's a constructive way to judge patching.

That being said I have had this game for a year and a half and have had my fair share of battles so this crumpy statement should not ruin the fun for you new guys [8D]

My best advice would be to experiment with the later patches.

Yes Britain should be allowed to transfer ships between their home ports without interdiction.

Have fun micha1100 [;)]