Matrix Games Forums

After doing tons of research on warfare of the 1700s, I am about to post a 1792 mod here. It will highlight:

1. Much, much more accurate forage numbers for provinces throughout Europe. Just for example, in the current COGEE version Bohemia, Silesia, and Saxony--which were among the richest and most densely populated regions in Europe--have forage values as low as 20k while poorer Alpine regions like Tyrol with very few people have forage numbers of 60k. After much, much research and use of population density maps from 1700 and 1900 (bracketing 1800 nicely), I have developed a totally new forage map for Europe.
2. Much, much more accurate snow patterns for Europe--including heavy snowfall in and around the Alps (I used to live there...I know!) and in other mountainous regions where altitude plays a key role. Amazingly it is warmer and there is less snow along the northern coast of Germany/France due to moderating effects of the ocean. And in Scotland they get a tiny fraction of the snow which they get in Salzburg for instance! There will even be a small chance of snow in regions of Italy, Spain, and even in inland Turkey (just like in real life!). You will never be able to be 100% sure you won't get caught in a snow storm!
3. Improved placement of super-fortresses (now France will be ringed with Vauban's fortification system and there will be no Parisian superfortress, as my research has shown Paris did not have walls at the time). Weak super fortresses have been added to most Alpine regions to reflect the added difficulty of reducing these strong points and to reflect the added ease of defending them.
4. "Improved" supply point location, reflecting more of the realities of the time. Supply is MUCH more difficult in Hungary--better reflecting the realities of the time. Spanish supply points have been moved to the more densely populated portions along the coast. A few Prussian supply points have been moved and the low countries and their neighboring provinces have received some--as well as the wealthy Rhine river valley. General rule of thumb used: If a province is well of, it can be organized to support armies.

Stay tuned!

How about having Gibraltar as a supply source!

We don't want to make things TOO easy for the Brits. [:D]

sure we do. Britannia rules the waves didn't you know [&o]

I would say Gibraltar should have a supply source IF Britain rules the waves (it was a tiny little dinky tired port which didn't even have an active merchant community for most of the 1700s). If Britain rules the waves then it should be able to place depots to Gibraltar so that it can act as a supply source--basically as accurate as it gets. If they don't rule the waves, then it really shouldn't be a supply source.

Sounds outstanding, am remaining tuned in and anticipating release!

I still hate snow however...

I think a supply source in this context represents more than just the physical ability to ship supplies. Gibraltar was an important point for Britain to project her power into the med. Without Gibraltar being a supply source it is virtually impossible for Britain to attempt the historical invasions of Malta and thence Egypt. This problem is exacertabed (if not caused) by the extremely odd way of handling supply for armies onboard ship. I'm the first to admit that large amphibious invasions are too easy, but the problem is that any kind of transport other than one or 2 sea zones is very difficult as it currently stands. There was no problem in those days for ships to transport smallish armies many 100's of miles (even to the USA) without threat of immenent starvation. So my suggestion is that until sea bourne transport supply be adjusted Gib be a supply source to allow historical projection of British power into the med.

I agree with you gravey. In part. The real problem is I only have two options for a mod. Supply source, or no supply source. And the only way Gibraltar could supply other efforts was if it itself was supplied. It itself did not create the supplies. Britain needed to have solid control of the sea to make sure it got its supplies. So, I feel that is why a supply chain from Britain to Gibraltar should be built to represent this.

The problem is what if France should rule the waves after somehow the British navy is defeated. Then Gibraltar should NOT function as a supply source. The only thing I can think of is adding Gibraltar as a supply source and using a house rule which would allow the British player to use Gibraltar as a supply source only if France was not blockading the port. But I don't know about that.

agree with the points. But would counter with the fact that both Malta and Corfu are supply points with no more ability to produce supplies (well maybe a bit more, but still) than Gibraltar. If Britain doesnt control the seas she isnt going to be able to do anything useful with Gibraltar (or Malta) whether or not it is a supply source. Essentially having Gib a sa supply source just means that Britain can invade Malta without having to project a supply line all the way from England (or invade Morrocco). I think if Malta can be justified as a supply source, then Gibraltar has even more of a claim.

Did I make Malta a supply source? Or Corfu? Or is that the way they are now? In the current release?

yes in the current release they are supply sources, so unless you changed it they still will be presumably

Malta and Corfu are not supply sources.

I just checked it. I see in this case, Mus is right. There is no supply source in Malta or Corfu. Are you playing with modified files gravey?