New Player

[ColumboRumble]

Well, after much deliberation I finally plopped down the cash and bought myself a copy of this behemoth of a game. For about 2 weeks now I've been reading the forums and trying to get a grasp of the scope of this wargame.

My experience with what most would consider 'strategy' games is pretty casual, primarily in the way of Company of Heroes, the Civilization series, the Caesar series and a handful of boardgames (such as Axis and Allies) when I was younger.

Perhaps someone who entered this arena with a similar background could point me in proper direction in regards to prep/theory or learning the game? I was planning on printing out hardcopies (thank you infinite print budget) of the manual as well as the Operation Boot camp series and the tutorial, but I was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations or ideal approaches to WITE.

Thanks!

[JAMiAM]

Welcome into the fold. Given your relative lack of prior wargaming experience, I'd suggest running through the smaller scenarios, and getting a decent grasp of the game against the AI. Then, after you can whoop the AI, find an opponent that can ease you into player vs player. Again, with smaller scenarios, until you've gone a way along the learning curve. Someone who is willing to talk about what you're doing, or not doing, and can learn from is best.

[Oleg Mastruko]

Do the tutorial, then jump right into PBEM [:D]

If that's comforting for you, this game is quite behemoth-y but is really *nothing* compared to WITP (War in the Pacific), so - have no fear!

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
...find an opponent that can ease you into player vs player.

And that, Columbo, is not Jamiam [:D] He's tough as nails in any human vs human game.

James, I owe you a turn. I come to the board to relax, hope to slip by unnoticed, but then it's you in the "new player" thread, now I feel guilty for not sending you *that* turn already.

[JAMiAM]

ORIGINAL: Oleg Mastruko

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
...find an opponent that can ease you into player vs player.

And that, Columbo, is not Jamiam [:D] He's tough as nails in any human vs human game.

James, I owe you a turn. I come to the board to relax, hope to slip by unnoticed, but then it's you in the "new player" thread, now I feel guilty for not sending you *that* turn already.

No worries, Oleg. Still have another turn in front of ours, anyhow. Take your time, savor your Superman phase. Don't take too much time though, otherwise, things will change and you might just find that some kryptonite got shoved down your tights...[;)]

[cookie monster]

Check out wite wiki and the marked top war room threads

The AGC,AGS turn one moves are a good read

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

ORIGINAL: Oleg Mastruko

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
...find an opponent that can ease you into player vs player.

And that, Columbo, is not Jamiam [:D] He's tough as nails in any human vs human game.

James, I owe you a turn. I come to the board to relax, hope to slip by unnoticed, but then it's you in the "new player" thread, now I feel guilty for not sending you *that* turn already.

No worries, Oleg. Still have another turn in front of ours, anyhow. Take your time, savor your Superman phase. Don't take too much time though, otherwise, things will change and you might just find that some kryptonite got shoved down your tights...[;)]

Oleg wears tights? [:D][:D]

[Pipewrench]

Columbo



what I did was follow the road to scenarios as they are a snapshot of the entire game and will not overload you while you learn.

As the German player against the AI

Road to Leningrad will teach you encirclement at the start, port movement, armor hates swamps and attacking or isolating a heavily fortified position.

Road to Smolensk will teach you even larger encirclements, scheduled withdraws, river crossings and critical air supply.

Road to Kiev will bring in your allies and really tax your supply.

Operation typhoon will bring you a taste of the blizzard and defending.

As the Russian player all but typhoon will give you a taste in delaying action, restructuring and not panicing. Typhoon will give you the chance to prepare a counter-offensive.

They all are very good at teaching you different aspects and letting you make stupid mistakes

have fun....[:)]

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
I'd suggest running through the smaller scenarios, and getting a decent grasp of the game against the AI. Then, after you can whoop the AI, find an opponent that can ease you into player vs player.

I think he can skip most of this. I did NOT play any scenario (therefore I haven't touched the Germans at all) and only played 6 or 7 turns vs the Fascist AI. Not rocket science. And for sure I'm not Einstein.

The more catastrophic mistakes you make the more you have fun, so don't worry [8D]

[Mynok]

Which brings up a point no one has mentioned yet:

The Axis are much more difficult to play well than the Soviets, and have a longer learning curve. The training path above would be almost essential for a new player wanting to learn how to play Axis.

For the Soviets, I'd read a couple AARs, read the manual very well, then jump in. Play a scenario against an Axis human.

[ird]

I'd also recommend looking at the Operational Boot Camp Tutorial in the War Room. It's far better than the in game tutorial. I'm just wading thru that now and it's great for learning the basics. If you do fancy a PBEM against another beginner send me a PM and we can make mistakes together

[Pipewrench]

Tillius and Mynok in the real world are ambulance chasing lawyers who are out for fresh meat. Its ok just sign the paper and we will take care of everything. No need to read the contract ,all is well.
[:D][:D] 

[Hagleboz]

I've been playing strategic and tactical wargames for a long time but the Civs up to 4, and the Caesar games in their time, were also favorites of mine.  I think those type of games are good primers to lead people into the more serious hardcore wargames so don't short yourself.  I cut my teeth on the boardgame Axis and Allies and computer games like Panzer General, Mater of Orion and the fantasy wargame Warlords among other SSI, SSG, and Microprose classics. 

I think you are on the right track with the mauals and tutorials, but they won't give you much in terms of how to think and strategize  That comes with time and experience playing games like this.  Once you learn the mechanics you can begin to play with different strategies to see what works and what doesn't.  Also things that may work again against the AI won't hold up against a real player, and something that worked against one dude may fall flat against someone else.  A big part of strategy gaming at this level is being able to understand and anticipate your opponents.  Try and learn how to predict their moves or how they might react to yours.  Trying to anticipate how they see things and what you can do to take advantage of their limited scope of information.  Players who simply react to what their opponent does are bound to lose in the long run no matter how well they master the mechanics of the rules and gameplay. The AI is a perfect example of this.  It "knows" how to play the game perfectly well but it is predictable, unable to anticipate it's opposition's thinking or intentions, and cannot develop plans of it's own to take control.

Poker, chess and other games where most of the information lies with reading your opposition are good games to learn this type of thinking.

Also for a game like this where it is focused on a specific event it doesn't hurt to know the history. You can't go wrong with East Front books by Antony Beevor, John Keegan, John Ericson, and David Glantz to name a few off the top of my head. Also the memoirs and books by the Russian and German Generals offer great if not a bit biased insight.


If you are ever interested PM me and I will gladly tutor you through one of the shorter scenarios.  I can either play against you or you can send me files from a game you are playing and I will coach you in any way I can, both in mechanics and thinking.  Good luck!

[ColumboRumble]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I just got home so I'll be starting my first foray into the tutorial!

and ird -- I'll be sure to do that

edit: and you too, Hagleboz -- I just saw your post!

[randallw]

Be sure to check in at the forum now and then, since there are patches released every few weeks.