Matrix Games Forums

This is my third PBEM game and always the same results (other than losing). I checked the manual for this answer but it was vague. Here's problem.

Unit is unsuppressed, max range all weapons, enemy walks/drives right up to unit and wipes out unit. No, none, nada, zilch return (op) fire. This can be any/all units.

When its my turn everything works good and proper.

I suspect it is because I have my OPFIRE CONFIRM set to 10secs which is its normal position for solo games. Should it be set to (0) zero for PBEM operation.

If the above is not the answer ? What is ? This has occured in the past three games and its a killer problem. Thanks in advance and any and all assistance appreaciated. This also happened in my prior setup and in this new game since computer problem.

Chief,
I've not the ultimate reply here, but just few possibilities and/or partial replies:

1) op fire confirm: it is not the problem, nothing to see with what you describe; op fire is taken automatically in pbems.

2)no op fire in yr opponent's half turn:

-you mentioned enemy units MOVING up to yr unit: in pbem vcr playback, ONLY combats/fire exchanges are recorded, so you ASSUME a given unit moved up to your, but MAYBE is another one who was just sneaking unseen next to you....in any case you cannot determine precisely which unit moved in which direction, etc.

-vcr features in spwaw is far to be perfect: I experimented myself several times, that sometimes there are "black holes" in the recording: it can be that a text message is missing, or the fire sounds or other happenings

-it also depends on what your and enemy's units are: if you have a tank approached by an enemy scout with AT mine, it could be likely the case the yr tank blow up without knowing what the hell hit it...

Hope this helps a bit, at least

Chief,

What proof is the loadout on your guys canteens?

Chief, this happens to me too and I just assumed that op fire required and experience check before your unit would take the shot. I could be wrong but that's how I rationalize it. It doesn't happen every time, right? I'd say it happens to me about 20 to 33% of the time. You might want to compare the experience level of the troops that are taking op fire against those that aren't, you might get your answer that way.

To ALL who replied THANKS, only wish it was a setup problem.
Since I came to try PBEM because of what I read and heard I assumed I had setup things wrong, but since its not the case and I cannot seem to get my troops to fire and not get slaughtered I say that I'm a lousy player and return to AI for competition. At least against the AI I can control the destiny of my troopers. One case in point.....A recon group is in trees, unseen, unshot at, range set to (1) one. In solo play this would probably be a good setup for ambush. NOT in PBEM, why? H... I could rant and rave for hours. This recon was shot at from ~6 hexes on the very next turn, they never moved or fired.
Thanks again guys, its back to AI for me.
Aloha, Sayonara, Auf W., Ciao, adios.

Chief, don't give up on PBEM. I'm only on my 5th PBEM battle myself and, sure, it's frustrating sometimes, but on the whole, PBEM is much better that slaughtering the AI every single time.

As for that recon troop: They have the special ability to "spot" better than other units. There is nothing in the rules that says they can't be seen just as easily as another unit of the same size. So, if your PBEM opponent spots that recon troop with one of his recon troops (especially if your recon ran into those trees on your turn), then blasts you with a 150mm IG, your guys are going to be so suppressed by that blast that they wouldn't get any op fire until they recovered, thus ~6 shots at you with no return fire by you. That's one of the tricks you have to use when you are shooting at someone. You want to hit them hard with that first shot so that they take alot of suppression.

Give it another try. After all, you were very sporting about the faulty arty playback for Player 2. This can't be happening to all your troops, right?

RB: thanks for words of incouragement but lets just say that I'm disallusioned by PBEM. I expected more from PBEM but alas it wasn't there for me anyways. So I'll read the forum and play solo.
I have lots to finish and a short time to do it.

Your not a lousy player, don't make me call you the " S " word, I like the online play Its just I don't have 4 or 5 hours to sit there and do it very often and the time difference gets me as well. But I do like online play though. PBEM just takes a little getting use to I lost my first ten games when I started, most of them to Ammo Sgt and I am still making some mistakes, but in the loses you can learn things, it looks like Gary is going to beat me in our current game but here is what I learned in that game. Sneeky Gary use motorcycle's to pop smoke in several locations in his rear area to make it look like arty positions. Do give up the ship man:D