Da Big Babes - getting started

[Wirraway_Ace]

I am looking for where to go to download Da Big Babes and any advice or known issues of which I need to be aware as I start thinking about a PBEM using the mod.

thanks in advance,
Mike

[Wirraway_Ace]

OK,
I found the babes website and have read through the initial notes. Any other tips (such as installation) babes veterans are willing to share?

thanks,
Mike

[Mac Linehan]

ORIGINAL: Wirraway_Ace

OK,
I found the babes website and have read through the initial notes. Any other tips (such as installation) babes veterans are willing to share?

thanks,
Mike

Mike -

Before starting any Big Babes Campaign, it is best to tighten your jockstrap.

Just a thought... <grin>

Am delighted that you have Come Out of the Closet!

Mac

[drw61]

One thing that DBBB does different than vanilla is how the engineering types work, you have a lot more options to play with.

Here are some notes on the differences of the engineering types that JWE put out some time ago.

USMC Pioneer Sq – Squad type – No Build, Yes AV, Yes Shore Party, No Reduce Forts
USN Constr Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, Yes AV, No Shore Party, No Reduce Forts
USN Spec Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, No AV, Yes Shore Party, No Reduce Forts
USN Base Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, No AV, Yes Shore Party, No Reduce Forts
USA Port Svc Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, No AV, Yes Shore Party, No Reduce Forts
USA Amph Sup Sq – Squad type – No Build, Yes AV, Yes Shore Party, No Reduce Forts


IJA Shipping Eng Sq – Squad type – No Build, No AV, No Reduce Forts, Yes Shore Party, LC = 17
IJA Cmbt Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, Yes AV, Yes Reduce Forts, No Shore Party, LC = 17
IJA Const Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, No AV, No Reduce Forts, No Shore Party, LC = 17
IJA Const Labor Sq – Squad type – No Build, No AV, No Reduce Forts, No Shore Party, LC = 20
IJN Const Eng Sq – Eng type – Yes Build, No AV, No Reduce Forts, No Shore Party, LC = 17
IJN Const Labor Sq – Squad type – No Build, No AV, No Reduce Forts, No Shore Party, LC = 20

So basically, If the unit is called a “Constr” Bn/Rgt, it’s main capability is to build.
If a unit is called a “Port” Bn/Rgt, its main capability is load/unload, second is build.
If a unit is called a “Maint” Bn/Rgt, it does a bit of everything, build, load, NavSup, AvSup; Base Maint does more AvSup than NavSup, Port Maint does more NavSup than AvSup

Enjoy Daryl

[Dan Nichols]

It may not be perfectly clear in drw61s post but note that

IJA Const Labor Sq
IJN Const Labot Sq
Chinese Constr Sq

All do NOTHING but eat supplies and increase the load for shipping.

[Mac Linehan]

Wirraway Ace

It took a while for me to grasp and understand the conceptual changes in Babes. As I am a very visual guy, I began to put together as series of spread sheets to help pull it all together in one understandable format and location.

Attached are the zipped files for my spreadsheet.

Sheet 1: Blank

Sheet 2: IJN destroyer guide.

Sheet 3: A selective naval gun / torpedo / mine device listing of the load or effect rearm cost.

Sheet 4: A listing of on map ports that are less then size seven (7), with the total rearm points available calculated. Various other tables are included for convenience.

Sheet 5: No longer used, replaced by Tracker.

Sheet 6: My listing by port of origin / destination and merchant hulls / escorts assigned. Also a listing of Babes Scn28C v10 ship data (33 percent cut in most - but not all - cargo capacity). The hull / port matching was from (Master) Mike Solli's original campaign game. Various other useful tables are included.

Sheet 7: A partial listing of some of the device changes / additions to implement the Babes Team concept of realism. I respectfully suggest that - at a minimum - you study this page. It will help you to understand the concepts involved. Always check the editor as a final reference for accuracy.

Sheet 8: A listing of the rules and concepts governing port, and (especially!) amphibious onload / offload concepts.

Sheet 9: A listing of Allied and Japanese Hulls, with who is going to be converted to what, not in any particular order. As the ship count may vary from scenario to scenario, always do your own math to verify the numbers involved.

Sheet 10: A listing of the regiments and other LCU's involved in the Malayan, Philippines and Burma invasions. Parent units are also listed. This really helped me understand who was going where. I strongly recommend that you use the editor and become familiar with it - it is an awesome reference tool.

Sheet 11: Important rules and concepts about Airfields, Operations and Bases - the factors that affect Air Ops.

Sheet 12: Important rules and concepts about LCU's and LCU combat.

Sheet 13: A listing of the major oil centers in the DEI, and who is going to drop in uninvited. Very much in the planning stages.

Sheet 14: Mike Solli's comments and thoughts on IJN warship tasking.

The spreed sheets are always under constant revision. Any mistakes are mine alone <sigh>.

Many forumites graciously and patiently answered my numerous questions, in addition to awesome posts on each and every subject AE. Much of the information given was included in my spreadsheets.

Here are some of the most prominent (there were many others!).

JWE / Don Bowen / (The Master) Mike Solli / Blackhorse / Paxmondo / Mifune / The Elf (of course!) / Alfred / Terminus / LoBaron / Andy Mac / John 3rd / Nickademus / ny59giants / Damien and Floyd (Tracker forever!!!) / Canoerebel / SuluSea and, of course, the Babes Team.

AE is a phenomenal game. While stock is good, the mods make it better. I love the Babes and am delighted that more players are giving it a spin. The Reluctant Admiral is right up there also. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Wirraway Ace, I do hope that the spread sheets help. If the attached file does not take or is defective, I will strain my understanding of uploading and try again.

edit - The upload did not take. See next post.

Cricket Mac, Student of the Mike Solli School of Advanced Economics and the Imperial Japanese "Convoy Your Way to Victory - thru Enlightened Peace" plan.

[Mac Linehan]

Gents -

The upload did not take. This is a second try.

Edit - found some small errors on sheet 3 and corrected them. Life is an adventure...<grin>

Mac

[LoBaron]

Mac Linehan, that is a very helpful xls. I struggle with understanding the detailed conceptual changes of DBB as well, so
this is extremely helpful.

Thank you very much for uploading!

[Roger Neilson II]

Some significant work there Mac, thanks and kudos for sharing.

Roger

[oldman45]

Thanks Mac, its a great tool to have!

Mike

[Mac Linehan]

Gents -

I am very humbled and honored by your comments.

For someone who usually has a strong sense of humor and confidence, I had, after posting, a serious case of stage fright last night (just what the heck was I thinking!). I choose immediacy in posting an imperfect document - a timely response to Wirraway's request for aide - over the time consuming delay that would be required to do a detailed proofing.

The members of this community have been very patient and kind to me thru the years, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute something in return.

Sincerely, Mac

[LoBaron]

Well, from my POV, I am thankful you overcame your fears and threw your "imperfect document" at the community. [:D]

[JWE]

Mac Linehan is the most respectful and humble poster I have ever seen on this, or any other, forum. He minimizes his knowledge, but comes up with this outstanding spreadsheet, and apologizes for a couple errors. Woof !!

There's very few people that I will stumble over my feet, running to find an answer to a question, for. Mr Linehan is on that short list. I pay serious attention to his posts and urge others to do the same. If he takes a position on something, it's because he thought deeply on it and offers highly considered advice. And beyond that, he's probably one of the nicest people you would ever want to modulate with.

Sorry to turn the spotlight on you Mac, but you have been one of the solid, silent, unsung, underpinnings of this game for way too long. Time for you to step up and take a well deserved bow.

All the best. Ciao. John.

[witpqs]

+1 [8D]

[Mac Linehan]

JWE, Gents -

I am very, very humbled, honored (and blushing) as I read your posts. No Kidding. While it has always been very easy for me to acknowledge another's excellence in any subject (and ya gotta be sincere and mean it!), it has always been difficult for me to be on the receiving end.

I am very grateful.

Mac

[Wirraway_Ace]

thanks gents!

Daryl and Dan, the notes on engineers were very helpful.

Mac, the spreadsheets are excellent.

the Da Babes webstie notes were solid and the downloads effortless, so thanks to those who made it so...

Now to decide to go extended map or to stick with DBB-A.

Opinions?

Mike

[oldman45]

If you want to go with the AI, I think you have to go with the standard map.

[LargeSlowTarget]

Very useful - esp. sheet 10.

Thanks for sharing!

[John 3rd]

Holy Cow. This is a GREAT help. Thanks Mac.

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: oldman45

If you want to go with the AI, I think you have to go with the standard map.

Is this hard and fast? I seem to recall that most (if not all) of the extended areas are in the peripherals and probable do not infringe or interfere with the AI routines. Sort of like Fairbanks, Alaska or Salt Lake City, Utah or San Diego if you will.

Buck