Matrix Games Forums

What are the easiest scenarios to try to get to grips with the game? I have BFTB and the add-ons and I've tried the demo.

Not Hofen Ho-Down [:)]

I'd suggest you to play Skorzeny's Bid for Glory first as the US, then as the Germans. Another one where you're going to learn a lot is Battle of the Roadblocks, as either side, but it is much more complex.

I suggest you play all the scenarios in order of date as much as possible and try and fit them together as part of a larger campaign. Set yourself a rule of 'no reloads' and stick to it. I'd wait until the patch also. And set orders to painfully realistic. Hardcore Mode. Ignore the 'what-if' scenarios for now like Final Drop, or use them as practice so you get the hang of the game.

I definitely think it's Hofen Ho-Down as Axis. Sorry, Miguel. It's a tight, compact scenario with a small map, clear objectives (in the sense you can quickly see the options for how to get to them), and a very easy-to-get-to-grips-with order of battle. Plus, there are many AARs for it (including Daz's excellent ongoing AAR) and hence plenty of guidance. You get to learn very easily and quickly how to use arty (because you must use it well as Axis), and learn equally quickly about troops getting knackered and not doing anything you want. It took me many, many times playing it through to get past a draw and move on to a victory, but it's definitely possible if you pay attention to detail. If you rush through it commanding only at regiment level (maybe even Bn level) you will only get a draw. You need to command basically at Bn level, but also watch carefully and give certain orders at company level also. I love it. You will start by losing and learn how to win. Plus, it's historical - it actually happened - and this is one of the beautiful things about this game - it will drive you to the history. Should you wish to you can read about what actually happened at Hofen (as Axis, even as a beginner, you will probably do better than they did historically). Enjoy - whatever you choose!

I just noticed you're in Adelaide, and so possibly more interested in the Greece add-on battles, as they involve troops from that part of the world fighting a heroic defensive campaign. There are a few really neat little defensive scenarios in the add-on pack. Tanks at Platamon is very small. Tempe Gorge crisis is great (a bit bigger) and what used to be the tutorial for COTA - Spartans at the Pass - is also a good, manageable fight. But these are all defensive actions as Allies. You will have to retreat - no getting away from that - in an orderly way to win.

A very easy, compact attacking scenario to win (well, relatively easy) is Hell on Wheels, as Allies. Nice force mix for you to play with there too. Plenty armour.

An obvious first scenario is the tutorial - which can bear more than one play-through.

Initial efforts will probably see you drawn, or obtaining a minor victory, but learning how the Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action process works (and I'd suggest using realistic settings, to make the process more representative) is key to success in other scenarios as well. As a point of reference it is (currently) perfectly routine to eliminate Peiper entirely within the scenario time limit using maximal efforts and orienting with this mission in mind.

While it may not be necessary to obtain a complete force destruction like this (it doesn't apply to most scenarios, and focussing on temporal/spatial objectives is more important accordingly), I'd suggest that you look for at least a solid major victory, obtained by both performing well and *preventing* the enemy from accomplishing his tasks. This latter is often missed when only considering your own objectives.

This is another small custom scenario: http://thesharpendgaming.blogspot.com/2 ... nario.html

It might not be the one to play first but it is small enough (like Skorzeny) that you can keep an eye on everything.

ORIGINAL: baldbrother

What are the easiest scenarios to try to get to grips with the game? ...

The shorter, simpler ones are usually the easiest, and some are not only challenging, but replayable from either side, e.g., Joe's Bridge.

Thanks for all your considered and helpful replies. I will try them all. As it is hot here at the moment - in the mid 40'sC for a few days - it is a great distraction from the heat. Thanks again.

ORIGINAL: baldbrother

Thanks for all your considered and helpful replies. I will try them all. As it is hot here at the moment - in the mid 40'sC for a few days - it is a great distraction from the heat. Thanks again.

Rub it in [8|]

We just finished a week of between -20 and -30 C with a wind that caused freezing on the skin at -50 C while we moved 30.5 cm of snow blown into 1.5 m drifts.

Enjoy your air conditioning![:D]

As someone else who is just starting out, I have found the first days of both the Peiper scenarios to be helpful. Particularly the "what if" version where there are few units to start with so you get a feel for managing units and then as reinforcements arrive the difficulty ramps up. I haven't played beyond the first day on either one as to play through the whole thing requires a better understanding than I have yet. But it did leapfrog me nicely into the scenarios everyone is mentioning above. My first run right through a scenario was as the Allies in "We Fight and Die Here" in which I surprised myself with a Decisive Victory.

This is a great game.

Sorry guys,
Much easier to keep warm indoors and play, than keep cool.
How many equatorial wargamers present?

Well I work from home in Canberra. I do not have air conditioning in my office. Yesterday it was 40 Celcius. I have a fan going 100 kilometres an hour but it's just moving the hot air around. By 3 in the afternoon (we're on daylight saving time) it's blistering hot and the sweat just pours down as I try to get to the bottom of this bug that has been dogging me for two years. I ignored the advice from wife to stop work and retreat to the small family room out the back where there is a small air conditioner. By 5:15 pm I finally crack the bug which is just as well as by then my mind is "ga-ga" and I'm not capable of anything.
 
Give me the cold anytime.[:)]

What was the bug, Dave?

That sounds more like an AAR than a day at the office Dave [:D]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Well I work from home in Canberra. I do not have air conditioning in my office. Yesterday it was 40 Celcius. I have a fan going 100 kilometres an hour but it's just moving the hot air around. By 3 in the afternoon (we're on daylight saving time) it's blistering hot and the sweat just pours down as I try to get to the bottom of this bug that has been dogging me for two years. I ignored the advice from wife to stop work and retreat to the small family room out the back where there is a small air conditioner. By 5:15 pm I finally crack the bug which is just as well as by then my mind is "ga-ga" and I'm not capable of anything.

Give me the cold anytime.[:)]

Here in Melbourne we're almost that high as well - 44 C the forecast says for today. I haven't had lunch for three days now as I can't be a**ed to walk two blocks to a food joint. But my day-job office has very nice air-conditioning and my girlfriend had the foresight to install aircon in our bedroom and the living room (as well as solar panels to feed those and don't break the bank). [8D]

I worked outside in the Pilbara near Marble Bar in temperatures like that with a thousand flies crawling over my face. You have become a bunch of softies, even if you can slaughter our cricket team by telling rude jokes.

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Well I work from home in Canberra. I do not have air conditioning in my office. Yesterday it was 40 Celcius. I have a fan going 100 kilometres an hour but it's just moving the hot air around. By 3 in the afternoon (we're on daylight saving time) it's blistering hot and the sweat just pours down as I try to get to the bottom of this bug that has been dogging me for two years. I ignored the advice from wife to stop work and retreat to the small family room out the back where there is a small air conditioner. By 5:15 pm I finally crack the bug which is just as well as by then my mind is "ga-ga" and I'm not capable of anything.

Give me the cold anytime.[:)]

A big bottle of it is on the way [;)]