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I have read a lot of great things about this game and have tried it a few times. I want to enjoy it, but each time I play I find it difficult to follow and keep track of all the counters and aspects of who's doing what. I play complicated game, for instance Command Modern Air Naval Operations without any issue.

Any suggestions? Is this game worthwhile or should I just move on?

Good day BKL,

I think that this is a very worthwhile game. I would try some of the scenarios with a smaller number of units. Try the tutorial (Kasserine) and then maybe Operation Crusader as the Commonwealth.

The notes that come with the tutorial are very helpful and explain some of the complicated aspects of the game. There are lots of good threads that will explain things too, but getting your hands on is always the best way to learn.

Operation Crusader is good because as the Brit you have about 5 divisions (if I remember correctly) and lots of options. I have an AAR of my try at this scenario if you want to look at how someone tried it.

I find some of the scenarios very daunting. The invasions of Russia scenarios have tons of counters and the maps are very large. I have not tried those yet - and probably will not. However, there are a lot of smaller more compact scenarios that provide lots of options for the players. I really like that in most scenarios that I have tried I have had lots of different viable ways to go about the battle.

If you decide to play, do not be afraid to post questions - there are a lot of people here who will take the time to help you figure things out.

I hope this helps.

All the best,

Mike,

Thanks for the reply! I will continue to give it a try!

I'd suggest this post by Curtis Lemay as the best place to simplify understanding the game:

tm.asp?m=4380544

Then the War Room sub-forum has some excellent threads. Also tutorial-type posts by Oberst_Klink and Larry Fulkerson. More in-depth explanations and charts by Cebido.

The Video tutorials, and as Mike suggested, the walkthrough tutorial scenarios are great.

After looking at the above, when I actually started my first scenario I found I had to play around with the first turn or two a couple of times, trying one thing or another to see if I really understood battlefield timestamps, the combat planner, unit stances, etc.

Sounds like a big effort, but it was definitely worth it for me.

I think you might find Arracourt a useful WWII scenario. It is smaller and shorter than most scenarios but does offer more than one path to vistory for each side and be played repeatedly over a short period of time.

you can improve in just one area at a time if needed until victory becomes easier to achieve.

This where I learned to use artillery and airpower and to manage their supply levels.

Where to attack, where to defend how to divide units and how to deal with certain types and and powers of particular units. It is all there. And the map it small enough that you get the chance to fight over the same hexes using different methods.

I don't play if much anymore but I played it a lot because it is quick to play and a good tool...maybe not the best scenario but a challenge for a new player and like I sid a useful tool

You might find playing more fun if you're playing a scenario that's slanted
toward your side so you're constantly winning. I did a mod of the classic
"Barbarosa '41" that gives the Axis side more supply than the stock game
and it's now decidedly slanted toward the Axis side. If you remember how
much fun it is to do slash and dash with the Axis units, the fun can go
on longer with the mod. You can find it here:

tm.asp?m=4410236&mpage=1&key=?