AAR By The Belt-LZ Albany Big Ivan as USA (No peeking Crossroads)

[Big Ivan]

Crossroads and I are going to do a little AAR for you Campaign Series players using the soon to be released Campaign Series Vietnam.

The title of the scenario is By the Belt - Battle of Landing Zone Albany. I'll be playing the USA side and Crossroads will be the NVA side.

For this scenario we have Fog of War in effect. There is no advantage, and all Optional Rules are on except Variable Visibility.

My mission as the Americans is to secure LZ Albany then conduct a sweep of the surrounding area to clear it of any NVA that may be present. Basically, the NVA are going to try and stop me. I have generous ground forces in place and artillery fire support from Fire Support Base Falcon to the west. I also can get some reinforcements later on in the form of helos and gunships.

Attached screenshot is the end of my Turn 1. North is to the top.

[devoncop]

Great stuff.

I have been waiting for a good AAR !

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end my Turn 2.

I managed to get a couple of recon units into the LZ Albany hex. I took some fire from the "white" squared hex (39,23) but it was ineffective. The bulk of my ground forces continue to move towards LZ Albany. It's the waiting game now I guess to see what NVA forces show themselves. I decided not to target any artillery this turn waiting for the real fray to begin.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 3.

The (yellow arrow) denotes where I did an assault with one of infantry platoons. Whatever was there I took it out. It was 2 strength points worth 6 victory points via the victory status screen. Don't know the exact type of NVA unit due to enhanced reporting but I suspect it was probably a reconnaissance unit or other light infantry unit.

The (red lines to the north top middle) of LZ Albany denoted in the shot is where I suspect the NVA to be concentrated at. Unfortunately, to the south I have no idea or intelligence as to what the hell is there. I'm banking on it being empty of NVA units, but I've been wrong before! Time will tell, I guess.

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 4.

Ouch! Lost a recon unit in the hex indicated by (yellow arrow) by assault. Seems the NVA are right in front of me but unseen. Time to plot one battery of 105mm right in front of me. Perhaps someone will walk into it. A long shot most likely...LOL!

[Big Ivan]

Screenshot end of my Turn 5.

Well as one can see from the screenshot, NVA across my whole front and in force. Exchanged some fire with them strength point losses on both sides. Time for some artillery concentrations in my next turn.

[benpark]

Could you write a bit about how the new contacts were revealed in turn 5? I can't recall if spotting checks are made each turn, but I was wondering if the NVA are no longer in FoW due to fire, movement, or some other recon calculation between turns.

[Jason Petho]

Could you write a bit about how the new contacts were revealed in turn 5? I can't recall if spotting checks are made each turn, but I was wondering if the NVA are no longer in FoW due to fire, movement, or some other recon calculation between turns.

Yes indeed, there is a spotting check at the beginning of each turn.

With the new FOW, just because you saw them last turn (even when next to you), doesn't mean you will spot them this turn.

[BletchleyGeek]

Is there an option for having on map counters for old contacts that are no longer being spotted? That could be useful, otherwise the new system may feel like playing a hard game of "Memory".

What were the insights on the new FOW mechanics during playtesting?

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: BletchleyGeek

Is there an option for having on map counters for old contacts that are no longer being spotted? That could be useful, otherwise the new system may feel like playing a hard game of "Memory".

You could try turning the Enhanced Spotting Optional Rule off, that would reduce the amount of hidden units.

Try the default settings at first though, it might not be as bad as you think.

ORIGINAL: BletchleyGeek
What were the insights on the new FOW mechanics during playtesting?

As far as I know, the testers became quite adapted to the new FOW and didn't find it overwhelming. At least I didn't see any complaints about it.

[Big Ivan]

What I liked about it (the new engine and enhanced spotting) was right off the cuff, the fear of the unknown!

I knew the enemy was out there, I suspected as to where, but I couldn't see them all the time. They would then pop in and out of my view. This was especially true in my playtests of night scenarios.

I would be playing along fat dumb and happy. Then all of the sudden the enemy is there in front of you, behind you and taking direct shots or assaulting. Quite a different experience in game play! [:)]

[comte]

I like what I am hearing about the new FOW. I expect a Vietnam title to have limited visibility as a plus especially in rough terrain.
I am really excited for this title.

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: comte

I like what I am hearing about the new FOW. I expect a Vietnam title to have limited visibility as a plus especially in rough terrain.
I am really excited for this title.

It really is a different feel when you're playing. A lot of unknowns, a lot of nerve wracking... but all in good ways!

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do!

[BletchleyGeek]

Thanks for the answers guys, looking forward to figure it out myself.

I have been following the CS Legion blog posts for years, and I really enjoyed CSME. So I am excited to see how all that research translates into a game

[Jason Petho]

ORIGINAL: BletchleyGeek
I have been following the CS Legion blog posts for years, and I really enjoyed CSME. So I am excited to see how all that research translates into a game

Thank you for following the blog!! That's great to hear that it isn't all for naught! Haha!

[devoncop]

Well less than 48 hours to go until release and I can only imagine how Jason and the other guys involved feel seeing the project finally released after so many years work. I guess a mixture of pride, hope, relief and trepidation but from my point of view as an imminent consumer I can say it is with huge excitement.

So no Jason.....it has not been "for naught"[:D]

[Jason Petho]

It's a balance between excitement and being terrified...

Thinking positive and curious to see the reactions.

Yay for not being for naught though! hahah

[Twotribes]

I will have to either wait till February or use a credit card I am trying not to use )

[Jason Petho]

That will give you some time to watch the videos and get a grasp of the game so you can be prepared!

Positive vibes!

[BletchleyGeek]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho
Thank you for following the blog!! That's great to hear that it isn't all for naught! Haha!

And thanks to everyone involved in bringing those posts along. The Uncle Ho's and Bruno's Bunker series particularly stuck with me [:)]

FWIW, I am finding some trouble interacting Matrix Games forums site... just got a couple of 500 Internal Error messages while trying to reply.