Matrix Games Forums

Does the game engine allow stacking or the combining of similar unit types? From the screenshots it doesn't look like it.

PzKw43 wrote: Tue Apr 12, 2022 12:29 am Does the game engine allow stacking or the combining of similar unit types? From the screenshots it doesn't look like it.

I've just finished having a careful look at the screenshots, and I agree, it doesn't look like stacking, breakdown, or combining of units is supported.

I was really excited about this when it was first announced, but without the features above, I think I'll be passing on this one, since I never was a fan of the WW1 and WW2 versions of the system that also don't support those things.

I'm sure a lot of people will not be bothered by this at all, and I wish them hours of enjoyment with the game. I also hope the devs have a success with it. It's just not for me.

For now anyway, I'm out but I'll keep an eye on things, hoping we're wrong about stacking and breakdown.

It will be interesting to see how things are done, since there weren't "fronts" in the Civil War with tens of miles of units lined up against each other.

I'd guess a restricted force pool, and restricted command capacity and radius, would address the issue of no stacking.

gwgardner wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:18 pm I'd guess a restricted force pool, and restricted command capacity and radius, would address the issue of no stacking.

Good idea! I was also just thinking that something along the line of the old Avalon Hill/Multi Man Publishing (Joseph Balkovski-designed)
series (titles like "Stonewall Jackson's Way" and "Here Come The Rebels!") might have been a better choice for scope and scale. (Just imagine the sheer size of the map if the entire war is depicted!!) With politics, production, recruitment, and navies included.

Obviously it's too late for anything like that right now, and by these developers, but maybe someday someone will attempt it.

gwgardner wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:18 pm I'd guess a restricted force pool, and restricted command capacity and radius, would address the issue of no stacking.

Restricted force pool, restricted command capacity and radius have indeed all been taken into account, as well as the scale, which will be significantly different from our previously releases:

War in Europe/WWI ~ 37K hexes
World at War ~ 41K hexes

CIVIL WAR will have over 66,000 hexes, close to almost double that of War in Europe!

Hubert Cater wrote: Fri Apr 15, 2022 12:37 pm

gwgardner wrote: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:18 pm I'd guess a restricted force pool, and restricted command capacity and radius, would address the issue of no stacking.

Restricted force pool, restricted command capacity and radius have indeed all been taken into account, as well as the scale, which will be significantly different from our previously releases:

War in Europe/WWI ~ 37K hexes
World at War ~ 41K hexes

CIVIL WAR will have over 66,000 hexes, close to almost double that of War in Europe!

Had a look at the map on the Twitch preview yesterday and it is most impressive. I can see what you are saying about the map size. It is 'ginormous'. The rendering of the rivers and coasts is good and the naval aspect of the game will certainly shine. The riverine warfare dimension prospects have me quivering in anticipation. I am not sure I am up to the micro-management of the game but I think this is the best map I have seen in an ACW game. Good work!

Looking forward, something fresh & new.
Sure it will need adjustments and have bugs, but that's life.

Pieces of My Life,
-Elvis

Even at 9 miles a hex, most civil war battles would still fit into just a single hex. That means 70k+ sized armies on both sides in the same hex. Is there a new kind of battle system to draw all units into a large one hex battle like that or are units still one per hex and cycling attacks over and over on one hex still the norm? Will the Army of the Potomac be spread out across both MD and PA because all the units are restricted to one hex, thus you're unable to concentrate power around DC to defend the capital?

I'm stoked for the game but a bit worried how the battles are going to be simulated.

Jim

Duck Doc wrote: Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:54 pm I am not sure I am up to the micro-management of the game but I think this is the best map I have seen in an ACW game. Good work!

There's nothing to fear from micro-management in this game. The unit count tends to be the same as or less than the other SC titles so if you liked them you'll be right at home here!

- BNC

The spray of units like WW1, might be the bummer.
Lee v Grant, Army v Army. All stuffed in a Hex together, ability to retreat.

Jim D Burns wrote: Fri Jun 17, 2022 2:33 am Even at 9 miles a hex, most civil war battles would still fit into just a single hex. That means 70k+ sized armies on both sides in the same hex. Is there a new kind of battle system to draw all units into a large one hex battle like that or are units still one per hex and cycling attacks over and over on one hex still the norm? Will the Army of the Potomac be spread out across both MD and PA because all the units are restricted to one hex, thus you're unable to concentrate power around DC to defend the capital?

I'm stoked for the game but a bit worried how the battles are going to be simulated.

Jim

I agree whole heartedly! I bought the game from Steam recently and when I found out I could not stack two brigades in a hex I returned it. The combining of units is also required! Three brigades make a division, three divisions make a corps and 3 corps make an army. This game shows great potential but with 10 mile hexes ( I think that's the scale) stacking of units is a must. I'd say no stacking of armies but still the game was truncated by someone!

Capt Cliff wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:56 pm

I agree whole heartedly! I bought the game from Steam recently and when I found out I could not stack two brigades in a hex I returned it. The combining of units is also required! Three brigades make a division, three divisions make a corps and 3 corps make an army. This game shows great potential but with 10 mile hexes ( I think that's the scale) stacking of units is a must. I'd say no stacking of armies but still the game was truncated by someone!

It's fairly written in stone that in any game in the Strategic Command series, one unit per hex is all you can fit. Be it regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army.

strategic Command has never had stacked units or the ability to split/combine units. It works great without either, once you understand the mechanics well enough you realize that with some planning its not necessary.

Bo Rearguard wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 8:07 pm

Capt Cliff wrote: Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:56 pm

I agree whole heartedly! I bought the game from Steam recently and when I found out I could not stack two brigades in a hex I returned it. The combining of units is also required! Three brigades make a division, three divisions make a corps and 3 corps make an army. This game shows great potential but with 10 mile hexes ( I think that's the scale) stacking of units is a must. I'd say no stacking of armies but still the game was truncated by someone!

It's fairly written in stone that in any game in the Strategic Command series, one unit per hex is all you can fit. Be it regiment, brigade, division, corps, or army.

Then I guess we can conclude that Strategic Command is NOT a historical simulation of the military and economic conflict between the Union and the Confederacy. It is neither strategic nor has it any command value as a historical simulation or dare I say a wargame, IMHO. The game seems to fall outside Matrix Games charter of producing wargames, "Matrix Games is the undisputed world-leading publisher of digital wargames." With that I bid you adieu!