Matrix Games Forums

Hi all. I'm kicking around getting back into the game, and I'm wondering what version or mod is considered optimum these days. I was an early fan of Michael's beta, and played around with Don's Babes back when I played, but never went beyond that. I used to be tech-savvy and give others advice, but it's been a decade or so since I played last, and I'm rusty at best. I also used to be a fairly competent player, but again, it's been a decade or so...
Anyway, if I were to spend a couple of weeks re-learning the game, where or what version/mod would my time be best spent on? I know there's not going to be just one concrete answer (and on this forum there never has been), but I'd appreciate any and all feedback before committing too much of my time to a game or mod no one wants to play anymore. Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions. -Quixote

I would suggest the Coral Sea scenario followed by the Guadalcanal scenario, playing both sides at least once.

Quixote, depends on what you are looking in a mod. Historical accuracy/realism or what-if scenarios?

The base game has had a lot of improvements in the last 10 years too, so you will have some learning how to use the new version (1126a or 1126b). For example, you can handle pilot management in batches of 1, 5, or 10 pilots in a unit and can move them from group reserve to active that way as well. AAA is more realistic now too. And massive air contests can now be fought without the limit on encounters being exceeded, so CVs can operate off of Japan in the late game. These are game engine changes so they should apply to all the scenarios in the base game.

As for Mods, check the mod section for advice. I think there was a post that listed all the available mods a few years back and had links to them so you could read what they do. A more recent mod is called "Variants" in which players have a list of changes to their OOB they can make before game start (PBEM), using a set number of Variant Points to limit what they can do. In effect it gives the player the power of the Naval or Air Secretary to create the fleet/air fleet they want instead of the historic ones. A what-if of sorts.

Welcome back....GP

Hiya,

My mod is active and juts about to receive a play balance and general patch Empire, you will find it in the modding section and I will be posting update in a few days.

Cav.

Quixote wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2023 2:51 am Hi all. I'm kicking around getting back into the game, and I'm wondering what version or mod is considered optimum these days. I was an early fan of Michael's beta, and played around with Don's Babes back when I played, but never went beyond that. I used to be tech-savvy and give others advice, but it's been a decade or so since I played last, and I'm rusty at best. I also used to be a fairly competent player, but again, it's been a decade or so...
Anyway, if I were to spend a couple of weeks re-learning the game, where or what version/mod would my time be best spent on? I know there's not going to be just one concrete answer (and on this forum there never has been), but I'd appreciate any and all feedback before committing too much of my time to a game or mod no one wants to play anymore. Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions. -Quixote

Depends on if you are looking to play AI or PBEM. If PBEM I highly suggest Bottlenecks as it is a highly upgraded version of “DaBigBabes” scenario 29C with lots of new features:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 8&t=309505

If AI I would wait for the newest beta which should be coming out very soon...