Matrix Games Forums

Hi guys

I need some help cause I’m getting desperate.
The problem is that I can’t get the retreat/reinforcement hexes to stick where I put them.
I have used a pre-made map and edited it some in the editor. I’ve changed the VH’s locations/value and shifted the reinforcement/retreat hexes to the positions I want. Then I save the map in an empty slot…
Now, when I try to use the map in the battle generator to set up a PBEM game, everything is there but the reinforcement/retreat hexes are moved to some default positions. It’s incredible annoying cause you don’t want to retreat straight into the arms of a dug-in enemy. Likewise you don’t want the reinforcement to come in and kill you from behind.
I know it is possible to change in some way, cause I’ve seen it done before. But I really could need a step by step instruction. Does anybody have an answer to this? It would really help the PBEM community a lot.

I've found this topic about the subject, but there are no answers.

PBEM and Retreat hexes.

/Lars

Hi Lars, old buddy

There have been a few posts on this subject in recent weeks.

I have had the same problem with the retreat hexes…I have posted on the forum and received some helpful advice.

I set-up a number of games using custom maps, only to find the retreat/reinforcement hexes skittling around the map as if I had the plague…I switched the nationality sides in the map editor, switched the nationality order in the battle generator, and manually edited them…but no matter what I did they avoided their own side as if they were opposite magnetic poles…sound familiar?

The solution is to set the nation sides in the map editor to be the same as they will be when you generate the PBEM game in battle generator…that is if you want to PBEM a Japan/Marines battle, then set the sides that way in the Editor exactly the same as you will in the Battle Generator.

If you already have a map that has sides Germany/Russia and you want to use this for a Japan/Marines battle, then open the map in the editor and set the nationalities, go into the map editor and save.

The technical bit…the retreat/reinforcement hexes aren't part of the map…they're saved with the data just like which side of the map belongs to which nationality. Now I think this is what causes the problem…if you create a map using the map editor with germany and russia, and generate a battle for Japan and the Maries, then you break the link to who owns what map side, and hence where the retreat/reinforcement hexes should be


regards craig

Kinds of related question.

Is there a way to save a random map after a battle? An email opponent wants to save the current battle map with all its wrecks as backdrop for a new scenario.

INP, directions below;

You have two editors. One is in the game, and is good for most things.

The other is called WAWEd.exe (warning i think it's name is changed, but it is there somewhere). If you open up your game directory C:/MatrixGames/Steel Panthers World At War you will see one of the files called WAWEd.exe. This is the easiest way to make certain changes.

So, use WAWed.exe to open up your &#8216;end of game file&#8217;. Then, save it as a &#8220;scenario.&#8221; You&#8217;ll have to save it to your Scenario folder (in C:/MatrixGames/Steel Panthers World At War). You&#8217;ll also have to give it a name which starts with <scen>, for example, < scen105.dat > the end of your battle, which was a saved game, is now a Scenario in slot number 105.

As to your next battle, here is what you do. Now open the file within the games editor. You should be looking at the last turn &#8211; all your troops out, etc. Go to the Buy menu for your force. Delete all your core forces from the selection &#8211; you&#8217;ll get these back when you start the game. You are left with your auxillery and support units. Go ahead and deploy these, as you see fit, and with the orders I give (as your commander).

Once you&#8217;ve done that, doctor up the map by eliminating most of the dusty and smoke hexes (if any). Don&#8217;t worry about the ones over the roads or buildings. Assume the building are still on fire, and the roads continue to take admin traffic and remain dusty. It shouldn&#8217;t take more than five minutes.

Then you send the map back to your partner. He reset your start lines, add any auxiliary, add the enemy forces, and send it back to you. This may seem complicated, but the whole thing shouldn&#8217;t take more than 30 min. The nice thing is that you start with the same attachments you had at the end of the last battle, including any losses to tanks (wrecks) and infantry. It encourages you not to let your attached forces take a beating. Also, on tougher battles, your start lines will be determined by the previous battle.

Thanks A_B.

[ February 07, 2002: Message edited by: lnp4668 ]</p>

An easier way, at least for me, would be to save the battle just before the very end. That creates a ***.dat file (whatever you named it).

Rename it as a scen.dat file. For example, rename it as Scen001.dat.

Then move it into the scen directory. Delete all units. The destroyed tanks and equipment should remain on the map. (the first nationality A0 is undeletable) and you have a map.

The A0 unit that remains can easily be substituted for the right A0 leader when creating the next scenario.

I've done this numerous times and it works well.

Wild Bill

Thanks WB.

Some familiar faces... Hi all <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Craig: You hit the nail on the head. But I have tried your solutions and failed. If you don't mind I'll mail my map to you with our next PBEM turn and maybe you can get it straight for me. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
But I might have messed it up to much with all the different saves I've made.

Lu: Glad you asked the question. I would love to use that map-save in a streak of PBEM games. I'm setting up a PBEM game right now that will consist of three straight matches on the same map, and your feature would really add some flavor to the battle.

WB: If I understand things right, one has to use the "end of game file" if it's a PBEM game. Otherwise you don't have access to the files? Does your method work with a PBEM game?

Thanks all
/Lars