Combat Values

[surfcandy]

First impressions are good. I have to ask concerning objects like AFVs and landscape for example how abstract is it? I didn't see any reference to the different AFVs armor strength or gun variation strength.How do I determine possible outcome of one AFV vs another if I don't have a reference to their particular gun and armor strength? Landscape doesn't seem to have cover values in the manual also(wood, stone,light woods,heavy woods, etc.)I just skimmed through the manual and didn't see references to these type of details.

[Paullus]

In Appendix 8 you will find the charts for vehicles and Terrain

[Gerry4321]

I see only Appendix A - D. I found the terrain but not for vehicles.

Ignore above. Looks like all is in Appendix B and C.

[surfcandy]

I noticed the Appendix before thanks. So when one AFV vs AFV I would have to have the Appendix handy to see the Caliber values.Correct?Is there a Caliber value difference between hard/soft target?About the AFV's armor how is that portrayed? It seems as though the AFVs are single unit and not platoon (from the scenarios I've played so far).Sorry for all the questions but I'd like to enjoy the learning scenarios.

[Gerry4321]

IIRC Peter said armor has 8 armor factors. But we are not going to see combat values for any of the units. So we will have have to know the tank in real life I assume(assuming Peter has a good job modeling the armor, etc.).

[chrisleko]

So if not combat values are ever going to be displayed, do we just have to know how things work in real life? I'm never going to be able to get a predicted chance to hit? Or knowledge of dice rolls? Or the odds of inflicting any wounds? That seems kind of troublesome to me. It's going to be really hard for me to play if everything is obfuscated under the hood.

[Krys]

I don't think we need specific combat values, but a general idea of range and approximate damage levels would be helpful. I'm not looking for counters with attack, defense, and range values on them like we had in Squad Leader, Panzer Blitz, Panzer Leader and that whole array of board games, but I don't think a table showing range and *approximate* effectiveness would be helpful.

For example, clearly we must presume that experienced veteran units must have less chance of breaking that brand new ones. An AFV like the Tiger must have a stronger attack strength and greater range than a Stuart. It would be nice to have some sort of data that we could use for general comparison purposes.

Almost every AFV is weaker on its sides and rear than from the front. Maybe just general data on side vs rear vs front could be provided?

I'm NOT looking for the mechanics of die roll results and what the % chance of a hit is in brush vs open vs wooden building, etc. but I kind of feel like an experienced company commander wouldn't have to wonder how far his men's machine gun can fire, or how close the T-34 needs to be in order to be a threat.

I LOVE the game structure and appearance. It's a super clean system and will hopefully be received by the wargame community with delight. I'm in awe of the efforts that Peter has put into this...and after a few (maybe a lot) of games, I'll figure it all out.

But -- would sure love to see some generic data info on the units, if possible.

[surfcandy]

So far the units are behaving accordingly.

[Peter Fisla]

ORIGINAL: Krys

I don't think we need specific combat values, but a general idea of range and approximate damage levels would be helpful. I'm not looking for counters with attack, defense, and range values on them like we had in Squad Leader, Panzer Blitz, Panzer Leader and that whole array of board games, but I don't think a table showing range and *approximate* effectiveness would be helpful.

For example, clearly we must presume that experienced veteran units must have less chance of breaking that brand new ones. An AFV like the Tiger must have a stronger attack strength and greater range than a Stuart. It would be nice to have some sort of data that we could use for general comparison purposes.

Almost every AFV is weaker on its sides and rear than from the front. Maybe just general data on side vs rear vs front could be provided?

I'm NOT looking for the mechanics of die roll results and what the % chance of a hit is in brush vs open vs wooden building, etc. but I kind of feel like an experienced company commander wouldn't have to wonder how far his men's machine gun can fire, or how close the T-34 needs to be in order to be a threat.

I LOVE the game structure and appearance. It's a super clean system and will hopefully be received by the wargame community with delight. I'm in awe of the efforts that Peter has put into this...and after a few (maybe a lot) of games, I'll figure it all out.

But -- would sure love to see some generic data info on the units, if possible.

There is range button on the tool bar...the game system is inspired by ASL so that should tell how the system generally works.

[Gerry4321]

I think most know the difference between a Tiger and a Stuart. But what about a Pz IVA and Pz IVH etc. Or comparing tanks and TDs. Some general idea is needed I think.

[surfcandy]

At least something added to the toolbar or hover over unit for "reference" of some sort of combat value.

[Krys]

ORIGINAL: Vin53

At least something added to the toolbar or hover over unit for "reference" of some sort of combat value.

I like the idea of being able to get some data by hovering the mouse over a unit. [:)]

[armonica]

The lack of info on the units combat values is the only reason why I have'nt bought the game.
I think that for a tactical level game inspired from ASL that is really an odd choice, I really hope it will be somehow reconsidered.

[FroBodine]

I agree with armonica.

[kylania]

ORIGINAL: armonica

The lack of info on the units combat values is the only reason why I have'nt bought the game.
I think that for a tactical level game inspired from ASL that is really an odd choice, I really hope it will be somehow reconsidered.

Agreed! The inspiration for this game was able to convey all of that information at a glance within a 1/2" square counter with just a few numbers and symbols so surely a computer should be able to do the same and more.

[Angiel]

+ 1 armonica

I like the game but .... missing the "Core" of ASL: the risk assessment.
The risk assessment is an essential part of the game for grognard ASL.[:)]

[proflui]

I understand this game is inspire by ASL but the only ASL I have ever played is the starter kit #1 and the last time I played that game was about 10 years ago. So I do not remember how many hex a squad can move when using normal movement or double time. I cannot remember how different terrains affect movement cost also. This is a big problem because I cannot see how far a squad can move until it reach one hex before the last hex. This is not good because this situation did not occur when I played ASLSK as I can surely know how far I can reach in normal circumstance.

I agree to the CV problem also. For one instance I do not know how useless when I use one squad to shoot the defender hiding in a stone house and I continue to shoot for 3 turns until I know it is pretty useless. It just involves a lot of trial and error plus guessing.

[surfcandy]

I agree more combat values available to view by the player is a positive thing and should be incorporated at some point in the future.

That being said with continued playing though I do see some of the underlining combat values that are important to the game like the stars for morale ,gun calibers, unit combat strength letter rating,veteran-conscript status and range of weapon to mention a few are all in there. They are just presented in a way on the map or counters in a slightly different way from what we may be accustomed to with game board counters.

I believe the game will only get better the more you play it and understand the system.With updates, mods and expansions it's well worth the purchase for counter based wargamers who enjoy the flavor of ASL/Squad Leader combat in their games.

[blackcloud6]

I'm NOT looking for the mechanics of die roll results and what the % chance of a hit is in brush vs open vs wooden building, etc. but I kind of feel like an experienced company commander wouldn't have to wonder how far his men's machine gun can fire, or how close the T-34 needs to be in order to be a threat.

+1

[chrisleko]

ORIGINAL: proflui

I understand this game is inspire by ASL but the only ASL I have ever played is the starter kit #1 and the last time I played that game was about 10 years ago. So I do not remember how many hex a squad can move when using normal movement or double time. I cannot remember how different terrains affect movement cost also. This is a big problem because I cannot see how far a squad can move until it reach one hex before the last hex. This is not good because this situation did not occur when I played ASLSK as I can surely know how far I can reach in normal circumstance.

I agree to the CV problem also. For one instance I do not know how useless when I use one squad to shoot the defender hiding in a stone house and I continue to shoot for 3 turns until I know it is pretty useless. It just involves a lot of trial and error plus guessing.

I've never actually played ASL, and I'm really struggling because I have no idea how many movement points each unit gets or where I can look to find that info. I'd be happy with just a small number giving movement points on each counter (and an easier way to select counters). I'd even be happy with it showing up in the bottom bar for each hex.

I really like the bones of the game. The different phases are great, and I love the maps and map editor, but the game mechanics are really obtuse. I have no idea how far things can move, what sort of things affect my accuracy in combat, and how training and whatnot affect combat accuracy.