Does anyone play The Operational Art of War II here?

[DinoDoc]

I just got the game and have a few questions:

1) Which scenarios are the easiest to start out with?

2) Is anyone willing to multiplay with me?

[Leonidas]

Hi,

Yes I play TOAW II.

I would suggest playing either the Korea 50-51 scenario (as Nato - play defensively) and/or one of the Middle East ones, say Arab vs Israel 1956, 67, or 73. They are enjoyable and vary timely with regard to today's news.

Links:

1) More scenarios. Select TOAW II from the pull down menu, the click go:

http://www.wargamer.com/archive/

2) Strategy guide

http://www.wargamer.com/articles/toawtips_page1.asp

3) Strategy guide for Korea 50-51 Scenario

http://hjem.get2net.dk/PlanetHolger/english/game/toaw/strategy_korea50_II.htm

Best of luck. Go to www.talonsoft.com for any patches you might need.

[The Rusty Gamer]

I've got TOAW I, is it worth getting II?

I've got the original because of the rave reviews but, although I've fiddled around with it a bit, I could never properly understand it or get into it.

Is it worth getting II (it's relatively cheap now) or is it just more of the same or is it easier to understand?

[Leonidas]

Russell:

Hi,

I have both TOAW I and II Elite editions. I love strategy games such as Civ II, SMAC, Imperialism, as well as straight wargames such as Civil War Generals II, Panzer Genral II, as well as The Operational Art of War games.

The TOAW games are more complex, and they don't have fancy graphics, but once properly understood are utterly engrossing. I would suggest reading the strategy guide that is available through the link above. It explains alot.

Remember, this is a game of maneuver - think Rommel - classic feign in one direction, then attempt either a breakthrough or an encirclement in the other direction. Once the enemy supply is cut-off, their units are fodder for your guns. Remember how the Germans encircled and captured those huge Russian armies at the beginning of Barbarossa.

Also, proper defense is important.

I would suggest getting TOAW II. There is a wealth of new scenarios on the web (see the link above). And many of the sceanrios are very timely today, especially Middle East 2000 (which I'm currently playing), where chemical and nuclear weapons are being used.

There are over 179 extra scenarios available for TOAW I. I especially enjoy the scenarios in North Africa between the Afrika Korps and Commonwealth troops:

http://www.wargamer.com/archive/

These are games that are worth learning to play well. Take the time and read the strategy guides. Proper supply and HQ's placement are very important in this game. They simulate the realities of a real General commanding real armies in battle.

[Leonidas]

There are a variety of forums for the TOAW series:

As far as active discussions are concerned, the only one that jumps to mind is the Scenario Design place. I believe the link is www.geocities.com/toawscen.html but if that does not work, head over to www.militarygameronline.com and head to the art of war section. On that page there should be a link to the Scenario Design site.
Of course there is the forum at www.talonsoft.com

You can also post to the war-historical newsgroup.
http://www.cdmag.com/cgi-bin/WebX?14@^3319@.ee6b29e

There is a fresh TOAW forum is at www.warfarehq.com

And here is a fansite with additional links at the bottom of the page:

http://hjem.get2net.dk/PlanetHolger/english/game/toaw/index.htm

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Leonidas
1) More scenarios. Select TOAW II from the pull down menu, the click go:

http://www.wargamer.com/archive/

Which ones would you recommend? They don't appear to have them rated.

[Leonidas]

1) Here is a list of rated scenarios for TOAW I. Just click on the name of the game (TOAW I), and when the screen changes, click on the tab marked "Find it". A long list of rated, downloadable scenarios will appear:

http://depot.militarygameronline.com/game_list.cgi

2) Here is a list of rated scenarios for TOAW II. Do the same thing as you did for TOAW I:

http://depot.militarygameronline.com/game_list.cgi

How's that for service

Happy gaming!

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Leonidas
How's that for service

Happy gaming!

Thanks for the help, Leo.

BTW, are you the same Leonidas that wrote an assassin guide over at this thread? If so, I have to say, thanks again. It's going to help me build my new character.

[Sten Sture]

TOAW2 is a very good game... I have just been playing it for a few months and really enjoy it. It reminds me of those old cardboard counter games on hex maps that I played years ago.

The first scenario I played was Arracourt from each side, until I figured out (somewhat) how to play the game. I probably played that scenario ten times to get the hang of it. There are only ten or so pieces per side, so it doesn't take that long.

I was wondering if anyone here plays this game - I think Lancer for one would like it a lot.

I'd be interested in PBEM...

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Sten Sture
I'd be interested in PBEM...

If you don't mine playing a truely wet-behind-the-ears newbie, I would love to take you up on the offer.

Edit: The first scenario I played was Arracourt

Did you download that scenario? I don't see it in my list.

[The Rusty Gamer]

While we're on about war games...

While we're on about war games, is it worth downloading Steel Panthers - World at War (over 300MB)? I've already got Steel Panthers I, II, and III. Is it very different?

[Sten Sture]

Dino - the version I have is TOAW - A Century of Warfare. I am not sure if it is compatible with vol II, but I think it includes I & II, so it may be. Perhaps Leonidas knows. He probably does given the excellent stuff he posted! (Thanks)

*** this just in - According to wargamer.com CoW is not compatible for PBEM with vol II. Bummer.

Arracourt by the way is WWII so it was in vol I, that is why you don't see it.

[Leonidas]

DinoDoc: You're welcome. BTW I am not the Leonidas from that other site you refer to. Hmmm... imagine someone acting as an imposter. . .

If you are all interested in big strategic games, I highly recommend downloading the scenario "39-45" for either TOAW 1 or II, depending on the version you have. There is also the scenario called "War in Europe" for TOAWII.

They simulate the ENTIRE Second World War in Europe and North Africa. It is a HUGE map. These scenarios are very rich in events, news, timed entry of countries in the war, etc. You can play either as AXIS or Allies.

[The Rusty Gamer]

Where can I download the 39-45 scenario? I couldn't see it among the above links though I did see the World at War scenario for TOAW Vol I.

[Paul Hanson]

Re: While we're on about war games...

Originally posted by Russell
While we're on about war games, is it worth downloading Steel Panthers - World at War (over 300MB)? I've already got Steel Panthers I, II, and III. Is it very different?

It`s not much different from the other SP games (it`s basically the SP3 engine on the scale of SP1), but it`s scale is immense: You can play from 1930 to 1949 as any of 25 or so nations, and the variety of units is greatly increased over SP3. I just finished downloading it the other day (it took me 4 days to download it) and it`s excellent: go for it.