Do You Like Wargames?

[Leonidas]

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich
Leonidas

Yes the Stalingrad book did teach me a thing or two about the battle. I've been reading WW2 books since I was in the 4th grade but this book captured the true horror that went on there at Stalingrad. The book gets into how Stalin was on the verge of secretly giving up the war prior to the battle. It goes into the minds of Hitler and Stalin as well and explains how each man handled the war. Then there are the details of the battle that I have never read before or at least never read but have stick in my mind. The author does a good job capturing your attention and breaking down all the details in an easily followed manner.

Leonidas and Grumbold

I agree that having some knowledge of history does help one get into playing wargames. If it weren't for my love of history, particularly WW2, then I wouldn't have bought games like PG, PG2, PG3 Scorched Earth, TOAW2, and ACOW. I have many more wargames both on computer and boardgames. (Remember the classics like PanzerBlitz and Third Reich?) I think it is easier for someone with historical interests to get into TBS games/wargames then someone with a great sports/outdoor activities interest. Those types usually get FPS or Role Playing games. (Contest me if you think I am making an unfair generalization)

Finally I should have an update for you on my current Korean scenario after lunch today. Didn't get a chance to continue from my last update lastnight as I came home late. Let's see if I can indeed pull off a double envelopement!

Haupt. Dietrich:

It's my love of history that drew me to historical strategy games like Imperialism, CivII, etc, as well as the wargames like PG, PGII, TOAW I and II, Pacific General, People's General, Jane's Fleet Command, Civil War Generals II, etc.

I have read so much about the leaders, the battles, the history behind it, that the wargames really come alive for me.

That Stalingrad book sounds very interesting. I may drop into my local bookstore and check it out.

We'll be looking forward to more dispatches from the front, Comrade General. Here's to victory

[Leonidas]

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[Cookie Monster]

Comrades,


Here is my latest report from the front. It is turn 31 and as you can see I have begun the envelopement of a large portion of the UN forces.

I decided against going for encircling both sides of the front as I have limited forces available. Therefore I sent whatever units I could find, including some armor, south and to the west to cut off the western UN forces. This act caused the AI to shift some of it's forces in the east to help out it's trapped forces in the west.

I decided to leave all my aircraft on air superiority missions to reduce the UN's interdiction attacks on my forces used in the encirclement manuevers. Meanwhile I've been pounding the trapped UN forces with occasional artillery fire. In the extreme upper western portion of the front, near P'yongang, I launched an all out attack in an attempt to break through on a small axis. This attacked failed but I didn't lose too many troops. Only 4% losses in that one battle. He had artillery backing up his frontline and lost 0% equipement.

In the center of the line I slightly widened the gap that was created.

In the east I launched minor spoiling attacks to try to keep some of his forces pinned.

Then I looked at the clock and saw it was time to go back to work. I'll continue tonight.

[Leonidas]

Haupt. Dietrich:

Looks like you bagged quite a sizeable UN force. Ahh, the 'ol AI. . . er. . . MacArthur. . . never knew what hit him

Keep those forces encircled and watch how their supplies wither up. The AI should be pretty fanatical in trying to break through and relieve those forces.

Keep those battle reports coming. . .

[Cookie Monster]

Comrade Leonidas!


A couple of battle reports for you.

Below check out how the UN Forces quickly stopped my envelopement and pushed me back. Where does the UN get the forces to respond so quickly

Well what pretty much happened for the next several turn was the lines were stabilized. Then I lost Wonsan, ouch! Now I was at a marginal defeat. However over the next 3 turns more Chinese reinforcements arrived and allowed my to punch the center again. All the while I kept up spoiling attacks on Wonsan and the P'yongang front. I'll have the summary for you in the next report.

[Cookie Monster]

Here's the outcome of the war.

Once again I broke through the center. I launched violent attacks to recapture Wonsan to no avail. (Set all forces to ignore losses including the supporting artillery)

On the P'yongang front I set all forces to ignore losses and pounded the UN. I wish I had thought of this sooner. The results were positive but came too late. I would begin the turn with artillery bombardments and then in the next assault phase attack with all available forces. Inflicting quite a lot of casualties actually. Again should have done this sooner.

Pressed south to take Kaesong and held onto it until the end. Result was a marginal defeat however.

Well what did I learn? I shouldn't be over conservative in attacking at key points of the front. I also learned to watch the lines very carefully to look for weak points to exploit. I tend to get caught up on one section of the front and neglect seeing what's going on elsewhere. Finally encirclement and elimination of forces while they are out of supply is key in this scenario. The Communist cannot overwhelm the UN unless they can stop killed units from returning as reinforcements. I am going to start again. Man am I hooked on this game !!!

Thanks for all your advice so far. I have really improved my game and understanding of ACOW thanks to you. Let's see what happens next!

[Leonidas]

I am going to start again. Man am I hooked on this game !!!

Haupt. Dietrich:

That's the sound of a real winner and the trademark of a great game It says a lot about the game and you, that you are taking the lessons you have learned to heart and are willing to try to do better.

I find the more I play TOAW the more I like it - real strategy - kind of like chess, but the pieces shoot back. . .

I'll be looking forward to hear how you make out. This Korean scenario is one of my all time favorites.

[JAMiAM]

Hey guys. If you like TOAW, check out www.warfarehq.com where you'll find a thriving community of players. When you're tired of playing against the PO, try a pbem game. Us humans can be so much more devious...

[Cookie Monster]

JAMiAM,


I've seen that site. Quite impressive!

Aren't you the number 1 player on their TOAW ladder?

[Leonidas]

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[JAMiAM]

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich
I've seen that site. Quite impressive!

Yes, it is. The site owners take great pride in their site, and it serves the communities for several other wargames, as well (for the benefit of those who've not yet seen it.)

Originally posted by Haupt. Dietrich
JAMiAM, ... Aren't you the number 1 player on their TOAW ladder?

Yes, but mostly by virtue of having more time on my hands than most. I find it very hard to say "No" to a challenge...

Join the club. We've got another tournament coming up soon, and the more players the better. This one will be three scenarios in North Africa, WWII.

Tell a friend!

[Leonidas]

I have TOAW I and II, but I would like to get TOAW: Century of Warfare. Can't seem to find it in the stores anymore. COW has a superior game/event engine, and some great scenarios are being created for it.

I saw COW in the stores when it first came out, but after a month - nothing.

The gaming industry - it's sooo fickle

[JAMiAM]

Leonidas,

You could order it directly from Talonsoft. I've heard that Chips and Bits carries it, as well. You really should get it, as almost all the new scenarios are being written for the CoW version. And, it is probably going to be the end of the line for the game system as Take Two and Norm Koger have apparently had a falling out. So...no more of that infamous Talonsoft planned (new version) obsolescence.

[Leonidas]

Originally posted by JAMiAM
Leonidas,

You could order it directly from Talonsoft. I've heard that Chips and Bits carries it, as well. You really should get it, as almost all the new scenarios are being written for the CoW version. And, it is probably going to be the end of the line for the game system as Take Two and Norm Koger have apparently had a falling out. So...no more of that infamous Talonsoft planned (new version) obsolescence.

JAMiAM: thanks for the info The only problem with ordering it online is that it's a killer in the cost dept when it has to being shipped to Canada. I'm hoping that I'll see an extra copy in the stores It's happened in the past, soooo. . .


Haupt. Dietrich:

After following your Korean battle, I decided tonight to fire up the Korean scenario in TOAW. I'm playing as the North Koreans.

It's turn 15 and so far:

1) I achieved some early blitzkrieg victories, and I have encircled and completely annihilated the US 14th, 15th and 1st Cavalry Divisions, destroyed several UN and Republic of Korea Divisions, and have severely mauled elements of the US 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions. I also stopped and destroyed an attempted landing at Inchon by MacArthur's forces. . .

2) I'm presently near Taejon, and have a solid defensive line extending East to West. So far I have achieved a marginal victory.

3) But UN/US troops/ships and planes are pouring into Korea at Pusan, so I think now is the time to fight a strategic withdrawal across the 38th parallel and make my way north and coax those Chinese to enter the war I have virtually NO airforce, so the US planes are playing havoc with my supply lines. . .

4) After continous fighting, my forces are exhausted. But, they have achieved some brilliant victories. My major goal was to strike hard and fast, encircle and destroy as many UN Divisions as possible. This I have achieved. Now, I need to get my forces out of harm's way before they are caught by the massive reinforcements the UN is receiving. . .

[Cookie Monster]

Greetings Leonidas!


I think I can picture exactly what you have done so far in your game! Having played this scenario many a time you get to know what's going on.

Anyway you have achieved what I attempted in the beginning of all my sessions with this scenario. I agree with you 100% in that it's vitally important to evaporate as many UN forces cut off from supply. The UN has such a huge force advantage that even with Chinese help it will still be a struggle.

Turn 15-17 is when I usually end up retreating to beg for help from the Chinese I was toying with retreating on the first turn of the scenario to get the Chinese help early. I am betting on drawing the UN north where I can surprise attack them. I'll have to fire this up again as soon as I'm finished playing Curt Siblings Dictator Scenario for Civ2 ToT!

I eagerly await to hear the battle reports from the Korean front. Perhaps I shall learn a thing or too.

And remember, those Chinese MiG 15's were piloted by Russians!