Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!!

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!!

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Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 3:10:20 AM

Tangogulf

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/9/2002
Status: offline

Hi all;

First post to this forum. I just received UV in the mail. I'm not new to computer or war games, but am somewhat baffled by this one.
I just went through the tutorial in the manual and I do confess that it did not teach me much about the game, the interface, the rules underlying the game or for that matter the goal or object of the game.
I realize that the goal maybe somewhat obvious (to win), however, Iam baffled by what conditions I need in order to achieve that goal.

In short, Im lost! I want to get into the guts of the game, and am wondering what steps I need to take to get there.

Looking for help from any source.

Post #: 1

Re: Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 4:24:34 AM

Long Lance

Posts: 274
Joined: 7/31/2002
From: Ebbelwoi Country
Status: offline

Welcome to the UV-community!

To win, you usually have to play till the end of a scenario and achieve more victory points than your opponent. VPs are scored and lost for bases one controls, planes one shot, ships one sank, men one killed and in short scenarios ships one damaged. The Ratio of VPs for each player determines the outcome of the battle/campaign. I don't know exactly, it must be written somewhere in the manual, but I think a ratio of 1.25 or better means an absolute victory. The smaller the ratio, the smaller your victory or the bigger your defeat.

The Tutorial: It's not very helpful. You have to learn UV like Nimitz and Yamamoto did: The hard way. At least you have a forum to look at and where you can post questions.;)

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 2

Re: Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 5:00:45 AM

XPav

Posts: 550
Joined: 7/10/2002
From: Northern California
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tangogulf
[B]Hi all;
Looking for help from any source. [/B][/QUOTE]

Do what all of us wargame players do.

Start a game against the AI, lose.
Do this a couple times and you'll figure out the interface and what you're supposed to do.

Once you've got that, then you can figure out how you go about doing that. If you ask your questions here, they'll probably get answered too!

_____________________________

I love it when a plan comes together.

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 3

Re: Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 5:35:30 AM

pasternakski

Posts: 6565
Joined: 6/29/2002
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tangogulf
[B]Hi all;

First post to this forum. I just received UV in the mail. I'm not new to computer or war games, but am somewhat baffled by this one.
I just went through the tutorial in the manual and I do confess that it did not teach me much about the game, the interface, the rules underlying the game or for that matter the goal or object of the game.
I realize that the goal maybe somewhat obvious (to win), however, Iam baffled by what conditions I need in order to achieve that goal.

In short, Im lost! I want to get into the guts of the game, and am wondering what steps I need to take to get there.

Looking for help from any source. [/B][/QUOTE]

As the Duke's (John Wayne's, for the uninitiated few) Chief of Staff Capt. Paul Eddington (played by Kirk Douglas) said to the staff in Otto Preminger's otherwise mediocre old movie "In Harm's Way,"

"The Japs have Levu Vana (fictitious name). We want it. They know it. We're going to take it ..."

as XPav implied, this game has a lot of "learn by doing" to it. Do study the manual, though. It gives you a lot of basic information that you can use while refining your techniques and strategies.

Remember this: each type of unit is useful for one or two things and useless for everything else. Everything depends on your learning what to use them for, what not to use them for, and how and when to use them.

For example, say you're sitting there looking at the screen display for a combat engineer unit. Ask yourself, "What is this unit for? (primarily supporting infantry attacks, but performs decently as construction and support engineers, as well)" Ask yourself, "What is this unit not good for? (unsupported attack and defense and air unit engineer support)." Ask yourself, "How should I use them? (with land combat units attacking enemy bases overland or in amphibious assault)" Ask yourself, "When should I use them?" (when you are landing amphibious assault forces to attack enemy installations or trying to get a new base started on a formerly unoccupied beach hex)."

The answers given here are oversimplified and incomplete, to be sure, but if you can come to a fundamental understanding of what your air, land, and naval units are good for - and what the enemy's units are good for, you will have gone a long way toward mastering the "nuts and bolts" of the game. Of course, then you have to figure out how to get them to the right place at the right time, but that's another story ...

I don't know much yet (as indicated by the above explanations), but I'm learning. It's all fun, if you like analysis and practical application of your results to see how correct your analysis has been.

Enjoy. It's a great trip. Before you know it, you'll be spending all your free time (that is, time away from actually playing the game) poring over obscure texts that will help you in your analysis (including the obscure texts posted in these forums). Your dog will sit in the corner and growl at you because it doesn't recognize you anymore. The wife and kids? Long gone to her mom's place (oh, yeah, that letter from the family court was a petition for divorce on the ground of irreconcilable differences - she and Johnny and Susie can't compete with UV for your time anymore). Job? What job? The boss let you go last month for repeated unexcused absences, but you forgot - you were trying to figure out how to take Port Moresby from your new friend Maxisquashmo, who you met in these forums, started playing UV with by e-mail, and whom you've never seen face to face (and whom you despise as a perpetrator of crimes against humanity because he sank two of your carriers in a surprise engagement last week. You have dispatched a squadron of P-38s to catch him in transport from base to base in order to exact some measure of revenge).

Yeah, it's a great life, this Uncommon Valor.

--------------------------------

I will now proceed to entangle the entire area

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 4

Re: Re: Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 6:34:34 AM

byron13

Posts: 1589
Joined: 7/27/2001
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pasternakski
[B]

"The Japs have Levu Vana (fictitious name). We want it. They know it. We're going to take it ..."

[/B][/QUOTE]

Wait a minute. You're not suggesting that Operation Skyhook was fictitious, are you? Maybe that's why I can't find Cape Titan on the map! ****!

I hate to suggest it, but an excellent way of learning the game would also be to read the various posts. It would only take a year and a half, but you would learn. Truly, you could eliminate a lot of threads by the title and then focus on those (like ASW altitude or submarines) that are obviously relevant. You might also try reading some of the better AARs. Maybe someone could point you to Iain's thread that broke all records for views and responses. It was an excellent AAR during late beta testing that a lot of people learned from; entertaining, too.

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 5

Alright you fellas are giving me the idea - 8/9/2002 6:49:28 AM

Tangogulf

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/9/2002
Status: offline

Like the title says...jump in and try it. Well, I have done just that on scenario 18.
I spent most of my game turns looking for the Japanese Carrier Task force but to no avail. I did manage to locate one of their surface tf and destroyed it, but in my intelligence reports, it indicates that Im losing.

pasternakski...hehe...very funny post. I'm not sure I want to get that addicted ( I dont need any help), but I get the idea...it will catch and in a big way.
Will check the aar as you good people have suggested.

I'm still lost as hell, but will keep plugging at it.

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 6

Don't despair, my friend - 8/9/2002 8:14:11 AM

pasternakski

Posts: 6565
Joined: 6/29/2002
Status: offline

Pay attention to the score not at the beginning, but at the end of the scenario. You're almost always losing at the beginning.

"You never count your money
While you're sitting at the table.
There'll be time enough for counting
When the dealing's done."

---------------------------------------

I will now proceed to entangle the entire area

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 7

Take it slowly - 8/9/2002 10:42:08 AM

Luskan

Posts: 1897
Joined: 7/11/2002
From: Down Under
Status: offline

I've had UV for two very short (VERY) weeks now and everytime you think you're the master, something will happen to make you think "What the?".

I agree with the post about needing to know exactly what every unit does. Saves much time, agony. Also, don't go looking for a fight in the first month of the game. It will be coming to you - don't worry!

If that fails, read the manual. When that fails, read it again (because you always miss the important stuff), after that, come up with a big list of questions and post it on the boards and everyone around will race to contribute answers! Of course, I think my newbie questions post lasted about 2 pages before the discussion turned to beer or star trek . . . ;) By then I'd been told all of my stupid questions weren't so stupid.

Have fun! Soon as you're ready, post for an opponent (and if you've got an experienced one, duck!).

_____________________________

With dancing Bananas and Storm Troopers who needs BBs?

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 8

Re: Take it slowly - 8/9/2002 11:01:03 AM

pasternakski

Posts: 6565
Joined: 6/29/2002
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Luskan
[B]I've had UV for two very short (VERY) weeks now and everytime you think you're the master, something will happen to make you think "What the?".

I agree with the post about needing to know exactly what every unit does. Saves much time, agony. Also, don't go looking for a fight in the first month of the game. It will be coming to you - don't worry!

If that fails, read the manual. When that fails, read it again (because you always miss the important stuff), after that, come up with a big list of questions and post it on the boards and everyone around will race to contribute answers! Of course, I think my newbie questions post lasted about 2 pages before the discussion turned to beer or star trek . . . ;) By then I'd been told all of my stupid questions weren't so stupid.

Have fun! Soon as you're ready, post for an opponent (and if you've got an experienced one, duck!). [/B][/QUOTE]

Hey! When you reveal yourself to us Americans that you are from Australia, the conversation ALWAYS turns to beer - or vegemite - or other weird stuff, like brawlys and platypus ducks, ducks.

---------------------------

I will now proceed to entangle the entire area

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 9

- 8/9/2002 12:51:30 PM

Auggie

Posts: 2
Joined: 7/26/2002
Status: offline

I've had UV for about a week now, and am still just starting to get into it.

I have to agree that the tutorial is really lacking. I've gone and printed out what I think are the important parts of the manual.
I keep the PDF file up while playing and when I'm lost in the game I'll Alt tab out read the manual. If that doesn't work I'll come here and read posts to see if I can find some tips or tactics.

Try scenario 2 Eastern Solomons, you have less TF's and units to control so it doesn't seem overwhelming.

Auggie

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 10

Re: Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!! - 8/9/2002 5:40:22 PM

fvianello

Posts: 534
Joined: 8/6/2002
From: Italy
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tangogulf
[B]Hi all;

First post to this forum. I just received UV in the mail. I'm not new to computer or war games, but am somewhat baffled by this one.
[/B][/QUOTE]

I've been playing for a couple of weeks only so here's some Newbie-2-Newbie suggestion ;)

- If you can, play the game in windowed mode (1024x768x16 screen res, -w startup param) so you can search the pdf manual for quick answers

- Play scenarios 1 and 2 a couple of time; they're easy and fast.

- Have a plan; you're getting nowhere without a plan. Plan what you want to accomplish, how, assign forces. Stick to the plan until it obviously failed.

- Don't expect to have full control on your units or on events. That's what makes this game so great, don't get frustratred by fog of war or lack of micro-control.

- Save at every turn, experiment some little variations (what if i order my level bomber to port attack at 1000-feet altitude?), get spanked, load last turn and try again
:p

_____________________________

H. Barca,
Surplus Consuls Dispatcher

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 11

- 8/9/2002 11:17:23 PM

Makaer

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/9/2002
Status: offline

I haven't yet finished my first campaign, but I'll post some of the things I learned.

The patrol/retire settings are very imporant and differ depending on the type of TF it is. At the very least print out the section that describes the various effects of these settings from the PDF.
(for instance, mine laying/sweeping)

I have found that having carrier groups set to do not retire, do not react is the least frustrating way to have them. They still will move one hex towards an enemy carrier group but they won't move all over the place like they will with react to enemy.

Change the home base of ships depending on the mission you are sending them on. For instance, shore bombardments when set to retire (or is it the react setting? check the manual ;) will bombard at night and then immediately head back to home base. If you forgot to set it to your nearist stocked port the TF may have just gone way off course in the direction of Brisbane or something.

Don't take a base unless you can supply it.

Move aviation support units to your forward bases as soon as they have a run way. Get planes there as soon as you can. Moving as many planes into the theatre (ie, out of truk/australia) is key.

Learn where the good potential air fields are. The more air fields the better. Don't be satisfied with 1 or 2 really good airfields.

Remember that you can build 3 pts past the max size of port and airstrip (just takes longer and more resources). This means bases with a max 1 airstrip can still be built up to 4. Which will launch level bombers just fine.

Don't delay securing bases until you need them. Get them a bit before you need them and let the airstrips be built up.

Watch your pilots fatigue! I found that ever turn I go thru my forward bases checking on each of my airgroups status. I keep my fatigue below 50 even during key operations, and below 30 the rest of the time.

Don't discount using transport planes to move troops and supplies around. Long distances create amazingly high fatigue within 1 day, so you'll want to rotate this around. This is great for when you are in a pinch. But realize that your big guns won't fit in transport planes, and you might find a these big guns sitting back in australia. You'll need tranports to move them.

Paratroops are cool but don't try to land them in an area that has a decent CAP. Ouch, learned that the hard way.

If you manually run your subs (which I like to do) keep an eye on there torpedo count. They are pretty useless without those! (again this is part of my normal turn routine).

Learn how to use automated transports for supplies in your secure areas. I haven't been good at this and hence struggle with supplies.

Air power rules the game.

this is probably long enough for now.

-Makaer

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 12

Don't forget the patches. - 8/10/2002 1:45:22 AM

1089

Posts: 210
Joined: 7/4/2001
From: Portland, OR
Status: offline

Probably the most important single tip I can give you is to install the patches. You have to install the 1.10 patch, then the 1.11 patch, and then finally you can do the True-update thing and install the 1.20 patch. otherwise you will be experiencing all the bugs that have already been addressed, which will lessen your enjoyment.

kp

_____________________________

The Earth is but a hollow nougat, reverberating with the sounds of the big bands... :cool:

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 13

Have a plan - 8/10/2002 2:01:16 AM

boomboom

Posts: 80
Joined: 2/28/2002
From: philadelphia
Status: offline

And remember what chicken George said in the movie roots.
When the man knows your plan,you got to get annother plan.

_____________________________

I'm boomboom.I don't want to control the sea.I ain't no calvery general[horses stink].I don't want to fight the next world war.I want to go back to dog patch,and fall in love.

(in reply to Tangogulf)

Post #: 14

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> Uncommon Valor - Campaign for the South Pacific >> Casual/Newb - Where do I start?!!

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