governato
Posts: 1079
Joined: 5/6/2011 From: Seattle, WA Status: offline
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I updated the scenario to version 3.4 in the main post of the thread. This version includes several changes that improve on the realism of operations at the end of the 1941 Barbarossa campaign (slightly favoring the Red Army) and the nature of Axis replacements during the late stages of the game (favoring the Axis). This version also provides an incentive for the Axis player to continue Barbarossa 'till late Fall 41, with the goal of capturing Moscow before Winter. Overall the scenario is now balanced and realistic over the whole 200+ turns, meaning that a strong Axis player and a smart, but less experienced Red Army opponent, should expect a fun and realistic game. The next version of the scenario will be posted after the TOAW v3.5 patch will be made available. As usual, players of all level are encouraged to send me comments and saved turns! CHANGES IN VERSION 3.4 1) MAJOR: Added a Red Army 'Moscow T24' in Moscow. If the Axis destroys this unit by capturing Moscow, there is a global 30% chance for a Red Army 'sudden death'. The unit automatically withdraws on turn 24. Design note: it is doubtful if the Soviet government would have collapsed after the loss of Moscow (as Hitler and OKH believed at the time). But it is generally agreed by historians that the chances would have been higher earlier in the war. Most importantly, this event gives the Axis player a strong incentive to push on until late in the season and discourages players from digging in due to historical insight. This change should lead to more historical campaigns and a more dramatic 'blizzard'. Note: after turn 24 the Sudden Death chance for capturing Moscow remains 10% as in previous versions. 2) MAJOR: Production of Axis Mounted and Motorcycle squads slowed down significantly after Spring 43 (Turn 100). These squads get replaced with an equivalent number of AT+Heavy Infantry squads that arrive as replacements. This change reflects the historical TOEs of many German units in the second part of the war, as the Werhmacht shifted to a defensive posture, and adds significant fire power to about 3000 squads, at the expense of units' recon capabilites. 3) MAJOR: Added 3000 Axis construction squads in 43+. These additional squads (representing Hiwis, or foreign POW troops) will help Axis units to entrench faster in the late stages of the war. Historically more than one million Russian POW were (usually forcefully) enlisted in the Werhmacht. Similar to Red Army reinforcement units, one Hiwis unit will arrive in Vitbesk (SW Ukraine) in Summer 43 and needs to be manually disbanded by the Axis player. This requires the Whermacht to hold South Ukraine to represent access to local manpower. 4) Map: more difficult terrain in the Leningrad area. Changes to rail lines in the Murmansk area. Increased supply rate from Baku. 5) Red Army shock penalty in Fall 41 and Spring 42 decreased to 50% from 40%. (100% means no penalty). This change makes it easier to defend during mud turns and reflects the difficulty of mounting offensive operations during the rain season. Axis has a similar bonus in 44/45, introduced in version 3.3. 6) Negative weather Air shocks in Fall 41, affecting both sides. 7) Axis decrease ZOC cost stays at 90% until end of game to reflect the tactical prowess of the Werhmacht at the tactical level. 8) AA lethality increased +5% 9) Red Army Air Shock set to 95% in 1943 90% in 1944, and to 85% in 1945. This is done to offset the unrealistic high proficiency of Red Army air units late in the game. 10) Red army 'Attrition Losses' unit arrives earlier, at Turn 13, with a higher priority for replacements. This will increase Red Army tank losses in Summer/Fall 1941. 11) Added 76mm AA slots to Red Army Garrison units. Removed AA trucks slots from Red Army Garrisons. (Stahel's book 'Typhoon' mentions that Moscow had formidable AAA defences) 12) Increased by +10% readiness/supply for 1st Shock Army, Western 10th, Bryansk 60th, 61st armies. This will make them a bit stronger for the Winter offensive. 13) Slots for some AA trucks added to TOE of Red Army cadres and Support units (supply, RR). 14) Small changes to a few Red Army air units TOEs, to increase their chances of reconstituting. 15) Some naval units removed: Kriegsmarine unit removed. Baltic Fleet turned into static AA+artillery unit in Leningrad (they only provided gamey recon capabilities). Volga river flottilla removed. 16) Increase proficiency of Kiev M.D Formation/Infantry +5% This will make progress of AGS a bit harder in the earlier stages of Barbarossa. 17) Totenkopf unit size changed to division (-) 18) Axis Air Transport capabilities end in January 1945. 19) Proficiency of some Axis Garrisons increased +5% 20) More Soviet Mounted Rifle Squads arrive early, but less produced overall.
< Message edited by governato -- 4/14/2014 3:56:37 AM >
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