RE: What else do you want to know more about? (Full Version)

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carlkay58 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (11/29/2014 7:12:38 PM)

Augustas answers:

1) That really depends on the terrain, the rail net, and the number of units you are supplying. I tend to have "bands" of supply - high priority port depots (drawing supplies from national sources to the mainland) feeding low to medium priority feeder depots (which supply the airbases behind the lines - both strategic and tactical levels) and then high priority depots again behind the front lines (feeding the combat units and forward air bases).

2) Yes - 1 AP will create a depot.

3) Yes, it is a slow process that takes three to four turns to happen.

4) Yes. There are a few supply 'hot keys' that will display the depot supply paths (tracing supplies to and from depots), detail supply depot levels and the supplies & trucks present, and a few other types of displays.

5) Yes - but different also. Why the difference? Simplified overall. RRC expenditure is 1 per hex and recent test versions eliminated the maximum hex conversion per turn so there is no limit. This last is very important or the Allies will frequently NEVER have forward supply heads. The terrain in Italy and southern France/Germany really limits the distance the rail conversion will proceed and all of the river lines in northern France and Belgium will also limit the conversion in that area. Note that you really want to have multiple rail paths to your supply depots for good supply flow because all rail usage is deducted by hex - if you actually use rail to move combat units no two units will use the same rail path in France because of these limits. That is for the Allies. The Axis has the additional problems with Allied bombing effects on the rail net that can make things even worse . . .



norvandave -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 3:59:19 AM)

I will play against the AI because this is such a large game that will take a lot of time. I haven't played WITE so please forgive the question. How good will the AI be? I don't want to invest a lot of time in a game that I can just beat up the AI on. Also, please describe what AI advantages can you set to add more balance?



RedLancer -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 7:28:50 AM)

We appreciate that a lot of people only play against the AI and therefore it gets a lot of development time. 

It is obviously not as good as a human player but it does very well.  The game has set five set difficulty settings (easy, normal, challenging, hard and impossible) and also the ability to customise against a range of factors.  The AI is a capable opponent especially when you are playing on challenging or harder.  At easy and normal it is beatable and those levels should only really be used to learn the game.   



JamesM -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 7:31:51 AM)

Question regarding Ports. The biggest issue for the Allies getting ports operating so as to relieve the pressure on the Mulberry's. So are fortification and port repairs handled in the same way as they are in WitE?



RedLancer -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 8:59:18 AM)

Forts have roughly the same rules as WitE but allow for the Atlantic Wall.

Port repair is the same as WitE if I remember correctly - you can set priority repair at a 1 x AP cost to send a Construction Unit to the hex.  I also think that creation of a depot in the hex speeds things up too.  Ports now have barrage baloons to prevent gamey bombing as low altitude.



warshipbuilder -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 11:31:32 AM)

quote:

Ports now have barrage baloons to prevent gamey bombing as low altitude.


How high do those things go? They can't be more than 8k.[:-] You can be reasonably accurate and do a lot of damage from 9k. Depending on flak.



RedLancer -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 11:44:49 AM)

Keith

Would we be so ahistoric....it discourages those people wanting to bomb at 1000ft with a Lancaster.  You can do so but flak and the balloons cause significant losses.

The precise rules are:

Barrage Balloons – All ports are assumed to have barrage balloons that will impact any raid that is bombing anything in the port's hex. Aircraft bombing under 3000 feet have a chance of being destroyed by the barrage balloon equal to two times the size of the port (port 3 means 6% chance bombing aircraft will be destroyed). For night missions, the percentage chance is tripled (so port level 3 has an 18% chance of destruction).



Erik Rutins -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 12:01:48 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: norvandave
I will play against the AI because this is such a large game that will take a lot of time. I haven't played WITE so please forgive the question. How good will the AI be? I don't want to invest a lot of time in a game that I can just beat up the AI on. Also, please describe what AI advantages can you set to add more balance?


It's quite a bit better than the WITE AI in my experience. It had to be, in order to be able to play a game where there are so many strategic choices, long coastlines and many possible amphibious/airborne invasion choices. Give it a try as either side and you'll find it gives you a good game. IMHO though for any WITE vets, the minimum level you should play it on is Challenging.

Regards,

- Erik



zakblood -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 1:29:02 PM)

so for a useless one like me then, easy mode then it is[&o][&o][&o]



warshipbuilder -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 6:55:46 PM)

Imagine flying around at 3k or less in a Lancaster at night, the mind boggles. Unless of course we are dealing with 617 Sqn or some seriously ballsy PFF. I do think 3k is a little conservative, you could have gone 5 and I don't think to many people would have objected. 8k was the pretty much the ultimate limit. 5k was quite common.

Thanks John for clarifying that.



FroBodine -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/2/2014 7:04:30 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: zakblood

so for a useless one like me then, easy mode then it is[&o][&o][&o]


Hahaha, me too zak! If we both learn this game, we should try a multiplayer game. It might take forever, but that's ok. I have never played a monster game multiplayer, but it's never too late to learn!



norvandave -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 1:29:45 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins


quote:

ORIGINAL: norvandave
I will play against the AI because this is such a large game that will take a lot of time. I haven't played WITE so please forgive the question. How good will the AI be? I don't want to invest a lot of time in a game that I can just beat up the AI on. Also, please describe what AI advantages can you set to add more balance?


It's quite a bit better than the WITE AI in my experience. It had to be, in order to be able to play a game where there are so many strategic choices, long coastlines and many possible amphibious/airborne invasion choices. Give it a try as either side and you'll find it gives you a good game. IMHO though for any WITE vets, the minimum level you should play it on is Challenging.

Regards,

- Erik



Thanks for the replies John and Erik. I will be asking for the boxed version of this game for Christmas.



Kronolog -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 6:58:35 AM)

One last question before the game's release: When playing as the allies against the axis AI, would you recommend that one should play with the "eastern front control option" on or off? Which choice is best for the AI?



carlkay58 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 10:37:03 AM)

I have tended to play with it off for the AI, after all why give the AI more stuff to have to worry about? But it does work well with it on also.



Templer_12 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 10:57:27 AM)

After initial enthusiasm on War in the East, I cant't understand the hype today (It's a good game though). [:)]
Whether I purchase War in the West? No idea.

My first three, most important questions to War in the West:

1. Are there now concentric attacks?
2. Are there more than three units per hex allowed?
3. Do the HOs beaming still continuing?



morvael -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 11:07:36 AM)

1. If you mean attacks from several hexes into one hex then they were always possible (in deliberate mode, using shift).
2. 3 on-map units per hex, but there are big support (multirole) units now, which can increase actual number of troops in hex by a significant number.
3. I don't understand what does it mean.



Templer_12 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 11:34:30 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: morvael

1. If you mean attacks from several hexes into one hex then they were always possible (in deliberate mode, using shift).
2. 3 on-map units per hex, but there are big support (multirole) units now, which can increase actual number of troops in hex by a significant number.
3. I don't understand what does it mean.

Huh, it's been a long time since I've touched WitE.

1. Yes, but if I remember correctly, there was no bonus if you attacked a unit from different directions.
2. -
3. If enemy units get too close to your HQs, it happened that your HQs jumps somewere on the map.



morvael -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 11:43:52 AM)

Now I understand. The bonus for attacking from different directions is the ability to add more on-map units into the battle. Simple as that :) This also helps to circumvent your issue number 2 (in addition to reserve units, and those rules helps the defender as well). Displacement is also common in wargames, be it on computer or using paper maps and chits. The idea is that HQ is not a cohesive unit located in one place but an abstraction of many smaller units spread over several hexes to the rear (logistics) and behind the frontlines (support units), so it's actually impossible to fight it in a given hex, it's rather about desorganizing enemy's logistic and command structure.



Templer_12 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 11:53:55 AM)

Hm, hm, hm...
Is this checkerboard defense still effective?



davidepessach -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 12:39:48 PM)

Ah, so this games classifies as a Monster Game? I'm a bit scared of too much detail. I can bear much, but not the "much" of a monster game...



Lictuel -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 2:41:56 PM)

I assume industry is modeled as it was in WITE, meaning factories in specific cities with growth rates and maximum sizes. Is the maximum possible production of the Germans based on what was achieved historically? If for example the allies do not bomb a single factory, will it be possible to produce more stuff than could be expected historically?.

In WITE strategic bombing was of no real consequence and so the output of the German industry was steady and (I guess) mostly aligned with historical figures. I guess my worry is that the maximum factory sizes in WITW are the same as in WITE but given the threat of allied bombing the Germans will produce less weapons / tanks / planes then they could be expected to.

Also will there be a seperate German version of WITW like there is for WITE? If that is the case, will it be possible to change the language to English via patches settings? I'm thinking about getting the boxed copy of WITW but I really don't want to play the German version (I live in Germany).



Joel Billings -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 3:35:27 PM)

There is no German language version of WitW, and none planned at this time.



carlkay58 -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 4:09:33 PM)

Templar, if you want to try checkerboarding your defense, go right ahead. But my Allies can cut through that extremely quick.

WitW has many different changes from WitE - too many for me to address. A few tips for players though that may help your judgment:

1. You WILL break down divisions as both the Allies and the Axis. You have to. There are not enough divisions to cover everything.

2. If you leave a hex open, the Allied infantry (which is semi-motorized) is able to advance into it, let alone the armored divisions.

3. The air war is totally different. Once you get the hang of it, it is MUCH easier than WitE. You will not be spamming air attacks or recon. You define air missions and their areas, the AI drives the individual missions from there. The system works and it is easy to work with.

4. Combat in a hex sets a movement penalty for the rest of your movement phase. Deliberate attacks more so than Hasty, the final odds will also modify the cost. This makes those deep mechanized thrusts harder to pull off - but when you do they are AWESOME!

5. The supply engine is entirely different. It will take a bit of effort to figure it all out but it is rail and depot dependent. Rail capacity is done by hex, supplies and combat trains reduce the capacity. It is important to have multiple rail lines feeding your major supply line.

6. Invasions and airdrops require some pre-planning and 'preparation'. This stops the Allies from spamming invasions. A good Axis commander will track Allied naval units and take that into account. Air attacks on the naval units are also rewarding as it reduces Allied shipping.

7. There are some static situations that develop in the game. Most are terrain based and some are due to shortages of supplies, equipment, and/or men. Italy is one of these areas and Normandy is another. The Allies have to show some patience in their game or they will lose too many men - and that costs VPs.

I have had great fun with the game as a playtester. It has come a long way. Is it perfect? No. There are probably going to be some balance issues with the VPs still and some bugs that we did not catch, but these get caught and fixed quickly with 2by3's support.



Balou -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 7:25:39 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: carlkay58

6. Invasions and airdrops require some pre-planning and 'preparation'.


How fast is prep building up (per week) and are there ways to speed prep up ?



RedLancer -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 7:37:35 PM)

Can't remember the precise rules but for amphibious invasions the smaller the unit (Regt/Bde not Div) and the larger the port the quicker things are. Topic 6 in the Handbook and sections 5.4.4 and 16.6.1 in the Manual have more info.



Erik Rutins -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 9:40:29 PM)

It is indeed all about port value and the size of the forces prepping. The port adds half its value, then you take 54/Size of Forces in Hex, where a Division is 9, an independent brigade is 5, regiments are 3. Permanently motorized units cost a bit more.

For example if you have one division preparing in a level 4 Port, that would be (4/2) + (54/9) points per turn, or 2 + 6 = 8 prep points each turn.

Regards,

- Erik



bluth -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 9:49:50 PM)

Hi !
Never bought any of the GG games but I might flinch for this one.

Juste a little question (that will not influence me on my choice but still), are there partisans in the game (like the French Resistance ) ?



Balou -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 9:55:48 PM)

Thanks for clarification. OTOH splitting a div into regiments would speed up prep considerably (4/2) + (54/3) points per turn, or 2 + 18 = 20 prep points each turn. Of course if splitting is an option.



Erik Rutins -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 10:01:19 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Balou
Thanks for clarification. OTOH splitting a div into regiments would speed up prep considerably (4/2) + (54/3) points per turn, or 2 + 18 = 20 prep points each turn. Of course if splitting is an option.


Not if they are all still in the same port hex, you'd just be adding 3 + 3 + 3 and ending back up at 9. If you have multiple ports of the same size, then yes splitting that division would speed things up.

Regards,

- Erik



Erik Rutins -> RE: What else do you want to know more about? (12/4/2014 10:03:43 PM)

If you want to see a full AAR for the 1943 campaign from start to finish, I'd also like to point you all to Meklore61's AAR in this very forum:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3724100




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