Rookie mistakes (Full Version)

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Helsingor -> Rookie mistakes (2/14/2020 3:41:50 PM)

I’m unable to play regularly these days, because of this thing called “work.” So I thought it might be useful to start a list of beginners’ mistakes that we have observed (or committed!), with the aim of helping to improve the experience of play for newbies.
I’ll throw one out that caught me in my first few MP games as the Axis:

Underestimating Chinese offensive potential in ‘39 and ‘40. We can argue about how historically accurate this is, but it’s a game fact that the Nationalist Chinese can cause the Japanese a LOT of trouble, if you let them. Chief mistake is letting them cut the rail connections b/t North and South China. This kills Japanese supply in the South and you will struggle until you can restore it.

Any else have an observation/confession?



HamburgerMeat -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/14/2020 4:10:05 PM)

Biggest one I see is the Allies not reducing port supply in the Mediterranean as soon as Italy joins the axis. If you let the germans land right after France, it is unlikely that the British will hold them off. If the germans must land, delay it as long as possible so at least Barbarossa loses some of its teeth. The worst possible result is when the Axis take the med before barbarossa and get their very experienced tanks back in time for the USSR campaign.



Zerradio -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/14/2020 4:31:23 PM)

I'll toss a fundamental one out.
Balancing attacking and/or holding the line, with upgrading units that must be out of the front line.

Very basic stuff, but still learning how to maintain momentum while putting the research into the field.



Treefrog -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/14/2020 4:57:50 PM)

leaving the Italian navy vulnerable to French fleet suicide attacks[:-]



lwarmonger -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/15/2020 2:57:00 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Helsingor

I’m unable to play regularly these days, because of this thing called “work.” So I thought it might be useful to start a list of beginners’ mistakes that we have observed (or committed!), with the aim of helping to improve the experience of play for newbies.
I’ll throw one out that caught me in my first few MP games as the Axis:

Underestimating Chinese offensive potential in ‘39 and ‘40. We can argue about how historically accurate this is, but it’s a game fact that the Nationalist Chinese can cause the Japanese a LOT of trouble, if you let them. Chief mistake is letting them cut the rail connections b/t North and South China. This kills Japanese supply in the South and you will struggle until you can restore it.

Any else have an observation/confession?


I will talk the flip side of yours... in my axis games (and my first few as allies too) I have seen the Chinese player be much too aggressive. They push forward hard in the north or the south, expose themselves to Japanese airpower and naval airpower, get chewed up, and then get crushed completely by 1942. This means the Japanese put a bit more into China in 1939 and 1940, but means that in 1942-43 the Soviet Union gets sandwiched between the entire Japanese chinese army (usually with mobility upgrades) and the Wehrmacht.



Treefrog -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/15/2020 4:07:16 AM)

lwarmonger, please explain successful use of IJN naval air against Chinese army units; I've not been very successful in that regard, even when I remember to set the carriers to "naval/tactical".



lwarmonger -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/15/2020 5:26:23 AM)

You have to upgrade them first (initially this was the step I was missing too), and then when you use them, use them against enemy units that are not entrenched and in the open (like the Chinese are after an offensive towards the sea... especially in the north). When combined with army units conducting counterattacks this can be devastating.



Sugar -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/15/2020 6:57:48 AM)

Even if no strengthpoint losses are inflicted, the demoralisation effect applies nevertheless (which also counts for most types of bombers and of course arty). The more attacks you can apply to one target, the more you can be sure it will be destroyed, and any attack will add xp to your units.



Helsingor -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/16/2020 1:11:59 PM)

Thanks for the thoughts, fellow commanders. Sugar, it seems from what I have seen on the forums that you are quite experienced. Any observation on a common beginner’s mistake?



ThunderLizard11 -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/16/2020 7:36:12 PM)

Search for some of the strategy threads on this forum for detailed advice.



Marcinos1985 -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/17/2020 8:18:10 AM)

Notorious mistake I make is moving capital ships into unscouted regions. Usually there is no punishment, but sometimes you bump into a lonely sub and half of your HP is gone, your ship is immobilized and exposed. Go first with sub/destroyer and all should be ok.
I am also especially prone to encirclemets, often I lie to myself that "he can't go there, he will be out of supply etc." but then suddenly I have 2-3 panzers behind my lines and gues who is ACTUALLY out of supply. This often happens to me in Russia and I dont really know what to do about it. When your prepared line of defense goes down the drain in 2-3 turns, you should probably retreat, but then your unit without entrenchment are easy prey.



Christolos -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/17/2020 5:45:28 PM)

I always try to check and tweak/optimize all HQ attachments (I use auto-assist) before moving anything (because this can't be done afterwards)…but I tend to forget from time to time which I am sure has cost me some battles.

C



amandkm -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/17/2020 6:54:54 PM)

My private demon is not checking all theaters before ending a turn. Many a time I have forgotten about East Africa, or somewhere on the oceans where I was chasing a sub down.



David Hansen -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/18/2020 7:08:21 PM)

Not hitting the hotkey "S" to show the anticipated supply net prior to moving land units.

Not checking HQ supply relative to air units.



boudi -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/18/2020 7:15:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: ThunderLizard2

Search for some of the strategy threads on this forum for detailed advice.


I desagree. Helsingor had a very good idea to gather in a single topic all things who could help beginners and everybody who still have bad results even after some games.



Treefrog -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/18/2020 10:31:00 PM)

amen brother



Helsingor -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/21/2020 2:25:39 AM)

Thanks for the contributions. I have noticed a further mistake--giving too much ground in Russia in the early days of Barbarossa. I think some players have over-learned the lesson that the Wehrmacht can't be stopped until General Mud and General Winter lend a hand and they abandon the border area completely except for the 0-supply units that are spawned when the Axis DOWs on the USSR.
In a recent game, I was able to cruise all the way to Smolensk, Narva, and the Dneipr line without meeting much of any opposition and most towns and settlements were unaffected by Scorched Earth. As a result, when I hit the Red Army's main line, I had near-full supply and was able to do considerable damage.
It's really important to make the Axis forces waste some time and have to damage at least some cities and towns as they "liberate" them.



eightroomofelixir -> RE: Rookie mistakes (2/21/2020 7:27:01 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Zerradio

Balancing attacking and/or holding the line, with upgrading units that must be out of the front line.


Definitely had a hard time try to balancing between defense and upgrading with the USSR.
My first Allied playthough ended up with the upgraded Soviet Army depleted by an excessive amount of German land units (the slow recovery of Soviet units' morale also played a role).



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