quote:

ORIGINAL: Chernobyl

Regarding S+I I do have a variety of minor gripes with the detection ability it gives. It really penalizes attempting to surprise your opponent with unexpected naval unit placement or naval invasions. If I'm not mistaken it also causes air units to die sometimes, simply because spotted air units can be quite vulnerable to bombing/strafing.

I don't like that the spotting % is increased for every major that has S+I. For example if you have USSR UK and USA all with level 3 Spying, that's a 9% chance of spotting every axis unit every turn. Not sure how relevant that is in a competitive match, but in theory if somehow the Axis had a relevant fleet in the very late game, it wouldn't stand a chance of maneuvering out at sea undetected. It should be capped at one major's limit, total.

I also think 3% is too high.

Perhaps the Allies could get some "ULTRA" event at some point in the game for history's sake, perhaps on a random turn? I don't think it would be a good idea to try to model ULTRA's historical impact, simply for balance reasons. But a modest event would be more flavorful than the status quo of level 0/1/2/3 S+I tech for both sides.

You can also mod the game to eliminate S+I and starting game tech selling.
The only problems would be:
1)doing the work to mod it (or asking me to do it)
2)updating the mod for new versions of the game
3)getting an opponent to agree to play your mod

quote:

ORIGINAL: ElvisJJonesRambo
Germans who buy into Panzer + S/I with 2chits will have Panzer level #3 against Russians who struggle to get level #2 Infantry and level #2.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chernobyl

Regarding S+I I do have a variety of minor gripes with the detection ability it gives. It really penalizes attempting to surprise your opponent with unexpected naval unit placement or naval invasions. If I'm not mistaken it also causes air units to die sometimes, simply because spotted air units can be quite vulnerable to bombing/strafing.

I don't like that the spotting % is increased for every major that has S+I. For example if you have USSR UK and USA all with level 3 Spying, that's a 9% chance of spotting every axis unit every turn. Not sure how relevant that is in a competitive match, but in theory if somehow the Axis had a relevant fleet in the very late game, it wouldn't stand a chance of maneuvering out at sea undetected. It should be capped at one major's limit, total.

I also think 3% is too high.

Perhaps the Allies could get some "ULTRA" event at some point in the game for history's sake, perhaps on a random turn? I don't think it would be a good idea to try to model ULTRA's historical impact, simply for balance reasons. But a modest event would be more flavorful than the status quo of level 0/1/2/3 S+I tech for both sides.

You can also mod the game to eliminate S+I and starting game tech selling.
The only problems would be:
1)doing the work to mod it (or asking me to do it)
2)updating the mod for new versions of the game
3)getting an opponent to agree to play your mod

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chernobyl

I'd like to change how breakthroughs work (either eliminate them or increase their frequency while dramatically reducing their effect), but I don't think there's a way to do that in the editor.

At minimum you could increase the breakthrough chance (from 5% to say 10% per chit) and halve their effect (from +10-20% research to +5-10% research) but even this keeps the possibility open that you lose a game largely to bad luck.

I honestly feel that eliminating tech breakthroughs entirely is better, at least for critical techs like Infantry Weapons and Advanced Tanks.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chernobyl

There's no fun in tech unpredictability when certain techs are absolutely necessary (not a choice, a requirement) and they NEED to be finished by a certain date, while you also NEED your opponent to not get "too lucky" with multiple tank tech breakthroughs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EarlyDoors


I never understood why breakthrough was changed from only being possible after the tech had achieved 40% level to possibly occurring at any time?
A reversion to 40% level would reduce the number of breakthroughs and stop some from occurring to soon.

quote:

ORIGINAL: EarlyDoors

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chernobyl

Regarding S+I I do have a variety of minor gripes with the detection ability it gives. It really penalizes attempting to surprise your opponent with unexpected naval unit placement or naval invasions. If I'm not mistaken it also causes air units to die sometimes, simply because spotted air units can be quite vulnerable to bombing/strafing.

I don't like that the spotting % is increased for every major that has S+I. For example if you have USSR UK and USA all with level 3 Spying, that's a 9% chance of spotting every axis unit every turn. Not sure how relevant that is in a competitive match, but in theory if somehow the Axis had a relevant fleet in the very late game, it wouldn't stand a chance of maneuvering out at sea undetected. It should be capped at one major's limit, total.

I also think 3% is too high.

Perhaps the Allies could get some "ULTRA" event at some point in the game for history's sake, perhaps on a random turn? I don't think it would be a good idea to try to model ULTRA's historical impact, simply for balance reasons. But a modest event would be more flavorful than the status quo of level 0/1/2/3 S+I tech for both sides.

You can also mod the game to eliminate S+I and starting game tech selling.
The only problems would be:
1)doing the work to mod it (or asking me to do it)
2)updating the mod for new versions of the game
3)getting an opponent to agree to play your mod

As the Allies this is not a strategy I ever have the mpp to pursue.
It is much more likely for USA level 3, UK level 1 and USSR level 0

Only late game if the USSR have held and have all other techs do they have the opportunity to purchase S + I

I have in the past pursued a high UK S +I strategy to try and slow German research only to fail due to lack of units

But I’m in a game being steamrolled by Thunderlizard (axis) who must have lvl 3 S + I because he’s had level 3/4 panzers since 42 and lvl 5 jets since 44

I’m gonna have to raise the priority of UK S + I in my defensive game