RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (Full Version)

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MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 7:41:57 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 12:57 Now: 1 13:29


Here are the Pz 3 Regt forces.

The armor is leading about to blow past the enemy. The motorized infantry is trailing the armor. The recon force on foot is bringing up the rear. The support units are still quite a way off from doing much good.

I have selected one particularly armor unit and displayed its log window. You can see that it has started engaging the enemy since 13:27.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/22813AC7E69748169CFD8CDA9B9117F6.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 7:50:46 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:29 Now: 1 13:40


Here we see that the 143rd. Regt is making very slow progress towards Tempe. Their support weapons are no where close to being where they need to be.

But the armor has broken through and should be wrecking some havoc very soon!

(The 141st. Regt has yet to reach Kouphalades Ferry area. So, I have not bothered informing you of their progress yet.)

[image]local://upfiles/8864/49533358B559432C8E56C30DB4059231.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 7:55:23 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:29 Now: 1 13:40


Here is the some screen shot, but with the unit info box showing the deployment status. What is this telling us?

Everyone is scrambling and in motion, but for a few units taking cover and deploying. Both us and the Allies. Total chaos! However, the difference between our situation and theirs is that we are growing stronger by the minute, and they weaker.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/0F142040BDC74BEE851B2B44C13A49FF.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:09:03 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:40 Now: 1 14:31


Our arty ammo will run out soon, but we still still don't have our mortars and support weapons set up. (look at the bottom left of the screen shot showing the fire support tab and you will see a blue bar indicating remaining ammo).

Our armor is going to be engaging the Tempe defenders very soon. They are performing better than I had hoped.

It looks like the 143rd Regt is not going to lead the push on Tempe for us.

It's time to revise the plan. I'll get back to that momentarily, but first let me review the situation elsewhere.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/3B3D0E6CCB7241AFB05EAD50F507D0F5.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:13:54 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:40 Now: 1 14:31


Here we see that the 141st Regt is making good and steady progress towards Kouphalades Ferry. They have not met any resistance.

Our motarized infantry to the North-East has met some resistance, but they are now receiving supporting fire from a mortar platoon on the West Bank. They should be able to break through soon. I have highlighted the mortar unit.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/14ED34BA7B5A4A42B1161E43CFBC95A0.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:22:41 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:40 Now: 1 14:31


New Orders

The Pz 3 Regt motorized infantry is still a few hours outside of Tempe. They were originally ordered to make their way to Larissa.

Their new orders are to halt at Tempe and form a defensive line to protect Tempe and the Bridges until the support weapons are in place and the 143rd Regt can cross.

The left of the screenshot you can see that I have set formation, facing, and foot print ...

[image]local://upfiles/8864/2DEBB99D79C7477484E42EB374CF5ACC.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:33:12 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 13:40 Now: 1 14:31


New Orders

Alright, let's talk about order delays.

Why am I giving these orders now and not when Pz 3 Regt reaches Tempe? Because it is going to take a while for those orders to reach them and then be executed. If I wait until they reach Tempe, then they are going to end up having to double back to Tempe.

So, how long will it take for them to start acting on new orders. I would say about three hours. (see below the force delay value)

Tip1: The force delay will only be accurate when the force is already formed and one set of new orders has already propagated. Thus, if you form a new force, you are just going to have to wing it in terms of estimating the delay.

Tip2: The delay estimated is for how long it takes the orders to reach everyone. To estimate the time it takes for them to achieve it; you must also factor in travel, resistance, changes of formation, preparations, and deployment. But that's why the Wehrmacht put you in charge, because you have years of experience doing all this. :)

[image]local://upfiles/8864/72722751F4C04FA4B649CD956E297745.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:51:03 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 14:31 Now: 1 15:54


New Orders

My arty is out of ammo.

Let's talk about another new COTA feature. In HTTR, units get resupplied at 03:00 in all cases. In COTA, SEPs (supply entry points) feed high level bases, high level bases feed low level bases, and low level bases feed units. All this, provided that the roads are open.

In HTTR, everyone would run out of ammo during the day and then at 03:01, then the big guns would sound again. In COTA, the supply system makes for a smoother more measured resupply. Of course, it still takes time.

I am going to use this wait for the convoy carrying my shells to move the battery to Gonnos. (see orders in the screenshot) This should allow me to engage many more targets as the FEBA moves deeper into Allied territory.

To the East we see that the 141st. Regt is just beginning to cross unopposed. Very good news!

The 143rd. Regt isn't making too much progress towards Tempe, but the mortar units and support units are beginning to arrive.

Our armor is now engaged.

There is an enemy engineering dug-in at Tempe, but I will be calling some heavy mortar fire in on it momentarily.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/2A7285AF12064713B9F3A51C9999679E.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 8:59:18 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 15:54 Now: 1 16:24


That mortar barrage did the trick. The engineers are bugging out. Our armor is holding off any reinforcements.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/5E1E9B016B0D445A9EF9792369A99FAE.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:02:11 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 15:54 Now: 1 16:24


We have taken our first objective. Notice the green icon on the map and the left side bar. Points will accumulate as long as we hold it.

Also, notice that the 143rd Regt is very much going on the offensive now.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/EB67845BCC40443D9ADC62110D85D546.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:12:04 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 16:24 Now: 1 17:17


2/3s of the support for Tempe mission is setup and providing fire.

Our recon troops are arriving in Tempe.

Pz 3 Regt motorized infantry (I have highlighted them) have now received their new orders and are on the move to Tempe. The gray paths and task markers are implicit orders issued by the AI on our behalf.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/9F8D876AE5C9463CBDA88FA5023EEE65.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:18:56 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 17:17 Now: 1 18:31


New Orders

The Allies are attempting to counter attack. See those thick black arrows in the unit info box. That means that they are assaulting.

Nothing to worry about. We have the situation well in hand.

Our armor is about to leave the Tempe area.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/6D2A4AD1FA71478BBFC508A99094E41E.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:40:42 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 17:17 Now: 1 18:31


New Orders

The 141st Regt is across. Restructure the force into sub forces and have them take a series of three objectives. These objectives have yet to become active. They will let us control the route to Larissa and cutoff the Allies escape route. (Note, how you can very easily transistion between macro and micro management in this game.)

Orders are as follows (move at a normal pace; the men have done well and are tired):

141st 3rd Bn tasked to hold the Nekhale cutoff.

141st 2nd Bn tasked to hold the Drakhmani cutoff.

141st Regt remaining (1st Bn + 2 mortar plt) to hold Makrykhorion.

I have given Makrykhorion force the two mortar platoons as our forces up by Tempe will soon be driving the Allies in this direction. Those mortars will come in useful in harassing the Allied flank and rear.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/3FF0522B132A49C7B74D540460FF2635.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:50:15 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 18:31 Now: 1 21:05


New Orders

It's dusk.

Our arty bty is now at Gonnos and was just resupplied. (From here on, I will simply let it fire under AI control.)

Pz 3 Regt is setting up its defense of Tempe.

I expect that once darkness comes, the 141st Regt should have an easy time crossing.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/2BA896A1C00E4098B09A947E3D9E6267.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:52:00 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 18:31 Now: 1 21:05


New Orders

Our armor is pushing the enemy back South of Tempe near Evangelismos.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/45C3B5CE687D400594EF16DB44FA205F.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 9:57:03 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 18:31 Now: 1 21:05


New Orders

Order our engineering units waiting at Gonnos to unprime the bridges. It should take them a couple of hours to move out and by then it will be dark.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/061AFE043E2A4E70A8C4E726487BA7EC.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:04:30 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 21:05 Now: 1 22:17


New Orders

It's dark now. Order all support units to set up along the East Bank around Tempe. We'll prepare for an Allied counter-attack come first light. The 143rd Regt has yet to cross.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/BBF45534E7B94AD3B36BFD295C573629.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:06:12 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 21:05 Now: 1 22:17


New Orders

The 141st Regt forces are on route to their new objectives.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/3ACBAAFAC58F4BAB83F4146FB674B04C.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:13:52 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 22:17 Now: 2 02:57


New Orders

The bridges have been cleared of demolition charges by our engineers. I now form them into one force and assigned them to reinforce Tempe.

You can see that most of the support units have crossed and that the 143rd Regt is almost across.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/F3483BC5643D4CF9A97BC27C5FF7D232.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:15:32 PM)


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 22:17 Now: 2 02:57


New Orders

Here is the big picture.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/17B2AA887C964E4086475776A105D69D.jpg[/image]



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:18:48 PM)

Okay, it is time for me to hit the Z key. Which is the COTA for key for ordering your forces to rest. However, that is for me; not for them.

I'll pick this up on day 2 with the Sun comming up.

Any comments?

Useful to decide whether COTA is the right investment for you?

Useful to help you to learn to play the game?

Take care.



Jim D Burns -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 10:59:22 PM)

I am very surprised how easily you repulsed the defenders. A bridge assault usually required extensive close in fighting to carry the day, but by your screen shots it appears the allies retreated before the Germans were within 1 kilometer in most cases and many were 2 km away from any Germans yet retreating.

Direct fire and artillery should cause disruption, disorder and fatigue, but given the mission the allies had, I would think only a total route would cause their commanders to pull back. Any first year cadet knows that to abandon a strong defensive position like a river only opens their forces up to total destruction once the enemy crossed over.

I’d say support weapons and artillery are too powerful by far given these results, some hard close in infantry fighting should have been necessary to carry the day here. Even if the defenders were raw recruits, some close in fighting should have occurred before the retreat.

Jim



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:07:26 PM)

But you will observe that if not for the armor of the Pz 3 Regt appeared on the Allies' right flank, the 143rd Regt wasn't getting across the bridge despite all its effort.

Well, I will discuss the battle from the other side (but only broad strokes) after I am done with the AAR.

I've played the Allies and the key is getting dug-in. Getting caught as they are mainly on the move is murder.

However, Dave and Bil would do better to comment on realism aspect of the game. I am neither a veteran or a historian.

Thanks for the feedback.



Jim D Burns -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:11:36 PM)

The more I think about it the more I think the problem is available responses to incoming fire. It appears a unit either holds or retreats in the face of fire. I’d add one more response, go to ground. A unit under direct ranged or artillery fire should automatically receive an order of go to ground. They would then find the best cover within say 100 yards and go to ground. Effectively becoming pinned with a corresponding offensive fire reduction based on their experience, fatigue, disruption level, etc.

Units should only be forced to retreat if routed or if facing assault type units (Infantry, Armor, etc.). Support weapons and artillery should not be the deciding factor in capturing ground unless the damage caused is enough to cause a route. At most it should displace a unit to better cover within a short distance of its starting location.

Jim



Jim D Burns -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:18:14 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

But you will observe that if not for the armor of the Pz 3 Regt appeared on the Allies' right flank, the 143rd Regt wasn't getting across the bridge despite all its effort.

Well, I will discuss the battle from the other side (but only broad strokes) after I am done with the AAR.

I've played the Allies and the key is getting dug-in. Getting caught as they are mainly on the move is murder.

However, Dave and Bil would do better to comment on realism aspect of the game. I am neither a veteran or a historian.

Thanks for the feedback.


The armor did get close enough to 1 maybe 2 units to be considered in close assault, but most allied units were 2 or more kilometers away from the armor when they retreated from direct fire or artillery. I'm not saying your assault shouldn't have carried the day (it should have) only that it should have required close contact with the enemy to force their retreats.

Heck most of your infantry were in excess of 2 km when engaged. At best their heavy MG’s and mortars were being used. Riflemen engage in combat at about 500 meters or closer, I’d say it’s safe to say not a single rifleman fired a bullet here.

Jim



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:21:18 PM)

Actually, dug-in units will go into retreat recovery mode in place and not forfeit their prepared positions. (effectively suppression goes up, return fire is reduced, and they cannot process new orders) However, if you hit them hard enough they will break and attempt to save their skin.

There is also a local affect. Broken units around a unit make it more likely to break. Unbroken units around a unit make it less likely to break.

I can tell you that engineering unit was all alone and taking fire from multiple directions.

And now that you mention it, I do believe the Allied forces in this scenario are not seasoned veterans, but in experienced.



elmo3 -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:30:08 PM)

Question for you Mark:

Do units need to completely run out of ammo before the resupply process starts? Or do they automatically call for ammo when they are getting low? Even the former is better than waiting to 0300 as in HTTR. Thanks.



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:33:35 PM)

That's a question for Dave.



MarkShot -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (10/31/2005 11:34:45 PM)

However, I have seen units get resupplied before being out. But what the thresholds and processing cycles are, I don't know.



jungelsj_slith -> RE: COTA (mini-guide): Tutorial, AAR, and tips! (11/1/2005 12:23:15 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot


Start:1 12:00 End: 3 12:00
Last: 1 16:24 Now: 1 17:17


Pz 3 Regt motorized infantry (I have highlighted them) have now received their new orders and are on the move to Tempe. The gray paths and task markers are implicit orders issued by the AI on our behalf.

[image]local://upfiles/8864/9F8D876AE5C9463CBDA88FA5023EEE65.jpg[/image]


It doesn't look like the AI followed your orders in this instance at all. In fact, they've chosen to move outside of the box that you created. Why is this?



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