GamesaurusRex
Posts: 505
Joined: 10/13/2013 Status: offline
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(This is just an update on this thread's comments as a result of reaching turn 106 (6/24/43) in the PBEM with Wheat using patch .11, standard settings, but with reduced blizzard effects, and a Lvov HR.) Playing the Russian side, I have just now (turn 106) finally reached a point where the Russian side is beginning to have sufficient CV to attempt pushing back against the German side. Prior to this, real pushback capability has been near non-existent due to low CV and low unit numbers. (Assault was possible, but counterproductive and suicidal in the long term, if indulged in.) The game variables that have increased the CV levels and made pushback possible are the direct result of 4 things: 1) The addition of new combat units by expenditure of AP. 2) The formation of Corps level units which allow direct attachment of SUs. 3) The slowly increasing NM level which has resulted in units reaching a morale of 45 to 51 (or higher in a very few cases). and 4) The very slow process of adding 3 SU to each Corps . (These 4 variables are working.) Other factors that were intended by the designers to have a "multiplier" effect over time on the Russian CV that are not working properly are: A) The decline in German NM level after 1942. (This is bugged and does not decline.) and B) The formation of "Guard Status" units. (This is functioning, but I am fully convinced that it's effect as a balancing variable in the game was assessed by the play testers at a time when there was a bug that doubled the rate of recorded "wins" for their formation. This bug was recently fixed by Morvael and the formation of Guards units is now extremely low by comparison, especially if the German opponent actively guards against overextending his troops in 41-42. I cannot yet judge whether this bug repair will have a detrimental effect on the game balance, but I can positively state that the original game balance decisions that were made prior to the fix are now "out of the window". In the current game with Wheat, due to his excellent defense capability and the fact that Russian offense has been essentially pointless up until this turn, I have exactly only 5 Guards units, all initial OB divisions, and no Guards Corps by 6/24/43... This is the new norm you can expect against good German opponents.) Due to the improving CV situation in this game, I have this very turn managed 6 multiple Corp level attacks resulting in 5 retreats and 1 hold. This is an improvement which, if repeated each turn, will eventually yield some Guards and inflict damage, but this is no where near the repeated claims of "10 to 20 attacks per turn yielding retreats"... I'm still unconvinced. My opinion is that a lot of posted "balance comments" are tainted by outdated impressions of the game gained under earlier patches. I want to emphasize, however, that I can't make any final judgement until the entire game is played out. Several posters have reported other problems that hamper the German side in the later years of the game. I need to see things play out to know. Fortunately, the process is entertaining and that is, after all, the point of a game.
< Message edited by GamesaurusRex -- 3/10/2014 1:33:48 AM >
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