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How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 3:16:36 AM   
MikeAP

 

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This is an example of how I think during the planning phases of this game. I don't draw things out, but when I looked back at this AAR I realized what I had actually done - it made me wonder how folks play the game.



I've played the scenario at least 20 times. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. I particularly enjoy the tutorial scenario because I feel like it gives the player an enjoyable amount of units to manage. For the Brits you're at the Squadron-level and for the Soviets it's a Regimental-plus with companies neatly packaged together.

For this particular mission my flight of Mi-24's were the hero of battle, scoring 33 kills and preventing the entire regiment from taking a single loss.

The campaigns are just too much for me. I dont enjoy managing platoon level units across an entire Division. Just not my bag. I really hope we can see more Company-level engagements in the future.

With that being said - How do you play FCRS?



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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 3:59:43 AM   
zakblood


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i like to play as the nato forces only, as the ussr tactics are just a mad rush with everything including the kitchen sink, there's always more of them and they keep coming no matter the loses.

i'm a very defensive player who likes to shepherd my units and don't like to lose many if at all possible, so will give up ground for less losses for better positions etc.

i play any battle also, but most campaigns i've tried have been very good but take a while with how i play so unless i have the time, which at atm i don't have, i stick with battles only.

i play like a snail, single player only, plan everything to the last degree then watch it fall to pieces, like to setup multi kill zones, overlapping fire and defensive zones with arty support, tend to have fall back positions with covering fire setup planned just incase, then get steamrolled tbh and it falls to pieces like all plans once battle is engaged, but enjoy it anyway

nice maps btw :)

(in reply to MikeAP)
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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 5:31:13 PM   
jack54


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From: East Tennessee
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I play very conservative..I like to try both sides but am much better with Nato...I'm too slow with the Soviets and hate casualties. I 'ALWAYS" forget to use smoke and utilize too much Neutralizing Fire. I am terrified of Helicopters and probably overreact to them.

Like zakblood my main goal is to set up kill zones...I look for hills and cover ....sometimes it works sometimes not. I actually think I play worse now then when the game was first released...LOL

< Message edited by jack54 -- 5/25/2014 7:37:58 PM >


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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 6:01:44 PM   
Killjoy12

 

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MikeAP - what map set are using for that? The graphics looks really nice.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 6:08:31 PM   
zakblood


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quote:

ORIGINAL: jack54

I play very conservative..I like to try both sides but am much better with Nato...I'm to slow with the Soviets and hate casualties. I 'ALWAYS" forget to use smoke and utilize too much Neutralizing Fire. I am terrified of Helicopters and probably overreact to them.

Like zakblood my main goal is to set up kill zones...I look for hills and cover ....sometimes it works sometimes not. I actually think I play worse now then when the game was first released...LOL


i definitely do, play worse that is, every time they change something, something else beats me, if they stopped tinkering with it, i may get a chance to beat it, perfectionists, like kids in a sweety shop, constantly wanting more, and making it harder for me to win with each new bit added


< Message edited by zakblood -- 5/25/2014 7:09:04 PM >

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 9:12:16 PM   
MikeAP

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Killjoy12

MikeAP - what map set are using for that? The graphics looks really nice.



It's a personal project. I'm using terrain tiles from Panzer Corps.

I'd love to release it, but Im sure it would get me banned. The rules around here are pretty strict.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 10:47:55 PM   
mikkey


Posts: 3142
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From: Slovakia
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Very nice looking map MikeAP!

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 11:00:32 PM   
Mad Russian


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For me personally, I like the smaller engagements.

It's hard to keep engagements small in the combined arms world because they are, well, combined arms. By the time you put a little of this and a bit of that the engagements can get pretty big. It's much easier to create larger battles than it is smaller ones.

Company size doesn't work for me. That's a single Soviet counter, so I'm assuming you are talking NATO company size. But that's only 3 or 4 counters. My perfect size is NATO Bn vs a Soviet Regiment.

The Campaigns are coming to you in all sizes. The original ones were with larger scenarios, the newer ones generally have smaller sized fights. As the scenario designer I don't really have much of an option but to cover the smaller sized engagements all the way to the larger battles.

What I would really like can't be done just yet. I really like recon actions. Those aren't shown in a good light just yet unless there is a fight at the end.

I have pushed the scenario design in as many areas as I can. Purple One is an example of that. Like Mike said, I win that fight sometimes and sometimes I lose. It's that way with any battle I fight in FPC though, because the way Rob has the AI responding, it can, and will, beat you if you make a couple of mistakes.

The new campaign, coming with the patch release, has 10 battles in it. You are a Panzer Grenadier Brigade commander. 1 Company of tanks and 3 companies of infantry. You get some artillery. Then you get to go on the attack in the Soviet rear areas. Of course, when you do the enemy will try to hunt you down. So, while you are back there stirring up trouble the Soviets are back there trying to destroy your forces.

I hope to do a battalion sized unit campaign next. I'll keep pushing the scenario design to see what we can get out of it.

I fully agree with Mike on this, for me, smaller is better.

Good Hunting.

MR


< Message edited by Mad Russian -- 6/4/2014 10:04:03 PM >


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The most expensive thing in the world is free time.

Founder of HSG scenario design group for Combat Mission.
Panzer Command Ostfront Development Team.
Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm Development Team.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/25/2014 11:37:56 PM   
MikeAP

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

For me personally, I like the smaller engagements.

It's hard to keep engagements small in the combined arms world because they are, well, combined arms. By the time you put a little of this and a bit of that the engagements can get pretty big. It's much easier to create larger battles than it is smaller ones.

Company size doesn't work for me. That's a single Soviet counter, so I'm assuming you are talking NATO company size. But that's only 3 or 4 counters. My perfect size is NATO Bn vs a Soviet Regiment.

The Campaigns are coming to you in all sizes. The original ones were with larger scenarios, the newer ones generally have smaller sized fights. As the scenario designer I don't really have much of an option but to cover the smaller sized engagements all the way to the larger battles.

What I would really like can't be done just yet. I really like recon actions. Those aren't shown in a good light just yet unless there is a fight at the end.

I have pushed the scenario design in as many areas as I can. Purple One is an example of that. Like Mike said, I win that fight sometimes and sometimes I lose. It's that way with any battle I fight in FPC though, because the way Rob has the AI responding it can and will beat you if you make a couple of mistakes.

The new campaign, coming with the patch release, has 10 battles in it. You are a Panzer Grenadier Brigade commander. 1 Company of tanks and 3 companies of infantry. You get some artillery. Then you get to go on the attack in the Soviet rear areas. Of course, when you do the enemy will try to hunt you down. So, while you are back there stirring up trouble the Soviets are back there trying to destroy your forces.

I hope to do a battalion sized unit campaign next. I'll keep pushing the scenario design to see what we can get out of it.

I fully agree with Mike on this, for me, smaller is better.

Good Hunting.

MR



That's great news.

Correction on my original post.

NATO gets a Battalion in the tutorial scenario. I prefer Battalion sized engagements the most. Not enough units to be overwhelmed with, but enough to be versatile.


< Message edited by MikeAP -- 5/26/2014 12:38:41 AM >


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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/26/2014 12:19:31 AM   
Killjoy12

 

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Understood. Looks like you are doing a nice job with them. I always like to see different views out there.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeAP


quote:

ORIGINAL: Killjoy12

MikeAP - what map set are using for that? The graphics looks really nice.



It's a personal project. I'm using terrain tiles from Panzer Corps.

I'd love to release it, but Im sure it would get me banned. The rules around here are pretty strict.


(in reply to MikeAP)
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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/26/2014 5:46:00 PM   
Aztec

 

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I play...poorly. I have not yet sorted out the C3 component so consequently offense degenerates into a confused conglomeration of artillery bait (I once had a single enemy unit rocket btty take out nearly 50% of my force - 190 steps!) I have troops with orders that NEVER move and just pile up follow on units behind them. I feel like Iam herding obstinate cats at times. My HQ's die quickly, My fighter bombers tend to airstrike-out. My attack helicopters are mostly just sightseeing, until they convert to meteors. AD doesn't. It ain't pretty. If I can actually get to the engagement, I can hold my own on the offense, but my advance to contact is just...ugly.

I've had some modest game success while on the defensive. I try to plan in depth, and hold a mobile reserve. Once OPFOR (Blue or Red) commits I try to counter attack with my reserve (you know, kind of like they show in all the books)...assuming my troops are not cooking marshmallows over their burning hulks (see aforesaid artillery bait). One scenario a while back my reserve WG Leo2's got into the enemy left flank and savaged his artillery (Yay me for once!) grinding his offensive to a halt. Another scenario I tried to retreat an M1 unit and he did...the wrong way. He too, got loose in the enemy backfield and bagged a bunch of AD and support units.

I truly enjoy this game. I just wish I could get a better handle on the command aspect. I'm kinda the poster child of Boyd's OODA loop. They AI is usually way up inside my **** before I can adequately and decisively respond.

And I just HAVE to figure out a way to knock out that rocket battery!

< Message edited by Aztec -- 5/26/2014 6:48:48 PM >

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/26/2014 5:52:17 PM   
Mad Russian


Posts: 13256
Joined: 3/16/2008
From: Texas
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aztec

I play...poorly. I have not yet sorted out the C3 component so consequently offense degenerates into a confused conglomeration of artillery bait (I once had a single enemy unit rocket btty take out nearly 50% of my force - 190 steps!) I have troops with orders that NEVER move and just pile up follow on units behind them. I feel like Iam herding obstinate cats at times. My HQ's die quickly, My fighter bombers tend to airstrike-out. My attack helicopters are mostly just sightseeing, until they convert to meteors. AD doesn't. It ain't pretty. If I can actually get to the engagement, I can hold my own on the offense, but my advance to contact is just...ugly.

I've had some modest game success while on the defensive. I try to plan in depth, and hold a mobile reserve. Once OPFOR (Blue or Red) commits I try to counter attack with my reserve (you know, kind of like they show in all the books)...assuming my troops are not cooking marshmallows over their burning hulks (see aforesaid artillery bait). One scenario a while back my reserve WG Leo2's got into the enemy left flank and savaged his artillery (Yay me for once!) grinding his offensive to a halt. Another scenario I tried to retreat an M1 unit and he did...the wrong way. He too, got loose in the enemy backfield and bagged a bunch of AD and support units.

I truly enjoy this game. I just wish I could get a better handle on the command aspect. I'm kinda the poster child of Boyd's OODA loop. They AI is usually way up inside my **** before I can adequately and decisively respond.

And I just HAVE to figure out a way to knock out that rocket battery!


Play the smaller scenarios until you begin to get a feel for the way the game mechanics work. The biggest mistake I can see a gamer making with FPC is trying the US Campaign right out of the box. That first battle is HUGE!!

A Time To Dance is good for learning from either side. But the other small scenarios are also good. Play without Fog Of War on so you see how the AI moves and fights. That is a big help as well.

Good luck on your journey. As you are finding out modern combat is very fast pace and extremely unforgiving of mistakes.

Good Hunting.

MR

_____________________________

The most expensive thing in the world is free time.

Founder of HSG scenario design group for Combat Mission.
Panzer Command Ostfront Development Team.
Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm Development Team.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 5/27/2014 8:19:44 AM   
TAKODA

 

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That map looks outstanding.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 6/4/2014 6:31:22 PM   
Enigma6584

 

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I like to play both sides with the various TO&E's. That makes a big difference in what tactics and strategy I will use in a particular scenario. I would love to see more scenarios and campaigns from the Soviet side since NATO seems to be covered quite well already. Really looking forward to more sides being added to the game and the new games coming in different theaters. Love this game.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 6/4/2014 9:06:07 PM   
Mad Russian


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What I would like to do next is release a Soviet AND British campaign at the same time.

We'll see. I'll need some ORBAT help with the Brits I'm sure.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that the easiest thing to do in FPC is create a campaign. The biggest part of it is to get the first battle to play like you want it to. Then you just string along the enemy forces you want to see in the later battles. There are 25 maps I personally created so there wouldn't be a shortage of maps. Since then other maps have been added.

Grab a map create a situation, string some battles together and find out just how easy it is to create them. You'll be glad you did.

Okay, back to the subject of how you play.

Good Hunting.

MR

< Message edited by Mad Russian -- 6/4/2014 10:10:21 PM >


_____________________________

The most expensive thing in the world is free time.

Founder of HSG scenario design group for Combat Mission.
Panzer Command Ostfront Development Team.
Flashpoint Campaigns: Red Storm Development Team.

(in reply to Enigma6584)
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RE: How do YOU play? - 6/9/2014 5:20:17 PM   
Enigma6584

 

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I will give scenario creation a try.

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RE: How do YOU play? - 8/17/2017 10:31:45 AM   
HeinzBaby


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This is how I play...

“Strike hard and fast and do not separate” - Heinz Guderian

When moving or positioning units, I’ll almost always use the whole Company playing NATO or Battalion When I’m Soviet.
What I mean is that the ATGM / Armour/ Mech Inf. units aren’t scattered over a wide area used in penny packets - to be destroyed piecemeal.

As CO you can't defend everywhere, just hope your deployment is on the money.
With such a large frontage to hold, you just cannot do it, You must make the hard decisions of what to leave alone,
just observe, and defend with Force, where you think the Enemy line of advance will be.
And think from where a good backhanded counter-attack will spring from.
Reinforcements usually come in ‘drips’ which is just sooo tempting to feed straight into battle,
I try not to do it. Better to consolidate for a Battalion Attack
(using Guderian's maxim - 'Kick em' don't kiss em').

Usually units of mine, from the same Co./Bn. are adjacent to one another, or no more than one - two hexes apart,
(more concentrated fire to bear), remember each hex is 500m. If you stack, no more than two Units per stack in Towns/wooded areas,
never stack in the open… Artillery magnets. With the latest patch, enemy AI Arty is devestatingly accurate.

Artillery, I’ll always try to saturate with multiple Battery fires / Airstrikes, not single Battery,
if you’re not destroying units outright, you’ll be suppressing them (lowering their ‘readiness’) making them gibbering idiots. For NATO,
place smoke (using on map Artillery for faster response times), on your high killing units - Armour. When I'm NATO, I plot more smoke than HE,
nearly every other NATO vehicle has Thermal Sights, Ivan can’t see you in/thru smoke (can’t shoot) unless adjacent,
but you can wipe the floor at long range - so don’t let Ivan close in on you.
As Soviet, I rarely use smoke for the very reason that I stated above - NATO units have TS.
(The BRM 1K Korshun (recon) is the only Soviet Unit with TI - use with care).
Just pound the hell out of NATO units with multiple HE Bn. Battery fires.

When on the Defensive / Ambush, Units that have had ‘Hold command’ for more than 30mins are
considered ‘Dug in’ and receive a defensive bonus
- dug in Infantry in Towns are tough cookies, best place for them. In Defensive positions,
look for Kill zones for Ambush, reverse slope, the enemy can’t see you until its too late,
inside the Town not edge where one and all can see and kill you.

"Git thar fustest with the most mostest." - CSA Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Sometimes with Recon units, if the risk is worth it I’ll occupy that high value Town or Wooded ground,
their sacrifice will BUY TIME as you bring in your Inf.- Armour to hold it.
Usually my Recon will move with Armour / Mech Inf. not miles out front to be sniped at.

I never use ‘Hasty Movement’ - this is Column Road March, enemy units attacking your convoy will ruin your day.

I use ‘Assault move’ for most of my movement, it takes a bit longer to get moving at first
- any Command from Hold will take longer to execute, but with the Assault Move,
it will only stop to engage the enemy IF the threat is serious, when the enemy is destroyed the unit will usually
continue moving until it reaches its last waypoint.
‘Deliberate move’ will Halt in Screen mode to engage enemy and not move further until issued with a new command.
‘Assault move’ is the only order where a Unit will enter an Enemy occupied hex (close assault).

These are my guidelines and nothing is etched in stone - play the game in front of you.

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Heia Safari

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RE: How do YOU play? - 8/18/2017 11:07:59 PM   
rsallen64


Posts: 172
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From: Olympia, WA
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First, for me, I play this game almost exclusively now, despite having a bunch of things in my library I haven't started yet. It's that amazing. One of the best computer war-games I have ever played. Kudos to the developers!

I tend to play somewhat like HeinzBaby. I keep my units together as much as possible, always paying attention to command range. I never stack if I can help it. I almost always use neutralizing fire with my Arty, and I shift my higher HQ's every other turn, because I am always worried they'll get pounded by Opfor Arty. I rarely use assault as the NATO units: I can't afford the losses that occur as a result. I find that if I am playing against the USSR, I will utilize a hold command with infantry on objective hexes (it seems like the AI only places units next to, not on, objective hexes) and I try to set up kill boxes/zones as much as possible. I will sacrifice recon in the advance to hold objectives or key points if I have to. And I HATE USSR Arty. It is extremely powerful and numerous. I always try to sneak something into the rear to locate it so I can kill it with my own Arty or force it to relocate/displace as much as possible. I try and rest and resupply forward units as often as I can. And I pay attention to their status at the beginning, because many NATO units are not at full ammo capacity to start with. Morale is an important consideration, and I keep an eye on that as well. Every turn or so I check my units using the OB tab, and go through them one by one, to check command status, morale, resupply and readiness. And I make sure my Arty moves OFTEN, at least after every other fire mission, so they don't get targeted. The one area where I think I have a lot of room to grow is on editing waypoints: sometimes I get movement delays. I try to hit the enemy where they're not ands where I think they won't expect me to come from. I usually end with with Tactical and Decisive success rates in the campaign battles. I do not use the FSCC, and I love the full FOW the game allows, as well as the movement and command delay aspects. Brilliant!

I prefer the campaigns. I think that it forces the player, especially the NATO player, to play conservatively, which is what the real NATO player would have to do. You have to preserve your units for the next round. You're already much weaker than your opponent. And like HeinzBaby said, you can't defend everything. I lay out my defensive zone based upon terrain and go from there. As the USSR player, you can charge, guns blazing, but even there you have to be careful, because the NATO units are deadly in the defense, and a blind assault will wreck your forces, which will deplete your assets for the next battle. Assaults also deplete the readiness dramatically, leading to a situation where units will not react to commands, etc., which will lead to even higher casualties.

Overall, this is just an excellent, nail-biting game, no matter which side you play. I can't wait for Southern Storm.

_____________________________

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