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Newbie questions - 1/18/2015 6:15:00 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

Hello everyone. I've just got this great game, and am obviously trying to figure out how to play it. I have looked through the forum, but there is so much there, it's a bit overwhelming. So please excuse me if I ask the same old questions.

I've read a post about how to win as the Central Powers, so I'm trying to follow that, but...
1. The AH navy... what do I do with it?
2. What's everyone's approach to research? I've half a mind to ditch it, since I keep running out of ammo.
3. Is it worth reducing the AI to Dummkopf level, or would that not teach me anything?

Post #: 1

RE: Newbie questions - 1/18/2015 8:59:52 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

Hello everyone. I've just got this great game, and am obviously trying to figure out how to play it. I have looked through the forum, but there is so much there, it's a bit overwhelming. So please excuse me if I ask the same old questions.
I've read a post about how to win as the Central Powers, so I'm trying to follow that, but...
1. The AH navy... what do I do with it?
2. What's everyone's approach to research? I've half a mind to ditch it, since I keep running out of ammo.
3. Is it worth reducing the AI to Dummkopf level, or would that not teach me anything?

Hi sonofdavros!

See you finally made it!

There's no harm running on Handicap, like all games of this nature, one has to learn the mechanics of the game. I'll make a suggestion: Try playing both sides to get familiar with the "lay of the land". There are several "Special Events" that pop up between turn 1 and 23 that matter, some later, but don't worry about it for now.

Try reading Suprass's MP AAR to get an idea on opening moves, it's screen shots not video, however there are number CTGW Youtube videos (most in SP), none are done in the 1.60 beta version, some of these will help to give you a clue on moves, everyone is different.

Techs: Will win you the game, they are slow for now (additional labs speed up development), but they have great effect. the tech catagories will gradually increase till turn 14, then it's a matter of figuring what you want to do in each tech tree. some of this you are going to have to figure out for yourself, it get's a little complicated, depending on ones' point of view about strategy. Regardless, ask questions, will try to get down to specifics later.

AMMO: Ammo stockpiles are stingy to begin with, that's "A Historical", Ahh! there is a method to the madness. That has to do with your PP (point production) and expending your ammo wisely. Go to your Management window , scroll each of your countries to see how much PP it will cost to up your ammo stockpile #s, it get's expensive, so you have to learn to conserve PP to gain more ammo, if that's your priority, it seems like you never have enough PP to get everything you want to accomplish: ammo, techs, repairs, upgrades, new units, ect.. Get used to having the "long view", as long as you have income anything is possible...

Lastly AH navy: (1 dreadnaught, I pre-dreadnaught, 1 armored cruiser, 1 sub 1914 Adriactic Sea). French navy (1 dreadnaught, 2 pre-dreadnaughts, 3 armored cruisers, 3 subs) plus 1 English armored cruiser 1914 Mediterranean Sea. You have one good fleet action when the French enter, that is to take out the French pre-dreadnaught or armored cruiser just a couple of hexes maybe 3, to the east of Sicilly (sp?), you should be able to sink 1 fleet or the other no problem, then run back to where you can block entrance to Adriatic Sea, repair and refit. Order up another sub or 2 when you get a chance, then more later. Recruit 1 or more AH airships to help protect your ships from sub attacks. That' pretty much it in a nutshell, till you get experience to do other maneuvers.

Good luck, Bob

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 2

RE: Newbie questions - 1/19/2015 2:52:35 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

Cheers, Bob!

I'm having fun with the German navy at the moment. I've discovered that I can get 2 battleships and two subs off Calais and Antwerp and pretty much destroy the BEF before they land!

However, holding off the Ruskies is proving very difficult indeed!

[edit] Regarding ammo, which units use it - I'm assuming battleships, artillery and airships? Cruisers and subs too?

< Message edited by sonofdavros -- 1/19/2015 4:43:17 PM >

(in reply to operating)

Post #: 3

RE: Newbie questions - 1/19/2015 4:25:10 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

Cheers, Bob!

I'm having fun with the German navy at the moment. I've discovered that I can get 2 battleships and two subs off Calais and Antwerp and pretty much destroy the BEF before they land!

However, holding off the Ruskies is proving very difficult indeed!

[edit] Regarding ammo, which units use it - I'm assuming battleships, artillery and airships? Cruisers and subs too?

Ammo is used by all of the above, plus, "pre-dreadnaughts", "armored cruisers", "light cruisers", "Balloons", "bombers" and "RR Guns"), but not including subs (they have unlimited torpedoes, a game thing). Go click unit's info button to see how many ammo points the unit uses each time (from 1 to 10). Or look at the "combat prognosis window" to see how many ammo points are about to be used in an assault/attack.

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 4

RE: Newbie questions - 1/19/2015 5:03:28 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

Yes, I see now. So in many circumstances, it's better to defend and repair, rather than to waste ammo.

I've also just used the German fighter unit to fly along the Russian border and scout out their positions.

(in reply to operating)

Post #: 5

RE: Newbie questions - 1/19/2015 5:22:18 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

Yes, I see now. So in many circumstances, it's better to defend and repair, rather than to waste ammo.

I've also just used the German fighter unit to fly along the Russian border and scout out their positions.

Yes, the higher the strength and efficiency the better combat results for all units, typically an "unmoved" unit hits the hardest and defends the best ( moving to another hex to attack or defend usually will result in an efficiency loss, it may not show this in it's rating due to season, but it will show this immediately during winter turns .

Armored cars (view 4 hexes) are excellent for recon, so are cavalry (view 3 hexes).

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 6

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 3:15:09 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

I decided to run on Handicap AI for now, till I learn the ropes. My latest tactic is to hold the French and divert much needed troops to the east. Unfortunately, the Serbs didn't read the script and counter-attacked at just the wrong time! Trying again...

(in reply to operating)

Post #: 7

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 3:44:41 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

I decided to run on Handicap AI for now, till I learn the ropes. My latest tactic is to hold the French and divert much needed troops to the east. Unfortunately, the Serbs didn't read the script and counter-attacked at just the wrong time! Trying again...

Were you able to capture Calais and all of Belgium? In this version if you keep singular or combined alternating attacks on Serb cities, not only reduces the defending unit's efficiency ,but also it's PP. Don't waste time trying to take Serb fort city Centeje (?sp), go right for the 2 capitals, to prevent reinforcements capability. Also, I f you have captured Belgrade and Skopke all remaining Entente units will go half supply.

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 8

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 4:50:59 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

Heh, not got that far yet. I only took Liege, because I had to transfer troops back to the eastern front. I concentrated on infantry production early on, to stop the initial Russian onslaught.

(in reply to operating)

Post #: 9

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 5:10:21 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

Heh, not got that far yet. I only took Liege, because I had to transfer troops back to the eastern front. I concentrated on infantry production early on, to stop the initial Russian onslaught.

Can you do SS of your deployments? Amount of PP start of turn? Production queue? and Research window? I get your strategy for quick Tactical reasons, but I have to wonder if you have the "long view" in mind..... Also, How many turns before Italy enters? Try and not be the first to use "poison gas", If you do, you will be in a heap of trouble....(diplomatically + in techs)

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 10

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 5:45:47 PM

sonofdavros

Posts: 96
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Dorset, UK
Status: offline

Sure, I might be able to do that in a few days' time - I'm a bit busy the next three nights. If you recommend I take more of Belgium and France, then I'll try that. But really, once the Russians attack (and I guess there's no delaying that happening), it's all I can do to stop Germany and AH from collapsing.

(in reply to operating)

Post #: 11

RE: Newbie questions - 1/20/2015 6:10:35 PM

operating

Posts: 3158
Joined: 1/19/2013
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sonofdavros

Sure, I might be able to do that in a few days' time - I'm a bit busy the next three nights. If you recommend I take more of Belgium and France, then I'll try that. But really, once the Russians attack (and I guess there's no delaying that happening), it's all I can do to stop Germany and AH from collapsing.

First off: Don't be in fear of defeat, for even on the losing end of a scenario, there are lessons to be learned, one of is; developing defensive tactics, another: The further Entente is from home turf, the further they are from reinforcing.

Personally, I would have kept the Western Front active, only go static after greater gains than you have now, with a passive to active offense to take Antwerp at least, after taking Brussels, if you cannot take Brussels your in for a rough ride.

(in reply to sonofdavros)

Post #: 12