Combat Advisor

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Combat Advisor - 8/14/2003 11:52:49 PM

CBase

Posts: 21
Joined: 5/25/2002
Status: offline

I have heard the term "combat advisor" mentioned several times in this forum and an curious as to exactly what this is and how it assists the player.
I ask because in my experience, hex based war games that use odds-based combat algorithms can take a long time to play because there are so many combat permutations for each player to take into account each turn. This is especially true when there are dozens of units attacking a line being held by many defending units. "Should I attack this unit at 4 to 1 and this other unit at 3 to 1? Or, would I be better off attacking this other unit at 6 to 1 while attacking that other unit at 2 to 1?". My observation is that trying to optimize all of the attacks can take excessively long. I was wondering if the Combat Advisor is suppose to alleviate some of this workload.

Post #: 1

- 8/15/2003 12:11:56 AM

Wilhammer

Posts: 449
Joined: 5/24/2002
From: Out in the Sticks of Rockingham County, North Caro
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It works like this:

You turn it on, and enemy stacks that can be attacked this turn are highlighted.

If FOW permits, the highest odds you can get are shown atop the enemy stack; if not, a question mark is all you see.

What 'can be attacked' means is that it looks at all the units that can reach the target, and calculates the potential of that attack. It even includes artillery that is out of range but could be moved into range.

Click on a stack so marked, and all your units that can aid in the attack are highlighted, and those that cannot are overlayed with generic icons.

Now, some overlap must exist; for if you choose to execute attack A, it might involve units that could of done attack B.

Combat advisor can be turned on and off at will during your turn, so you can check before, during, and after you moved stuff.

Does it help with the tedious effort of traditionally counting MPs and calculating odds on your own?

Its assistance is immeasurable.

Its pure wargaming Gold, that feature.

(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 2

- 8/15/2003 1:16:10 AM

elmo3

Posts: 5820
Joined: 1/22/2002
Status: offline

I agree with Wilhammer, the feature is very helpful. Just last night in my PBEM game with him I was able to quickly set up a 6-1 attack that would have taken much longer to work through without the adviser. Of course I then proceeded to roll a 1... :(

(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 3

- 8/15/2003 2:43:33 AM

Sonny

Posts: 2008
Joined: 4/3/2002
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by elmo3
[B]I agree with Wilhammer, the feature is very helpful. Just last night in my PBEM game with him I was able to quickly set up a 6-1 attack that would have taken much longer to work through without the adviser. Of course I then proceeded to roll a 1... :( [/B][/QUOTE]

Last night was my night for "1"s also. Can't tell you how frustrated I was - my guys just could not shoot straight!

The combat advisor is fantastic. You spend your time planning strategy instead of counting numbers and column shifts and additions to the die rolls etc. In my PBEM games I get in one and usually two turns a night. Without the combat advisor I might get two turns completed in a week. It is a blessing.:)

_____________________________

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(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 4

Re: Combat Advisor - 8/15/2003 3:49:39 AM

Fred98

Posts: 4430
Joined: 1/5/2001
From: Wollondilly, Sydney
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by CBase
[B]

1. My observation is that trying to optimize all of the attacks can take excessively long.

2. I was wondering if the Combat Advisor is suppose to alleviate some of this workload. [/B][/QUOTE]

1. Yes I agree.

2. Yes, the combat advisor does just that.

Other hex based games at this operational level are now obsolete.

(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 5

Re: Re: Combat Advisor - 8/15/2003 4:18:41 AM

IJN_Shinano

Posts: 15
Joined: 5/26/2002
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Joe 98
[B]Other hex based games at this operational level are now obsolete. [/B][/QUOTE]

Ain't it the truth. :D

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Post #: 6

- 8/15/2003 8:02:54 AM

CBase

Posts: 21
Joined: 5/25/2002
Status: offline

Thanks for the responses. I may have to buy this game...

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Post #: 7

- 8/15/2003 7:37:05 PM

BrubakerII

Posts: 538
Joined: 9/15/2002
From: Adelaide Australia
Status: offline

I would like to see the combat advisor selectable individually per side as a form of 'weighting' the game, as opposed to either on or off which affects both sides as it is now. This would be a better tool for evening out skill differences .

Brubaker

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Post #: 8

- 8/15/2003 7:50:47 PM

e_barkmann

Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/18/2000
From: Adelaide, Australia
Status: offline

[QUOTE]I would like to see the combat advisor selectable individually per side[/QUOTE]

I raised this briefly during the test. I think if enough people ask for it, it would be considered.

Cheers Chris

(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 9

- 8/15/2003 8:32:36 PM

Sonny

Posts: 2008
Joined: 4/3/2002
Status: offline

O.K. I'll ask for it.
Seems like a reasonable balancing mechanism.:)

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Post #: 10

- 8/16/2003 5:45:43 AM

e_barkmann

Posts: 1307
Joined: 4/18/2000
From: Adelaide, Australia
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In terms of balance, I would suggest it should only be used in cases of newbie vs veteran. It really would tilt the scales than much - even if just to point out where all the overrun action is...

Chris

(in reply to CBase)

Post #: 11