Wild Bill Wilder

Been somewhat down that painful Knee road and recovery ST, on both of mine. I sympathize with you fully. Wonderful to know you are quickly (?) getting up to speed. Take care my friend. I wish you the best with it. Wild Bill

I think you'll be very pleased. Some of the best designers around are involved. I'm sure Rune will fill you in since he is in charge of scenario development. WB

Excellent sites, Kingfish. Any on the French? I know these have some info. WB

From WB to WWB, Thank you sir. You are quite correct.

Thanks Voidhawk! A Second Job is the only engineer highlighted scenario I've done to date. Actually it is not on the CD but it is available at the Scenario Depot. http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/ This is the general background for the scenario: "For days a hard fight has been raging near the Kall Gorge in the Heart of the Hurtgen Forest. Attacking American troops of the US V Corps now find themselves under serious counterattack. "Rangers of the 146th Battalion are ordered to get into combat, with no time to waste. They are to make an early morning assault on Vossenack to retake the town. If they fail, most of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 112th Infantry Regiment will be cut off. "The engineers hold the western end of Vossenack. German troops are in control of the eastern end. Early on November 7th, both sides attack at the same time." WB

I just wrote a lengthy discussion on this the other day. I should have saved it. I've only done about 3 "exit" type scenarios. Let me make a few personal observations... 1. They are difficult to balance. They require a lot of testing. 2. You need to have multiple areas where the exiting units can make their escape. Avoid funneling them on the map. That can be slaughter. 3. In the unit editor, be sure and mark the units you wish as "eligible" for exit points. Otherwise, they won't count. 4. Set up the opponent so that he cannot easily cover any exit routes. That makes it too easy otherwise. 5. If you use flags, keep them to a minimum and have a few units not marked "eligible" who can guard them. If not, they'll be lost again. 6. If Germans, give them a few extra points to equate the value of the flags. That way you start off evenly. That in itself may be somewhat unrealistic since the goal is to exit all units. 7. Be sure and explain in detail in the text files what the exiting player is to do. These may help you, HB WB

Funny how a second look at a scenario can change your perspective of it. Good reports, gentlemen! Wild Bill

It sounds very exciting, Ted. We are all looking forward to seeing the handiwork of the Boots and Tracks team. WB

I don't think anyone knows with certainty when the first encounter took place, at least in the documentations we all have. They vary from the 22nd of June until July 1st. Most likely it was in the first days of the war. Halder's note "New Soviet Tanks" mentioned in Clark's Barbarossa indicates that they were aware of its danger and deadliness early on. That, coupled with the appearance of the KV-1, were quite a bitter suprise for the smaller, less adequately armed Panzers. Here is a quote from one of the German tankers on sidling up beside an abandoned T-34 in his Mark III. “Compared to that tank, ours seemed like a cigarette box. I remember thinking, ‘how will we ever be able to destroy these?’” I would assume a lot of tank commanders had that ominous presage. ..Wild Bill

I don't think anyone knows with utter certainty when the first encounter took place, at least in the documentations we all have. They vary from the 22nd of June until July 1st. Most likely it was in the first days of the war. Halder's note "New Soviet Tanks" mentioned in Clark's Barbarossa indicates that they were aware of its danger and deadliness early on. That, coupled with the appearance of the KV-1, were quite a bitter suprise for the smaller, less adequately armed Panzers. Here is a quote from one of the German tankers on sidling up beside an abandoned T-34 in his Mark III. “Compared to that tank, ours seemed like a cigarette box. I remember thinking, ‘how will we ever be able to destroy these?’” I would assume a lot of tank commanders had that ominous presage. Thanks for the reply, guys! ..Wild Bill

When CMBB becomes available to the public, I'm sure every designer here has his sights set on a scenario with the first appearance in action of the Soviet T-34 tank. My research shows it was near Bialystok, on July 1st, 1941. I know, however, that a number of you are much more knowledgeable of this kind of thing than I. Anyone agree or disagree with this? What sources did you use if you do? What did you discover if anything. I'd be delighted to hear what you might have on the subject.

I'm wondering if any of you have any info on the first appearance in combat of the T-34 tank? My research shows it was near Bialystok, on July 1st, 1941. I know, however, that a number of you are much more knowledgeable of this kind of thing than I. Anyone agree or disagree with this? What sources did you use if you do? What did you discover if anything. I'd be delighted to hear what you might have on the subject.

Sorry Holien, I missed your note. I had to experiment with the AC a bit. I wish they had a setting for expert, regular, etc, which might give more of a guarantee of hitting the right target. I have no idea of the formula Charle uses in the game to produce friendly vs enemy hits. In my personal experience, unless I have units close to the enemy, AC does not hurt me. Of course, not being quite sure just when they are going to pop in there is a big problem. Having a FAO in the game that could better control the AC much as artillery spotters would be great. They were used extensively from the fall of 1944 on the front lines. I never know till I test the scenario about three times. I get a kind of average of how they will work. I never could find a shortcut for this and so using them creates a lot of extra work for the designer. Think twice about using them Holien and only if they have a significant bearing on the battle. Wild Bill

Now THIS is interesting indeed! Thanks fellas for sharing your thoughts in this way. And you give your reasons, even better...WB

Endorsements from men I highly respect in the CM gaming community. Thank you very much and thanks for the work you put in on them. I'll repeat what I've said so often. The quality of the testers nearly always determines the quality of the scenario. Wild Bill

HCRE scenario has had some changes. I've read all comments and evaluated the scores. Based on that, I can see where some modifications were needed. So it has been tweaked a bit. The work you did on the first three, DaD, RG, and RaR have proven very helpful. Folks who have grabbed them from the Scenario Depot are generally very pleased with the battles. Your sacrifice and blood have made all the tourney scenarios a little better for those who follow in your footsteps. Again, I thank you for all of your comments and suggestions. Wild Bill

Hey Holien... That nebulous nothing called balance will turn any man's hair gray or to fall out. In may case, both are true . You get a feel for balance the more you do scenarios. Even though historically advancing or attacking forces are supposed to have 3-1 odds in their favor, in gaming it is not that way. In most of mine it is between a 1.5 to a 2-1 advantage for the attacker. One must consider terrain, quality of forces, time constraints, and weather conditions. Then there are more uncertain factors such as artillery and air power. Eventually you'll come to a decision based primarily on testing it yourself. You'll have to play your own scenario (and its fun if it is a good one) a couple of times from both sides. Each time you fine tune it a bit until it appears to you that it is about even. THEN, you send it off to folks who have not by now memorized it like you have and get their thoughts. To put it simply, testing tells the tale. A scenario to be good, needs at least five testings by at least two different people to be sure that you are in the ball park. I hope this helps...Wild Bill

Thanks, Admiral! I appreciate it..WB

Just so you know, I'm listening and learning, guys. These are excellent reports. So "High Cost of Real Estate" was weird, huh? Well, weird people do weird things. I guess that tells you something about me. I'm looking at it. I would agree that it can be made a little better with some work. As for the Aircraft in WCW, I was torn here. I don't like using planes in tourney scenarios because they are too big a variable. Yet to not use them seemed very ahistorical. The USAAF was quite active in the days following the clearing of the skies but weren't always that accurate. I've read of a couple of friendly fire incidents that took place in the days of good weather. Finally, my desire to add a little more historical flavor won out and I put them in there.

There are indeed many good sites out there that can use a man of your skills, Franko. I espeically appreciate your devotion to historical accuracy. I think Ted will be talking with you about this. Wherever you go, I'm sure you will be an asset to that team. Wild Bill

Though not following perhaps as detailed a workout of the numbers as you suggested, John, I have been watching them closely. Even a quick glance down the list gives me an indication of just what is happening and how the balance is in each battle. In the first three completed scenarios, I've tweaked a bit to try to swing them even closer into a tight fight for either side. Of course, one has to figure in the skills of the players and that is hard to do. Still, here again, I can see a trend in an individual's scoring that tells me something. I don't know if perfect balance could ever be achieved in a scenario. There are just too many variables to guarantee such a thing. Some changes can and will be made to try to make them more evenly matched, based on the results being fed to me by Winecape and Treeburst...plus those fine AARs you guys have been writing. Balance is not something that can be achieved by numbers only but it is a strong contributing factor. So be aware that I am aware and watching all of this very closely. Thanks, buddy. It is a good idea. Wild Bill

Here is an update for those who have been asking about the battles of the Rumblings of War and the Unbalanced Battles tourneys. Look for the first three to be released soon at the Scenario Depot. http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/ Admiral Keith has them and I'm only waiting for him to post them. I'm not sure when he is going to do it. If they don't appear there, look for them soon on the B&T site. We are working on revising and livening up that area very soon. http://www.militarygameronline.com/combatmission/ The Battles to be Released after these first three are: Duel at Dompaire (French vs Germany) Real Guts (USA vs Germany) Resolve at Ranville (UK Paras vs Germany) Still to come We Can't Wait (USA vs Germany) Sounds in the Night (USA vs Germany) High Cost Real Estate (Canada vs Germany - Italy) The Kommerschiedt Crisis (USA vs Germany) And still later the two scenarios from the Unbalanced Tourney (people are still claiming "foul" and issuing subtle threats over these two - :eek: ) A Meeting of Devils (UK vs Germany - Sicily) Enough is Enough (USA vs Germany - Tunisia) So a lot is on the way. CMBO is alive and well and we hope to keep it that way.

Here is an update for those who have been asking about the battles of the Rumblings of War and the Unbalanced Battles tourneys. Look for the first three to be released soon at the Scenario Depot. http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/ Admiral Keith has them and I'm only waiting for him to post them. I'm not sure when he is going to do it. If they don't appear there, look for them soon on the B&T site. We are working on revising and livening up that area very soon. http://www.militarygameronline.com/combatmission/ The Battles to be Released after these first three are: Duel at Dompaire (French vs Germany) Real Guts (USA vs Germany) Resolve at Ranville (UK Paras vs Germany) Still to come We Can't Wait (USA vs Germany) Sounds in the Night (USA vs Germany) High Cost Real Estate (Canada vs Germany - Italy) The Kommerschiedt Crisis (USA vs Germany) And still later the two scenarios from the Unbalanced Tourney (people are still claiming "foul" and issuing subtle threats over these two - :eek: ) A Meeting of Devils (UK vs Germany - Sicily) Enough is Enough (USA vs Germany - Tunisia) So a lot is on the way. CMBO is alive and well and we hope to keep it that way.

Hey Keith, Look for the first three to be released soon at the Scenario Depot. http://www.dragonlair.net/combatmission/ Admiral Keith has them and I'm only waiting for him to post them. I'm not sure when he is going to do it. If they don't appear there, look for them soon on the B&T site. We are working on revising and livening up that area very soon. The Battles to be Released are: Duel at Dompaire (French vs Germany) Real Guts (USA vs Germany) Resolve at Ranville (UK Paras vs Germany) Still to come We Can't Wait (USA vs Germany) Sounds in the Night (USA vs Germany) High Cost Real Estate (Canada vs Germany - Italy) The Kommerschiedt Crisis (USA vs Germany) And still later the two scenarios from the Unbalanced Tourney (people are still claiming "foul" and issuing subtle threats over these two - :eek: ) A Meeting of Devils (UK vs Germany - Sicily) Enough is Enough (USA vs Germany - Tunisia) So a lot is on the way. CMBO is alive and well and we hope to keep it that way. Thanks for asking...WB

He is the "quiet" fellow, standing behind the Mad man at the CMHQ site. He has a baseball bat in his hand and a soccer ball at his feet, whispering, "I got your back, Madmatt!"