Marnix

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DanE: I believe once you select the Target tool, the target you select will be considered a "new" target. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You're absolutely right there. But you wouldn't have to set a new target, you just want to move the targetting line around, right? Rather than clicking somewhere (and indeed losing your previous target) you'd press space to abort the new targetting order. While we're on it: personally, I agree that the most straightforward way to implement a hull-down checking tool would be to integrate it with the LoS (and targetting) tool. Hull-down-ness is relative to a terrain feature or unit, so is LoS. Just have the words 'hull down' appear on the unit whenever its LoS line is on a spot that the unit is hull-down to. That wouldn't be too hard to implement, would it? And I'd think that there are considerably fewer implementation issues with a hull-down checking tool than with a move into hull-down tool. I won't even begin to comment on the desirability of the latter... Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mg: My favourite game, apart from CM, is without question Jagged Alliance 2.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yeah, that was a great one! Unfortunately, I got the Dutch version, which is a complete disgrace. Bad translation, files missing from the CDs (luckily they can be downloaded), non-existing support (the patches only work on the English version). Then there was the trouble SirTech had finding a distributor. Topware did the German version (months after the original was ready), and when that sold really well in Germany, TalonSoft ended up releasing the other language versions. But now I hear SirTech is having the same kind of distribution trouble with the JA2 expansion! It makes me wish they had taken the same approach as BTS... Marnix. [This message has been edited by Marnix (edited 08-19-2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark IV: ...the 18-year-old Macallan. Wow. I was missing something. Smokey as a Sherman by turn 8, and smooth as a Panther G with hull-down. I recommend it without qualification, and a nice "bargain" stop on your way to the 25. A real find.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes, it's really something, isn't it? One of the things that really struck me about it is that its flavour and taste are so much richer than the 'standard' 12YO Macallan's, but the aftertaste is very similar. And what a "bargain" at only 40 pounds UK! I haven't had the 25 yet, 99 pounds was a bit too steep... Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stuka: OK, I've downloaded the richochet alley scenario and i've got it in the scenarios folder but i can't seem to access it from the game itself.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ahem, you did unzip it, didn't you? Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Darwin: I have yet to get a kubelwagon but I would assume they can tow light artillery pieces around. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That's right. I'm playing a scenario now in which a Kuebelwagen tows a 20 mm Flak around. Pretty fast, too! AFAIK the KW's speed is completely unaffected by the load, a bit strange that. How light could a 20mm Flak + crew + ammo be, anyway? On a related note: I saw a picture somewhere of the Schwimmwagen, the amphibious Kuebelwagen! It looked like a bathtub with wheels. Wouldn't it be nice to have that one in the game? OTOH, I have no idea how many of those were built, so it may have been too rare to include. Marnix.

s bakker: Yes, it does fit in the brievenbus, it's just a padded envelope (what am I saying, "just" an envelope!) the size of a small magazine. pcelt: I ordered on May 12th, the shipping date (marked on the label) was June 21st. Six days from the US to here is about as fast as it gets. I haven't got my credit-card receipt yet so I don't know when it was charged. I hope you guys get yours soon, too! This game is awesome... Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gary T: ...at some point next week, hopefully. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Gents, As of 10:15 CET, this Tuesday June 27, I am the proud owner of a copy of Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord. To all my fellow Europeans in general and fellow Kaaskoppen in particular: the waiting is over, rejoice! Now, this puts me in a difficult position: I work from home, and I really should put off playing CM until this evening. On the other hand, not playing would be a slap in the face to all who haven't got The Game yet, and I wouldn't want to do that, so maybe just a quick peak... See you later! Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

Woa, jumper, don't try to offload all the chips on your shoulder in a single post! I had some trouble distilling your point from that rather long ramble about Dupont, Empire, post-WWI/II geopolitics, revisionism and PC-ness. But it seems to be this (correct me if I'm wrong): <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jumper: You must try to understand what you don't know and learn to grow from the interaction and experience of each person who passes through your life - thus you are enriched. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While I do agree with this in principle, I notice how all too often tolerance is used as an excuse for indifference (the Dutch are somewhat notorious for this). And knowing that you may not know all the facts (how absolute are 'facts' anyway?) should not keep you from having convictions about things. The alternative is total mental/moral paralysis. I'd better leave it at that before I go off on a rant of my own . One word of well-meant advice: lurk a little less, post a little more, in smaller portions. I think you could add lot of interesting traffic to this forum. Cheers, Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jarmo: I think I'll have to come over and inflict 10% casualty on you! Let's see you what you say after that. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I'd say get it over with and Finnish me off...

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jarmo: ...I lost a battle despite decimating the enemy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well, I wouldn't call inflicting only 10% casualties a victory... (sorry, couldn't resist)

I'm playing: <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI>Finish The Conference Paper Before The Game Arrives v1.1 <LI>Stop Reading This Forum: Wrap Up That Thesis

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Count Sessine: As for the cellars, it seems true that since soldiers seemed to use them all the time during bombardments it's a disaster for any defender in Combat Mission that they're missing from the game. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> How difficult would it be to add cellars anyway? All the elements seem to be in the game engine already. I think adding a heavy builing underground, directly below another building should do the trick. That way, if the building on top collapses, the cellar will still be intact. Troops could easily move between building and cellar-building just as they do in a 2-story building. Anyone in the cellar would only have LoS directly upwards into the building on top. It could work... Maybe something for 1.02?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nevres: ...till then ill just Huang around, ha, now thats funny<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think you may be getting on his nevres... <ducks> Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Germanboy: That would be funny if it wasn't so sad. If the England squad has to leave and we go through b/c of these eejits... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> The second doesn't follow from the first, as tonight's matches have proven. I just worry whether there will be anything left of Charleroi after tonight! Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark IV: Mortlach, eh? I'll be looking for that. Never had it.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Whaddayaknow, the Dufftown Whisky Shop even has a website! The Mortlach is in the top picture, the bottle on the top left shelf, the dark one, under the plant. I kid thee not! Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark IV: ...Next stop, Johnnie Walker Black. [...] Many single malts WILL taste like cat piss until you've acquired the palate. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Many, but not all! If you like the Johnny Walker Black Label, may I recommend the Mortlach (single malt, 16YO). It's the 'active ingredient' (i.e, the malt that the grain whisky is blended with) for the JW Black Label. Very subtle, as are most Speyside whiskies. It may be a bit difficult to come by, I bought one in Scotland but I don't think they export a lot. I'll post the address of the whisky shop in Dufftown if anyone's interested, they ship everywhere. Of course you may have to wait until they get their manuals printed. Also, if you, like me, enjoy The Macallan, their malt is used in the Famous Grouse blend (which they own), a good one to start with if you don't want to spend too much at first. Be careful with those single malts, before you know it you'll be spoiled and won't drink those cheapo blends anymore... Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lindan: [edited for stupidity] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Didn't work, still as stupid as before... BTW, Steve, where's the combaiku forum? Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Berlichtingen: Wargames are cool, War sucks, there is no comparison<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Amen to that! I just finished reading "Stalingrad", by Anthony Beevor. IMHO he gives a good (and chilling) account of the deprivations the troops (both sides) suffered, in addition to being shelled, bombed and shot at: exhaustion, cold, starvation, filth, disease. A required read for anyone who thinks real war would be "fun"... Marnix.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rommel22: "Stealth" is actually a Russian technology <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Maskirova is the art of deception, building decoys and mockups, which the Russians excelled at. The Germans gave it a try too: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Another enemy decoy, built in occupied Holland, led to a tale that has been told and retold ever since by veteran Allied pilots. The German "airfield", constructed with meticulous care, was made almost entirely of wood. There were wooden hangars, oil tanks, gun emplacements, trucks, and aircraft. The day finally came when the decoy was finished, down to the last wooden plank. And early the following morning, a lone RAF plane crossed the Channel, came in low, circled the field once, and dropped a large wooden bomb. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I found this on the web, it's one of the oldest example of net-lore. Allegedly excerpted from "Masquerade: The Amazing Camouflage Deceptions of World War II", Seymour Reit (Signet, 1980). I won't begin to argue that this is true, but it makes an entertaining story nonetheless Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Juju: I can hear y'all thinking: What the heck does he mean! That is "y'all" except my fellow countrymen from the Netherlands. Yes, it's that little tiny country with the big big mouth.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Well, we did invent the mortar-fired explosive shell (around 1600 AD) according to my copy of the not always scientifically accurate but highly entertaining comic book about firearms "Vuurwapens in beeld". Now that's what I call a big mouth... Marnix. "Met zulke wapens wordt de oorlog onmogelijk!"

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dschugaschwili: [...] Second, the Axis forces have a target registration point. Is it of any use (seeing that they don't have any arty spotters)? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I've never used it, perhaps I will next time. It could add a nice touch to your ambushes I'd think (surprise, suppression!), or you could probably put it somewhere where you expect their arty spotters to be. For disposing of large enemy troop concentrations I think the 150mm is a lot more useful. Speaking of which, what is the largest number of troops anyone has knocked out with a single shot of the 150mm? I got lucky once and caught an entire platoon stuck in barbed wire, right in LOS of the SIG. Not too many survivors... . <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Third, the Axis briefing states 3 anti-tank mine fields (plus the daisy-chain mines), but I can only find one. Is the briefing wrong? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think so, you always get 3 ap, 1 at and one daisy-chain at minefield AFAIK. Maybe you get more if you change the force balance towards the Germans? I'd have to try that. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Fourth, what are the anti-person mine fields good for? As far as I can see, they will cause one casualty to the unit that steps on it, but they don't do anything after that, even if other troops walk over them. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Dunno, maybe they also slow down troops? I've had some success with using all of the barbed wire and minefields in the same area to herd the AI's infantry into a nice little killzone (yes, the one with the SIG). It certainly pays to hide as long as posible as the Germans, as you are pretty much defenseless against the US tanks until your reinforcements get there. So why not prepare a proper ambush? Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

Hi guys, I am a recovering lockup victim but I'm much better now . After installing DirectCrash7[a], many games, not just CM, would cause lockups. It turned out that DirectX had fscked up my video AND soundcard drivers . So, after you install/upgrade DirectX, make sure to reinstall your video, sound and possibly even mouse drivers! Now I only need to cure myself of Gold Demo addiction... Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mikeadams: I have noticed that, occasionally, surrendered squads will suddenly take off and become actie again. Has anyone else seen this? If so, how do you prevent it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I saw something funny in a certain scenario I won't name (not that it matters, this could have happened in anywhere). Playing against the computer, I saw one of his bazooka teams run up to a squad of my german infantry in the village, who shot one of the guys and captured the other. Then, as more US infantry approached and the firefight heated up, the lone captive, who was caught in the crossfire, got up and made a beeline for one of the houses and stayed there (still captured) for the rest of the battle. Probably acted as any routed unit would, but a nice touch regardless. I would think captives becoming active again may have something to do with not being in LOS of enemy units. No reason to stay put if nobody's around to keep an eye on you... Perhaps BTS can enlighten us as to how this works? Marnix. ------------------ "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian

Hi everybody, I know BTS are probably a little too far into finishing development to take this suggestion into account, but I figured it would make a nice discussion topic for the rest of us while we wait... Wouldn't it be nice, in 'campaign mode', to have AFVs and AT guns paint kill rings on their tubes, based on their kills in the previous battles? Additionally, veteran and elite units could have some from the start. Just adding a few extra textures for the gun barrels wouldn't be that much work, I suppose. It would make it easier for the player to distinguish his elites from his regulars on screen, but I would like to make the kill rings a gameplay element, too. Upon spotting a unit with kill rings, the opposing AI could react in several ways: - Target the units with the kill rings with a higher priority (they've proven to be more dangerous). - Panic more easily ("Ohmygod, it's Wittmann! Run!"). BTW, I don't propose to actually change the units' experience level, a la Panzer General (e.g. Green + 2 kills = Regular). BTS already pointed out why this doesn't make much sense in the timeframe of a Combat Mission campaign (I agree, mostly). Of course, the infantry wouldn't be able to paint kill rings on their guns, but maybe they could adopt a Mohawk hairdo (wasn't that what the 101st AB did?) Well, I've droned on for too long already, time for your comments... Marnix. ------------------ -- "A tank is an iron box containing courage." -- Heinz Guderian