Seanachai

I've read BTS's posts on why there aren't 'campaigns', and I have to say I agree with all their points. It's innappropriate to this level and style of game. Many of the 'work arounds' that people are suggesting are, frankly, more appropriate to an operational level game, which this is not. But all questions of realism, accuracy, game level aside, I'd have to say (for myself alone, of course), that nothing gives me a bigger yawn than the idea of 'campaigns', and working units up in some sort of rpg manner. I love RPGs, but when I want to play one, I do so. There are tons of them. I think it would...well, I'm having trouble with how to phrase this without insulting people, which is seriously not my intention, but I think it would 'cheapen' this game to add features like that. And, I have to say, this sort of 'feature' isn't something that's added with a few quick keystrokes. I think there are other more significant and appropriate features and updates that could be added to the game that should get coding and time preferences ahead of this kind of thing. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark IV: The base trick can be helpful. M. Seanachai-the-Canuck-hugger and I had a little meeting engagement within a meeting engagement (CE) where 2 rifle companies met head on in deep woods, and there was neither yielding nor maneuver. The resulting carnage could only be sorted out in view 5 with tree coverage reduced and bases on. The line of gray and khaki bodies and unit remnants looked more like Antietam than WWII.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Too true. Every time I opened up the PBEM file, I immediately hit 'trees off'. There was no good way to sort out the quick from the dead, otherwise. I finally surrendered, weeping, and assured my digital buddies we'd all meet again in the Big Beerstube in the Sky... ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Darwin: I come here to you today with my head hung low in shame. My forces were valiant but eventually worthless against one hetzer in the fog, giving Berlichtingen his first win over me. ) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Anyone else notice that Berli likes to lie back out of sight, then dart forward like a rabid mink, then disappear into hiding again? ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark IV: I would spend roughly 300 minutes (or 5 hours) playing just this one scenario. 5 hours! Listen, when your woman leaves you, your teeth stink, you don't know what time it is, you're thinking about moving the refrigerator because it's 8 feet from the computer, and there's a coffee can to pee in under your computer desk, THEN you can come cryin' about 5 hours a scenario. Meanwhile you just sit there and plot, bucko. (welcome aboard )<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oh My God! A coffee can! Of course! What a fool I've been! That will make the computer room far more habitable! Perhaps I can even get rid of the matted and reeking straw I've scattered under my desk chair... Er, may I bring up this most basic of concepts: Did you do a Full/Large install from the CD? If you didn't, then some of your downtime may be disk accessing. On the other hand, animal sacrifices have a way of speeding up game play, if they're handled tastefully and with reverence... ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads. [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-16-2000).]

Umm, sorry, but what's with the handle? Was Bigg Timee Sofftwarre already taken? I would advocate distinguishing yourself as an individual, rather than playing on a Forum stalwart. Forgive me, please, if this is the veriest of coincidences... ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Lafayette, we are still here! Merci! ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Actually, although I am always leery of interface changes in a fine game, this makes some sense to me (especially now that I am involved in multiple PBEMs with vicious, evil, and rabid opponents who must, for the sake of humanity, be defeated!) I constantly find myself switching back to a turn and having to click/return on transport units to find out who's where. If would be nice if, in the AFVs main screen, I could see who was playing at pig-a-back... ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads. [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-15-2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WendellM: <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sir, I know I sounded judgemental, and I was. But I am judgemental for myself alone, and not for others. There are certain useages, and ploys, and behaviours that I would Mock, Revile, and Spit Upon! Because they would hopelessly impact the fairness, reality, and honour of play (such as one player using Full FOW, and the other using none). You are right in that this tactic (counting points) is allowed by the 'mechanics' (note, not the rules of play, merely the mechanics), and I certainly acknowledge the irritation of losing to players who've studied not merely the tactics of a game, but the mechanics of it that allow winning. And I also wish to say I never thought that this was a practice you indulged in, nor even advocated. I realized even from your original post that you were concerned about the ability to 'apply' it within a game. But all in all, I think this is a minor 'gamey' tactic. Let those who use it do so. There will always be those, in my opinion, who will use any device to gain an advantage. And it would be hard to weigh in, in a life and death struggle, on the side of 'honour' as opposed to the reality and horror of combat. But here, in a game, let those whose purpose is only to 'win', do what they will. I don't think this is necessarily a game-breaker. If anyone wishes to use it against me, then welcome to them. I would still hope that my troops could grab them by the nose and kick their arses...as it were. But for your observations, I am not judging you. And now, to paraphrase someone else's signature on this board, and from that truly lovely movie, "The Princess Bride" "We are both men of action, sir. Let us not count points against each other..." Presently I'm fighting many people, but I would be happy to fight you in some future, and honourable, engagement, in which I assure you, I would not use any tactic that was open to any charge of dishonour! Because in a game, honour is emminently affordable–and cheap at twice the price.. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tss: Jeff Heidman wrote: Well, I'll quote Terry Pratchett on that (not the exact words, but you get the idea): "For his kind of general the most important thing in a battle was that there should be lots of casualties. If they were on the enemy side, that would be bonus." - Tommi<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Although I've enjoyed the wonderful profusion of Monty Python references on this site, I'm glad to see the appearance of Terry Pratchett, this decade's British contribution to the joys of humour. And despite the significant contribution of the US's economic might, industrial base, and armed forces, I find that, as an American, it's very important to remind other Americans that the Mediterranean/ETO theater was a war where European/Commonwealth/&Soviet troops paid the true butcher's bill, and it was their sacrifices that truly won the war. As has been pointed out by an author whose name escapes me, Monty was maneuvering an army in Normandy/France that he simply could not afford to lose, because it was the last that Britain could field...Or, from the movie 'Chicken Run': "Damned rude Americans, always showing up late for the war..." ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Alright, you want the truth? We killed him! That's right, us, the Cows of Normandy!! Do you realize how many of us died in your senseless battles? Hundreds...thousands!! I killed him, yes I, a cow! And I'm glad!! He never even saw it coming! Who would suspect? He was so fixated on those damned allied tanks. Finally the story can be told, because I am old, and near death now. I, a humble Holstein from Normandy, killed Panzer Ace Wittman! Think of that, the next time you're at McDonalds, you bloody ingrates... [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-15-2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pillar: I did the zoning correctly. I guess I have to go in and place the units in their zone manually, as an initial setup default. I noticed too that sometimes when you have more units than zone space (or slightly close to it), the computer sometimes boots some of the units out of the initial zone. If you're lucky, those will be good scout units and can get a head start on their job.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sorry, didn't mean to leap to conclusions, just something I encountered when I toyed with the Scenario Creator. Carry on! ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Boy, gotta agree, especially with the rivers. Also Bocage, but I'd be willing to bet that rivers would be an easier code. Quick Battles are superb, but, in the immortal words of wilfull hedonists everywhere: Bartender: Here now, don't you think you've had enough, young man? CM Player: But I want more than enough! ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads. [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-14-2000).]

Aww, that's nice, isinit? That's lovely. Everyone playing together like chums. Someone teach our new chum how to use his keyboard, and explain to him about fair play, and all. I'm sure he'll be better for the experience. Or maybe he has some kind of impediment? Do you think? That's sad, truly, it is. Still, as my Da' always used to say in these sorts of situations "Son, God loves the ethically deficient and intellectually challenged knee-biters, that's why he created so many of the worthless little weasels." But that was just his crusty way. I know he was filled with love for everyone, truly he was. It's just that he had certain expectations. And he was always so disappointed, you see, by people. Still, I don't think it'll rain tonight, do you? No, I don't think so. And that's brilliant. Now then, who's for a bit of a sing-song? ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads. [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-15-2000).]

This site is like owning a military Ency. Britannica. Thanks JTMauney and others for constantly exposing me to a shower of penetrating info... A friend of mine (who served as a sargeant in Germany with US forces in the 80s), always used JT instead of his given name. Turns out his given name was John Thomas, and after serving alongside Brit troops in NATO, he refused to use anything but the initials ever after. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jdmorse: I offer my own witness to this effect. The other night I was playing a QB that had me shelling w/ mortars, a Hellcat. I was using the first God's eye view level, 4?5? and was directly over the Hellcat. Suddenly I saw the mortar round drop directly INTO the open turret. BLAM, catastrophic and all. Totally COOL <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Heh-heh, I got to watch the same thing happen to one of Peng's German HTs(the one with the 81mm mortar mount). Canadian 2in. mortar round came right down it. I don't think Peng enjoyed the stunning visuals, though. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Germanboy: Err, you can do that yourself, just go into the map preview mode after you selected the units. They will appear at the baseline and you then just place them where you want them to be on the map at the start of the scenario. No limitations. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Correct, but I think part of the problem might be that Pillar is setting the 'friendly' sides of the map in the parameters area, but when creating the map, you also have go into the setting "Zone Mode" in the map area, and redraw the Allied and Axis 'setup zones'. The scenario creator's default is to always make the east side the Allied setup zone, and the west side the Axis setup zone. 'Repaint' the whole map as grey (neutral), and then select each zone and paint in where you want units to begin. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WendellM: The "historical" justification would be along the lines of starting with a recon report that "we expect that there are 3-4 enemy medium tanks opposing you." Naturally a real-life commander would keep track of how many enemy tanks he'd knocked out to decide when it was likely that they'd all been taken care of. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> However, even the best Intell report would still involve some guess work and few absolutes. For a person playing the game, the number of points is an absolute, and the nature of having to create a setup means that you know (I'm speaking Quick Battles here, the only place where point values would come into play) that there will be no reinforcements, no sudden surprises, nothing outside your expectations. Point counting intensifies the artificial elements of a QB, and therefore leads to player behaviour and actions that play off of this artificiality. In other words, it's 'gamey'. You can make whatever judgement you wish, of course, and it is one of those activities that would be impossible to prove, or, as things now stand, to prevent. I don't believe that it is comparable to 'studying opening lines' in chess. I think such an action within the context of a game like chess is comparable in CM to reading up on tactics, studying the capabilities of weapons systems, getting tips and pointers from seasoned players, etc. Counting up unit points is a move to use a limitation of the system for advantage. However, it is an option open to both sides, obviously. I wouldn't do it, and not for any reasons of 'role-playing'. For myself, it cheapens the experience of the game. I enjoy playing, and what's significant to me is the fact that I'm playing a tactical combat game, not trying to manipulate the engine to come up with a formula to reduce the chance of losing. If all someone wants is to win, then they are free to use it. I speak, of course, only for myself, and others are free to play in whatever way makes them happy. In any case, I think it's a 'minor' tactic of manipulation, not something major. And, conceivably, there could be changes (randomization of points by a certain +/- %, for example) that could decrease it's significance in the future. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Okay, I want one of those clever sound people to do a modification to the files so that when Brit troops are taking heavy fire, one of them yells: "Help, help, I'm being suppressed! " While another yells: "Come and see the violence inherent in the scenario!" ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scott Clinton: Anyone ever find out EXACTLY which months the "WHEAT" is up and which months the "WHEAT" is down????? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Is this a folksong? ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scott Clinton: Anyone ever find out EXACTLY which months the "WHEAT" is up and which months the "WHEAT" is down????? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Is this some kind of folksong? ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Double post, first one in a long time... [This message has been edited by Seanachai (edited 07-13-2000).]

Pre-Ordered, received in very timely fashion (3 days or so) of card having been charged. For those whose only experience with shipping is going to the PO and checking Priority Mail rates: that $3.20 is only postage charges. Shipping charges are "Postage & Handling". BTS uses a fulfillment company to actually do their shipping, and that means that the Lion's share of their 'shipping' charges are paying someone else to do the physical labour of packaging, addressing, and postaging the product. Just the possession of a mailing permit/meter is a major expense of people who do this sort of thing. For those who feel 'UPS could have done it cheaper', they have their own fees, minimums, and requirements, and for a package this size, the USPS was the most economical, time efficient way to go. For those who think it could have been sent 2nd Day Air for $8 and still been at a 'profit', you know F***-all about shipping. The reality of air-shipping charges aside, please keep in mind that BTS has to pay a company to ship their product. BTS's shipping fees seem completely in line to me, and I've worked in the mail order/shipping business for over 10 years. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Supertanker: Oh, go ahead and tell him, but be gentle, for he is Jung and easily Freudened.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Okay, love the reference...you get Big Time points for cleverness...Hey, Wait, I think I just figured out where the company name came from! ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

Okay, I'm neither experienced enough nor have been here for a long enough time to even be described as one of "the Immortals", but I can already see a pattern forming. There's currently a large influx of new members due to the actual release of the game, combined with the proselytizing efforts of the Combat Missionaries, etc. And many of you/us/them are asking the same questions over and over (sometimes on the same page of threads), and many of those questions have been dealt with previously on this board (some topics may actually have led to the extinction of the dinosaurs...) For new members, please keep in mind that some of the people on this board (not me, mind you, I'm a relative newcomer) have been discussing some of these issues for over 2 years. Almost any issue you can think of has often been discussed, often at incredible length, and often to the point where some people sit in their foxholes, silent and brooding, and honing a finer edge on their bayonets and obsessing. So, when you post, you newer people, you will find many, many helpful souls who will try to answer your questions. Sometimes they may be somewhat concise, or even brusque, but that's because you're getting an answer that's been refined down by endless argument and discussion. Sometimes you will be told, usually politely, to use the search function. That's not because people aren't trying to be helpful. It's because they're directing you to the most thorough-going and fully discussed answer to your question. And while there are so many threads and posts as to be completely daunting, it's still the most complete source you are going to find. When I first showed up here, I quickly learned to withhold questions and to refine search terms to check on issues/tactics/bugs/ and info of every kind. True, I often had to wade through a ton of posts to find what I wanted, but sometimes I found info on other things I hadn't gotten around to asking yet, sometimes I found info it hadn't occured to me to ask, many times I found fascinating discussions on historical and/or game characteristics that made me appreciate the whole process of creating Combat Mission. And in many cases if led me to posts that were just a firking howl. You will find facts, wisdom, and knowledge, and you will find it about equally mixed with gibberish, inanity, and complete crap. But I've been forums, and I have to say that my searches here have resulted in the best collection of posts of any forum I've been on. Beyond the info that searches will garner you, you'll begin to come up with a picture of the many, many people that have contributed directly, or indirectly through posts on this forum, to the process of creating Combat Mission. So you'll get a feel for what these people are like, and the variety of their experiences. And from this you'll develop a new terrain map: who will make good PBEM opponents, who won't; who's worldview you share, and those you don't (but many who still seem to be fine people with their own contributions to make). Who's the best source to go to for serious grognard info, and who's the best to talk to for bawdy songs. And more than any other forum I've seen, this one involves people from all over the world. And you'll discover a large world of books, URLs, movies, and even music that will interest you by searching this forum. So, if you're new here, use search, unless your question is one that can be quickly and easily answered. And if you ask something and people seem to ignore you, or are curt with you, realize that this forum has been in operation for something like 3 years. And if you've played the game for 4 hours, and sign on to say you don't think that x factor is properly executed, and demand it be immediately changed, then don't be surprised if most people just laugh at you, and try using search. If you've seriously got a contribution to make, it will be listened to with great attentiveness. If you've watched every war movie ever made and aren't happy with how your last Quick Battle went, then please consider searching before posting here. Chances are, your question/demand/observation has been dealt with before, and the blind posting of uninformed opinions based on no experience, no research, and no true knowledge will only earn you amused contempt, at best. There are many people here with a vast amount of specialized knowledge. Right or wrong, you'd better be ready to meet it. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>"My Sgt got kilt" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oops, sorry, nothing to add here. I thought this was a thread on a new, and possibly disturbing, Scottish advertising campaign... Carry on. ------------------ After witnessing exceptional bravery from his Celtic mercenaries, Alexander the Great called them to him and asked if there was anything they feared. They told him nothing, except that the sky might fall on their heads.