Macisle

Rapid redeployment in response to enemy movement.

Follow me, and I'll show you where the fashion outliers grow...

Great! A mix will really enhance things and is especially welcome for the Soviets, since the German squads already have a fair amount of visual variety (at least with mods, can't remember if that is stock or not.) One thing that, IIRC, was mentioned a few years back as something BF was hoping to add in a future upgrade, was the ability to apply custom textures to specific wall facings. Any news on that? Given how busy you guys are and the crazy state of the world, probably not, but any word on something like that making it into Upgrade 5/F&R? I got a bunch of real estate on my map that would really enjoy that kind of lovin'.

FYI, I just saw that 2021 will see an engine Upgrade 5 release. Part of the reason this project has taken so long is that I've taken some long breaks in the hope that new engine features would hit (well, that, plus a near complete evaporation of any free time, and occasional burn out ). Given the amount of work left to do once F&R hits, Upgrade 5 will likely be landing at a good time to integrate it into the project. However, if I get done, but Upgrade 5 is right on the horizon, I'll likely hold release to integrate it in (if the features are applicable). I've invested too much time to barely miss out on something good. And, I'm likely to have even less time in the future. So, it's now or never. But, we'll see. Like I said, the upgrade will probably hit at a good time. Maybe perfect.

I was going to say the same thing. When you're close up and hit the sweet spot for light and shade, CMx2 can look damn good. Those are some nice textures on the Soviet uniforms! Especially the hats -- very natural. Upgrade 5? ... Oh, boy. I've taken a number of long breaks from my project in the hopes that an upgrade would come along. I'd sure hate to get it out only to have one land right after. Hmm...

Already too many in to have a "raw" variant. I could keep a backup of the current state, which would make it easier to delete the lesser number of FOs. However, there may be further map improvements, which that would miss out on. Best thing to do is let the map get to final state and then delete the FOs. If someone else is doing the conversion work, I'd probably be willing to handle making a raw version to hand off to them when the time comes (most likely just include one with the release). At this point, I don't see me having time to do any conversions myself.

Yup. Good stuff. On the offensive, I really like when I can pull off using smoke to cover ATG setup to free up tanks to move to the next objective. Rinse and repeat -- ATGs to cover flanks/provide security against counterattacks, while tanks advance.

Happy New Year, everybody! Just a quick post to say that I did finish the elevations. So, other than smoothing out anything that pops up that my eyes missed, that giant bit of work is done. So, the plan now is to add more flavor objects from the current pool while waiting for F&R. I can't really do anything else without the new module assets. I don't have enough time these days to repeat work (map slicing and unit setups for example). So, I want all potential assets in hand before proceeding. Macisle out.

Very nice work on the Volks models and textures!

The 3rd Platoon HQ team, distracted by being called "Wyvern County Shaggers" is 2/3 of the way cut down by MG fire. The loss of the 2 men is bad enough, but the platoon leader is really miffed about the insult. He knows the bravest sheep are in the West Country.

The British advance continues. Fighting is house-to-house. Churchills and Bren gunners put down suppression fire, while small teams move up to storm a heavy machine gun position. The first team eyes two Germans. Several Tommies rush in and discover a lot more Germans! Luckily, the suppression fire has put the enemy in a state of panicked confusion and the heroic team manages to take positions without loss. They let the Germans have it in fine style! The house is cleared. The cost: two men finding the position, but none taking it. Job done and on to the next.

Brits on the move!

Thanks. It's been quite an adventure. The map isn't historical, though. It's largely a recreation of a section of modern Kharkov. At a certain point early on, I decided to generally recreate what I see on Google Street. My logic was that it could have been like that, and using that design method causes all sorts of interesting things to be created that would not happen otherwise, along with pushing the realism as far as it will go. But, it's tactical realism, not historical realism. That's why I'm calling it Kharkiveskya ("Kharkiv-esque") and not Kharkov.

Thanks! Very nice work on your map, too! I think the community is going to really enjoy that one. Quick status update on Khark: I'm back on break, due to RL time demands and needing some time away from elevation-tweaking tediousness. I'm down to the last group of blocks. Alas, those are going to be rather a challenge. A doable one, but...the pain...oh, the pain. I don't know exactly when I'll be able to get back on it, but I plan to have everything I can do on the map without CM:FR done when it hits.

That may be part of it. The casualty rates are more easily rationalized on the Eastern Front and CM:RT seems to want larger scale battles. I generally play reinforced company sized battles in the Western titles, but nearly always go for a battalion of infantry and at least a company of armor in RT. Speaking of scale, for anyone who is unaware of it, you should really check out TIK's Battlestorm: Stalingrad series. At this point, it is the most detailed, step-by-step video documentary of the battle ever made. It's in ongoing production and the Germans are just getting close to the city. The series really shows how much fighting and attrition went on before the Germans even got to Stalingrad itself. A number of myths about the battle have been put to bed so far. -Highly recommended!

I know, I know, I'm totally in the early war camp myself, but it's a good AAR and touches on the player shifting to EF for the first time in current CMx2. Plus, well...sexy kit viddy + "Thinking of buying" thread = one for the Gipper, or so I thought. I'm still hoping for some earlier period equipment prezzies in CM:FR that could be used to fudge it. The changes to Soviet rifle formations would seem to make them much closer to early war. And, for the Germans, you can already take security forces (no LMG), cut down the manpower and add back in MG34 teams to get pretty close to early. So, that's infantry. If we get PIII's, that would help a lot. Now, if we could get those, plus, say, an earlier Stug and some KV's... you know, just as Easter Eggs mind, well then...

Yeah, it's a good one. I found his channel recently and have been enjoying his CM stuff. Link.

I'm a big fan of CM:RT and play it more than the other titles I own. There's just something about it that made it my home base for CM. Here's an interesting, recent AAR showing a veteran Western Front CMer's first H2H battle in CM:RT:

That's a pretty cool idea -- suddenly in charge and in the thick of it. (BTW, Orsha MM5 QB Attack map AI plans updated just now.)

In addition to QB maps and no-frills scenarios, a pool of setup phase QB saves (like the one I posted -- except after the author has finished the battle ) might be quite useful. That would allow file creators to choose good force balances with community downloaders getting the benefit of a blind QB without having to worry about a dud AI force or bad AI plan. BTW, I have tested the AI plans I added to the Rough Marsh Hills by Hind map linked two posts up. I think they work pretty well for the quick passes that I did. The Orsha stuff is first pass with no testing, so...my apologies if they turn out to be a dud. The opening was fun in mine. Still haven't gotten back to finishing the battle. If you haven't tried the Hind map, you really should. It's a classic beefy-sized Eastern Front map that looks rather flat from high up, but has tons of terrain features when you go to eye level. Some juicy reverse slope areas, too. If you're defending, crank up the AI's forces to at least +40% (and maybe give it big cats). Right now, I'm running a company of T-34/76s, a co. of light AGs and battalion of infantry as attacking Soviets, along with various recon, arty, air & ATG support vs. an unknown German force in June. The AI chose Stugs and set them up with good long range overwatch. First casualties were my AG co. HQ and an AG platoon HQ. As things stand, moving armor forward looks suicidal, so I decided to lay a smoke screen and set up my ATG battery to try to deal with some of the Stugs, along with point mortar fire to force buttoning up and fish for top hits. It's really a great map to work on using terrain and C2 info passing.

Thanks for the thanks! I don't generally replay or keep the personal scenarios I make either -- just some of the QB maps. I have lots of house rules, depending on the situation. And, like you, sometimes I don't even paint victory locations. I have to force the enemy to surrender or lose the battle. Yeah, I've been thinking about the community having a source for rough, but ready enough for some casual fun, no-frills scenarios and QB maps forever. I was thinking of calling such a series "Spit & Sawdust" -- like, S&S1, S&S2, etc. I've mentioned it once or twice on the forums, but didn't get much reaction. I've got one more QB map on hand I'll post here to help folks feed the monkey. It's Hind's brilliant "Rough Marsh Hills" map. I added AI plans for both sides and noted that in the description. Didn't add an attack map file name, but that's what it is. Rough Marsh Hills by Hind (Attack Map -- playable solo either side) Enjoy!

Edit: I decided to spend a few hours adding an attacker AI plan and improving the defender setup on the Orsha MM5 QB attack map adaption. It's now playable solo either side, with variations to the plans. Feed the monkey! Orsha Master Map 5 Attack QB Map

Lovely, lovely maps! I can't wait to take them for a test drive. Being able to grab a master map and use it for QB or personal scenarios is fantastic. I strongly encourage anyone who hasn't done that do give it a shot. It isn't that hard and it really expands the content at your fingertips. That goes especially for the folks most tired of waiting. Recently, I grabbed one of the big Orsha maps and spent about 30-45 minutes to adapt it for QB. I set the town at the West end as an objective, painted six defensive setup zones, and put the attacker at the East edge. Then, I set the defensive groups to fall back on the town at staggered intervals with an Active stance, beginning after an hour or so. To get going, I gave myself three platoons of PIVs, a company of armored infantry, an ATG platoon in trucks, and a mobile flak platoon. The defending Soviets got an unknown mixed Guards force. The map offers very limited route choices for armor, due to its layout of weight-bearing bridges, water obstacles, and bog terrain. So, now, I'm in the position of having to keep a spear on the tip of my extended column, while also maintaining security along its body against counterattacks. It's been a fun, interesting ride so far with enemy air attacks and one armored counterattack. My diligent recon has kept enemy armor effect down, but the AI has done well with ATG placement and those have cost me, both in tanks and time. I'll probably have to settle for a foot in the door on the town and hopefully winning on points. Another benefit of making new content with stock maps is that your eye becomes more keen and you can better appreciate the talent and artistry that goes into them. As I get better in the Editor, I'm forever finding more gold in the stock maps that I didn't notice before. So, I'm super excited about the map and scenario magic that Ben Park and crew have conjured up for us and am looking very forward to getting my grubby little fingers on it!

Thanks. I took a look earlier and didn't see a dedicated title. I remember seeing the Q&A in the list. I'll check it out. Much appreciated!

Oh, cool. I'll have to look for the Chieftain video. I really like his stuff and appreciate his attempts to correct myths about the Sherman. DiplexHeated is very likeable and it's great that he's into CM and spreading the word. Watching his CM videos can be interesting, though. I always get mental images of cases of Jolt cola and replacement elbow and kneepads filling his trucks to help his troops deal with the 100+meter slow crawls he is so fond of.