Calvin

Bugs or crappy tactics... Well, crappy tactics don't explain why dismounted infantry are so patently lousy at spotting anything. Buttoned up AFV's do it better. Don't the fundamentals of combined arms tactics include the use of infantry as the "eyes" of the overall force? I think this aspect, spotting capability, needs fixing now.

Yes. I certainly have complaints, but think that CM:SF is a solid platform that continued patching will elevate to the level of excellence that is the Combat Mission tradition. Well, my God did that sound corny, but I think y'all know what I mean.

Thanks fellahs. I agree that attacks over open ground SHOULD be suicidal, as it's like Verdun all over again only with assault rifles to go with the machine guns. But I do think that, even over open ground, when infantry attacks a heavily reduced Syrian force that remains under overwatch and is receiving constant fire from strykers/M1's and deployed MG squads--- that sounds like a mopping up operation to me. What happens instead is that remnant Syrian squads remain lethal, capable of eliminating fresh US infantry in short order. A final concern (and I'd like to hear if your experience has been similar), deployed infantry seem LESS capable of spotting/identifying enemy units than buttoned up AFV's in the same area. Still needs some work methinks. I think the game should punish tactical blunders mercilessly, but when the player is observing good combined arms tactics, CM:SF should better reflect reality. Thanks again for your input. I think I'll skip the "Assault" command for the now and use the "Move" order per massive1974 suggestion.

Anybody?

I have noticed Item #2 also--- I think this has happened to units not currently on a road. As Massiv1974 says, these are un-selectable with mouse clicks. They can be accessed only by using the "+" and "-" keys.

The problem here is... Infantry are all but useless in an offensive capacity in this game. WHY THIS CAN'T BE FIXED IS BEYOND ME. No, not invulnerable infantry. But not mindless lambs to the slaughter either. Christ, an entire infantry squad spots enemy targets WORSE than a buttoned AFV.

'lo all- Will shortly find time to take patch 1.03 out for a spin. In the meantime, I was wondering if improvements to pathfinding and the AI have remedied the tendency of infantry to mindlessly continue on their assigned path until they are (rapidly) eliminated to a man. I do understand that modern firepower makes infantry assaults without adequate covering fire, overwatch, artillery/tac air and other prep suicidal. However, in previous versions, I almost never bothered to dismount infantry even after reducing enemy targets to shards with AFV and indirect fire. They just got eaten alive. Any improvements here? Please report! PS>> while I'm hardly the reincarnation of Napoleon (at least when the Haldol's working), I am a reasonably competent wargamer, and observe the essential do's and don'ts of combined arms ops. So I really think this is a game issue, and not due to some fundamental tactical blunder on my part.

Actually, the infantry vs. infantry scenarios are if anything worse, as in this case the attacking infantry lacks the benefit of AFV's on overwatch. I completely agree that the infantry unit's lack of any sense of self-preservation is unrealistic and one of the essential problems of the game/AI.

Hey all, Discussed before but worth mentioning again... The infantry is all but useless in this game. I'm talking even when appropriate combined arms operations tactics are carefully observed. 1) Their well-noted fragility. Even with overwatch and assault orders (or fast moves). Even micromanaging their routes to follow all cover. Even dropping them off close to highly suppressed targets in mopping up operations. Even after popping smoke like a KISS concert. They die off like flies. 2) Deployed infantry units, even crack troops seem to have no additional ability to spot enemy units. Even when those units begin actively killing them. Their spotting seems about as effective as that of buttoned up vehicles. A FULL, DEPLOYED SQUAD. You would think this would gain some advantage. I mean, not looking at the world through a periscope. Obviously, the following tactic would be a good idea for force preservation even if they fixed the above. But I end up simply letting my troops sit in their carriers while the Strykers, M1's and artillery attrit the enemy. Anybody else find this highly frustrating?

Boy, do I suck worse than I ever imagined!

While I'd agree with much of the review (as it does identify several areas needing immediate patching), the conclusion and rating are far too scathing. One, this is an ambitious piece of work from an indie developer. Two, Battlefront has proven their dedication to improving their software well after release, including improvements based on requests from users. This is a work in progress. Three, even what we have now is still light years ahead of any other realistic RTS-- and can you even think of another game that's anywhere near a truly realistic RTS? (Please don't say Company of Heroes!) Four, this is something completely knew--- modeling modern tactical combat within realistic parameters. It's rough, but it's a diamond. C.

Yep, I am using overwatch! Really useful advice to be found here fellahs. I'll start using it. Thanks. C.

Friends and Colleagues: Having a tough time with the following: After several minutes of suppressing fire (with multiple targets knocked out) I deploy my Stryker APC's to move close to buildings or other mission targets. Stryker pops smoke, engages any remaining nearby targets. I deploy the infantry with the "assault" command (should I use "dismount" first?). And... Unless I've flat out eliminated every possible source of enemy fire, my deployed squads routinely get slaughtered/routed a few seconds after leaving the APC. Having reduced/suppressed local infantry, the Strykers themselves remain intact and are able to deploy infantry immediately next to the target building/deploy smoke. And my guys still get cut to ribbons before getting anywhere near to entering the building. Last thing to emphasize: these squads are generally assaulting UNOCCUPIED buildings. Any basic combined arms suggestions here? Otherwise I'm left leaving the infantry safely in their APC's while trading fire with enemy targets. However much I reduce these positions, deployed infantry still gets eaten for lunch. All input appreciated! C.

Credit to Peleprodigy for acknowledging "point taken". Might be time to ease up on the lectures fellahs--- nobody is "spewing" anything. After all, the A$$hat ratio on these boards remains remarkably low. Even with me posting. So forgive me if I sound like I'm wagging my own finger or deciding who gets the good citizenship award. I just really appreciate the general civility and constructive arguments found on these boards. I'm sure we've all experienced the other extreme. Can you Dig? I knew that you could. Calvin

I'll just second (third?) what's said here. This game is both amazing as is, and has amazing potential. And all from a development team/company doing for games what the Indie movement has done for movies. A work in progress, but already a masterpiece. With all the click-fest schlock out there, it's a relief that somebody still cares about (war)gaming. C.

Hi all, My desktop is pretty high end; my laptop is not. What settings would you suggest tweaking for the best performance/graphics balance? Instead of listing all details of my laptop, just trust me--- it's 2003 technology at it's finest (or thereabouts). Thanks! Calvin

Thanks fellahs!

Hi all, Two questions... 1) When is the physical copy of the game/manual to be mailed and... 2) Can I install CMSF on my laptop as well? Or do I need a new license (or to "unlicense" my desktop installation). Both computers are hooked up the same internet (cable modem) via router/wireless access point. Thanks, C.

Noted elsewhere, but true in my case also... I downloaded/updated the most recent ATI drivers for my x1900 prior to installing CM/SF. Others have said that rolling back to an earlier driver solves the problem. I may or may not find the energy to do that, but I hope it's addressed in the next patch! C.

Lots of this stuff is helpful but I should note... When the camera becomes incapable of moving backwards (towards the bottom of the monitor), I am NOWHERE near the edge of the battlefield map--- in fact I'm dead in the middle. I try using only the mouse functions, which seems to be the best workaround for now.

Thanks Neutrino. I'll try that as a workround until they fix this in the next patch.

Sorry, but that dyspeptic reviewer was right... The camera controls are terrible. I never had any problem with these in first few Combat Mission series. In this game, after a good half an hour, I simple can't find a way to get behind my own units at about a 45 degree angle (the most commonly used view). Yes, I am using ALL of the commands, mouse and hotkey. Sometimes the camera won't even go backwards. Guys, fix this. It SUCKS and is ruining the rest of the game!

Hi all, I've combed through the manual, but am not seeing a way to change vehicle platoon formations (e.g. wedge, column, line, etc.). Am I missing something? Thanks! Calvinn

Gents, I must identify myself as one of the primary culprits here who got this heated discussion going. Have to say, I meant what I said and feel very strongly about this issue. But I also have to say that most of you, even those with whom I don't agree, have earned my respect both for the general civility of the discussion and the impressive level of knowledge displayed here--- including historical contexts and the laws of war. There are clearly some learned souls on these boards and I appreciate your input. Best, Calvin

I realize the following opinion won't go over well with most of the posters on this board. Blackwater and their ilk are mercenaries. They soldier for money, not country. They observe none of the professionalism or professional ethics of US soldiers and marines. Many of them decided to leave active duty in order to accept the high salaries that these private outfits provide. Soldiering is a noble profession, motivated out of patriotism and the desire to fight for our national values, to guard us while we sleep. There is nothing noble about working for a private corporation like Blackwater (and special thanks to Dear Dick Cheney for ensuring that huge portions of our defense budget go to these private war profiteers). Call it what you want. Blackwater employees are mercenaries. Mercenaries are hired killers. Blackwater employees are people willing to kill another human being for a !%^!^$@#$^ paycheck. That is all there is to it. Same thing as a mafia hit man, just without the Italian last names. And before any of you get high and mighty, two guys I've known since childhood just got back from their second tour in Iraq, because that was their sense of duty. Both of them wounded. The last tour cost one of them his job and the other his wife. Ask either one of my buddies what they think of Blackwater and the other merc cowboys out there with their designer sunglasses, HK submachineguns, and uncanny ability to get stuck in situations requiring US soldiers earning about 10% of Blackwater's base pay to come bail out those merc %!@%#@$%ers. Soldiers die on those operations. Save me the hairsplitting. It's an insult to every man and woman wearing the uniform in our name.