WineCape

OK, so slow ROF + slow velocity p/meter of its firing projectile (which equates to not so good accuracy over a longer distance - 700m) of the 105mm RCL will "demand" NOT FIRING. Mmmm, my thoughts @ the moment exactly.

Mr Bates, Would you fire your 105mm RCL with Hit:29%and a kill probability of "OK" @ a range of 700m? Or would you wait for a higher percentage, or even ambush? This is the question more endearing to my heart. Olle has indicated above he rather uses *range* (say 400m) before he would give the "Fire" command, but that is the other side of the coin, as at a range of 400m I assume the Hit % and Kill probability will obviously be higher anyway than the current hit:29% @ a range of 700m. Distracting the Shermans is obviouisly a good idea, as they are nearly broadside to the hidden 105mm RCl anyway. regards Charl Theron

The following Scenario in PBEM: I have a veteran 105mm RCL, hiding in patch of scattered trees waiting in ambush, me getting all juiced up as 2 unsuspecting M4 Sherman (with full squads on both of the Shermans) are moving in LOS (range: +/-700m) of the above guns. Problem: The 105mm RCL is hiding, BUT are facing 30-45 Deg. AWAY from the approaching Shermans. Question 1: Could it be possible that the 2 Shermans (unbuttoned) will pick the 105mm RCL up (for the few seconds anyway) if I order the gun to "re-rotate" + "Hide", thus pointing in the Shermans general direction, awaiting a better oppurtunity to fire in the near future? [Note: This is my last AT-assest. If they go, bye-bye PBEM game!) Question 2: At what hit % would it be *Reasonable safe* (given that there IS no securities ) to fire the 105mm as I have the following LOS info on the 2 unsuspecting M4's: (i) On Sherman 1 = Hit:29%, Kill:OK (ii) On Sherman 2 = Hit:8%, Kill:Good, "Hull Down" Now obviously (ii) will not induce me to use the 105mm, unless I'm into S&M! But the Hit % of 29% makes it tempting to open up and fire - but wouldn't it be more prudent to rather wait for a Hit % of 50 or higher on both targets to get a reasonable chance of knocking both out? Or should I order "ambush" - will the 105mm "automatically" then wait for a higher % kill before it fires? Remember, both Sherman are a few metres apart (at an oblique angle to the 105mm RCL) thus they can retaliate (both) very quickly on the RCL if the 105mm opens up - which will be a dead give away on my hidden position anyway What is the ROF of the 105mm RCL? Another dynamic here that could prevent me from taking both Shermans on (if hit % more favourable). Any comments regarding Hit %, when to fire your AT-gun (or ambushing the Shermans rather) will be appreciated. Kind Regards Charl Theron

KMan, any idea when you are going to implement future enhancements as stated in the readme file of version 1.0.4.0? thanks for an excellent program Regards Charl Theron

Now the question is, could you get the idea to work?

Bump! Is NE1 (Modmakers I mean)still interested in expanding the explosion mods? Please say yes! Regards Charl Theron

Yes, but here in South Africa, we spell differently! Just kidding Not to mention typing errors - still doing the 2 finger job on the KBoard. Thanks anyway gentleman for the quick responses. Best regards to all and enjoy the weekend, Charl Theron

I do not know the full M designation (nor he), but it is the latest US MBT, which I assume is still the Abrahams. rgds Charl Theron

A friend of mine wants to know if you lads know of any websites with pics (exterior and interior) as well as info on the US M1 Abrahams Tank? Can NE1 oblige? Kind regards Charl Theron

Oh, BTW Tiger, Thanks for the pretty pic of the PF60 above Brgds Charl Theron

Now, at the risk of seeming/sounding flippant, this might be all bright 'an dandy with regard to a "fear model" built into CM or whatever, therefor the reason squads do not fire their 60m fausts. But for Pete's sake, ordering a squad to fire (which is in perfect range) and those little 'uns NOT even attempting to fire off the damn faust-60, smacks of not a well simulated scenario, particular with regard to this aspect. I rather let the squad FIRE the projectile and if they miss... say a randomness build into the game - and take my wild card chances *IF/WHEN* I miss - than have to discover (on this BB) that...No, NO, SIR, Da Faust could only be fired if sire is 15m/30m/50m away for the f-30, f-60, f-100 respectively! Really. I agree, let the manual for CM2 be more detailed with regard to these technical details ... much more fun to read this than detailed pages HOW to move your troops about the battle filed for beginners Regards Charl Theron Needless to say, I lost the PBEM game as described in the opening post. I suppose I am now a hardened veteran and now knows the hard, hidden facts about 'EM FAUSTs! Again, really.[i/]

The following PBEM scenario: 1 x crack, in command Sturmsquad, 52m from broadside, MOTIONELSS M4 Sherman, with clear LOS, ordered to fire from the saftey of tall pines on the above shining metal knight. They have 2 x 60m fausts/rifle grenades...whatever...in their arsenal. Made double sure that they were in LOS, plus after targeting, the green fire line stretched towards the Sherman, no problem. Even went down on *View 1* to make sure that the crack Sturm Squad have a clear, unobstructed view towards this (BTW, buttoned!) M4 Sherman. As the next PBEM round/movie started, my Sturmsquad did nothing, their green target line that was pointed towards the STILL MOTIONLESS Sherman being canceled automatically. There my squad remained, in awe of the meatl beast, doing bloody nothing for the whole of the 60sec. movie! Now, what am I missing with regard to the capabilities of these 60m fausts? Please enlighten me. Kind Regards, Charl Theron

I nominated guachi as the King of number crunches for his Unit/Equipment macro-based Excel Database, currently version 1.11 and due to be updated soon for CM1.12. Cheers, Charl Theron

When can we expect release date sir?

Could we make the CM ModManager a STANDARD for all modmakers to comply with? I have it now for 3 months and only one or two people (thank you Marco Bergman!) do mods that is compatible with the CM ModManager. It really is a GOOD tool, as you can see beforehand the included jpeg files (in a quck view pane) of a mod before installing that particular mod. Keep this post bumped every now and then so it BECOMES a standard I suppose.

Gentleman, credit also due to Wolfe for his version of a Unit/Equipment Database. This is hard, tedious, but excellent work. Mind you, I don't start a PBEM wihout their handy references before me(in print form in .... a CM archlever file! Yes, PBEM IS getting serious nowadays gentleman! ) Maybe these two can work together to finish it off in no time? Rgds Charl Theron

Yup, no problem. Just make sure your e-mail box can receive a Zip file 3,4MB in size. If so, let me know winecape@global.co.za and I will despatched maestro guachi's number crunching Excel Unit Database in no time. (actually, in *SOME* time!) Hopefulley all here can put some "pressure" on guachi to update the unit/equipment Database up to CM version 1.12 (as he himself indicated he is doing so at the moment) and put it on Madmatt's CMHQ site - this is the de facto database that SHOULD come burned on the all CD's of CM:BO Regards Charl Theron Stellenbosch, South Africa

Thanks for all the enlightment gentleman! Short of measuring with a ruler on your monitor when the adjustment of arty fire is within/out of this magical 100m box when thre is no LOS, I gather that the grogs here have all called arms upon Charles (btw, hope he receives my wine before his birthday ) et al do change this. Do these BTS gentleman keep track of these suggestions (for a visual line cue as described on this post) on such a busy BB? Hope so. If not, I'm afraid that a lot of gentleman/woman will revisit this or other post (like I did! ) to clarify matters. Nevertheless, I thank all above for the quick and informative replies. What a pleasure to be on this board. In fact, this is now bookmarked as my homepage on my browser. Go figure! Kind regards Charl Theron Stellenbosch, South Africa

Ahhh guachi my gentleman! Thou are not commeth at more brilliant hour than thee back to life. I have been mailing your BRILLIANT, though dated, Excel Unit Database for the better parts of 2 days nonstop! Talk about a void when you left Please enlightened us. Even Madmatt suggested a helping hand in hosting it if you can't. Welcome back Sire! regards Charl Theron

I have discovered to my horror that you're UNABLE to adjust area fire for targets (out of LOS) with artillery (used German 81mm mortar) without the countdown timer starting from "scratch" in a recent PBEM. Didn't need to adjust fire (for out of LOS) previously in any PBEM, my FO's seems to climb trees to get 100% LOS What a nasty surprise. Does this whack with real artillery doctrine. The timer to ETA started all over again with no reduced time penalty. Could this be wrongly simulated? Searching, I found the same discovery by a gentleman "Wolfe", posted on 09-16-2000 on the discussion thread @ www.battlefront.com/discuss/Forum1/HTML/010543.html . Nothing further mentioned, just the above mentioned/confirmed in a side remark. Any clarification on this? Maybe Juardis, Wolfe, Bullethead (all that took part in the above post) could inform us whether this IS the case consistently for ALL arty according to their arty testing stats. kind regards Charl Theron Stellenbosch, South Africa

Much obliged Wolfe! Thank you. In the mean time people, I am trying to contach Jason McGrody with regard to a download link where he's nifty CM:BO Excel Unit Database can be downloaded. Madmatt already indicated that he is willing to host the download with Jason's permission if Jason does not have a new download link (he's old link is now sadly defunct) Kind regards Charl Theron

Hello Richard! Good to see you! Of course, another PBEM opponent is just the right thing to spice up the addiction. I'll send you the set-up files + parameters ASAP. Which e-mail should I use? Regards Charl Theron

I am asking Madmatt and Kwazydog if they could host Jason's (with his permission of course) nifty Excel macro-based CM:BO Unit Database, as posting it to everybody (file zipped = 3,4MB) is too TEDIOUS and SLOW - Takes 8 minutes to e-mail! The original link at Jason McGrody's website ("guachi") for d/l the above Database is broken. Will post a reply as soon as I hear from the above gentleman. Regards Charl Theron

They say that the thinnest book in the Rome library is the one on Italian war heroes of WWII! .........Just kidding gentleman

OK, OK! Jeez gentleman, my mailbox was flooded last night for requests with regard to the MSExcel97 spreadsheet pertaining to all the equipment/vehicles with their stats/firepower ratings in CM:BO. Some e-mails pleaded that they are getting their but kicked on tournament ladders as the result of not choosing the right platoons/squads etc. No, this Excel database will not save your butt by covering your mistakes Sirs! However, patience will be required. I will send it off to each and every one (67 replies!) during today. (Saturday) Nevertheless, it is a VERY handy database to have. Just make sure that the main Excel database file is in the SAME directory as the other files that comes with the Zip. PS: For the record, I am not the author of this unit database, but a hardworking gentleman by the name of Jason McGrody (guachi@bayou.com)