Louie the Toad

Two of us want to try playing a scenario where one is the operational commander and the other is the tactical commander. We will be on the same side. We have played on the same side before so the mechanics of that are not an issue. What we are looking for is: A BO scenario Very large map Where different firefights can take place somewhat isolated from one another but still influencing the over all picture. (The one that comes to mind that we have played already is 'August Bank Holiday') What would you suggest? Two Player Toad

Well, to each his own. I like to know the edges of the scattered trees. Too hard for me or my system to determine this at first glance which is what I want. Woods are ok. Also I never liked pea soup, which is what the BB grass reminds me of. Michael. WoW!!.. the ASL terrain is bit surrealistic for me. Will certainly keep one from falling asleep. However I will keep on looking. I really like the one Lou 2000 showed up above. Any thoughts on who's this could be? Blinded by the ASL Terrain light.... Toad

Yes, Lou 2000 that is more what I mean. Hi Michael. I will try yours out. However left my sunglasses at the bar the last time I was partying. When you're cool, the sun shines all the time. --- Snoopy Toad in the grass.

Has anyone discovered a combination of mods that visually highlights the terrain difference between grass and scattered trees? Low Res would be best for my system. Viva la Difference.... Toad

In this type of fighting: The value of terrain becomes magnified. Battlefield confusion intensifies. Command control is a necessity. Difficulty grows exponentially. What Fun !! Grinning.... Toad

A second vote for Franko's Rules. Follow what was said above by Vergeltungswaffe. You will most likely lose to the AI. Don't cheat by going above level 3 (church steeples only). Ok to use level 5 but ONLY for the tight spaces type of moves in houses and behind walls. No scrolling at this level. Fight a small battle first. Be the attacker as was stated by many. Really, I mean it, you will probably lose. Get in the dirt........... Toad

Noiseman, I don't have trouble justifying using level 7 or 8 as a map. As company commander, the units I see on the map are the proverbial stick pins that my staff has placed, due to reports coming back to my HQ from the action. I only view these units, not manipulate them from 7/8 levels. The "problem" with CM as you know, is that you are 'everyman' when you play and thus each of your units knows everything. One idea to try would be a two level command structure where two players were on the same team. One would be the Operational Player, and the other the Tactical Player. The tactical player would have limited knowledge of the over all picture, and not be able to see/do more than the firefights he got into. The Operational Player would not be able to see the firefights but only receive info about them from the Tactical Player. But the Operational Player would make the 'chess moves' that gave the Tactical Player his forces and placed friendly units in supporting positions. While I am wary about how BO or BB could handle this effectively it might be worth an experiment or two with a friendly player. As for gaming satisfaction.. that remains to be seen. Just a note about FTCR -- The most challenging application of FTCR I have ever played has been "Armor on the Boulevard". A terribly confusing maze of streets, keyhole shooting and surprises, even vs the AI. Toad... on the lawn.

It appears that BB lends itself more to this kind of play, with the use of covered arcs and such, than BO. The BO AI doesnt seem as savvy as the BB AI in this respect. My observation ..... Toad

I feel the same way about the motorcycle, and that was available before the war. Jumping for cover...... Toad

Plot moves only. Let the AI take over the shooting. Note I am just asking. Not advocating. If you do play this way, please describe your experiences. Is the game satisfying? Curious ..........Toad

Well this method you describe is a main component of Franko's True Combat Rules. I have played this way a lot both BO and BB. Nearly every CMBB battle vs the AI I have played, I use this system. Not so in BB vs live opponents though. I recently completed a BO game vs a trustworthy opponent using FTCR. Here is a very important factor that will need to be addressed. At levels 1 and 2 it is difficult and sometimes impossible to plot forces in and among buildings, on roads, in light trees and woods, really any 'tight' spot. This is a flaw in the game interface when used at only levels 1 and 2. My personal solution is to go to the closest top down view. In BO it is level 5. Do my plot w/o scrolling around and then go back to level 1 or 2. This way I get no advantage from level 5 except that I can plot accurately. Then there is the "church steeple" view which is level 3 in BO. Offered to a unit which on level 2 of a church moves to a position beneath the steeple and is assumed to have gone up. This little advantage in sight has caused bitter fights for church buildings in my world. These things could all be worked out I am sure. I really think Noiseman is on to something. BTS should take a look at this. On my belly.......... Toad

I prefer greys myself. Very sneaky, quiet, hard to spot, here and gone in a flash. What's even better is that those that spot them usually become casualties to battle fatigue. Area 51 .... Toad

I like Dandelion's ability to separate himself from the game as in... Drat, what the ( ) is going on?! Then Cool I was ambushed ! For Capt. Miller: Remember on Groucho, when the duck came down when you said the magic word? Sneaky shooting Toad

I dumped Juno and am ready to do the same with MSN 8. Some of my pbem files are over 1.7 MB and MSN can't handle them. (Huge maps, fog, lots of units). What works well? Long download... Toad

I dumped Juno and am ready to do the same with MSN 8. Some of my pbem files are over 1.7 MB and MSN can't handle them. (Huge maps, fog, lots of units). What works well? Long download... Toad

Anyone having trouble with the same service? Won't send large files is the main problem. Frustrated Toad.

I tried Panzer Commander for awhile, liked the game but there were some annoying bugs. Liked it best when I used a Voice Command software. Didnt quite perfect the commands I wanted but close enough I got the feel of a tank commander ordering his crew. But then along came CM and I have not looked at anything else for three years. Too much of a Good Thing IS Wonderful... Toad

I think the pictures you see in books and film of infantry riding on tanks were taken behind the front lines, away from direct fire. Riding to the battle, not into it.... Toad

Chainman. Splitting squads make them less powerful. (The whole squad is greater than the sum of its parts). Try using half squads in observation/scouting missions or to create diversions. Together.. Toad

It all depends on how much of a cheater vs real life you want to be... I suppose you use Detailed Armor Hits... and Fly all over the map at camera levels 3 and 4 as if you were in your private invisible airplane ... and of course use the gridded terrain. OK if you are playing against someone else using the same player aides. NOT OK if you are playing vs the AI which uses none of these things. That would make any victories vs the AI very questionable indeed. I enjoy playing with as few artificial helpers as possible. More realistic vs AI also vs a Trustworthy opponent. No eye in the sky.... Toad

It all depends on how much of a cheater vs real life you want to be... I suppose you use Detailed Armor Hits... and Fly all over the map at camera levels 3 and 4 as if you were in your private invisible airplane ... and of course use the gridded terrain. OK if you are playing against someone else using the same player aides. NOT OK if you are playing vs the AI which uses none of these things. That would make any victories vs the AI very questionable indeed. I enjoy playing with as few artificial helpers as possible. More realistic vs AI also vs a Trustworthy opponent. No eye in the sky.... Toad

Did you split up a lot of squads? This will cause your total morale to drop. Put them back and you should recover. Lowly Toad

Gunnersman, What you described is available vs AI or a highly trustworthy opponent. Use Franko's True Combat Rules. Send me an email and I will explain. Low level Toad

My pbem cmbo opponent lost his password to the game we are playing. He is not on the Forum so I told him I would ask. But it seems to me that if there were a way to retrieve a password it could compromise the game. We hadn't made contact yet so his loss was not 'convenient'. Not hopeful... Toad

Back in the 80s I did a lot of research on North Africa as a Game Master for miniature wargaming. I don't recall reading about town/street fighting. It must have happened, but it was not the focus at all. Maybe the operational aspect of the battles, which emphasized surrounding, cutting off the enemy de-emphasized holding on to towns. Tobruk would be the exception. More of a question... than an answer... Toad