c3k

More...
 

 
Abrams got lased, popped and backed away. (Oh, this is when the folks complaining about BFC nerfing the Russians really need to speak up. I'd love some nerfed Russkis about now. )
 
But at least something took my attention away from my Abrams...
 

 
Hmm, I wonder how that turned out for Red 1?
 

 
Ow. I allowed a moment to pass, then I kept going. It's what I do. I honor my men by ignoring their sacrifice. Really.
 
More...

Okay, first things first.
 
7,500 points? What was I thinking? That's not a lot. Not by a stretch. I was imagining a multi-company engagement with arty and air. All inside of 30 minutes. Sigh. I'm not a big QB player. And it shows. 7,500 points buys a single understrength company.
 
My plan...I want to bombard DMS' setup zone, as allowed, in the second minute of the game. That's just to piss him off! Once he's off his equilibrium, it will be that much easier to topple him! Also, I need something to fight his Tunguskas. Of COURSE he's going to buy some. Wouldn't you?
 
Also, I'll lay some smoke on his side of the bridge, so I can get my commander on it.
 
Based on my self-imposed point austerity, all I can afford is a 4 piece 120mm mortar platoon. So, that's in.
 
For combat power, I've got 2 Bradley (APS) mech platoons, but understrength. 2 tracks, 2 squads, each platoon.
 
A third platoon is made up 3 elite APS Abrams. Hey! C'mon, it's MY AAR! These are the guys I'm counting on. Elite, highly motivated, +2. Even if their tank gets destroyed, I'm gonna ammo them up and send them in. They told me that's how they want it.
 
A company HQ ties together the three platoons, adds an FO (to call in the mortars), and is mounted in an ERA Brad.
 
Between the Abrams, the Brads' TOW missiles, and the Javelins, Ima gonna blow stuff up!!!
 
Oh, I've added a little razzle dazzle. Since DMS will be looking for a Humvee, I added 3 more. Each stuffed with an elite .338 lapua sniper team. Yeah, these are the "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" guys. If DMS manages to get his commander near the bridge, I'm going to have 3 sniper teams in overwatch waiting to perforate the bridge of his nose. Ouch. That metaphor hurt nearly as much as .338 Lapua does. The Humvees should confuse him. The snipers should screw him. Yeah, it's my "Screwed and confused" tactic. They teach this at Sandhurst. Or they should.
 
Oh, I tossed Mk19 grenade launchers onto the top of the Humvees. Because otherwise they look naked.
 
Pix in a bit.
 
 
Ken out.

Okay, first things first.
 
7,500 points? What was I thinking? That's not a lot. Not by a stretch. I was imagining a multi-company engagement with arty and air. All inside of 30 minutes. Sigh. I'm not a big QB player. And it shows. 7,500 points buys a single understrength company.
 
My plan...I want to bombard DMS' setup zone, as allowed, in the second minute of the game. That's just to piss him off! Once he's off his equilibrium, it will be that much easier to topple him! Also, I need something to fight his Tunguskas. Of COURSE he's going to buy some. Wouldn't you?
 
Also, I'll lay some smoke on his side of the bridge, so I can get my commander on it.
 
Based on my self-imposed point austerity, all I can afford is a 4 piece 120mm mortar platoon. So, that's in.
 
For combat power, I've got 2 Bradley (APS) mech platoons, but understrength. 2 tracks, 2 squads, each platoon.
 
A third platoon is made up 3 elite APS Abrams. Hey! C'mon, it's MY AAR! These are the guys I'm counting on. Elite, highly motivated, +2. Even if their tank gets destroyed, I'm gonna ammo them up and send them in. They told me that's how they want it.
 
A company HQ ties together the three platoons, adds an FO (to call in the mortars), and is mounted in an ERA Brad.
 
Between the Abrams, the Brads' TOW missiles, and the Javelins, Ima gonna blow stuff up!!!
 
Oh, I've added a little razzle dazzle. Since DMS will be looking for a Humvee, I added 3 more. Each stuffed with an elite .338 lapua sniper team. Yeah, these are the "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" guys. If DMS manages to get his commander near the bridge, I'm going to have 3 sniper teams in overwatch waiting to perforate the bridge of his nose. Ouch. That metaphor hurt nearly as much as .338 Lapua does. The Humvees should confuse him. The snipers should screw him. Yeah, it's my "Screwed and confused" tactic. They teach this at Sandhurst. Or they should.
 
Oh, I tossed Mk19 grenade launchers onto the top of the Humvees. Because otherwise they look naked.
 
Pix in a bit.
 
 
Ken out.

Okay, first things first.
 
7,500 points? What was I thinking? That's not a lot. Not by a stretch. I was imagining a multi-company engagement with arty and air. All inside of 30 minutes. Sigh. I'm not a big QB player. And it shows. 7,500 points buys a single understrength company.
 
My plan...I want to bombard DMS' setup zone, as allowed, in the second minute of the game. That's just to piss him off! Once he's off his equilibrium, it will be that much easier to topple him! Also, I need something to fight his Tunguskas. Of COURSE he's going to buy some. Wouldn't you?
 
Also, I'll lay some smoke on his side of the bridge, so I can get my commander on it.
 
Based on my self-imposed point austerity, all I can afford is a 4 piece 120mm mortar platoon. So, that's in.
 
For combat power, I've got 2 Bradley (APS) mech platoons, but understrength. 2 tracks, 2 squads, each platoon.
 
A third platoon is made up 3 elite APS Abrams. Hey! C'mon, it's MY AAR! These are the guys I'm counting on. Elite, highly motivated, +2. Even if their tank gets destroyed, I'm gonna ammo them up and send them in. They told me that's how they want it.
 
A company HQ ties together the three platoons, adds an FO (to call in the mortars), and is mounted in an ERA Brad.
 
Between the Abrams, the Brads' TOW missiles, and the Javelins, Ima gonna blow stuff up!!!
 
Oh, I've added a little razzle dazzle. Since DMS will be looking for a Humvee, I added 3 more. Each stuffed with an elite .338 lapua sniper team. Yeah, these are the "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" guys. If DMS manages to get his commander near the bridge, I'm going to have 3 sniper teams in overwatch waiting to perforate the bridge of his nose. Ouch. That metaphor hurt nearly as much as .338 Lapua does. The Humvees should confuse him. The snipers should screw him. Yeah, it's my "Screwed and confused" tactic. They teach this at Sandhurst. Or they should.
 
Oh, I tossed Mk19 grenade launchers onto the top of the Humvees. Because otherwise they look naked.
 
Pix in a bit.
 
 
Ken out.

Okay, first things first.
 
7,500 points? What was I thinking? That's not a lot. Not by a stretch. I was imagining a multi-company engagement with arty and air. All inside of 30 minutes. Sigh. I'm not a big QB player. And it shows. 7,500 points buys a single understrength company.
 
My plan...I want to bombard DMS' setup zone, as allowed, in the second minute of the game. That's just to piss him off! Once he's off his equilibrium, it will be that much easier to topple him! Also, I need something to fight his Tunguskas. Of COURSE he's going to buy some. Wouldn't you?
 
Also, I'll lay some smoke on his side of the bridge, so I can get my commander on it.
 
Based on my self-imposed point austerity, all I can afford is a 4 piece 120mm mortar platoon. So, that's in.
 
For combat power, I've got 2 Bradley (APS) mech platoons, but understrength. 2 tracks, 2 squads, each platoon.
 
A third platoon is made up 3 elite APS Abrams. Hey! C'mon, it's MY AAR! These are the guys I'm counting on. Elite, highly motivated, +2. Even if their tank gets destroyed, I'm gonna ammo them up and send them in. They told me that's how they want it.
 
A company HQ ties together the three platoons, adds an FO (to call in the mortars), and is mounted in an ERA Brad.
 
Between the Abrams, the Brads' TOW missiles, and the Javelins, Ima gonna blow stuff up!!!
 
Oh, I've added a little razzle dazzle. Since DMS will be looking for a Humvee, I added 3 more. Each stuffed with an elite .338 lapua sniper team. Yeah, these are the "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" guys. If DMS manages to get his commander near the bridge, I'm going to have 3 sniper teams in overwatch waiting to perforate the bridge of his nose. Ouch. That metaphor hurt nearly as much as .338 Lapua does. The Humvees should confuse him. The snipers should screw him. Yeah, it's my "Screwed and confused" tactic. They teach this at Sandhurst. Or they should.
 
Oh, I tossed Mk19 grenade launchers onto the top of the Humvees. Because otherwise they look naked.
 
Pix in a bit.
 
 
Ken out.

Gents, others.
 
As stated here > http://community.battlefront.com/topic/117124-win-a-free-copy-of-cmbs/ the winner of the Free Copy and fight an AAR is DMS.
 
This thread is my AAR thread.
 
NO SPOILERS!!!!
 
NO DMS!!!!
 
The battle parameters are: http://community.battlefront.com/topic/117124-win-a-free-copy-of-cmbs/?p=1584749
 
Nothing matters except the bridge, and the two opposing commanders! To win, the commander must be on the bridge, outside his Humvee, at the end of the game.
 
The map:
 

 
DMS has decided that he wanted to pick which force (he chose Russians). I got to choose the setup zone. I chose Green, and US.
 
Before we go...
 
Grateful thanks to IanL for agreeing to set up the battle for us.
 
Ken
 
 

Okay, first things first.
 
7,500 points? What was I thinking? That's not a lot. Not by a stretch. I was imagining a multi-company engagement with arty and air. All inside of 30 minutes. Sigh. I'm not a big QB player. And it shows. 7,500 points buys a single understrength company.
 
My plan...I want to bombard DMS' setup zone, as allowed, in the second minute of the game. That's just to piss him off! Once he's off his equilibrium, it will be that much easier to topple him! Also, I need something to fight his Tunguskas. Of COURSE he's going to buy some. Wouldn't you?
 
Also, I'll lay some smoke on his side of the bridge, so I can get my commander on it.
 
Based on my self-imposed point austerity, all I can afford is a 4 piece 120mm mortar platoon. So, that's in.
 
For combat power, I've got 2 Bradley (APS) mech platoons, but understrength. 2 tracks, 2 squads, each platoon.
 
A third platoon is made up 3 elite APS Abrams. Hey! C'mon, it's MY AAR! These are the guys I'm counting on. Elite, highly motivated, +2. Even if their tank gets destroyed, I'm gonna ammo them up and send them in. They told me that's how they want it.
 
A company HQ ties together the three platoons, adds an FO (to call in the mortars), and is mounted in an ERA Brad.
 
Between the Abrams, the Brads' TOW missiles, and the Javelins, Ima gonna blow stuff up!!!
 
Oh, I've added a little razzle dazzle. Since DMS will be looking for a Humvee, I added 3 more. Each stuffed with an elite .338 lapua sniper team. Yeah, these are the "snatch victory from the jaws of defeat" guys. If DMS manages to get his commander near the bridge, I'm going to have 3 sniper teams in overwatch waiting to perforate the bridge of his nose. Ouch. That metaphor hurt nearly as much as .338 Lapua does. The Humvees should confuse him. The snipers should screw him. Yeah, it's my "Screwed and confused" tactic. They teach this at Sandhurst. Or they should.
 
Oh, I tossed Mk19 grenade launchers onto the top of the Humvees. Because otherwise they look naked.
 
Pix in a bit.
 
 
Ken out.

NOT directed at Wiggum15, but upstream a bit the term "fan boy" is being thrown around. It can be taken as an insult. As well, any refutation of a criticism can seem like an insult.
 
Is the game perfect? Not even close.
 
Is there a better tactical game at this scale? Not that I know of.
 
Example: I am playtesting a battle on 16 square kilometers. I have about 2 battalions against a similar force. (CMBN) One of my halftracks, filled with men, is advancing over hilly, wooded terrain. A 'schreck takes out the halftrack from close in. The surviving infantry piles out. The 'schreck team opens up on them, killing one. The rest, shocked by the impact, the bail out, and the ensuing MP40 burst, decide to hit the dirt, fire a few rounds, then run off down the backside of the hill. (In my imagination, the 2 man crew of the halftrack took the full impact of the 'schreck and are still sitting there in the cab, charred, as the halftrack burns.) THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A SINGLE TURN. It was perfectly modelled. Perfectly. This was one little micro-vignette within a 4 battalion, 16 sqkm, 4 hour battle. Oh, over the next 3 turns, my squad recovered their morale, and I split it into 3 teams. After establishing some area targeting suppressing fire, I maneuvered the other two teams to either flank, and killed the 'schreck team. Then I applied buddy aid to the dead squad member. Micro management? Hell yeah. Satisfying that it worked perfectly? Even more so.
 
The TacAI and programming was phenomenal for the ambush and reaction. Again, it was perfect.
 
 
Now, onto the point of this thread...yes, it can be improved. There are situations when the actions aren't perfect.
 
To Wiggum's post:
 
For those who are new, there were long-time cries that automatic weapons were unrealistically ineffective. Now, there are complaints that they are too effective. A perfect balance is impossible. Really. What works in one case would be wrong for another.
 
Individual soldiers, out of command, surrender VERY easily. They are often ineffective with any incoming fire. It's easy to capture them. I don't see an issue with them needing to be nerfed any more. (Assuming "individual"="isolated" or "alone".)
 
Formations ARE too tight. Each team has to be able to locate inside one action spot. That is a game-engine limitation. Changing that would be a tremendous effort with HUGE ramifications to every facet of the game. (As it's been told to me.) A workaround is to break up your squads when the terrain gets complex. As well, do NOT set long movement orders. That strings them out. Waypoints let them accordion together.
 
Isolated shooters are sometimes fanatic. You don't know when, so that you can't take advantage of them. "Oh, it seems Sergei is now a Fanatic. Excellent. I'll use him in the tower."
 
 
Are the above items workarounds? Yep. There are shortcomings, but they are not gamebreakers. Every tweak has ramifications. In some cases the TacAI response seems wrong. In others, it could not be better.
 
You get out what you put in. To me, the benefit is down low, at the individual level. I've got to command at that level to get the most out of the game. See my halftrack tale. 
 
 
 
Ken

Oooh, is this why it's called a "hot" topic?
 

 
Cpl. Rosenberger, don't let the grumbly old men scare you off. This is really one of the better forums on the internet. Usually.

That has been oft requested...as well as a scrollable list of vehicle systems. And other UI improvements.
 
Short answer: anything devoted to that would take away from something else.
 
Long answer: umm, about the same as the short answer but with more syllables.

GTX960 is aimed squarely at 1080p gaming. A lot of reviews out there. Most games play at decent rates with some eyecandy enabled. (You won't get 60 fps with every slider at "ultra".) It's a solid midlevel card.

The GTX970 is a much bigger jump in capability (despite the hue and cry about 3.5gb + .5gb segmented memory). But, it will crush every game at 1080p.

This type of event is what undermined Einstein's specific theory of relativity. You may know it as "spooky physics".
 
Known issue.

Nuke it from orbit.


Oh, wait: it can intercept the falling bomb.

Induce a solar implosion, then flee.

Custer saw Sitting Bull and his warriors as they approached. They did not appear amid the center of his bivouac.

Right now, my immediate environs allow me to have LOS from 40 to 2,000m. Behind me (the 40m zone), are my buddies and a huge support organization. My rear is secure.

If, in the next instant, a dozen tanks and 100 infantry were to appear within hand-grenade range, I would be a'mazed. Magic.

It is a game limitation, atm, not a feature. IMHO.

Ken

No...they're not afraid of the laser...they're afraid of what will FOLLOW the laser!
 
You need to imbue your men with a more martial spirit. A pre-battle speech is my technique. Barring that...pop smoke and reverse. Remember that location and try to find who/where has LOS to it. Then hammer that spot. Or, more cheaply, try to get eyes on it. Ground troops with binos are an option. UAVs are a BETTER option.
 
A lot of times, no, there's nothing you can do. Precision munitions are bad that way.

No...they're not afraid of the laser...they're afraid of what will FOLLOW the laser!
 
You need to imbue your men with a more martial spirit. A pre-battle speech is my technique. Barring that...pop smoke and reverse. Remember that location and try to find who/where has LOS to it. Then hammer that spot. Or, more cheaply, try to get eyes on it. Ground troops with binos are an option. UAVs are a BETTER option.
 
A lot of times, no, there's nothing you can do. Precision munitions are bad that way.

I agree with the OP.

Enemy teleporting inside your defensive line is not right. It punishes "winning" the battle beyond what the designer thought would happen.

This has nothing to do with balance (maintaining a combat presence to flanks and rear). It has everything to do with witchcraft.

If I laager-up, guns out, with clear fields of fire, how does that enemy mech task force appear inside my perimeter?

Magic. That's how.

As mentioned, there are tools available. A pre-brief that the right flank is unsecured and EW intercepts have a mobile enemy operating there would be a clue. Then, having a message appear, "imagery shows enemy approaching" a few minutes prior, would simulate pickets giving warning. Finally, map labels, "possible enemy spawn location", would be the last clue.

All the above would warn the player NOT to hug the edge. (Or put LARGE exit zones along the edge which remove friendly forces from the battle would have a similar effect.)

All the above are to repair the damage to immersion that game edges and teleporting forces cause. It has NOTHING to do with fairness.

Ken

That was well done! Thanks for the laugh. Now, because of your post, I will send a battalion across an enemy controlled bridge.

That was well done! Thanks for the laugh. Now, because of your post, I will send a battalion across an enemy controlled bridge.

That was well done! Thanks for the laugh. Now, because of your post, I will send a battalion across an enemy controlled bridge.

That was well done! Thanks for the laugh. Now, because of your post, I will send a battalion across an enemy controlled bridge.

Well, far be it from me to let a snideness go by without giving it the applaud it deserves. (Sound of crickets chirping.)
 
Moi, a fanboy? It depends on your perspective. Show me a better game at this scale. Oh, it doesn't exist? Guess you're a fanboy, too.
 
Now, let's look at what I posted:
 
 
LOL. Really. How many times would the OPPOSITE be decried? E.g., my AT team only used small arms and refused to fire their rockets at the enemy? (Err, kind of like how this thread started?)
 
I agree: in the situation you described, it's sub-optimal. Now, let's dig down. Were they surprised? (Real life: surprise/danger close, you trigger off whatever's in your hand.) After you've re-run the savegame 100 times, how many times did they use the sub-optimal weapons?
 
I just had a game turn where I had 3 engineers, totally black on small arms ammo. Down to 3 grenades and some demo charges. Yeah, they used the grenades which pinned the enemy for a few seconds, then, as they were being overrun, the engineers started tossing demo charges. Why wait? Because, as happened, one of the demo charges WIA'd one of the engineers.
 
There is a LOT going on under the hood. A one-off situation can be cause for investigation, not a conclusion.
 
I gave you a possible reason why your troops did what they did. I also ended with a statement that your experience may raise a question, but a one-off anecdote does not mean the game is broken. See that part where I agreed that it was sub-optimal? Of course you didn't; you have chip on your shoulder. Those chips tend to stack higher and higher until they block peripheral vision, leaving one with tunnel vision.
 
Your troops died. Waaaaa. Cry me a river. Must be the game is broken, right?
 
Ken

WeGo, Iron.
 
Get over your fear. Iron actually HELPS you play BETTER. It shows you what your troops see and know.

Spotting...

A lot of good info already posted.

Units do not spot continuously. They only spot at certain intervals.

Vehicles have had their spotting abilities reduced.

A fast moving vehicle may be able to exploit these game engine characteristics for several dozen meters.

Yes, it can seem broken. I ascribe thses situations to oft-described stories of units infiltrating enemy lines at night through guise and guile or just ineptitude.

I wonder how many times it would happen if you replayrd it repeatedly. When in the next turn was it spotted?