Erwin

Hmm... Thanks for the warning. Having to save and replay numerous times to figure out "the trick" to winning is what makes me hate most RL/FPS shooters.

That is predicatable as there has always been a huge bias, fed by large defense cos, that denigrated any potential training tool that cost a few dozens of dollars to buy, or only a few hundred thousand to develop... in favor of the monstrosities that do exist that cost several millions to develop and require a cast of dozens or more highly paid contractor personnel to operate. While CM2 system is a game, there is clearly good training potential under strict instructor supervision - that is the key. Many cardboard games are valid under those parameters, but that is a HUGE threat to the large contractors and they have to lobbyists and clout to crush any trend in that direction.

If BF promised to ship you a copy by next week, would you convert?

I tell everyone that CM2 is an xnt game but you have to approach it as almost a completely new game system with many similarities to the CM1 interface and concepts. CM2 is a much more detailed and smaller scale version of CM1. Playing WEGO I find it takes a LOT more work, focus and time to play a typical CM2 scenario as the CM2 system is akin to flying a modern fighter jet vs the CM1 being like flying WW1/WW2 prop planes. CM2 is very unforgiving of mistakes and you can lose a game with one mistake. As such, CM2 is more of a simulation and CM1 is more of a game. CM2 scenarios are typically much smaller than CM1 scenarios. If you enjoyed the Operational feel of the huge CM1 scenarios and operations in which you could command regiments - even divisions theoretically, you will miss that element in CM2 as it's hard to control more than a battalion-sized task force (and hard on your computer system too). I enjoy CMSF and CMA very much. But, if you play with the object of minimal friendly casualties, I find the mental focus required to be mentally exhausting after a couple months and I have to return to CM1 for a couple months fun and R&R before I can face CM2 again. I consider the feeling of "burn-out" that CM2 provides is simply another "realistic" feature LOL.

The recon jeep "trick" will of course not work against a decent human oppo, but since the majority of games are vs the AI which isn't that "realistic" either (I vaguely recall reading that the AI has more intel on you for example than it should in RL and may not even be quite as restricted in its C&C restrictions that a human is), it seems appropriate to discuss tactics that work when playing "the system." It is an entertainment game after all.

What Vinnart said is also the best use of the fast Brit Jackals. I find doing large circles at FAST speed which get closer and closer to a suspected enemy tempts them to fire and expose themselves quite well.

Be very conservative with your forces or you'll find you have to restart after doing 9 battles due to losses, and it is frustrating to have to replay battles.

Sent you these first comments on looking at scenario: 1) Most curiously altho’ your Afghan troops are armed with AKM’s and RPK’s that require 7.62x39 ammo, there is actually very little of this ammo and tons of the useless 7.62x54 as well as 5.56. 2) Briefing should have a bit more intel re expected enemy forces as well as whether any friendly. 3) It’s odd that there appears to be no arty or air support for this sort of operation. 4) Am unclear why the troops are in the trucks when they have Strykers. Without air or arty one will need the Javelins and it’s a pain to have to load and unload all the infantry before starting play. Not sure why there are trucks either. (A better briefing could explain.) 5) The map is odd in that the swamp area to the NE is useless for LOS to the target, so why is that part of the map there at all? I’ll wait for your reply b4 playing. Cheers… Tony PS: If you don;t want me to post feedback here, just let me know.

Thanks Akuma. I had to restart the campaign a long time ago due to excessive casualties. So, I must have been playing this campaign on and off for almost two years. (!) It's really great.

"Complain about Lady GaGa??!!!" That's it, I'm not buying CM:BN!! Aw... Dang. I already paid for it... Looking forward to getting it for Xmas!!

AkumaSD: How many scenarios are in Dina? I'm finishing the 10th scenario and am wondering how long this (otherwise xnt) road is?

I do feel that this has been such a fascinating thread that for those who may have recently discovered it, much of the posts bear repeating.

Your improvements sound terrific. Thanks for all your work.

Hey Snake... Looking forward to the new version. But, still hoping you'll give us a bigger set-up area for A Helluva Road Opening so we can resupply the US troops with the trucks that are full of local troops.

Road to Dinas is a classic Red vs Red campaign.

I think CM1 will be a favorite for many as it's a more "fun" game than the CM2 system - which is more "simulation." I find that after every couple months of CM2, I have to go back to CM1 as it's easier and more "relaxing."

IIRC Wittman started in Stugs(?).

Well it would be VERY interesting if one can spot IED's. And no, engineers cannot sweep mines, only mark them. (But I think that someone unlucky has to "find" a mine by blowing it up, and then the engineers can mark it.) From a game POV this is all very disappointing. But, from the milpro/grognard POV mostly seen here, they will hold that the scale of this game cannot deal with issues such as mine-clearing (or recon, or proper snipers etc.) imo this is what still makes CM1 the better "game."

IIRC, you cannot EVER spot an IED until it explodes. I have read that if one suspects an IED location you may be able to destroy it by firing at that location. But, it's all guesswork. The best tactics is to smoke the suspected IED location. If the triggerman can't see it, he can't activate it and it won't blow up. Since the triggerman has to have LOS to the IED, you can also smoke or blow up any locations where the triggerman may be hiding. Hope that helps. (And if there are any other methods, I also would love to hear about 'em.)

Thanks Toxic. Very valuable info.

Lovely spaceship graphic! Reminds me how much it would be fun to see a weird version of CM - like the previously mentioned CM:ZOMBIES or an Orson-esqe "War of the Worlds" with WW2 technology battling the tripod Martians. Has no one else noticed the irony of a game being dissected and discussed as if we were tasked with solving a really serious situation - like the nuclear power plant crisis in Japan?

That would be really helpful as it's needed to change specs due to differing lighting conditions.

Thank you. This sort of info is very helpful. I have been accumulating all this sort if info and tactical hints at the BoB site: http://webandofbrothers.yuku.com/topic/11168/CMSF-helpful-hints

Could be that your machine is not up to it and just gives up(?)

Darn, I was hoping there was a way to convert CM into a railroad game!