Sarge Saunders

I'm finding now that I prefer 3000 point QB MEs when playing PBEM oppenents. Specifically with combined arms, med-heavy trees and a large map. With the large map it is necessary to have at least 35 turns. You really want to give both players a chance to manuever, attrit or whatever they need to do to win. 3000 pts w/ large map is very interesting because it is generally difficult to rush and hold all VLs as players will do in smaller QBs. What ends up happening is fights for individual VLs take place seperately and sometimes simultaneously. So if you win one fight, you can shift some forces to help take/hold another VL. Or with so many VLs to go around, simply hold the ones you can and attrit the enemy. (remember that if you lose more units than it is worth to take or hold a VL then the victory points will not swing in your favor) :eek: These make for the most fun QB pbems and offer plenty of variety with forces / terrain. One interesting thing to note is that with 3000 point combined arms ME, Axis has only 600 armor points to Allies 900. This can create a mismatch if the German player does not buy good support HTs and ACs. Just my $0.02 -SS [ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ] [ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ] [ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by redwolf: I said I didn't want the exact morale and VL possesion formulas to be known, but I think we (especially scenario designers) need the victory point formula.<hr></blockquote> Sorry to misunderstand. That's a good point. Isn't Victory Point based on VLs and casualties for the most part? I suppose it should be exact by numbers (eg. 115 pt Sherman KOed = 12 victory points)... ...I dunno.

The Hellcat. Needs a good low res / high res patterned mod (with a US star)

Yeah Redwolf. I think that if the exact computation for Morale, Victory, and VL control radius, etc. would be nice for all us CM fanatics. But it would open up the possiblity for very "gamey" opponents to use that knowledge (instead of actual tactical skill and luck) to win. Then it would become just like so many other war games that, once "THE TRICK" is learned, are easy to win. In fact, hearing about the random endgame feature discussed in CMBB would go a long way to helpng in matters like this. [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ] [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ]</p>

Agreed redwolf. It is really no big deal as I tend to re-form my squads once contact is made. That is when Morale counts... ...I think that the Morale computation is a bit of a mystery to all but BTS. We know what generally makes morale go down (casualties), but I have never run across the split squad morale hit before. It makes sense in some circumstances and would tend to penalize "gamey" use of split squads such as splitting up infantry to make it appear as twice the number of men in FFOW or such debatable tactics. [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by M Hofbauer: not sure how your morale would be when you witness a select few being sent out for recon as living targets to see who's shooting at them... <hr></blockquote> No...NO. I wouldn't waste good GIs on something like that. Just split out about 50 meters ahead of my platoons in the woods. More like a point patrol than anything else. Besides, getting shot at to expose enemy units is what Greyhounds and such are for

As I read more posts on this subject from the past year, it does seem that split squads is the likely culprit. I am probably not alone in thinking this as a somewhat heavy penalty for splitting a couple of squads out for recon, but alas it is a great game nevertheless. Any other ideas? Otherwise I will chalk this up to a squad split. Too bad, I liked the idea of a pre-battle bad food ration morale hit

I thought about the split squads morale hit. I only have 2 split squads (total 4 teams) out of 6 entire platoons un-split. Am aware of some discussion about split squads / morale hit previously, but this seems a pretty big hit for 4 teams... One thing I noticed is that my commanders have very few bravery bonuses. Or maybe my oppenent has captured other VLs and I do not know it yet. Really curious...

Doing a 2000 pt large map PBEM ME and am about 5 turns into it. Zero casualties yet and some nice long range Greyhound KO hits on enemy Marders. Question is why is my global morale going down? Started the game at 96% and now is down to 83%. I have not taken all VLs yet (there are 2 large and 2 small). I have had Shermans pop smoke and back away from a Panther? after a turret ricochet. Not quite sure what to make of it. So I'll put it to the CM community and see what happens... ...Maybe I am losing already and just don't know it yet or my guys just ate bad food rations Ideas or similar experiences? [ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ]</p>

JasonC I have read the book and enjoyed it No doubt the CM small arms model can handle the ferocity of that Vietnam era firefight. Curiuos about how you handled the Intruder(?) attack runs later in the fight... ...nevermind; I read where this models the early fight. Well aside from Veitnam era close air support, this should translate pretty well to CM. Would love to try the game PBEM or aganst AI. Send it to mckelvis@usstamp.com Sarge [ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: Sarge Saunders ]</p>

I may be a bit late coming in on this conversation, but here is my 2 cents worth: Pak40 is absolutely right about veteran infantry. If I am going to buy a company I will always buy infantry. Despite JasonC, there is nothing 'gamey' about this at all. Pak40s allusion to 'Band of Brothers' is a case in point. This type of exceptional soldiering happened all the time! A veteran Company Commander can turn a battle. That alone makes it worthwhile. I have played PBEMs with Pak40 and he did beat me using veteran SMG squads. I did not complain? No I congratulated him on his tactics (I was completely surrounded!). In fact, I purchased a Sherman Jumbo (something some of these CM reality snobs would dissaprove of) and it was knocked out easily by Pak40. Veteran is not gamey! Commander, I would not bother with playing JasonC. It would probably not be a fun game. When you came up with the idea for a 5000 point QB I accepted because it would give me a chance to use weapons and units I normally don't in a PBEM. I am sure that the unit purchases we both made would be considered by some to be 'gamey'. Still the points offset the advantage. If one spends 350 points on a veteran 240mm Arty FO, one would expect to destroy at least 350 points of enemy forces (shattering 2 infantry platoons and disabling a tank for example). This does not always happen and it depends on the skill of both sides. If one buys and Ubertank (sic) for 300 points then will it be able to battle and take an objective held by a regular company of Volksturm single-handedly? Unlikely if the the Volsturm player is any good. Yes, Yes... I know that there are examples when a Vet / Crack / Elite XYZ unit cost is lower than its ability to do damage to the opposing side. But overall, the points are balanced between quantity, quality AND utility. (a flame hetzer is a tough nut to crack under short 75 rules, but it will not single handedly win the battle!) OK thats my rant. I generally agree with most of the helpfull comments here regarding vet or not to vet. Sad that some must "vet" their frustration by insulting others.

Yes. A rifle grenade can take out a Panther from the rear almost 100%of the time. I experimented on this, because I was down to some Veteran Troops but no tank facing 2 Panthers in a PBEM. I never was able to succesfully flank the Panther tanks, but in the experimental scenario I ran before I tried it was conclusive. Rifle grenades will kill a Panther from the rear consistently.