Desert Dave

Thanks for the mention, Mint Man... sure, I'm yet kicking desert-encrust boot-heels across the switch-blade-scarred, down low life bar table-top, ah, Happy Day! The one Fab Cat you've omitted and whose hard-earned, old-school enlightened brash-talk and banter I miss is... that ol' Boardwalk Raconteur - JerseyJohn. What tales he did so greatly regale us with! How antic & funny-droll, and best, 'E had the real-deal Fool's... unkempt but cool casual elan (... as did Kuni, a'fore he lost Loki from out of his raggedy back-pocket and became a kind of wandering Scando bandanna-commando?) Enabling alla us to see behind that there Sea serpent enmisted looking-glass, ah, too, What! Eerie apt and pointillist History he could so easily 'n elegantly proclaim! Like a tall waterfall falling raucously! Into a newly roiled indidgo blue wishing-pool. well, since I ain't moribund, what am I up to these days? Nurturing my beloved Tiger Lillies - you should see 'em! Gorgeous orange-petal'd and wild-yellow pistil'd with those long strong thin green stems leaping! Forth from the dirt and defying! I say! The... dumb-dolt engendered, pure putrid pall of Punk pollution hanging over most of going, going - almost gone! America nowadays. Playing the games, yea, you bet, always! SC but of course! And, made me a modded Third Reich outta the original board-game. Nuthin' quite like it, Mint Man - rolling out them 6-sided smooth cool ivory bones! 'Cuz anticipation! Is ALL that actually matters. That there... UNKNOWN outcome. Feeling it in yer fingers, them prehensile tendons & sinews - rolling or tumbing or throwing 'em or pitching or only oddly tossing - no matter how, it's merely the doin' of it, man, what summons the war-gaming eidolons. No atomic or laser-rubbled Past. Just... the here & now. Existential existence - Live! Be Ribald! Laugh & laugh! Have some fun! Whilst you still can! :cool: Well, I'm heading on out to Big LA where my Son is to give a feature presentation to the annual DGA. That is - the Director's Guild of America - and sure! Spielberg & Lucas & Scorcese & Eastwood and Westwood and that ornery ol' brine-encrusted Pacific Pallisades Knave - they'll all! Be there! Or be square! And at last, wonderin' now and again just what in dickens to do with the new "i-tunes" gift-card I got for Father's Day. Haven't yet located that old biker-rally fave - "Mama's Got A Squeeze Box" - ennybody left in here wut knows a rouse-the-House-down! Sorta rock-roll thing or 2? Who did sung that thang? I can't quite recall, I am somewhat synapse lapsed, LOL! One old tune I'll DL fer sure fer sure is this 'un: _____________________________________________________________- Those were the days, my friend We thought they'd never end We'd sing and dance forever and a day We'd live the life we'd choose We'd fight and never lose For we were young and sure to have our way La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La --Lyrics: Mary Hopkins _____________________________________ ------------------------------------------ "Never ever - end! " By golly, wasn't THAT a misbegotten MIS calcu-lation! LOLOL!

I've got news for all the Wise Guys. Latest Gov't stats - just in! Xtra! Xtra! Read all about it! There are ~ 200,000 American Veterans, From Viet Nam debacle To Iraq debacle, inclusive, Living on the streets. I ask - where do all of these American Vets Go? To get their $600 bucks? To get minimal health care, for that matter? Yea, I'd like to see 'em livin' it up On some beach somewheres, Big Sur/Carmel is where I'd advise they go So to splash & play in the undulant waves And ogle the scant-clad lovelies, well Let me know. Then, soonest - I'll let them know, Those - American Vets living on the streets, Living outta garbage cans, Living like lepers, like tossed-off trash, There in the rubble Was once - greater Main Street, USA. Hey, you guys - got troubles? lol

Yep, HvS, that's me. Just now (... and for the last couple-3 months or so) I have been dealing with some problematic health issues. That's alright, most everybody has SOMETHING or other they gotta fight through, true? And so... haven't been able to test or play much of late, and I really don't like that at ALL, but, I'll get there. So, if you don't mind, let me get back to you in a week or two. I have copied your (... and JDF2's question - also, have kept track of some earlier critique and suggestions) comments and I will take time to think about them and also re-examine the entire scenario. I'll then respond in complete detail to ALL of it - in a new thread on the MOD forum. I do have every intention of upgrading and improving this scenario, to include the AI for both sides. Keep in mind that V 1.02 patch changed some things, especially WRT supply and I do need to reconsider that new effect as well. Please be patient and one way or another you WILL - sooner than later, have a better '41-42 North Afrika scenario to play.

Before I add further suggestions, allow me to mention that - YOU are the choosing artist doing all this outstanding silhouette-work, so you are the final arbiter - however it turns out, will be appreciated. That being said, a couple more things: (NOTE: In each case, you might create "alternative sprites" - and not the whole bitmap itself, set aside as a complementary set?) 1) HQs... doesn't look quite right to have ol' Monty for EVERY single HQ. Montgomery's PIC with Wavell as named commander? Accomplished as those renderings are, I would also like to have the plain flag HQ's. [... keep in mind that not very many of us can manipulate "Paint" or some other software, and get everything situated - perfectly, no matter how hard we might try ] 2) I appreciate that you are adhering to gradations of scale, but the "over-hangs" are a little distracting and "out-sized" when you look at them on the map. I don't think it would be necessarily un-aesthetic to have the silhouettes - conform more to the counters. Especially for those L-4 & 5 USA bombers; the Naval units not being so densely arranged @ Sea aren't so bad, but a small reduction might not compromise your scale? The Air Force wings and even the tank gun-barrels might be reduced a bit? SLIGHTLY smaller silhouettes would fit a bit better... after all, we will be staring at them for quite some time. 3) For scenarios 1941 forward (... and my preference, EVEN for my own '39 Mod) could you? **Provide tracked/mobile Artillery and Anti-tank units - for instance, the "Wespe" and maybe "Stug III" for GErmany, and appropriate models for each Nation? Difficulty here being... distinguishing them from the Armor silhouettes. So... maybe place a modified NATO symbol on the counter for those? IE, a solid DOT for tracked Arty and a "V" for A/T? Or, something you might personally devise that you like better? :cool:

Seriously superb renderings. Have not seen anything better thus far, and I'll most certainly be using them for many games. Coupla things: 1) The Italian "rockets" should be smaller, say, as you have it for the French? 2) I too wouldn't mind seeing these 2-D's without shadowing... make 'em seem more... top-down flat, and that would indeed partly hearken us back to SC-1. :cool: **VERY much looking forward to yer SC2WaW versions. An Artisan + Imagination = beyond the ordinary ART.

Have not had a chance to get over to Ernie Pyle Memorial Library, Which has a most superior collection Of his original manuscripts, photos, And the like, But also - voluminous amounts of WW2 stuff, well, Better than that even, It's real close to whereat I live. I'll retrieve a copy of relevant Research materiels, most notably Liddel Hart's outstanding WW2 history So I might clear up that there contretemps WRT "early Shermans." However, will be @ the Santa Fe Film Fest Until Monday (... my son's latest Indie "short" will be shown there), So, I'll get back early next week. BTW: Hubert had asked me awhile back To lend my assistance to Dan Verssen For his own verssion of North Afrika Kind of Campaign. Which I gladly did. If I can do it for him, I can surely provide you with whatever You might need to improve your own North Afrikan adventuring. Keep in mind that I am HARDLY the ultimate Authority - merely some everyday average Gamer who happens to like That particular WW2 theatre, maybe Because my own home environment Is somewhat similar to NA desert? Should you remain interested, Probably best to do this off-board. Hubert has my EM address So get it from him And send me, And I'll give you what I got That might be helpful. [ November 30, 2007, 05:58 AM: Message edited by: Desert Dave ]

Thanx Brad, And Green Door, For your long-standing interest And constant encouragement. As said, I found that I could win the scenario As Axis, but... perhaps There might be a BETTER way to achieve A reasonably "historical" outcome. Simply stated, It is not sufficient that I, and I alone Like it, and can play it to conclusion. Far preferable that most everyone Can also have a fine time Trying to duplicate FM Rommel's near-impossible feat. It was never my intention to make it easy, But, OTOH - I don't want it to be Just too doggone onerous, neither. BTW Brad, I did experiment with increased Movement capabilites for all units, but, Mainly - didn't care for the exaggerated ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM All over the map and back Kind of "pinball wizard" effect. It didn't look right, It didn't feel right. As with everything else in Life, There can indeed be a more pleasing way To travel the Glory Road, but, in any event We'll get there. :cool:

I am the solo designer of this campaign. I appreciate any and all commentaries, suggestions and critiques. Be they - yea or nay. First - what DIFFICULTY SETTING(s) were you playing? I have won as Axis @ Intermediate, + 1/2. Then again, I SHOULD be able to exceed the norm, eh? AI versus AI testing revealed that Axis could also win. **It would be helpful to read the Designer's Notes, both the 1st Edition and the 2nd (... which pertains to the SC2WaW version). I made a few suggestions about how to play the scenario, but did not provide a fail-safe blue-print, feeling that most players would prefer to discover how it might be done - on their own hook. ----------------- As for the Shermans... there were - in fact, contingency plans for the USA to provide Sherman 75's in 1941... IF UK/Commonwealth forces were unable to draw the line @ El Alemein, IE, if Rommel threatened the extemely vital Suez Canal. IIRC I got this from Liddel Hart's excellent WW2 history. I will re-gather my by now scattered notes and double check, and post up the direct quote then I have found it again. Rest assured that there was plenty of time spent, and research done on this project. Why blithely assume O/W? All of the "random" unit arrivals are deliberately set at a low trigger %. All of the units were possible, historically speaking. Following excerpt taken from the Designer's Notes: ________________________________________ ***SPECIAL NOTE: Another way to handicap this scenario is by UN-CHECKING some of the "unit scripts" when you first begin to play a new game. Simply go into the advanced section where the scripts are located, and click on the "unit script." The first TWO should never be changed, as they are for naval bombers on Malta and Crete (... unless of course, you'd rather not have ANY naval bombers). Each side has SEVEN (7) possible unit arrivals, with only a 1% chance for each. This means that in a "typical game" each side will get one, or possibly -- two extra units, over and above what normally arrives off the P/Q (... "production queu"). So, for example, if you are playing as Axis and would like to make blitz warfare in the desert sands that much tougher, simply UN-CHECK all of the unit scripts - denoted as "Axis." That would be the FIRST seven (7) -- AFTER the 2 naval bomber scripts. Therefore, from top to bottom, script #'s... 3 through 9. Same is true if you are playing as Allies -- UN-CHECK all of the unit scripts - denoted as "Allied," which are the SECOND, or very last group of seven (7). Script #'s... 10 through 16. ______________________________________________ That being said, I am always willing to re-consider some aspects of this scenario, based on reasonably detailed, elaborated comments. Perhaps you are having some difficulty with SUPPLY. Well, that's how it was down there in the North Afrikan desert. There is a "time-line" in the 1st Edition Notes that would amplify this, IE, Many LULLS in activity due to either side reinforcing and/or resupplying. For example, there was NO combat of any note between... July 1st and November 18, 1941. One way to re-play it... focus on capturing each vital supply link - such as the "cross-roads" oasis town of Mechili. Insure that Rommel or any HQ for that matter is in proper position to support further assaults. Again, thanks for your comments. :cool: [ November 29, 2007, 05:47 AM: Message edited by: Desert Dave ]

One way you could do it, As I have done, is by having units Appear IF a certain condition is met, IE, "Vlasov" arrives - on a random trigger, Once the GErmans take Kiev. Another thing you could do... set it up So you have a series of POSSIBLE Force pool additions, BUT... with a VERY low trigger, Say - 1 or 2 % That way, You could "model" the Soviet 5-yr plan (... better, more efficient industry allowing, naturally, more units) Or, Italy putting more $$$ into guns And less into butter. Let's say - an X-tra armor or naval Bomber MIGHT be placed Before they capitulate. If you have problems with the scripting, Let me know and I'll Post a couple examples.

Gee, Intolerance all over the place, Of late. Ain't it great! To call out the names! (... as the Coward ALWAYS does, ah sure - anonymously ) Hey! Yea hooray! Claim yer bad-cat laurels, Ask for the crowd's applause; ain't it! Actually - self diminishing, after all, To hate and hate and - hate? Well, is it? Character flaw, or an awful fate? Or more the "modern" Code - of honor, as Once it was written Some molten fire - a Knight's breast-plate? Life is VERY short, brother, Have some fun - find some joy joy joy! Try not to take - such easy pleasure In acting as though You were... a 12 year old... boy. ------------------------------------ As to the query... myself, I wish ol' rambo Was still around - where in dickens Did you go? Idaho Ivanho? :confused:

Got sum quandry queries fer ya, b bowen: 1) Who are... "these people?" Thatta way we ken ken who yer All riled-up -> about? 2) How could Hubert possibly KNOW Who wuz smoking -> what? 3) You hate! :mad: That's Self-harmful, and quite stressful too. Not good, IMO. 4) People as "smart" as... well, we need Let's see, a 4-letter word So to fill in yer blanks, here Allow me help: "Smart as a whip?" "Smart as an elephant?" "Smart as Einstein, or, Stephen Hawking?" "Smart as - you?" And so, Riddle me those, b bowen, And I myself Could even answer a question or 2, And better, suppose you ain't Uptightly intolerant, nor Sargeant @ Arms At the personal opinion or free X-pression door.

LOL, yeah SM, how I did it Remains a mystery to this day. But, once, I was a REALLY dedicated WW2 GS board-game player. (... even made ~3 pages of "house rules" and added some new units from another "miniatures" type game, and got "Axis & Allies Europe" where it was truly fun!!!! To play ) LOVED to roll out dem bones, man, There WAS just... nuthin' like it! :cool: Now, Only sorting and setting up the game pieces Puts me to sleep. Far as MWiF, I guess I just don't get it. Why in dickens do you want to Oppose the most common-sense principal EVER proposed, IE, INSTEAD of taking the simple, The elegant, The elemental, The geometrically true, The rhapsody in blue, The basically beautiful, And making it COMPLEX!! Why not? Take what is complex (... as for example, WW2 is, IMO, not even CLOSE to being remotely understood, philosophically OR - "historically/statistically") And make it simple? As Lars mentioned, OVER engineering, socially speaking Or plain mechanically, Is the bane of our existence. :eek:

Given wut the kids are driving These days, I could, actually, probably beat 'em With - Bessie the Blue bus! Used to race gasoline powered go-carts, WITH, eventually, a roll-bar welded on, Else, I'd likely not be here Shootin' the shinola today! Thing is... I used to be able to remove The hood, say, On the '57 Chev 283 cid, Or, later, the '65 Goat tri-carb 389, And be able to sit on the wheel-well And find EVERYTHING quiet easily, For the required (... and, CONSTANT) fine-tuning. :cool: Now? I open the wife's "help me Rhonda" Honda, And damned if I even know What it is I'm lookin' at. OK, it's a young man's game now, WRT to just about ANYTHING, and, well, I can live with that.

True. And, far as I can tell, and Going by my own X-perience Having played WiF-FE the board-game All the way through, full global, Three times, I am supposing that, If you play EVEN the computer version A couple hours EVERY single evening, Every single day of the week, You MIGHT get to: "Polish the Captains twin-bar brass" STAGE, Ummm, X-cuse... the brass-polish... phase, For the Nov-Dec '39 game turn, Oh, in about - a month or 2? :eek: That's gonna be a lasting blast! LOL! Crimeney, How complicated, How many Everyday Average Players Really want To play WW2 GS such as that? 27? 72? That's gonna make 'em a LOTTA profit. (... what was "Axis & Allies?" Junk for punks? Well, the guy what made it sure as shootin' SOLD a bunch of cardboard, eh? ) Well, I'd also X-pect a Matrix kind of price To surpass -> 3 figures. Same as with Harper's current Reich rip-off, That'll really make the cash register Ring and ding! ------------------------------------------ Far as supply, And not much doubt this'll Get - not much interest, but How about heeding Thoreau's advice And... "simplify, simplify, simplify?" You are either IN supply, And can do - anything, Or... you are OUT of supply, And you whither away to nada In a couple turns. (... recall, Lars, we had quite the animated discussion on this - some years ago wadn't it? )

A MegaSquirt! By Bowling & Grippo! LOLOL! Danke Minnetonka! I could maybe use that to power up The pop-top on my '71 VW Kamper Wagen? :cool: [... actually, IMO only, the Americans haven't made a decent auto since 'round about 1971, but, that's another topic for another day, eh?] Anyway, haven't had such a swell belly-laugh Since, well, just yesterday it was, Watching while my crazy majestic cat Chased after a newly falling leaf! See, There was this clumsy-dusty desert breeze And that (... deceased, yet! Still alive and kicking! Same as humans once they run out of gas and leave) leaf Would swerve & sway, Near to the earth only! To - suddenly - fly high away! well, That cat's au naturel antics got me laughing So very long and hard, That I couldn't remember ONE... single... thing RE: Production #'s of WW2! OK, OK, I hear! The majority, who, As we realize, are always RIGHT, and - accede... back O/T: I STILL say - improved PzIV's, IE Better armoured and contoured, And perhaps - up-gunned oh, ~ 13 mm Or so, would have carried The leibensraum day... IOW, T-34's OR - JS jalopies (.... ah, presumably WITH those new-fangled radios the Commies somehow? Accidentally omitted) AND, Some post 1919 doctrine & tactics learned From die grosse posing Bosche, Wouldn't have done lickspittle good Grinding around in 8-shaped circles Out beyond the Urals, nope nein, Which is where they WOULD have retreated to IF only -> His Kampf the Dumbkopf Had stayed OUT Of his Generals' way, well, Thank the bars & stars that didn't occur! But anyway, an adroitly Assembled tandem of Panther And Tiger (... sechs & funf as we appreciate) would ONLY be required For the 954 years of occult-consulted Whole world domination Beyond 1945 How do I KNOW this to be true? Look at the numbers man! You'll notice that... 954 And 1945 Are nearly the same! Merely the "one" is affixed To the latter symbol, And two other signifiers, The 4 and the 5're - uncannily! juxtaposed! And so, How I reckon it - THAT is Some kind of NON-erroneous And most harmonious configuration That NO self-respecting WW2 Buff, nor, enny Platonic, cave-dwelling, Wall-shadow observing Historian Can EVEN begin to disdain. IMHO. ThanX Arado234! But, I do believe yer in the teeny tiny Minority on that there observation. Tho, TWO out of 3344-odd, ain't bad, nope, Not squalid or shabby at'all, I'll take it! Say, Enny interest in some play Mainly For fun - wargaming? I wouldn't mind testing out My own humbly done '39 mod, Which should be ready, oh, In about a month. Would be sooner, but the Holidays And other pressing family matters preclude Any earlier encounter. (... just now finishing up the French OOB's... to include unique Motor, Mech, Cavalry, Mountain, TAC, Grogs, Frogs falling from outta the sky, and some other tres petit tri-coloured units besides!)

It is if you want to discuss manufacturing. Tiger was actually designed pre-war but rejected. When it came time though, it was a much simpler tank to produce. All flat plate. Still, had major transmission (and other) problems due to weight, and was very expensive to produce. The Panther was a rush job (so got the earlier Mark number), but even so, the Germans, being Germans, did their usual over-engineering job, even while trying to avoid over-engineering it. The Americans just gyro-stabilized the gun. The Germans stabilized the whole damn tank, making the chassis extremely complex. And they didn't have the machine tools to do the gearing right, leading to frequent breakdowns. </font>

Ah, pardon. Not near "nuts & bolts" enuff, I am doing foolish stuff again. Well, I was - pretending to be The old-days... Kuni. When he was abrim With outrageous Loki-like banter. Alas, now - and how? I ain't actually got much clue, He's gotten... "normalized," And, institutionally true. Wasn't how he once was constituted, but, Shoot the blue right outta the Moon, What CAN you do?

Ever wonder why the Mark VI came out before the Mark V? </font>

If compelling VARIANTS is wut yer after, I would suggest having a good long Careful look-see - at: John Prados' New 3rd Reich game. Has THE most novel and historically faithful "Variants" I have seen thus far. As good... nay, BETTER than 3R, A3R, TK, And many of those recently popular "Card-driven" games. FAR better than that grossly over-priced HeX-ploitation done by Bruce Harper. [... sent that Cat a quite polite inquiry WRT this & that and never got a response, ah, a too-typical non-Hubert kind of petty puerile arrogance, LOL! He WANTS to sell a game, BUT He ain't interested in relatin' To the CUSTOMERS?? ) Not only that, but MUCH might be learned From looking at Prados' counter-mix. (... he has the risk-moxie to appreciate that MORE unit TYPES does NOT interfere with the required 50-60 miles per hex schematic, RE: his inclusion of Cavalry - you might? be surprised, about just how many there were and how many nations, Major & Minor, had them, and used them to sufficient effect to warrant their inclusion, IMO, in a WW2 GS game, yep, same as with Mountain and separately functionated Motor and Mechanized :cool: ) HOW he's implemented particulary vital Features is a fresh perspective, and, His map is quite innovate besides, and, Even better that that, It ain't no plain sheet of paper, it's As with the original 3R, Sturdy, once-folded cardboard That has been very artistically rendered. Too, I like it that he has appropriate PICS Of historically faithful Planes, Ships, And Armor units -> on the counters. Gives them "traditional military counters" Some certain... style. :cool: All in all, Probably THE most mis-recognized, And under-appreciated game That has appeared in 20 years. No! More decades than that! I say - Prados is no hide-bound foundling.

I can understand it. It's a "free-wheeling" forum, And anybody can say Pretty much what they please, Within established parameters, natch. Nothing is... utterly "rubbish," IMHO, ALL and every thing has something in it That we can learn from, And can therefore expand our Mostly self-limiting Gestalt. In this case, I agree with RobertC's Apparent suggestion That this game/engine, At this particular time, Is, in fact, BEST suited To replicate WW2 era warfare, and I think? That's about all he was saying? And NOT that something OTHER Couldn't be done? And done quite well? :confused: Once another genre game Or scenario IS presented, well, We'll see if it's any good, And best! Fun to play, eh?

One other thing -> no! WW2 GS is NOT merely a "niche" game. LOL, whoever started that simple Minded jest-fest and jive? UN-like ANY other genre, It IS a game that has it all. Good VS Evil. As appealing as it gets, since EVERYONE imagines themselves As THE one Alexander/Caesar-like Cat Who CAN in fact, Conquer the whole known world. And do it satisfyingly legit, IE, defeating The merciless Monster in the process. It'll be: Hard-wired, mostly-male "territoriality" Fully realized, in the X-treme. And so, The most daring and adventurous Creator Cat who does indeed get it done, Shall, surely, As side benefit, IMO, Become a... rich man. (... could even do a "Brando" And buy himself a little island In one of those 7 Seas And long, long - sway the trade-wind day Away, yea, Beneath some song-singing palm trees. :cool: ) I suspect it - this way: There are countless old board-game players (... now at the age where they have time and money to burn! ) Who are, as said... still waiting. There are countless new players Weaned since kindergarten on "computers," Who are also anxious to see THE premier WW2 GS game. (... they heard tell of the romance, they've recognized a "journey of the Hero" which is a myth that is real) I personally have absolutey NO doubt about this. But... they are all, young and old alike, Quite particular, And will surely KNOW THE "gotta have" game Then it is released. As with any other business venture, Same as I discovered years ago Working in the "family business" For a decade, Word of Mouth Sells more product, oh, I'd guess, On the order of 10 X's over, Than all the rest of the aggrandizements, Bally-hoo and inducements - combined. WHEN that paramount WW2 GS game is made, And, again, Hubert is the ONLY guy I forsee Being ABLE to do it (... I have looked at ALL the other guys' stuff, extant, or planned, and NONE of them truly clue-less Dudes - is even CLOSE) Well, the word will fast! Travel the intra-connected Globe, and The maker WILL be crafting sand-castles In the soft frond-shaded sands That... he will... own. :cool:

Perhaps. Thing of it is, however, It - the WW2 Grand Strategy Game hasn't - as of yet, Been accomplished. IMHO. Hubert has come... closest. :cool: Quite likely, IMO, HE will be The one to get it done. Yah yah I am a HUGE "fan" Of his mechanics and methodolgy, Of his willingness to break out Of old paradigms and try out What is risky, what is new. Proof? His ever-expanded... Editor. These other faux makers Don't allow much, if enny a'that. Hubert does. BECAUSE -> he WANTS to know All the myriad many ways his game Can be "modified." How else to see what is the best, then, Pick and choose? I cannot BELIEVE it. It is absolutely and utterly amazing! To me, That ALL these so-called "pretenders," These famed game-makers (... well, we got more parvenus than we got - bearers of good GS news) Of the last 40-50 years Have... NOT... done it, nor Have ANY of them come close. How can that be? ALL that knowledge, and experience, And freshly available Histories and statistics, And they STILL can't get it right. :confused: OK, IMO, The very best scale is the one That the three very best board-games Have used. 50-60 miles per tile/hex. Everybody has their own opinion, And well they should, But, for myself, I am convinced That TIME is of the essence When doing THE paramount WW2 GS game. Larger scale and you MIGHT get the thing Done in, oh, 3-4 months. No fun. For me. (... MWiF should be interesting, but, getting through a whole ETO game is gonna be a real and lasting drag, man :eek: ) For one reason, Stacking is a plain pain in the Keister. Proved UN-necessary anyway, Once SSI's Panzer General was released. Much better to have units that can be Reduced in size (... 10 is an X-cellent # to commence with) And reinforced, in lieu of having stacks Or O/W instituted as "flipped" counters. SC2 (... Hubert) solved the "retreat issue" Once and for all, IE, With the cheaper & faster rebuild Of an "eliminated" unit. Yep, it ain't REALLY eliminated at all. It's... as with ANYTHING "Artistically aesthetic"... in Each player's... imagination. The unit has actually retreated And re-formed around the surviving Cadre. Well, Sufficient to say... we ARE gonna get That premier WW2 GS game, And we ARE gonna get it from -> Hubert. The rest of them there pretenders & parvenus Are, VERY apparently, Simply unable to do it. Else, we would have seen it by now, AFter these 40 ++ years, One would think?

Yea, that's all I got to work with too! Concepts are many, TRUE And faithful solutions, few. 1) That could be - sorta done, IE, Equivalent of the "milche cows." How? A mid to south Atlantic Port somewheres? 2) Could do that for the GErmans, especially since they have fewer ships to sortie with. Important: Complementary/balancing paradigm Would be -> UK & USA get "intel" Advantages, some soon, More later (... additional chits). 3) I don't think you need an escape. At least not early, when the GErman fleet has more fire-power. Later, no problem. Because later There wasn't much opportunity, partly Due to early decimations And, USA's East Coast fleets finally Arriving on-line. 4) You raid the convoy line (... I have long time favored the on-board convoys, since I used to play it like that in -> AH's "War @ Sea" :cool: ) And you use supply scripting to SIMULATE the losses. Not sure IF this will work out but, I aim to Giv 'er the old Army Guy try! IDEAL: Re-and-re-and- RE-request Hubert To put in This most amazing! WW2 GS game! A "convoy attack" rating Along with the other editable CTV's. :cool:

Sheer numbers do not tell The whole of the tale, IMHO, Philippe. Aggregate and combined FIRE-POWER -> does. For one example among multiples, I have to agree with the many SC Cats Who have mentioned that Artillery, Most especially for the Reds, And - the Red White & Blues, Was particularly effective and devastating. And, no need for stacking, That has, to my mind, become an archaic And overly complicated gaming mechanism. You CAN surely have multiple unit types EVEN at this 50-60 mile-per-tile scale And not have that dreaded (... maybe, to me merely) Task-mastering AKA - click, CLICK Clicking!! through & through The seemingly interminable stacks. :eek: Sure you do! Just reduce ALL the other OOB's sleightly. Which would ALSO have the great effect Of allowing more blitz And less potential bog. Yep, and the beautiful Swede - Ilsa, wore blue! Well, The uni's may have been mostly feldgrau, But the deep dark heart Was strictly... sehr, sehr schwartz. And so, As mentioned, THAT color scheme BEST re-presents an image, a perception Of what the GErman Volk, circa ~ 1932-1944, Were all... about. Nein?

Since Industrial Tech And Production are complementary And synergistic, One way to have BOTH what's... "historical," And what is broadly called "balance," (... since when are these mutually exclusive terms? ) Is to have these VERY vital aspects Of game play -> BOTH ways, IE, Partly scripted, and partly random. Which would also serve to mollify The SC Cats what figure research is a bit too Luck-driven, as is. Also... Bill's suggestion Of "gearing limits" would be an X-cellent Way to truly & accurately replicate Any given player/Nation's committment To a particular hardware choice. As we know, GErmany's "dalliance" With too many "hi-tech" toys At the expense of a good and rugged Assembly-line... of RELIABLE equipment, Likely cost them the chance To put the boot On the neck of the Swan. Say, Instead of REFINING that X-tremely good tank, The PzIV, short arm or long, They diddled & dawdled and finally fooled Themselves that Frederick the Great Would pull some "wonder-weapon" Outta thin ghostly air. Well, THAT was self deception, But THIS is... the actual "trick." Making a game that - somehow, DIS-allows the player to do what NEVER could have been done In the first place, IE, Due to "hind-sight." SC2WaW does a tremendous job with "variants," And, Will continue that salutary trend, Albeit in some new! and different ways, I am Pretty much certain. :cool: