Schoerner

So this will become great Christmas for you. Enjoy it. The following Christmas you'll be already single...

My vote goes to tom_w's underestimated TFoW Terrain Fog of War (what you can't see, isn't there). What i would find an improvement, is air support, that is a bit more user-controllable, means that can be called in with appropriate delays by the user during the battle and can be pre-planned, too. Parachute units falling from the sky (pre-planned?) would be nice, too. [ April 26, 2003, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

James, Juardis: WOW, i think BTS will hardly be able to resist that excellent idea. Quite easy to program, CM stays CM and doesn't turn into a more or less other game, and we get more realism, too. [ April 25, 2003, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Seahawk, Biltaid works truly great here. Only one issue (i think so): if i get points for attached units, Biltaid prompts after the battle for the parameters, but i only can input the data of one unit, but would need two (80pts -> 2x PSW222).

Not many? :eek: I think Biltong's Campaign Rules Threads show the opposite. Maybe you want to contribute your ideas to this recently started thread about this topic? http://www.battlefront.com/cgi-bin/bbs/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=006773

Why don't you stop to use imputations? To help you: imagine an infantry platoon in a safe place (maybe preparing for an attack). OK? Imagine that it is supported by a tank and this tank is very close. OK? This tank has radio. OK? Will the tank-commander inform the infantry platoon by telling the next infantry unit, where enemy units are, that are reported to him by his HQ tank? Don't you know that it was very common, that inf. platoon commanders ordered one man to the tank, for getting this precious information?

It's possible when the tank-engine is low on revs and as i clearly stated it depends on how close the next unit is (unit's communication radius). Seems you're confusing something: you replied to my post and i wasn't talking about radio-communication, only. No, at low revs, there's acoustic communication possible. Additionally signs. Communication has to be possible independent from HQs. Only radio-comm. needs HQs. [ April 23, 2003, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Wow! Never thought Arty-spotting is that well implemented! CM is always good for positive surprises.

'My' terms? They are everywhere the same. </font>

Hm??? I was talking about radio communication of tanks within the same platoon, anyway. This would be extremely unrealistically. On the battlefield every unit can speak to every unit within it's communication radius; tanks: if they can communicate with a unit nearby depends, if they are buttoned/unbuttoned. Why shouldn't a normal tank commander (not only the platoon leader) be able to inform any unit close enough, about the infos of unit positions he gets over radio? That's quite normal. ... Ofcourse information delay would be fine, but we shouldn't expect to much. Normal relative spotting, would be a huge step forward and therefore enough, IMO. And once this is implemented well, the engine could allow further refinements... [ April 22, 2003, 11:18 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Reading Steve's very good thoughts and explanations about c&c and spotting, i have an estimation what CMX2's relative spotting will bring... a unit sees only what's in it's LOS plus it gets all the information about enemy units from friendly units, that are in it's own radius of listening (command). Examples: in a radio-equipped platoon (within range) of tanks, every tank-commander knows about the enemies in LOS of each tank. If one tank discovers a gun, all others know about it, too. If all groups of a platoon are under c&c of the HQ, each unit has full knowledge about the enemy units seen by each unit. Maybe the system will be made independent from/additionally to HQs: each unit has a listening/screaming radius and shares it's own information with any other unit within that range. Maybe we will also get a very limited angle of view of buttonedp tanks. And their view can be supported by other units?

Seahawk, a suggestion for BiltAid: wouldn't it be good, if you would include BCR's version# in BiltAid's name? i.e. BiltAid_v1.03_BCR2.2

Just for my clarification: so if the computer bought a Battailon and i don't have enough points to buy it, i'm allowed to buy the exact single Company or Platoon being part of this Battaillon, right? 'normal QB Purchase List'? Do you mean with that list, the one in the unrestricted Real-Battle setup, or the one that is valid during the Task Force generation? So does that mean, if BiltAid/BCR decided for i.e. an Infantry only battle, and i got points for armor category to spend, that i'm allowed to buy armor, although the computer was restricted to Infantry only, when it generated the Task Force?

Yes.

Lane, maybe i can help you (Biltong and Seahawk, or anyone else that finds a mistake within the explanation, please correct me!): Note 12 of BCRs explains the purchaing of troops (tip: download the rules and create an alias to them in your CM-startmenu folder), but IMO not clear enough, so i'll try to explain it with my own words (a bit general for beginners, too): 1. you create a QB (with the exact parameters given by BiltAid/BCR) and let the computer choose your units automatically from within that parameters. 2. Write all the available units down (Infantry: be sure to find out, if whole Battaillons, Companies or only independent Platoons, were bought). Mortars, MGs or other support units only count as individuals (and therefore are allowed to be bought individually, later), if they are 'independent' - means: not part of a platoon, company or battaillon. This QB will NOT be played. It's just for the reason, that the computer picks those units, being available to support your 'Battle Group'. Discard this QB, after you have written down the units. 2. you create a second QB. The one, that will be played. 3. buy units only, that were bought by the AI in the 'Task Force QB' (the ones, you already had written down). First you have to spend your points on those units, that were bought by the AI in the previously made 'Task Force QB'. Take care, not to exceed the maximum points BiltAid/BCR gave you for each category. 4. You are not allowed to break formations, if you have to less pts to buy the whole unit organization. I.e. you have a Battaillon of 41ers Schützen available from the 'Task Force QB' but you have to less points to buy it for the real battle. But you have points left: 5. (BCRs Note 12 comes into play): because you have to less points to order a unit from the given (and hopefully written down) Task Force units/organizations, you are allowed to buy any unit from within that category - BUT since this QB is set to 'unrestricted' units, make sure, that the cheaper unit you're going to buy was at all available to the computer when it determinded the 'Task Force' automatically, with the specific settings for unit type given by BiltAid/BCR. Example 1: You have to less points to buy the Infantry Battailon, the AI bought for you in the previously made 'Task Force QB'. Note12: Now you are allowed to buy any unit that was available, but only for that unit-force-mix (i.e. Infantry only) and division type given by BCR/BiltAid. Say an Infantry Battailon. It also consisted of a Company of AT/Inf Guns. But: this specific support Company only was available for Battailons and is not 'buyable' as itself and therefore not listed on on the purchaseable unit-list. Bad Luck. Either you can buy the Bataillon to get it, or forget about it. You are not allowed to break the Battaillon and buy the units seperately to create a company/platoon that fits to your needs/wishes. Example 2: BiltAid/BCR determinded, say 250 pts for armor AND BildAid/BCR determinded that the upcoming battle will be Infantry only and the division type is Infantry. You let the computer buy the Task Force units and write them down. It will buy no tanks or vehicles, because they are simply not available for that type of battle. Now, in the unrestricted setup for the real battle, you buy what you want/can from the list of the offered Task Force units. But there is no armor to choose from, but you have 250pts to spend... - theoretically - if support armor would be available at all from the Division... Note 12 comes into play, again (you have points left to spend, but no Task Force units on your written down availability list, that are cheap enough or even available): you are allowed to purchase whatever you want, but only from within the category (ofcourse) and only units, that were available to the computer when it determinded the Task Force units, too. This means: infantry only -> no vehicles or armor was available when the computer generated the supporting Task Force units -> you are not allowed to buy armor now, too (remember: you're still stuck to an 'Infantry only' battle but for generating the real battle with your core 'Battle Force' and the appropriate points for each category, it is simply set to 'unrestricted' - but only to have enough freedom to buy the allowed units). That's war. Bad luck. Hope that was correct and a little help. Schoerner [ April 21, 2003, 07:27 AM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Is there a way to import units only - without importing a map? (because, it would be more comfortable, if the Battle-Group is set up once and saved with all the unit's settings, instead of making the changes everytime after importing a premade map). BTW: soon i'll start my third BiltAid battle and it's amazing, too, what kind of battles appear! Now I'm very interested what will happen in a 3000pts assault with 2000 points air support :eek: and weak friendly ground units... What makes me a bit nervous is, that the experience of the ordered air-support units is only 'green'...) [ April 20, 2003, 09:38 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

I just finished my first BiltAid BCR battle and it was really exciting and great fun. Lost the whole PzIIC crew due to a catastrophic explosion in the last minute, but on the other hand, i had more than enough luck: the PzIVE only became abandoned... The game really get's another dimension with this campaign. No comparison to single scenarios! Biltong, Seahawk and all the others, that made this possible: THANK YOU! What stays is the hope, that BFC soon will see the potential.

Seahawk, thanks again (and a lot) for your fast replies. Dare i to say, that i still have another (hopefully the last) question? Computer already bought the support-units. Check. I wrote them down. Check. Say, a Kompanie Infantrie. Say such a support Company is containing an 81mm Arty-spotter, which i want (but i have too less points to buy the whole Kompanie). Am i allowed to tear the Company apart and buy only the spotter, or do i have to stick to the exact same unit-formations, that the computer gave me? I guess the right way is only to order the whole Kompanie without tearing it apart, right? Oh, i can't wait to start my first (night assault on a town and open ground without any vehicles) battle. Even now, i'm feeling already more familiar with my already renamed Battle Force units (all my friends joined freely the Kampfgruppe ), than after a normal finished CM-battle. I'm sure this Campaign-modus will lift CM to a whole new dimension.

Seahawk, back with another question. How should imported units be treated? I mean, they don't cost any points. If i import the (always the same) Battle Group, as you suggested (works great ) how should the points be handeled?

Thanks for your fast answer, Seahawk. Yep, this seems all clear to me. If i'm remembering corretly, a window appeared and told me about that, but i don't cared about it. I don't even know what a 'Big Battle' is. Isn't the multilpier already included in the purchase points given by BiltAid? If no, where can i find the modifier? How do you come to that conclusion? (i don't have a clue about that multiplier) Thanks for that tip. I already set up (and renamed ) my Battle Group units. But now i don't know, how i get them into my QBs, if i can't find a premade map, with the parameters i need? Edit: I already found the solution: Editor -> Map Editor -> generate random map -> save with units. Quick Battle Generator -> import map with units. I guess this is the usual way of the Biltong-profs, if no premade maps are available, right? [ April 19, 2003, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Sorry, guys if this was discussed already, but i have one problem with my first battle-setup ever: The computer (BiltAid) picked for my Task Force Luftwaffe Infantrie. In the QB the AI chose Infantrie units only. So far, so good. It is an 1250 pts Axis assault and i'm allowed to spend: Infantry: 525 pts Vehicle: 480 Armor: 300 Arty: 390 My infantry-part of the battle group already costs ~320 pts. So i only have 525-320=~ 200 pts free for spending on infantry, right? And what should i do with the rest? I only have infantry-units in the support-units. So i can't buy anything else, right? I have nothing against such an Impossible Mission, but i only want to make sure, i do understand things right. Am i right? [ April 19, 2003, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

You need to set the Divion-type to unrestriced, when you buy your units. What you are allowed to buy, is already determinded by BiltAid. That's the sense of the support-units ('Task-Force'). To fill up the given points.

[i started to write this reply, before you wrote your second, one.] Hi rotten, i'm also right now setting up my first Biltaid-BCR battle (and still have a question, but with this point, maybe i can help you): as far as i understand it, the computer chooses his own units, anyway. Biltaid gives you the parameters you have to choose in the quick-battle generator. I.e. Biltaid calculates for the ALLIED: Force Mix: Infantry Nationality: Soviet Division Type: Infantry Quality: Medium Fitness: Fit Casualties: -20% Ammo: 50% Sewer Movement: No So you simply choose those parameters for the computer player and don't forget to let the AI choose the units automatically To determine your own units, you set up two different QB: the first will determine, which units will support your core Battle Force. For this QB, you choose the parameters given by BiltAid. I.e. Force Mix: Infantry Nationality: German Division Type: Luftwaffe Qual: Medium ... Now let the computer pick the german units automatically (don't care about the Russians; you won't play this QB anyway - it's only for determining the available support units). Look at the battlefield and write the choosen units down (regarding the above example, the computer was forced to take Luftwaffe Infantery units, only). Now create the second, the real Quick Battle. This time you choose for your forces unrestricted. For the computer, you fill out all the fields, that were given to you by BiltAid (and don't forget to let the AI choose it's units). Now choose your core Battle Force. They keep all the time the same (standard: 1x mot. Infantrie Kompanie; 1x PzIIc, 1x PzIIIG, 1x Pz IVE). After doing that, you have remaining points. Now choose the german Division type given to you by BiltAid. In our example: Luftwaffe Infanterie. Now you are allowed to spend points on those units, that were picked from the computer in the first QB and that were written down. But be careful and spend only as much points, as BiltAid gave you for each category. Hope that helped. [ April 19, 2003, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Seahawk, thank you very much for reacting that fast. Oh, and thanks to Peterk, for making initial Biltaid. Can't wait to start my first battle. [ April 17, 2003, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: Schoerner ]

Seahawk, BiltAid seems to be a great tool, but no Readme included? No comments about installing Java? I was taking a look on BCRs some months ago, but never had the time to start playing. Now i want, because of your great program, but what do i have to see? No instructions. Nothing. I thought i could start Biltaid and the rest is done by it? Now i still have to download and print BCRs after finding out, where to get Java and installing it? How to input data in BiltAid? Ok, now i know it, because luckily i found the answer in this thread. Excuse me if i'm sounding harsh, but at the moment i'm quite frustrated, 'cause i was keen on playing my first BCR battle with the help of BiltAid, and instead of playing i was freaking around with the Biltaid archive, the strange filenames until i found out that they are Java related, extracted BiltAid on my music-computer where Java is installed and saw that BildAid only shows a sheet and i wasn't able to find any help. :mad: Back to the multimedia-computer, dialing again, searching Java, searching BCRs, searching the BFC-forum about BiltAid... :mad: :mad: :mad: I hope the program is better, than the non existant user-information.