JP76er

Thanks Steve. I was wondering what was up. Off to the new campaign file now. I actually "kicked butt"? I must be getting better, thanks to some great advice here on the forums. Some of the scenarios have handed me my butt.

It would be my honor. I really appreciate the kind words from other forum members too. I find the members here 1st rate too. I love that it is an international crowd. It really is cool to read everyone's different take on things. It helps unexperienced people like me. theFightingSeabee - Remember the offer on some venison backstrap on the BBQ. It is excellent. Some cold brews too!

Don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I think I had a glitch in the 2nd mission of the campaign. Let's just say, it was way too easy. If some one can tell me how to report it without spoiling anything, I would appreciate it.

Nothing with deer season. If Steve & you can PM me, I would like to buy your copy for you as a way of saying thank you. I never served, but I'm always thankful to those who have. I'm disabled now but always have & still do have a great life. I do because of people like you. If it you would let me do that for you, I would be happy to do it. Steve, can you PM me the best way to do it? Thanks! Moose! I have never hunted them but would love to do it. My next trip is out to Colorado, my cousin wants to take me Elk hunting. I love a huge Elk steak on the BBQ.

Man, that's just right at shotgun season for deer here in Illinois. My freezer of venison is empty already too. Are you currently serving in the military? Let me know.

If anyone has a spare SMAW laying around, I want it & have 1st dibs.

IIIIIIIIII like it! The ammo cook off had me looking all over the place until I realized what it was. The Marines have a great bag of new toys. It seems to me that the firefights even are more realistic. I like the air power better. The arty seems so much better. I'm having a blast. I won't ruin anything for anyone. I just started the campaign & the 1st mission was excellent. Really forced me to use the gray matter. Good Job! I love it! Worth every penny. I'll let you guys slide for being 5 days past my big 5-0 birthday.

Move here, it's tomorrow.

I turned 50 Sunday & no Marines for my birthday???? The release of the manual just adds salt to the wound. I can't wait. I wonder how many sleepless nights, us Shock Force gamers will have when we get it?

I know 4 of the Rangers, 75th Ranger Regiment, Somalia & Black Hawk Down fame. All 4 are my heroes. To Battlefront: How about hooking up with a couple of these guys & add the 75th Rangers to the game?

I've learned the hard lesson about leaving a Bradley in one spot, especially turn 1. The enemy isn't stupid. That's like leaving them a great BBQ cooking. They're there in an instant. Thanks for all the pointers. I am getting better. I've run a few battles & leading with the infantry scouting has my best success. You still leave a few knocked out Bradleys, but you keep the majority & their weapons can really wreak havoc. And that's a good thing!

'where the hell did that come from' LOL I have had many of those. I'm getting read to play some battles with the Bradleys & apply some new tactics. I 'll see if I do better.

Thanks Ken! I'll be checking that thread out. I'm enjoying the feedback, it's from Holland, Hungary & the USA. I think that's pretty cool. I respect any replies or any hints. I really love the game, I just want to learn the proper tactics so my cyber troops don't frag me.

I agree on the Bradley being better than the Stryker though I like both. The going slow & smoke I do use. I have no military experience, so any suggestions on tactics are greatly appreciated. In a few battles, I have had a mixed force with Bradleys & M1A1s. If I attack in force in an assault, I lose my Bradleys very quick. In the real world, how would you plan your assault in a similar situation? Do you lead with the tanks to a certain point & then bring up your infantry in the Bradleys/Strykers? Do you leave them dismounted & use any Javelins to help sweep your attack point? Once again, I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

Thanks for your reply. The re-arming part is not for the vehicle but the load out that it contains for it's squad or team. I agree, it's definitely out of scope for the game to re-arm a vehicle. I like to leave reserve ammo or Javelins & AT-4s in the Bradley or Stryker. That way, I can use the troopers in the way I choose. If I'm fighting MOUT, I don't want to carry my Javelins. It seems like the game likes to lead point with you anti-tank team & you lose the Javelins quickly in an assault. I like to peel off a squad or anti-tank team to return to the supporting vehicle. The Bradley is awesome in support of MOUT, I just feel like I lose them too quickly by RPG or missile. This is why I'm more apt to acquire everything before dismounting. It sounds like it's more my tactics than the vehicles. Any help on tactics is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

It seems like the Bradley is very vulnerable in Shock Force. I am deathly afraid of moving them at all at the beginning of any scenario. If they're seen, they're dead. The protection of the crew & squad seems to be excellent. The problem I'm finding with the Bradleys & their inherent teams or squads, is that you have to make them acquire everything they can carry. That way if the Bradley is hit, you're likely to have a pretty intact squad with a lot of punch. There are several problems with this. If I'm fighting MOUT, I really don't want to be carrying my Javelins around. It seems like the game wants to put you're anti-tank crew on point any time you assault. You lose your Javelins quickly. Another problem is using the AT-4s. If you use Target Fire instead of Target Light, you fire all of them off. I want the capability of returning to my Bradley (Stryker too) to pick up additional firepower & ammo as needed. I always like to keep reserve amount of ammo in all units as needed. With the fear of getting my Bradleys whacked right at the 1st turn, I don't feel comfortable enough to really use them the way I want & the way I think they should be used. I can use the split squads here to kind of pull things off, but sometimes you just want a full assault squad hitting a building or enemy unit. Is this reflected real world in the Bradley? I have read about the TOWs not working correctly in the game but I think I figured what I have experienced out playing is actually pretty real. Even though my Bradley spots an enemy armor unit, it doesn't fire the TOWs. After looking a bit, it's the terrain I'm firing through. Since it's wire guided, you have to have a clear path to the unit even if you have already spotted it. Any tactics, advice, etc. is greatly appreciated.

I use the split teams command & peel off the anti-tank crew. I use area target on whatever building the infantry is in & that does the trick. You can have the rest of the squad move back out of harm's way or any other type move. I have zero military experience but I have learned to use the split teams command a lot, especially in multistory buildings. Spread your teams on different levels according on how you plan to use them You can fire direct or area fire at multiple targets, but this also helps keep the casualties down in you're fired at with something larger than a rifle. I also use it when on hillsides. The T72s are quick to spot you're Javelin firing & fire back at your unit. I use the rest of the squad as an over watch on my anti-tank unit. You're likely to suffer the loss of you anti-tank crew but the rest of the squad is safe. I definitely have learned to use the "Shoot & Scoot" on anything against armor smaller than the M1A1. I study my set up & try to have multiple "safe" spots for any of my units to fire on the offensive or defensive.

I definitely agree with this. We might only have a few days left to play the module before we're all incinerated & become particles of a new universe. I'd definitely like to get a game or two in before I'm toast.

Hey, This birthday strategy just might work. Any young couples out there, plan on having a new baby to be born next September. Any with newborns, let them know they were born in September! Lie, I tell you, we were all born in September on or before the 21st. On a serious note; I doubt it will be this weekend with the anniversary of the 911 attacks. Here's to peace throughout the world.

I turn the big 50 on the 21st & all of the rest of the folks here on the forum want to give me an early birthday present. Something about a Marine Corp module. I'll still act surprised but is there any wind on that????? (I know, I know, I tried. I was desperate.)

LOL I read on & now find that Janet has signed up!! Oh man, that is good. I definitely agree on the political stuff. I would really like to find out the specifics on this raid but the White House won't return my calls. I know I'm speculating & it had to be something pretty big & important to acknowledge the mission. Like I said, we all know that there have been missions in to Pakistan, but to admit one is very curious.

That's what makes me wonder. You wonder if it was a high value target, why aren't they telling us who it is? To confirm it publicly doesn't make sense for the reasons you laid out. If it was a high value target & I'm already announcing the raid as being real, give us the goods. How they torture us here in the USA, are all the Talking Heads on this election cycle. I retired early due to disability & have been forced at times to watch ugly stuff like this. Every person interviewed is an automaton, in all parties. It has become a cultist phenomenon & they are speaking the same speak, all the time. I'm trying to get the word "Change", thrown out of the English language. I want an Ultimate fight match of all involved, now that would be entertainment! Too bad Janet Reno wouldn't qualify this time.

I love your quote at the bottom. Excellent!

We all know that there have been plenty of missions into Pakistan. What's unique about this one, is they publicly acknowledged it. Interesting

Sorry, we'll have to respectfully agree to disgree. No nonsense. You can read what you want out of it. I'll read mine. Way too much of this - "there are good, bad and incompetent guys in every organization, and American military is no exception." Godfather, Captain America, Encino man, the gunny, etc. How many villages are going to be blasted while recon marines have eyes on it. Especially full of happy women & children. Blow up the only school for miles in a city already devestated? Your right, excrement happens & it smells of Hollywood. I'm friends with 4 Veteran Combat Army Rangers & they laugh their arse off at it. I'l take their agreement with me as a very close & personal affirmative of my opinion. I do have to say the action was better in "Petting a burning dog". That reaffirms that I would never want to be in combat. It deepens my respect for those that are in combat.