Javolenus

Apologies for the multiple versions of this scenario. It was my first attempt and it's taken longer to tweak than I originally thought. Call it a learning curve on my part. Anyway, I have tightened up the mission somewhat, in order to give Blue a bigger challenge. I have also corrected some typos. One other thing: when I uploaded this file, I forgot to add the version number - so, just to clarify, this new file is version 2.1. Finally, I've included all relevant files in the RAR archive, so folks can create their own scenarios or tweak this one to their heart's desire. Again, apologies for the errors and mix-ups.

Hi There, I just got into scenario design and completed a scenario. Having worked through the process once, I've got a few questions: 1. How can you set parameters for civilian casualties. For example, how could you penalize a side for causing high civ. casualties - is this possible? 2. Can you use minus points in the mission parameters? For example, if you wanted to penalize a side for friendly casualties, could you do this using minus points? 3. When doing the AI plans, what do the Exit After/Exit Before buttons do? What's that all about? 4. Again, when doing AI plans, how does the Support Targets thing work? Thanks in advance for your time and patience.

MikeyD, Many thanks for this. I managed to get through my first scenario with help from you guys. I really enjoyed working on it and am impressed with the tools that come with the game. Well, I kinda got through the AI orders thing, which took some time, but now I don't have time to thoroughly play-test. And so I've submitted the scenario along with all the files, so that it can be tweaked according to taste - or adapted into a totally new scenario. Thanks again for youe help.

Sorry for the typo guys - it should be "Night Engagement At Al Qaryatayn". I'll resubmit the file with the correct title . . .

Hi There, I just put together my first scenario. I don't have time to do lots of play-testing due to work pressure. Also, as this is my first scenario, I maybe made some errors or missed some interesting possibilities. If anyone would like to play-test the scenario or make improvements to the design, or even create an alternative scenario, I'd be happy to post or email all the relevant files, including txt and bmp files. Here's some more info regarding the scenario: NIGHT ENGAGEMENT AT AL QARYATAYN INTENT: I wanted to create a scenario that would be a challenge. Something to make players think, while providing some tense moments. MAP: The map is very loosely based on a Google Earth map of Al Qaryatayn, a town in central Syria. I know nothing about this place. The map is only a very rough approximation of the terrain. I simply wanted to feature a real location. I also wanted to combine urban and rural features. TERRAIN: I wanted a largish map for small units to operate in. Features include: fields, orchards, sunken paths, farm houses, walls, subtle variations in elevation, and a major road. There are some tall buildings in the town's suburbs. BACKSTORY: The background to the scenario is as follows: After early battlefield defeats, the Syrian Army regroups on Al Qaryatayn, seeking to mobilize the population and force NATO into a damaging PR situation. The Syrians know public support for the war is fading in the West and hope that a bloody battle for this town will make NATO crack. They are also pinning hopes on UN intervention. BLUE MISSION: A British recce platoon is tasked with testing the town's defences. HQ wants to know the strength and ID of enemy units, so that an assessment may be made regarding a possible strike on the town. As usual, the Brits are expected to achieve their objectives without any casualties and with no backup. RED MISSION: A Syrian Recon platoon is tasked with a search-and-destory mission in the same sector as the Brits. HQ wants to know the ID of any NATO units prior to their destruction. The Syrians must not let any NATO units into the town itself. HOW YOU CAN HELP: I'd be interested in the following: 1. Play-testing 2. Map improvement. 3. Mission design improvement. 4. More realistic military briefings (I have no military experience). 5. Alternative scenarios based on the map. 6. Possible development of a short campaign based on the map. Many thanks for your time.

Hi There, Thought I'd try to make a scenario without reading the manual (OK, OK, don't shout!). I'm doing OK so far but I'm stuck and need help on the following: 1. How do you get text into the mission briefing (y'know, 'Commander's Intent' and all that stuff)? I just can't see where to type all that background info stuff. 2. In the mission briefing, how do you get an operational map in there? I guess you have to make it yourself? If so, what are the specs required? And how to get it into the briefing? 3. What does the 'Bake' option mean - what does it do? I realise the answers are probably obvious, so apologies. And thanks in advance for replies.

Thanks again for the info - a very useful thread for novices like me. I was interested in Lethaface's points about siting AT crews and relocating them - will definitely pick up on that.

Hi Souldierz, Glad you liked this scenario too. Funny you called it 'farm hopping' because when I looked at the map from the blue perspective, that's exactly how I saw my options unfolding. I was thinking of extending the time limit and adding some extra red reinforcements. Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.

Hi Souldierz - yep, that's the one. I found this scenario really immersive, playing as Red. And I learned a lot too. I'd like to play the scenario again as Blue, but maybe give Red another late reinforcement, just to rack up the tension.

Thanks for this. I replayed the scenario with all the above points in mind. Managed to take out two Abrams, one with a T-72 at almost point-blank (the Abrams rolled across an open street where my T-72 had an arc of fire), the other with combined MG and AT assets, firing at the side and rear. Phew, this was hard work but it paid off. Thanks again for all the info.

Hi Wengart, Sounds good - I think I'll try the same thing. Lots of possibilities . . .

That's a good idea about using an IED. I never used them before, so your idea would make a good try out. Thanks for the input.

I agree - I think the modern scenarios are compelling and help connect gamers with what's relevant now. I probably wouldn't play another WWII game after CMSF, but would rather look forward to what else the game can offer in the modern era.

I was only just thinking that a new RED force would be cool, so I'd be in favour of a new RED module. That said, would also be interested to see a Turkish or Polish module. Anyway, looking forward to seeing whatever else gets added to the game.

Hi George - thanks for this. Yep, I really got into this scenario. The map not only looks beautiful, but is full of tactical nuances. I'll play the scenario again, so as to explore further possibilities. Great job. Meanwhile, have a good trip!

Thanks for this info Damian - that's pretty amazing and makes me even more wary of these monsters. Looks like dealing with them is a real art.

Hi There, Have played through the Hammertime scenario twice now as red - got tac victories both times. It's a great scenario with a beautiful map. What I learned by playing as red is: 'don't play the units, play the map'. In other words, with fewer goodies than the NATO troops and worse quality assets, you've got to fully utilize whatever tactical advantage lies in the terrain. This map offers lots of possibilities and I really got into it. Even found myself thinking of it as a real episode, and how it might be reported in the Western media. I'll probably replay the scenario as blue and see what happens. Just wanted to give the thumbs up. As for my tactics as red, I didn't do anything fancy: just went for a static defence, lumping units close together at key points and with fairly short, overlapping arcs of fire, so as not to give away positions too early. I beat off one US attack with AT and MG assets. I beat off another with a desperate and costly armoured counter-attack. The US troops took a few objectives but failed to penetrate the Big Smoke as they had to walk through a heavy 'kill zone'. I was happy with the result both times - I guess, in reality, it's about as good a result as possible. In a real-life situation, I would have had my propaganda and media guys working overtime on Western public opinion . . . In a broader sense, playing as red has made me realise why asymmetrical warfare plays out the way is does, with fighting taking place in civilian and culturally-sensitive areas - basically, as red, you've got to use every dirty trick to level the playing field against overwhelming US tech superiority.

I agree totally. There's something compulsive about this scenario and it would make a great movie! I wonder how alternative versions would play out, with different units - has anyone tried this? That said, the brittle morale thing adds to the challenge for red, so the scenario is great as it is - definitely a favourite.

Many thanks for these replies - very helpful. This was the first time I came up against Abrams, and it was a real experience! Now I'm better prepared, thanks to this info. As it happens, I went back and managed to destroy the Abrams when it nudged up against a building, thus reducing its available arc of fire. I attacked with 6 AT teams at various angles/ranges and I guess one of them got lucky, as the Abrams went down. But I've now got a very healthy respect for these beasts and will bear the above points in mind next time. Thanks again.

Thanks for the swift responses. I attacked this Abrams with 6 AT teams - 4 missiles hit and the tank survived unhurt and killed all the assailants. I then attacked with 3 T-72s - the Abrams killed them all. I then ordered all remaining units - about 30 squads armed with various AT weapons to converge and attack. The Abrams killed most - the rest ran away. In the end, I couldn't really finish the scenario so just kept clicking the end-of-turn button until time ran out and I got a tactical victory. Kinda funny and kinda frustrating at the same time.

Hi There, Is it possible to destroy Abrams? If so, how? In my current scenario as RED, I've tried everything against a seemingly indestructible Abrams. So far, it has survived a minefield, off-map fire missions, several T-72s and a variety of AT weapons at long, medium and close range. I have now run out of ideas. Soon I will run out of men/vehicles/buildings/ammo. Would flicking it with a wet towel help?!

OK, you solved the mystery Vulture! Many thanks indeed. As it turned out, all my AT teams were too close for their weapons to fire. Guess I learned something here - thanks again and all the best.

Hi There and thanks for the quick repsonse. The Abrams was slowly nosing around some buildings and occasionally loosing off some fire. But then it kinda rammed into a building for no apparent reason. It still looked 'live' to me, but maybe 'ingame' it was no longer functioning? I guess that might explain the situation? To be honest, I didn't reckon on a mechanical failure - I just assumed my guys would try to hit a tank if possible. Like I said, the scenario is great and I'm happy with the result - just curious about those AT teams.

Hi There, I just been playing the excellent 'Hammerstrike' scenario as Red. In the final stages of the scenario I hit a situation that puzzled me. It's probabaly me missing something obvious, but I thought I'd ask. Basically, my AT teams stopped firing. They have AT weapons and ammo and they have LOS, but when I target enemy vehicles, nothing happens - the tooltip text just syas that they are 'spotting'. Puzzled, I surrounded a US Abrams with 6 AT teams at varying ranges, all with LOS. I targeted the tank but none of my guys would fire. At one point, I walked a team right up to the Abrams - not only did the Abrams not fire, but my guys didn't fire. It was as if both sides had declared an unofficial truce - which, by the way, would be a very cool feature! Well, after a few minutes of this I basically gave up on the scenario, as it was going nowhere. I gained a tactical victory but would have done better had my guys obeyed orders. I enjoyed this scenario and the map is brilliant. Also, I don't really mind about things grinding to a halt at the end, but I'm just curious to know what's going on! Why do units fail to fire if they have ammo and LOS? Thanks in advance for replies.

Hi Paper Tiger, Many thanks - that's now clear. I think that's fair enough - I was just curious to know how the morale thing worked. Thanks again - much appreciated.