Arinvald

Beware MAD women!:eek: It can't be but a few more days.:cool:

Unfortunately I don't think a Russia first strategy will be nearly as likely to work since the German army will already be deployed with the assumption of Schlieffen being the plan. Britain will be knocking at the door very soon with or without a Belgium invasion and the cost and time required to mvoe the German army across Germany will probably be prohibitive. I will still try to do it but it might require waiting for a mod that allows free setup. I have always been intrigued by the possibility of a Russia first strategy.

Yep many problems we see in the Middle East today are closely related to the outcome of WWI.

Ahh thanks. I assumed this is the way it would be but nice to hear confirmation. Now when is this sucker getting released!

Thnks xwormwood. I could have sworn that SC had stacking. Glad I didn't bet my life.:eek: Are you allowed to comment on soldier differences between Corps and Nations?

I am curious to know whether there are differnt stats for different troop types. For instance, what are the differences between the Prussian Guard Corp and a typical German Corp or Reserve Corp if any? What about a typical Austrian German Corp and a Czech, Slav, or Hungarian Corp? For other nations? Also I haven't played SC for many years but I think I remember that units could stack and hexes were used in the original game. Why the change? I can understand at this scale that a Corp would fill up a square generally but what about stacking a couple of Detachments or Heavy Artillery with a Corp? As for the AAR, good to see Verdun fall. On to Paris! Looking forward to release!

Any day now. I can smell and taste it.

I think it is all but certain to be released this week. On to Paris!

It was a fairly tough fight to convince the British Cabinet to approve a role in the war and threatened to cause the fall of the Government. Of course the German invasion of Belgium swept away most opposition. I think it would have been difficult to convince the British public and Cabinet to jump into the war without the invasion of Belgium. I do believe that Britain would have eventually joined the Entente but a delay of a few months seems reasonable. At least long enough to see how Germany did againsy Russia. Assuming that Russia was being handled roughly Britain would have to eventually join. It seems that Schlieffen it is so I will plan accordingly.

Yes I read the AAR a few days ago and had forgotten about that option. Thanks for reminding me. If Germany chooses not to invade Belgium or invade France how much will this delay the British because that is critical in any plan that deviates from Schlieffen? Could a six month delay be relied upon. Would this also greatly affect the chance that Italy might delay or even stay neutral for the duration?

Well that will definitely put the brakes on any Drang Nacht Osten plan I might have. No way I would attempt redeployment after the war has started. Looking forward to a possible scenario that would allow a choice for deployment. I assume this also means that Austria must set up for a drive on Serbia first?

I wonder if it is possible that France might just decide to invade Belgium in a mirror Schlieffen plan. I know the French had considered such an option before the war. I wonder what effect this would have on a neutral Great Britain? Permanent neutrality? I'm sure that it is not even possible that GB would come to Belgium's defense against France.:eek: I am fairly confident that they would just go with the standard Plan 17 and throw everything against the Alsace/Lorraine area. My main question is how the Russian AI would respond to the avalanche of steel being thrown at them. Will it be able to switch from an offensive posture to a fighting withdrawl in a bid for survival while hoping that France can somehow achieve a breakthrough in the West? I wonder how italy would view all this? So many questions.

I'm keen to try a Molke the Elder plan and go all in against Russia right out of the starting gate with both Germany and Austria throwing everything at them at once. Let France break her teeth against German defenses in the West and maybe Britain will remain neutral for a bit. The Ottomans will also be able to offer some help in the Caucuses fairly soon. Once Russia is knocked out by mid 1915; hopefully; then move West. Austria can then finish off Serbia with Ottoman and Bulgarian help and hopefully Italy will behave. If Russia can somehow withstand this onslaught then the Central powers are royally screwed.:eek:

On to Paris! Deutchland Uber Alles!

Yeah nice stuff. Look forward to reading some more.