operating

OK, I found one of your AARs http://community.battlefront.com/topic/119668-ww1-call-to-arms-ash-vs-will-central-powers/ ironically I found it on page 2 of this forum, must have overlooked it.

Made the same Gentlemen's Agreement with others in MP AARs (some written by yours truly) over at the Matrix CTGW forum. Can't find your other AAR or AARs, looked back several forum pages here finding no results. Am I looking in the wrong place?

Did Belgium enter on it's own? or, Did CP DOW Belgium? Forgive me if I am missing something, have not played this game in over a year.... How do you think the Russians will fare if AH is able to block the mountain passes through the winter? I'm a little puzzled with what is "not happening" in Serbia... Do the Russkies have artillery? What I like about MP: Is that you know your opponent cannot spam units (and ammo) like the AI does... One final question: Is your opponent reading this AAR?

What's going on up Koeningsburg way? I'm wondering if Germany is going all out at the Western Front leaving just a token force in the East. Austria does not look all that shabby, perhaps he is having a change of heart about Serbia it's only August 22nd.

Wish the both of you luck!!! First, I'm glad to be following your AAR. Second, The blow up screenshots are beautiful..!!! Had not played this game in some time, never got into full campaign mode in SP, signed up for MP, however it took forever to get a response, but by then had lost interest and moved on elsewhere. Regardless, in the meantime had hoped something like you are doing would come about and perhaps pique my interest to get back into the game, after-all winter is coming. Love this period of warfare and perhaps you can show myself and the other members some of the in's and out's of the game. Again: Good Luck!

From what I can see: Those with the most comments, are "King of the hill". Don't miss reputations and yes they can be manipulated.

Yes, Jared emailed me to set a MP match of your mod to test for a few turns. I get the feeling we cannot do this yet if it is not ready.

Hi Kirk! On what stock scenario is this mod based? (SCWWI or Breakthrough 1914s) Is it intended as a strictly naval scenario? Where the German navy is at full strength, these guys look like they are itching for action... How about the Entente navy, are they ready for this? Looking good, Bob. PS> Did you notice how the forum allows "full screen" screenshots now? And from what I understand without having to go to photobucket for resizing!! There's an example of this under General discussions/Forum Upgrade thread/IanL (who posted some SS). http://community.battlefront.com/topic/120675-forum-upgrade/

IanL Went back to your screenshots for a second view, I have to apologize for something. I clicked your screenshot which produced a larger screenshot, however I failed to notice the "Full screen" button down at the lower left of your larger/enlarged SS. After clicking the "full screen" button (then tap that picture for an even larger full screen) , I was even more impressed with a big beautiful full screen picture, that was more legible than the previous enlarged SS. WOW! What a surprise! Thanks, Bob

IanL Have not tried any SS yet, but from what I read in your last post here: Is excellent news! I've been dying to use something like this in the SCWWI forum! All the best, Bob

IanL OK, checked out your SS, and YES it is an improvement! But, Why has nobody from BF mentioned this feature? Was there other features that have changed with this upgrade, that most are not aware of? Were you able to pull SS from your game file to be directly included into a post? Or, do you have to still go to photobucket to resize a SS to be used in a post, that can later be enlarged ? My position right along has been, that a member should be able to pull a screenshot directly from the game file to a BF post in full size (or close to it). I'll admit clicking on your SS does produce a clearer picture (at least some data could be read), but still not the quality or clearness of the original view of the monitor screen. Will have to do some experimenting.. Thanks, Bob PS< I should add that a SS should be able to be taken from a game file (modified or not) to desktop (as a png or jpeg in fullest size possible), then be used anywhere (in other forums, emails, PMs, ect.) possible without having to resize it for this forum.

Hi Furchtlosundtrew! Sent pm. Very interested in what you have to say, also any SS of the game. Not familiar with what effect RR have on supply, will read manual again on supply to see the relationship. That town to the SW of Verdun is not easy to reach early on. I'm considering dropping the game I have going now (hate doing that) to try your strategy. I'd produce SS here, but the system for doing them from SCWWI files to photoshop then posting here results in a poor quality IMO. I'm no great general, but from what is suggested: Is to keep units under a general's command as close as possible to the general and general close to it's units. Do you keep your air forces under general's command? Bob

Hello Furchtlosundtrew, Yes, I see your method to the madness with your Verdun strategy!!! And for all the reasons you have stated.... In an earlier go at this scenario I did capture all the Verdun forts and city, but not till later in the game. The French AI was tenacious trying to take the forts back, I mean they pushed hard . It was about this time that AH first arrived just to the east of Verdun to assist in Verdun's defense. You might have noticed the rear (southern) of the forts could not be entrenched (somewhat vulnerable), however, the city could be entrenched. Even was able to give the forts and city AA defense, but noticed that when AH units occupied (after Germans doing the capturing) these locations the AA became less effective or unable to build AA defenses.. It was great for a change to see the French take a beating to regain the forts, which they did recapture from time to time, it was relentless attacking back and forth. The one unit that had staying power in the forts : Was the German tank, even that had to retire from taking a beating from time to time. I will try to put fighters in ground mode for the my present active scenario. The only drawback I see there is that it will not stop AI air power from attacking the recon bombers and bombers that I intend to use on a following turn, the AI is not stupid, matter-o-fact, I find the AI somewhat intuitive to my next turn air attacks.. Question: Where do you find the best places to deploy the 3 German AA units? I have experimenting with these also. I have not been using FOW, maybe later.. Thanks, Bob

My first impression of this new forum upgrade is: It sucks!

Mister Bill! It's now July 13 Entente has losses of English 33, French 41, Belgium 4, USA 1 units so far. Germany has lost 18 units, that's nearly 4 to 1 Germany's favor, yet their NM is lower than France's. Germany still has some punch left to do some very limited offensives, but that is quickly evaporating with time and with the Hordes of Entente arriving every turn, although shortly the AH will start to arrive, as you know with AH it is not capable of doing much other than shoring up a very small area of the line. Am going to continue with this initial offensive setup at Rheims just to grind up as many French units as I can, obviously to chip away at their NM. The AI has placed 2 French HA and RR gun to the southern front for which I cannot counter, plus air units I can't counter with either, except to put AA in nearby MPP cities, which are getting constantly bombed. Again, in my next scenario, will go after the British to see how that plays out. In my first game (uncompleted) the Belgium army was just about completely out of the war, so the Brits had to make up the difference and was down to about 50% NM. I would have kept going except the unlimited unit button was in the "on" position unwitteningly by me, which made the game nearly untenable to reach the end, or at best to be fighting on my heels till a conclusion. There are aspects of the game I have not totally comprehended yet, which can be a factor in my pessimism. I'm not completely sold on your snapshot of what was the reason for no further German reinforcements from the east. Will do research to the subject before I say too much about something I am not totally knowledgeable about. I think this is an excellent scenario, that is not overly complicated, but still requires staying focused.... And what do you mean by "communications"? I have an idea what you mean, but I don't know if it's the same idea as yours? The 2 German RR guns: One is placed by Rheims to keep MPP and supply down plus nail French HA in the second line. the other is north of Verdun, again to rain fire into Verdun to zero out it's MPP and supply and harass the nearby French forts. What a PITA those forts are at the beginning and ends of Entente turns! Just thinking, Bob

Bill I still don't get it? The Brits just got 2 more heavy artillery and an American heavy artillery, 18 all toll to Germans 12. No chance for the Germans to produce more guns. Aren't the Germans still sending men and equipment from the Eastern Front during this Lundendorf Offensive? The Entente has 3 times the airpower (English, French and Americans) than the Germans. Maybe that's the way it was historically. If that's true, it's no wonder why CP lost the war.... German heavy bomber hits Paris causing a 1 (one) point MPP loss, the German bomber takes a 5 strength loss at a cost of say 36 MPP to repair, 36 for 1 not great odds for the Germans, plus it does not cost France nothing to repair Paris on the next turn, ludicrous is the word that comes to mind. If I could trade all my bombers for one German heavy artillery, I would gladly do so. Bob

Thanks xwormwood for the burn tips! No success yet, at least now I have more information to work with. My biggest concern is the added costs to having a printed manual for this game, be it using my own printer or going to a print store, it's one PITA....

Hi Bill Having a little more success this time around managing the game and learning to be patient. Got off the starting line in a few spots, nothing to brag about, at least it was in a forward direction. Captured Rheims a couple of times, much to my chagrin the AI brought 4 French artillery and one tank nearby to blow my divisions out of there. Trying to develop a strategy to hold the city, otherwise I feel it's hopeless to get near Paris. Been sacking a few generals for the first time ever, it did not turn out to be as expensive as I originally thought, so I was pleased with that.. It was bad enough contending with the French and English air forces, now the Americans have their air force entering the game, yet the Germans are still limited to what they start out with...Another headache, time to raid the medicine cabinet. Next time around with this scenario will go after the British for a "Breakthrough", the French have been tough, plus the buggers have been trying to make a mess of my southern front. Bob

My printer is on strike, so I thought I was being brilliant by bringing the game cd's to a print store (Staples Stores are fairly reasonable) to have them produce copies of the manuals. Not so fast! They would have to download the whole game in order to do a print or prints, that's a NO-NO for them to do (guess the managers don't like employees playing games on store computers, thus not getting nothing done, that's funny for that's what I do every day). Damn it, went home thinking of a solution.. Ahhh! I know what I can do! I'll burn a manual onto a blank disk, then bring that back to the store, I'm all excited now! Another problem, my pc won't burn the manual onto a disk (CD-R 700MB), never burned a disk before in the 16 years owning computers, so I am at a loss on what to do? Maybe I need one of those special disk burning devices installed into pc, don't know? Back to square one..... ???? Gee! I wish these games came with printed manuals!!!! Or, at least have a way for a print shop to download the manual without a lot of fuss from the game cd! Heck, I'd buy a manual if you had a spare one.... PS, Next time you put a game out there, give it a little more thought as to how a customer can have a printed manual.

Bill, Let me ask this: Is there a cheat factor favoring the AI? I can understand where the AI could continue to build units with the unlimited soft build button in the "on" position. I try to keep track of the management window for MPP of all countries. As fast as I kill off an enemy unit, it appears in the production window almost as fast as when they actually get killed, or at least in the next turn. I'll pay closer attention to this in the future... Of course I rebuild losses ASAP also within budget constraints. Also what I am paying closer attention to is the "intelligence tech", for I was having a difficult time developing my techs, but noticed the AI kept on increasing Intell techs at a fairly quick pace especially by the Americans. If Ypres is captured: Does that stop Belgian tech development? or does that fall under the English tech dev.? I think the latter, but not sure.. Bob

Hello Bill, Yes, that suggested AAR is a good read, have not finished it yet. Paying particular attention to the thought process of the players, also picked up on how one of the players did a Hot Seat with himself, which I found interesting. Bob

First off: Impressive game! Still learning the game and all it's nuances, for which there are many. Been playing successfully the smaller scenarios, then thought to give Ludendorf's Offensive a go, it's not an easy scenario (to me). Decided on my first try as CP to go after Ypres during the deployment phase, placing 2 artillery, available air and divisions there (intention to knocking Belgium out of the war). Over the next 5 months (3 day intervals) managed (beginner setting 0-0) to capture all that remained of Belgium, plus Calais. Belgium starts off with 100 MPP, however, with the exception of 1 Belgium general and 1 detachment, 22 other Belgium units were stuck in the production queue (will never play with unlimited soft builds again!), Belgium's MPP never went below 75 MPP and or 50-56% NM. I was somewhat stunned by this, for now there was no way to get Belgium's NM to "0" unless I gave back Belgium one of it's cities, so that it could release the units in the queue (out the question) to be killed to lower Belgium's NM. This I found as an enigma. I'd rather find out the answer to this than going into a Grand Campaign to run up against this enigma once again (it would ruin a lot of work). Secondly: I'm not a student of the war in all it's detail. By turn 3 (9 days time) the French have 10 class one entrenchment breaking heavy artillery (mostly full strength), English have 4 of the same artillery (full strength) and the Belgians have I mean artillery (class 1 HA full strength), 15 all total (plus Verdun's 5 artillery forts including the city), to Germany's 12 artillery units (3 arrived class 2 heavy, 4 upgraded to class 2 @ 180 MPP each (most don't have mobilization) , and another 5 understrength artillery that don't put a dent into #4 entrenchments). It would take upwards to about another 1500 MPP to fully upgrade the German artillery. Maybe I have history wrong? For I always thought that the Germans had superior artillery all around and numbered more than compared to the Entente. Thirdly: By turn 3 (my second game) has anybody noticed the vast number of French divisions between Rheims and Paris? Perhaps I'm showing my inexperience, but I just don't see the power in the German offensive to get anywhere near Paris. I've lost 4 divisions and many heavily damaged, air power is just about useless for the amount of MPP used to repair damage, be it they go on a sortie or not. Unfortunately Both kinds of bombers can not be disbanded, not that I have any heavy bombers yet, they had been nearly completely useless in the previous game, insanely costly to use. Fourth: In spite of the bitches I have, the game is tight as it should be, that's where the game get's my respect, it's not easy..... PS, In my first game with scenario unlimited soft builds there was so many Entente aircraft by October that they could have filled NFL football stadium parking lots in all directions on game day, unfortunately the game does not end till late December!

Yes, I left flank with A B and C, right flank X Y and Z, hold in reserve D E and F, scout with U V W, then take the center in a frontal assault with the rest. When the opponent puts up the ? mark, then 1 through 10 accepts victory.... Notice that some have their greatest battles outside the disk or the download....

Again I don't have the experience here as you do, however, I am not predisposed about what BFC will or will not do and with that I would expect that they keep an open mind to upgrading this forum that they may take into consideration member's input into their final decisions. I do not expect that any of my thoughts and suggestions are going to break any walls of apathy today from the members or BFC (some maybe more forward thinking), with that in mind, BFC has to progress or fall further behind with what's available to "offer from them to the membership", whereas other forums have improved making them more inviting to participate in, than staying here. If there is "No discussion" about current matters, then "How are they to know what concerns us"?

OK Muzzleflash1990, I just quoted you before your time was up with editing your post (I think, not sure of the restricted time allowed for editing). Just using the quote as a model to show you that a member can be quoted at anytime, never mind on a 24/7 model on editing..