danfrodo

I was thinking I won't want to play as the soviets because those US soldiers are the kids I grew up with, and was nearly me except for a lucky job at a GM plant.  But I guess my friends gotta go....

Love the new buildings, especially the churches. 
Volkssturm looks good. Didn't expect that.
New vehicles are amazing, all of them.
Winter conditions look superb.
Gorgeous maps, scenarios and campaigns, well done, guys!
Huge compliment to the Fire and Rubble team. Looks very polished.
 

They do. I feel sorry for them when I see their old rifles. And yeah, not even a helmet to protect their head. Imagine the Verdun or Tannenberg veterans among them, who knew what lay in store for them.

I can't help but think how many of the volkssturm were WW1 veterans who in 1918 thought "I am sure glad I won't ever have to go through that again" 

I can't help but think how many of the volkssturm were WW1 veterans who in 1918 thought "I am sure glad I won't ever have to go through that again" 

I can't help but think how many of the volkssturm were WW1 veterans who in 1918 thought "I am sure glad I won't ever have to go through that again" 

I've been playing the CM2 series of titles since 2011 with Combat Mission Battle for Normandy being my first experience with Battlefront. Since then I have purchased every WW2 title and every single addon since. Of the four main WW2 titles I would say Fortress Italy is my favourite closely followed by Normandy, then Final Blitzkreig and finally Red Thunder. After spending hundreds upon hundreds of hours playing these games there are many things I have learnt but the following are what have made me a more successful player:
1. Don't watch the clock. In my early days of Combat Mission I focussed far too much on how much time I had left to complete my objectives. This resulted in me 'rushing' meaning excessive losses or stupid tactical decisions. So slow down. You almost always have more time than you think.
2. Use your artillery,  in particular any off map big guns if you have them. And planning artillery strikes prior to mission commencement will result in more accurate fire missions. Even if the artillery doesn't kill a whole chunk of pixeltruppen it may at the least disrupt the opfor's movements, deny or otherwise dislodge a force from a defensive position. For offence or defence artillery is a godsend. 
3. Assess the terrain prior to mission commencement and use it to your advantage. Spend plenty of time 'down in the weeds' at pixeltruppen level understanding the terrain nuances and then plan your attack or defence around the terrain and objectives.
4. Ok I said three but what the heck. My bonus tip in particular if you are a noob is to spend plenty of time experimenting in the training campaigns and custom quick battle to really understand the game mechanics and AI. Once you get a good understanding of how it all works your enjoyment level will go up while your frustration levels will more be as a result of your own silly mistake or just down to lady luck or the fog of war.
I would love to know what other experienced players think? I absolutely love the CM2 series and it is the game series I always go back to above anything else. I might have to break the WW2 fix with Combat Mission Cold War however when it is released. 

I use SMEAC when I read the scenario. Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration and Logistics, Command and Control. Each HQ gets its own mission and use the Acronym: METT-TC which varies from unit to unit. Terrain comes under Mission, Enemy, Troops on Hand, TERRAIN-Time, Civilians. Terrain split up which units can share the same approach, then we encounter Obstacles, natural and manmade. Civilians read cities and towns regard it as obstacles to be avoided but often it is the objective. Troops on hand. See which units are capable of plunging fire and grazing fire LMG+HMG and light mortars. Split platoons, companies or battalions in three. Alpha Capture Terrain, Bravo attack enemy troops Charley is the reserve. Artillery is area denial you can lose a battle if you wait too long to commit. Three types of Artillery Missions: Preplanned, Priority Targets and Opportunity. Don't waste shells on spotting rounds if you can have up to 15 minutes into the battle with a preplanned strike (You can adjust) give your OP the dignity of risk, protect him but don't hide him. 

1. Read the Briefing Carefully.
2. Take your time during the all important set up and planning stage,
3. Don't advance troops before scouting the area you wish to move to.
4. Be patient and thoughtful. Treat your digital troops as if they are flesh and blood.
Most importantly, if you continue to lose against the A.I., don't blame yourself...........it's Battlefront's fault for designing a half decent A.I.

I think CMCW started out as a labor of love by a couple of long time modder/users and so was presented to BFC as a partially completed project, so low investment.  And the best surprise I've had since.... since..... well, gosh, ever?
I am still surprised though that east front isn't the most popular thing since chocolate and ice cream, but sounds like it's not.

I like this idea -- challenge all of us yammering for east front to put our money where our mouths are.  I'd pay my $60 right now for a 1943 or 1942 game that wouldn't be delivered until 2022 sometime .  So BFC could ask how many would be willing to fund the project, and if that's enough they could ask folks to pay up and if enough actually pay then there's the answer.  And if enough don't I guess we get refund.

I like this idea -- challenge all of us yammering for east front to put our money where our mouths are.  I'd pay my $60 right now for a 1943 or 1942 game that wouldn't be delivered until 2022 sometime .  So BFC could ask how many would be willing to fund the project, and if that's enough they could ask folks to pay up and if enough actually pay then there's the answer.  And if enough don't I guess we get refund.

Well I'll do the correct thing and buy it here, then activate it on steam.
Then I'll buy a second copy on steam as a gift for a buddy of mine.
Then I'll force him to play it.

Yes, there is always Cold War to wait on as well.  At least with that we can all agree which direction everyone was climbing over the wall.

Bolshie lover?  uhhhhh, the wehrmacht et al killed around 25M folks in soviet russia.  Russia did not attack germany.  So yes let's 'honor' them??  for a war of murder and extermination??  Hitler's plan was for the enslavement, banishment or murder of 160M people.  So yes, the russian invasion was certainly a most 'honorable' endeavor.  As long as we all agree that those 160M weren't actually people, but some sort of subhuman eastern hordes like all those twisted german memoirs always say (I've read piles of them).    
The last stand of the wehrmacht was utter madness, not something honorable.  It was the reckoning of their murderous actions.  Having said that, I am really looking forward to fighting on the Oder and in Hungary.  As either side.  Yes, well, I have to reconcile that somehow.....
And having said that, I am currently fighting through Blunting the Spear as wehrmacht, so where do I really go with this......
 
 

I recently reread Team Yankee and Red Storm Rising after 30+ years.   What a treat.  And read Larry Bond's Red Phoenix (1980s war in korea) also.   reread The Third World War last year.  I am ready for CMCW. 
I suppose I should also re-read Sword Point by the Team Yankee author.  I know I used to have The Untold Story, might have to do that one also.

oh, Right, Capt Miller.  I gotta do those!  thanks.  Someone mentioned those before but I forgot about them

I recently reread Team Yankee and Red Storm Rising after 30+ years.   What a treat.  And read Larry Bond's Red Phoenix (1980s war in korea) also.   reread The Third World War last year.  I am ready for CMCW. 
I suppose I should also re-read Sword Point by the Team Yankee author.  I know I used to have The Untold Story, might have to do that one also.

@Falaise I like your joke style screenshots! Here is one for you...

Lots of exciting stuff on the horizon:
 

Reminder for everyone to and get their friends to buy CMCW on battlefront.com, BFC gets more of a cut + like stated earlier; day 1 access.

This was a neat 2 minutes. A Spitfire attacked and shredded the lead AA vehicle. Then, it got shot down by the remaining two. Then, a heavy point barrage by 75mm Pack Howitzers knocked out the Panther with their first FFE salvo and the AA vehicle beside it with their second.

 
The first hit brewed up the already buttoned-up Panther. That was the front hull top hit. However, a second hit on the engine deck came seconds later. And, in the next minute, two more hits that would have likely killed the Panther, had it still been alive. Not bad. The paras got an easy morning!

Steve, I think you will never feel spiritually complete or fully emotionally actualized w/o at least getting to Fall Blau.  I am only thinking of you and your mental and spiritual health going forward into the future. 
But there are many paths to enlightenment.  A CMCW NATO module w Germany, England,  Netherlands, and also some Norway battles would greatly improve your karmic trajectory even if Fall Blau must wait.
Again, only thinking of you, not my own selfish and grasping desires.

Bolshie lover?  uhhhhh, the wehrmacht et al killed around 25M folks in soviet russia.  Russia did not attack germany.  So yes let's 'honor' them??  for a war of murder and extermination??  Hitler's plan was for the enslavement, banishment or murder of 160M people.  So yes, the russian invasion was certainly a most 'honorable' endeavor.  As long as we all agree that those 160M weren't actually people, but some sort of subhuman eastern hordes like all those twisted german memoirs always say (I've read piles of them).    
The last stand of the wehrmacht was utter madness, not something honorable.  It was the reckoning of their murderous actions.  Having said that, I am really looking forward to fighting on the Oder and in Hungary.  As either side.  Yes, well, I have to reconcile that somehow.....
And having said that, I am currently fighting through Blunting the Spear as wehrmacht, so where do I really go with this......
 
 

You can order a patch too:
https://www.popularpatch.com/navy-patches/squadron-patches/vf-41-patch-fighting-41