Oleksandr

Some brighter news from the 'propagandist with biased articles', Gur Khan:
http://gurkhan.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/blog-post_44.html#more
Looks like @Oleksandr may have been proved right (assuming it actually happens). 

Gentlemen I've decided to invest some of my time to work on some modifications to this wonderful game. I've decided to modd all blue nations what are represented in this game. Furthermore, I'm planing to mod on weapons, armor, maps and scenarios. My very first mod is a modification of Ukrainian standard uniform, gear and skins. I was inspired by one rare( so far ) camo pattern created in Ukraine few years ago - Varan pattern. So far its was used by VDV forces, Marines, and ukrainian soldiers of Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade what has its HQ in Lublin/Poland. So this camo pattern is interesting because it was made specifically for Ukrainian terrain. Afterwords I was thinking about uniform itself. I was insipired by Ukrainian made uniform called "Mabuta Mk 2" from P1G-tac. Obviously it is not complete copy of it but I took my insparation from that uniform. Why? Because in 2014 Ukrainian hero (fallen hero unfortunatly) - colonel of Ukrainian special forces (reconnaissance) Vyacheslav Galva was wearing that uniform. Moreover, years earlier he was helping to develop and then test that uniform. Now this uniform is being used by Ukrainian Special Operaions forces, Marines, and some VDV units. Overall it is a great uniform made for long term combat action and produced in variety of camos including Varan camo pattern. 
For this specific mod I reworked (and added 6 more) all those standard face skins, all the gear was retextured, I reworked backpacks and radios. By the way I took my radio insparation from Harris Radio Stations what were sent to Ukraine by the government of the United States in the very begining of the conflict as military support. Those stations are still in service and 3 years since war took place Ukraine is already producing its own stations. In further mods I will make more touches on details like this in order to give you some background related to my choice. Furthermore I've reworked helmets and footwear. If you will take a close look on those boots within the game you will see that it is not an import of american boots, but reworked and retextured model with uniqe and perfectly new features. I've also added some gloves, and other little touches to this uniform. While making this mod it was hoped that players will use this new "standard" camo for special forces and well experienced squads in their quick battles. Why? Because I'm planing to rework Digital uniform. Im planing to make Digital uniform as mass uniform and this one as a special forces/high experienced units uniform. 
 General look on this uniform: 
 
Reworked radio bagpack: 
 
MG team in position: 
Link to Download: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ihrc0segympbd8f/AADdFCTHhpV4DZzVUp_8sLo1a?dl=0

CMBS: Ukrainian Marines In Field Toad Camouflage By Oleksandr

This is a huge mod what will replace standard ukrainian uniform with two new ones: Ukrainian “Assault Suit” and “Mabuta Mk-2” both in Field Toad Camouflage.

Ukrainian Marines and Special Forces are wearing both types of uniforms finished in this unique camouflage.


It was created by the same company what created “Varan Camouflage” and Mabuta-Mk 2 uniform – P1G-Tac.

Wearing this uniform your units will perfectly fit in the game.

This is how Mabuta Mk-2 will look like in the game (you might remember that uniform by using my first mod “Mabuta Mk-2 Varan Camo”):

This is how Assault Suit will look like:

 
Units in the game will be predominantly wear Assault uniforms while fewer soldiers will be wearing Mabuta Mk-2 (its way more expensive).
All the gear was reworked accordingly – for example knee protection:

 or helmets 


Patches of Ukrainian Marines were added as well.

NOTE: This mod will not work with my “Varan Mabuta Mk-2” mod. You need to delete it before using this one. But you will lose nothing because Mabuta Mk-2 itself is part of this mod, although it is covered by a different camouflage now. 
NOTE N2: All the skins for this mod will came out as a stand alone mod because I want people with any of my mods seing those boots, gloves, eye protection, face masks etc. So it will came out soon as a stand alone mod. 
NOTE N3: This mod will not conflict with any of my Digital Camouflage mods. 

I hope you will enjoy it!
Link to Download: http://cmmodsiii.greenasjade.net/?p=5841
Glory to Ukraine!

Going on a break from posting (got a lot of stuff to share but not so much of a free time). In a meanwhile I would like to wish to all of you to be more friendly to one another, the spirit of sharing is better than spirit of fighting. Enjoy your battles, share your experiences, and work together! Love you all (Even those who hates me lol)! 
 

Not a hack and not even a new thing but still oftenly ignored - this simple rule - > while one element is moving another element is providing cover. 
It is especially important while operating with high value units such as: sappers, RPOs, etc. 
So for example if you moving with your sappers towards certain place in a wall what you will take down - make sure that there are units watching in that direction (breach direction). Usually I would say - put a vehicle to watch that future hole to appear but sometimes it is impossible to do, sometimes its only infantry there so at least put few fighters to look in that direction. 
I know its simple, I know most of you probably know that, I know that its obvius, but - I thought it would be nice to mention it once again. 

I dont hate anyone, even those bad guys lol 

Going on a break from posting (got a lot of stuff to share but not so much of a free time). In a meanwhile I would like to wish to all of you to be more friendly to one another, the spirit of sharing is better than spirit of fighting. Enjoy your battles, share your experiences, and work together! Love you all (Even those who hates me lol)! 
 

For example, one tactic (strategy?) that Reds use (TBOMK) would be attack in echelon three companies deep.  So, the first gets badly mauled but degrades the defense.  The 2nd degrades the defenders even more but also becomes combat ineffective afterwards. The third wave breaks through to the rear. 
However to attempt this one needs a Battalion-sized force - which is one reason am happy to see Olek have a crack at this large (for CM2) size scenario.
HerrTom's AAR about his river crossing assault on another thread is also instructive. (An der Schönen Blauen Dnjepr.)

Yes.  The extra crew improve spotting for the vehicle.

So...  Show how you would do better.

@Oleksandr
Hey Olek I've been browsing this thread for a while now and was just wondering if you used an already made map for your tutorial. If you used a default map if you could tell me it's name it'd be quite helpful. Thanks.
 

Thanks. 
Specifically, I'm going to rework the existing Game Engine manual into a more modern and readable design. It's a good place to start as the content is already created and I can literally copy/paste and then format. 
Then I can Illustrate with all the missing screenshots. 
I'm doing this as a design exercise, to keep my creative juices flowing, as a little speed test and to satisfy my inner design demon (God I hate the current design!). Plus, I need to get to know InDesign better and a doc like this is a good stress test. 
Once this is done I think the IDD file could be easily adjusted for other manuals within the CM universe. 

@Oleksandr's thread on tactics got me thinking...
I've always hated the current CM manual style. I'm heavily trained & experienced in visual design so I thought, well, why not? 
So I'm now redesigning and formatting the manual in a tongue-in-cheek FM-001 style, in InDesign.
COVER SHEET:

Obviously that's my own CM:BS logo. I was a bit lazy and don't have the correct, official one handy.
Still, this gives you an idea....

If you think it wrong then why not offer your own detailed analysis as to what you would do in the above scenario circumstances. It's very easy to criticize and sneer.  Alternative helpful/constructive viewpoints are welcome. 
As most of us agree, CMBS is the hardest CM2 game to master.  At least Olek is making an effort to provide tactical advice.  Something very rare these days. 

There are many things that I would not do either. However, it is fascinating to see how others handle a situation and there is always something to learn.  And as said, Olek AFAIK is the only person here attempting detailed analysis.
If others are now doing so, that is very welcome.

I understand where you are coming from Sul.  The issue with CMBS is that until now there has been no advice on how to handle Red forces - and as a very experienced player I also still have had problems handling Russians or Ukrainians.  I don't agree with everything Olek is saying.  But, he deserves respect for making an effort.  I get the sense he's like a movie maker being attacked by nasty movie critics who can't be bothered, or don't have the balls to make a movie themselves to "put their money where their mouths are".
Also, I wonder if successful game tactics conflict with RL tactics.  There is a difference. 

The point is that it might work in this game.  Am certain that I have read similar "unusual" tactics recommended by others on these forums over the years when faced with unusual situations.  Would you do it real life - that's a different issue.  As I said, it would make for an amusing movie to have a CM player accidentally being given command of a RL formation due to a comical misunderstanding. 

Part 25. locking your enemy before moving further. Dealing with counter attack/enemy regroup. 
Note: This mission got perfect conditions for a reason of showing some core principals. In real battle you should expect involvement of heavy armor (will talk about it later), aviation (will talk about it later), intell will not always be there from the very start (will talk about it later), and so on. The reason for this series is to introduce players who werent using massive amounts of units with some basics related to managment of huge force at once. Again - in real battle you will not have these conditions but by viewing this topic you might pick up something what you can further adopt to your own battles. Last but not least - fair and unfair scenarios will be shown here within time. This topic is not for days its for years to come so be patient - feel free to share your tactical lifehacks and feel free to ask questions. Critics are welcome as well - but a constructive one (imagine we are all sitting in HQ and thinking how to do things better together). 
While controling factory, while using some time to set up new fire missions, relocate your reserves, and prepare path for the 3rd company keep in mind that enemy can try to relocate or regroup. In this particular series Im talking about a battalion what will attack a company so its 450 + men against 166. Reason for this is because it would be comfortable to show macro/micro and there was and will be a lot of small elements what I was and keep on bringing up such as how to eneter urban area, how to move away from an arty strike and so on. Basic stuff. So lets look on what is happening with our company n2 after it took control over factory (in the same time the 1st platoon of the 1st company is hunting through left lank treeline). 
This is how 2nd company looks like after taking over that factory. 

With right flank being covered by 1st company and the rear being covered with third it is a good time to start checking areas on the left from that factory so that 3rd company advance will not be interrupted by any mines. 

While all this was happening - enemy in the forest supressed by constant mortar fire had to move out. It was completely cutted out from the left so the only place it could go was straight on a factory. 

2nd company became a sheild of a center zone. 


even infantry units were engaging some desparate enemy infantry. 

In the same time one of those last enemy vehicles was trying to move on the left. 

 


Basically its a good thing. If you want to modulate a real world situation when a battalion attacks a company it will all progress kind of I've shown in these posts. Massive power  will be taking advantage over smaller in numbers enemy - and there will be no chance for survival. The only reasons to play a game like this are these: 1 - you want to try commanding large number force for the first time. 2 - you want to checkout how would military math (platoon against squad, company against platoon, battalion over 1 or 2c ompanies) would feel like in the game.  3 - to practice certain elements in comfort. 4 - just for your own interest an pleasure. For example my favorite is Meeting egagement of a battalion on battalion. In this case we are looking on perfect condidtions assault. And actually in real life they would be perfect - battalion would usually start an attack on a smaller force as an element of a regiment, it would attack only on those discovered positions and nobody would risk such a big force without proper intel and arty support. Obviusly in a multiplayer game you will never be so free in your actions so take this particular series only as a showcase. 
 

Note: Usually AI moves its units at several places at the same time. So for example if it would make a move at one place you should look around because there will be something happening in another. 
So after you done with that desperate move from your enemy it is time to get your 3rd company in the game. 


Bringing your final element into the game while doing a battalion level battle will be an important moment. Now its all about hunting survirvals, cleaning up treelines, and again adjusting your frontlines. 
Conclusion: on the battalion level assault of a company: pick a right place to advance so that your order will not be messed up. Use 2 companies in front and keep your 3rd in the back. After each turn look on what changed, adjust your pathways so that they will not intercross one another. Place your infantry in the right spot at the right distance. Be sure that you can relocate fast. Do not spread your units too much. Keep your enemy under constant fire. Pick your arty targets wise. Know when and how to use an arty strike. If you are going to get into some urban area - provide cover for your advansing units. Pick buildings you going to use and what to destroy. Dont use massive infantry forces while making first enter. Support your infantry with heavy infantry wepons systems (like AGS). Try to choose positions for your vehicles and heavy weapons in a way in which they will be able to work on different targets at the same time. Keep the order of your flanks. Use sappers a lot. Relocate your reserves when possible for better accesss to them. Use certain elements as a shield while other elements as a spear. Keep in mind your general plan. Move through treelines carefully. It is better to attack an enemy what has been under fire. Use your special forces wisely. Do not rush. Do things step by step. Keep your nerves under control. Do not leave your vehicles without your infantry cover and try not to operate with your infantry without vehicles covering it. Look out for enemy arty strikes -  It is important to locate first few shells and take action before arty will get concentrated. On the open areas move in large numbers, try to use terrain to your advantage. Always check your flanks. Give different units different task - do not over use same exact unit. Keep your forces and your mind flexible. Playing easy missions like this will help you to find out more about forces under your command. Later when you will get into harsher conditions you will be familiar with your units capabilities. Do not apply same approach to each battle - there are no universal solutions. Start from easy things and then move towards harder things. Dont forget to enjoy your game. P.S. Not everything you do should be fitting multiplayer games - you bought this game for your own pleasure dont let people to change that. Feel free to share your tactics, screenshots, and ideas here. Here you will alway be welcome. Good luck in your battles and I hope that some of you have enjoyed this series consists of 25 different parts. 
There will be a lot more battles, tircks and approaches shown and posted here and dont forget to checkout those earlier pages where other players shared their tactics.  Good luck! 

Thank you sir. 

Roger that.

Thank you for your support. Actually comments like that are the reason why mods are keep on coming. 

Thank you sir. 

Completely agree. It's just a thread. Ignore it if it hurts your peace of mind so much. 
As was said over on the Mods forum - I don't see anyone criticising this thread who has contributed anything positive to the general knowledge and enjoyment of this game. Not even mods.
Everyone has an opinion. Doesn't mean it's actually worth anything. 

You've done it again, Olek, Wonderful work!

Thank you sir.