Lessons Learned from "Mini-CPX"

[AutomaticFire]

1) Don't split units, especially mechanized infantry, unless absolutely necessary. Loading infantry takes up precious game time.

2) Know how to use special units, such as engineering, prior to game start. For example, know how to lay a bridge before attempting to cross a major river with a tank company.

3) Master the "copy order," "paste orders," and "get orders" commands, as well as keyboard shortcuts. Saves a lot of time. It's probably a good idea to print the keyboard shortcuts for quick reference.

4) Situation reports are more important than spot reports since all teammates can see all spotted enemy units.

5) "Use click sound" should be checked and combat results should be slowed a tad using "change combat speed." Speeds up game play without sacrificing game intel.

6) Be familiar with your IRC client prior to game start.

7) Use phase lines and BPs whenever possible. They're much easier to understand and remember.

8) At game start, name units (the shorter the name the better), plot names, set SOPs, target priorities, and engagement ranges.

9) Use a reliable IRC client. I used CMHQ's chat room with Internet Explorer 6 without any problems. Of course, it was difficult to use Ops features to kickban a few immature characters who had stumbled onto the channel.

10) Clean your mouse. Nothing worse than a mouseball that gets stuck on "candy" with timer counting down.

Thud out.