N00b: Getting started - scenario order?

[Skip_202]

Hi All,

I am the new owner of the US special edition of CMBB and was wondering if any kind souls here could point me in the right direction on getting started. I'm not a huge war gamer, but shooters like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor left me doubtful that they were anything close to a "real" experience of WW2 and I also thought it would be cool to learn more about a part of the war I haven't heard much about.

Anyway, my questions about getting started are:

1) I happily installed the game and started it up, but found a long list of scenarios in alphabetical order. I'm assuming this is correct and wondered if there was a set order these should be played in. I don't know about historical accuracy, but is there are prefered order these scenarios should be completed in? I would like to try and follow the game in chronological order to get a feel for the developments in equipement and terrain over time.

Is this possible in CMBB? I did review the manual and FAQ and didn't find much -- my fault I'm sure. Are there an good books that people here use to understand the background behind these scenarios?

2) I tried my first game with the "king-o-the hill" scenario and had a dumb question about vehicle operation. I was playing axis and had my armored car up by the house on the hill away from the enemy fire when, on its own, it decided to turn around and reverse away from the house and backwards down the hill towards the russians. Needless to say I was horrified to see my carefully positioned car speeding backwards into an enemy position and more so when it blew up a few seconds later. So my question is: Is there a setting to prevent/reduce this kind of behavior in vehicles in the future? I can't imagine the game would be very fun if my units get these suicidal ideas very often. Anyway, I got pounded, but am now determined to get better.

I'm pretty excited to learn the game and am beginning to understand there's a lot more to winning than charging into the enemy guns blazing.

Thanks!

Skip

[Marlow]

Originally posted by Skip_202:

and wondered if there was a set order these should be played in. I don't know about historical accuracy, but is there are prefered order these scenarios should be completed in? I would like to try and follow the game in chronological order to get a feel for the developments in equipement and terrain over time.

Is this possible in CMBB? I did review the manual and FAQ and didn't find much -- my fault I'm sure. Are there an good books that people here use to understand the background behind these scenarios?Skip

There really isn't an order. My advice is to start small, since there are less units to control. "A Warm Place to Sleep" and "The Move Back" are two nice small battles that would probably be good as starters.

Originally posted by Skip_202:

2I was playing axis and had my armored car up by the house on the hill away from the enemy fire when, on its own, it decided to turn around and reverse away from the house and backwards down the hill towards the russians.

You didn't by chance try to use the "rotate" order, and use the "reverse" order instead. did you? I did that once and was rather unhappy with the results. Sounds like what may have happened from your discription.

For more information and tips on the game, try the FAQ thread that is at the top of the page.

[Pugilist]

Also try Gechtsaufklaerung, that is, if it is on the special edition disc.

It's a fun little map, nice and replayable for the lousier players among us (myself included).

[ichadwick]

Start small to learn the keyboard commands, but don't be afraid to jump right in and try bigger scenarios (here's a little one-page list you may find handy: My CMBB stuff)

You can always quit a game if you find it intimidating, and try another. Generally I found the urban scenarios more demanding than rural/woods games. Short games may not be easier than longer ones - they often demand you achieve goals in very little time.

Try what looks interesting, and enjoy! You should also check out the excellent 3rd party scenarios at places like Boots & Tracks, Der Kessel and The Scenario Depot.

Ian