Terrapin Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 5 Days shipping, not too bad. Here's some quick impressions: 1. The Unit Data tables are excellent. Has infantry, guns, and AFVs. Laid out very well, and is worth the $15 alone. 2. I love the nice, descriptive, bibliography in the back for those of us who want some more background. Even has little clips or descriptions of interesting things in each book. Well done. 3. The book has some nice use of data. I.e., tables of actual HQ ranges for different types. Response times. The effect that hot weather has on fatigue recovery time (in percentages - Panzer Leader will love it! ) 4. The "Scenario Tips" is well done, and very handy, with input from Andreas. 5. Has an impressive list (so far from just minor reading) of little tidbits in the game (like why infanty never really runs out of ammo -- some of you already know), or what happens to the ammo when you move a mortar. Things like that are nice, and would be tough to find in the forum. Overall, I'm impressed. If you're a true grog who has played CMBO for two years, you probably could care less about the tactics stuff, but the unit tables are worth it for their handy format. For everyone else, it's worth it, if you're not in Canada and paying evidently $200 and three weeks for customs charges! P.S. -- I think anyone who has the book should refrain from posting "spoilers" concerning actual data from it (unless it's available anywise, like unit data), since they went through a lot of time and effort on it, and deserve something for that effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agua Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 That's pretty much my take on it. There's nothing new in there that experienced players who follow the forums aren't aware of, but the unit data tables are realllllllly nice. There are also some bits of information in there that are either incorrect, or not stated in a complete manner so as to leave an inaccurate impression of game mechanics. Nothing big though that a quick forum search wouldn't correct. For a new player, I'd highly reccommend it. It provides nice, detailed walk-through tutorials based on several of the CD Missions. In fact, I may well purchase a couple copies for some friends who recently bought CMBB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SGWinks Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I'm glad to hear I did not waste my hard earned moola on a worthless book Still waiting for the snail mail tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Terrapin: 4. The "Scenario Tips" is well done, and very handy, with input from Andreas.Really? Damn, should have ordered it too, I might have learned somefink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrapin Posted December 13, 2002 Author Share Posted December 13, 2002 They could have done some more proof-reading on the book. I mean, there's a typo on the BACK COVER, and the space formatting on bullet-points is, er, never the same twice! There's also one Panzergrenadier platoon that shows a firepower rating of 410 at 500 meters. They must be using the very rare Plasma Rifle available late war. Maybe they can clean this up for the second run. One interesting thing is that Andreas and I are both in the Energy industry, according to his bio in the book. What are the odds? [ December 13, 2002, 12:31 PM: Message edited by: Terrapin ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Terrapin: One interesting thing is that Andreas and I are both in the Energy industry, according to his bio in the book. What are the odds? High - I am sure we are both sad people with no life. What are you doing, and do you have any jobs for a frustrated Policy Analyst? Hear what others have to say about him: Oh, Andreas?! </font>does not play well with others </font>runs with scissors </font>eats paste </font>doesn't suffer fools gladly </font>a bit awkward </font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Thanks for the comments on the book, guys. Glad you like it! As said before, it's hard to please everyone and a focus has to be set, but I think Mark did a great job of providing interesting information for new players as well as seasoned players. Anyway, what I really wanted to say is - if you spot inaccuracies or typos in the Guide, please email me at martin@battlefront.com if and when you can. Include the page number and a SHORT description of what's wrong. Chances are we will be going into a 2nd Edition sooner or later (ahem, sooner if you guys keep ordering at the current pace), so it would be great to be able to correct as much as possible, and my two tired eyes won't catch as much as the "collective"... Thanks! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrapin Posted December 13, 2002 Author Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Andreas: High - I am sure we are both sad people with no life.True dat. What are you doing, and do you have any jobs for a frustrated Policy Analyst?Do you have any jobs for a frustrated Power Market Analyst, in a U.S. market that has been brewed up worse than a PzKw II facing off against a KV-1? But of course, you're in the U.K., so we're in the same boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Terrapin: But of course, you're in the U.K., so we're in the same boat. At least I am working on green energy issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SGWinks Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Just got my copy. A well constructed book with text that us old farts with bifocals can read quite easily. Part4-From the Horse's Mouth is a great question and answer section I will definitely be reading in depth They should have called this book "CMB2B for Dummies" This book is on the same great quality level as the "For Dummies" books that I purchase-only it is 10 to 15 bucks cheaper.If you dont get this book you are going to kick yourself. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykol Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Terrapin: 5 Days shipping, not too bad. Here's some quick impressions: 1. The Unit Data tables are excellent. Has infantry, guns, and AFVs. Laid out very well, and is worth the $15 alone. 2. I love the nice, descriptive, bibliography in the back for those of us who want some more background. Even has little clips or descriptions of interesting things in each book. Well done. 3. The book has some nice use of data. I.e., tables of actual HQ ranges for different types. Response times. The effect that hot weather has on fatigue recovery time (in percentages - Panzer Leader will love it! ) 4. The "Scenario Tips" is well done, and very handy, with input from Andreas. 5. Has an impressive list (so far from just minor reading) of little tidbits in the game (like why infanty never really runs out of ammo -- some of you already know), or what happens to the ammo when you move a mortar. Things like that are nice, and would be tough to find in the forum. Overall, I'm impressed. If you're a true grog who has played CMBO for two years, you probably could care less about the tactics stuff, but the unit tables are worth it for their handy format. For everyone else, it's worth it, if you're not in Canada and paying evidently $200 and three weeks for customs charges! P.S. -- I think anyone who has the book should refrain from posting "spoilers" concerning actual data from it (unless it's available anywise, like unit data), since they went through a lot of time and effort on it, and deserve something for that effort. [ December 13, 2002, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: Mykol ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykol Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Terrapin, regarding your shippings costs to Canada. Could you tell me what they docked you at customs and how long it took. I'm considering order CMBB and the Srat.guide soon. Just curious Thanx in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrapin Posted December 13, 2002 Author Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Mykol: Terrapin, regarding your shippings costs to Canada. Could you tell me what they docked you at customs and how long it took. I live in Boston, MA. But people have mentioned the cost of the book in Canada (it's $40 canadian) and the slow customs orders (up to 3 weeks), so I was referencing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CombinedArms Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Well, I just ordered. The favorable comments were good enough for me... Will post my impressions when I get the book, and thanks for all of those posted so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I’ve just finished the 1st chapter. The 1st chapter should be very familiar to the vets of CM with ideas such as keeping your units in command range of HQ’s. The tips can be informative. One such, for me anyway, was that “Shaken” units rally faster if you give them the hide command. It also seems to be a good insight into how units will react / respond given different stimuli. I would highly recommend it. I think anyone at any skill level who reads it will become a better player for it. Terrapin, you weren’t selling any electricity to California recently have you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrapin Posted December 13, 2002 Author Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Ted: Terrapin, you weren’t selling any electricity to California recently have you?I wish. At those prices I could retire and buy myself a PzKw IV-D to ride up to the convenience store in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THumpre Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Sure, Ted, try to sneak one past me and get some new tricks to torture me with Nice try, but I'm on to ya, and I just ordered my copy today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Ted: The tips can be informative. One such, for me anyway, was that “Shaken” units rally faster if you give them the hide command.Interesting! I had begun to wonder about that. In a QB I am currently playing I had some of my guys freak out after getting shot at while crossing some open terrain (no casualties). So after canceling their self-imposed Sneak order, I gave them a Hide order. When I came back to check them next turn, they had got their act together and perked right up. This happened a couple of times. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xerxes Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Heh, I've been hiding my shaken guys all the time, never guessed there was a morale recovery bonus but it sure does make sense. Question: Is there a chapter on scenario/ops design? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Question: Is there a chapter on scenario/ops design? Yes, Chapter 14: The Art of Scenario Design, including an interview/hints section with/from the Grand Master of Scenario Design Himveryself - Tim "Rune" Orosz Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipanderson Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Hi, I ordered the book a few days ago, and am looking forward to it. I am hoping there will be some tactical tips. As we speak, I just drove a battalion of T34s into a minefield set by Andreas, the humiliation of it ! Happily, I have a cunning plan . All the best, Kip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarquelne Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Yes, Chapter 14: The Art of Scenario Design, including an interview/hints section with/from the Grand Master of Scenario Design Himveryself - Oh goody. We can exhaustively analyse it in an attempt to gain insight on what "cards" our opponents might be holding in each future Rune scenario. Hopefully the chapter is at least 300 pages in length and contains at an outline of his medical history, in addition to a report from a competent mental health professional. [ December 13, 2002, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: Tarqulene ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hortlund Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Ted: The tips can be informative. One such, for me anyway, was that “Shaken” units rally faster if you give them the hide command. WTF... So can someone give me a good reason as to why information like that was left out of the users manual that comes with the game? [ December 13, 2002, 03:59 PM: Message edited by: Leutnant Hortlund ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aka_tom_w Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Terrapin: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Mykol: Terrapin, regarding your shippings costs to Canada. Could you tell me what they docked you at customs and how long it took. I live in Boston, MA. But people have mentioned the cost of the book in Canada (it's $40 canadian) and the slow customs orders (up to 3 weeks), so I was referencing that.</font> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Beginna Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Originally posted by Mykol: Terrapin, regarding your shippings costs to Canada. Could you tell me what they docked you at customs and how long it took. By the way, what is the bogging ratio for a cross-border mail transport (from US to Canada) in heavy forrest? Maybe that explains the high cost, especially when the crew is conscripted. Just my 2 (Euro) Cents. [ December 13, 2002, 04:12 PM: Message edited by: Da Beginna ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts