integral support weapons and misc ranting

[Luger alarm]

I am trying really hard to like TOW. However, Close Combat (CC) remains a superior game. Here are some of my frustrations:

Where are the platoon, company and battalion support weapons? These assets would always be available for fixed positions and assaults. Mortrs, MGs and smoke...essential.

I despise being constrained about where pits can be placed. These pre-located trenches are a poor solution.

The active maps are too small

The terrain is still poorly modeled. It is impossible to set up a proper defensive position and to check arcs, line of sight and mutual support.

Heavy MGs (on tripods) should be dug in, and should be moveable.

Trees, vegetation and topography interaction is poor in comparison with Close Combat. Give us some decent elevation and cover for concealed movement and proper tactical opportunity. Rushing infantry across large areas of open expanse in full view of dug in positions is ridiculous.

Connected battles and having the results of one battle influence the next is a great feature of CC. I am dreaming of the day when Close Combat Campaigns finally arrives (if ever). http://www.battlefront.com/products/cmc/news.html. A version of this for TOW would be great. I have seen some posts about this recently.

I have driven APCs through forested areas. We NEVER knocked down trees. It is a perfect way to give away your location or throw a track. Tanks are the same. (It is actually quite hard to pick where a tank is coming from in the bush…the sound seems to thunder from everywhere. They can often surprise you in even a partially forested and undulating areas). You know they are out there but you can’t tell whether they are coming, passing or going.

Short term: -

Give us pits for MGs and AT

Let us move trenches and pits around at set up

Make active areas of maps bigger

Introduce more foliage and concealment.

Insert decent topography (greater changes in elevation). Defence is usually located around key terrain. A pit in an open area commanding no view would rarely be worth defending.

Allow us to identify LOS at set up

Let us set arcs/tasks

Allow us to start the mission with infantry in the prone position

Quick click to view from/behind a unit.

It is disappointing that when I am finally able to micro manage a tank into a decent hull down position I need only turn my attention elsewhere for a moment to return and see that the tank has moved forward and undone that work. I know you can lock a unit in position…but CC never had units show this much ‘stupid initiative’.

Why no smoke (both arty and tank)?

Keep up the good work. TOW is an interesting start on a new genre. Give it a year or two and it will surpass CC.

[crazyman56]

I don't want to insult you or anything (i usually seem to though?)

But many people have said that ToW should be like other games eg.CC,CM etc. And the answer (i think i speak for most fans of ToW) is that you CANT compare or want it to be like another game because it ISN'T the other game!! It has its own perks and obviously its own downsides as every game does. I have to say that i would like some of the things you have mentioned and some like:

the platoon, company and battalion support weapons? These assets would always be available for fixed positions and assaults. Mortars, MGs and smoke...essential

And these kind of things will hopefully be released in the Add-on which should come out in about 1 year or less.

So i hope this changes your mind slightly (but i doubt it)

[Thork]

I completely agree with Luger...

He mentioned most important things that need change.

Fix/add that and we got a great game.

@crazyman56:

I allways thought (and read) ToW was inspired by CC (And I allready felt that the first time I played it)... So why not try to at least get to the same level...

I for one don't really see "perks" in ToW that are missing in CC (besides of nice 3D Gfx) but I still see a lot of "downsides" that could be fixed...

Anyway - I trust in 1C to do a good job with the addon as they did with the uberpatch.

(Which I still can't play thanx to Kalypso )

At least they allready mentioned that a CC style campaign and other requests will be added...