long campaign unplayable
 

First let me say beautiful looking game; love it and after a quarter of a H2H game I'm sold.

BUT

I've been trying to play a long campaign and have run up against a couple of problems (remembering I am used to SPWAW).

1 No idea/indication where the enemy is other than the V hexes leading to
2 No way to amass anything close to a local superiority in anything that makes an attack anything like possible to succees.
3 LOS; damn it but the AI has a little man out measuring with a tape measure exactly where he can place units to be one hex outside LOS/range. Once in a while OK but all the time (well seems like it)
4. replacement points. With the problems above and getting a smattering of points to go on with I am faced with being able to use 2/3rds of my force in the next battle but; I assume the computer assumes that I am fielding book strength and as a side point does the computer ever have to field under strength units.

Lastly is the AI in winWW2 a lot different to SPWAW; it seems from what I've played to be. Not meaning to step on any toes but can somebody suggest what I'm doing wrong (other than losing too many troops)

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

I'll fire a few of my observations from my current Germany 1941 start long campaign:

1: Try spotter planes, and scouts. Look for smoke collections later. Advance key front units one hex at a time and turn to look several times each (yes it is tedious, but can help).
2: I have gotten local superiority on assaults, advances and meeting engagements by "loading" my deployment to north or south with approx. 70-75% of my forces, and use a detachment to screen the other side. I also will protect a flank with smoke. Especially on assaults. I have rolled up the south flank and wheeled north on a few battles much more effectively than I would have thought.
3: On LOS, remember that the computer can check 1000's of LOS's as a calculation where we have to do each one per unit manually. My AI seems to place a lot of units IN my LOS or range freqently. It still advances too recklessly in many meeting engagements.
4: Maybe I am lucky, but my casualties hav been relatively low, in that I am not using my whole point allotment each time just to rebuild. I actually had points to buy some mobile AA in my third battle to expand my core.

I have found AI artillery to be quite worthy and it causes many losses. I am developing a style of creeping advances in 2-3 turn spurts. Let the AI see some units collect. Move while they are in the 2 turn delay for artillery plotting reaction time. I think the AI ini WinSPWW2 is better than WinSPmbt which was better than SPWAW which was better than all the DOS SP versions. Currently, artillery seems tough and fair (although my 1941 opponents due stack up big battery/mortar numbers). Infantry in defense, and ATGs seem 'above average'. Luckily, the Soviet commissar likes charging his T-26s and BT-2s across the field of fire for my III-h's. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

Thanks for the reply; I have tried spotter planes against the Poles (german 1939 start date) and for the first time I came across Poles with 40mm Bofors; they shot down my Stork. Previous; and here it may be a difference between SPWAW & winspww2 they only fielded light AA. Got me thinking about does the AI look at your force or am I simply being paranoid? :confused

drifting slightly off topic though when was SABOT ammunition developed for tank guns; those Polish 7TP's firing 37mm SABOT are making a mess of my PIIIb's.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

Well, in a way I think you've already answered your own question there - but I would say play more; building your own experience is the key. I think you'll find that the AI is not quite such an impossible opponent, though it is much more advanced than what I suspect you are used to from other SP games.

It would be interesting to know the settings you use for your campaign - map size, core etc...

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

SABOT is considered here merely as special armor-piercing round not only sabot, so the polish 37mm have two kinds of AP rounds, other better at penetration.

And always concentrate your forces to hold key map points or attack those key points of resistance or geography. Eliminate resistance at one point and break through. In real life pincer movements and flanking usually gives best results in an attack. Don´t spread your forces, like the french did in WW2.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

One other thing is to make sure you are playing on a large enough map for the force you field so you have room for your force to move around. I am playing 2 separate campaigns, German and Russian respectively. The points with builds at this time are about 5000 points (I started with 2500 points) and have expanded and increased the force with experience). I am using the equivalent of a reinforced Battalion and am playing on a 90x80 map which allows me to push through at a single point and send smaller units to pin down the enemy forces.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

I have learned to keep my Storch's away from the backfield until I have suppressed the AA. They are still useful for looking at the front. AA seems to not fire on them much over 700 yards or so (depending on the AA).

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

Default settings; so 80 x 80 map; 3000 point core.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

Thanks folks; wulfir's point is well taken and I shall admit that poor leadership of my virtual army is part of the problem; thank for pointing out the obvious in such a tackful way.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

If you increase the size of the map..., say 110x110..., you'll have more space to manouver, slightly easier to get "local superiority"..., you could also increase the number of turns during battles to give you more time...

sorry to Hijack this
 

I always seem to hear people telling others to acheive local superiority somehow. Is there any tips to do so with cheaper nations, like Nat Chi? When I buy the full assortment of forces, I either outrageously clump up my forces at one point for "local superiority" which makes me bomb and artillery fodder or spread my self evenly, which does not allow a lot of breakthrough opportunities. Chinese units are so cheap so there is always a lot of them. What is the preferred way of massing troops for a breakthrough without having to force some to occupy same hexes or clump together excessively for cheaper nations with no fancy hardware?

Re: sorry to Hijack this
 

Hijack to your hearts content; it's a fair question that relates to the main topic.

I tend to have the opposite problemin that I am running into a numerical superority on the enemys part and simply the number of shots going each way means that i am loosing.

Please don't suggest artillery support because I am having a bad run with counter battery fire being overly effective against me.

Re: sorry to Hijack this
 

That is why i love WinSPWW2 so much: it's hard and unforgiving, but it's so much satisfying to shatter huge AI forces. Shameless bragging : I'm playing with AI 150% advantage for now. Will make it 200% next probably. You can change AI settings in the \Game Data\CamoGame.ini AIAdjustPercent=150;
OK now some advices:
0. Patience. SPWW2 battles are long and require a lot of attention. Not everyone like those kind of games.
1. Artillery - God of War. Predict the enemy movement and put arty volleys into their path taking into account 2-3 turn delay.
2. Infantry - King of the Battlefield. Especially in Steel Panthers. The battles are long in the SPWW2, so don't worry about infantry being slow. Move it forward slowly and move it fast in trucks and APC behind *your* lines, outside enemy LOS. Hidden infantry can delay, suppress and destroy enemy armor very effectively. Infantry difficult to spot, and are good spotters themself.
3. While in defense fight tanks with anti-tank artillery and infantry with heavy MG.
4. Always keep substantial mobile reserves - tanks and infantry riding them or on the tucks/APC. Cavalry would do too. Keep it intact until the [censored] hit the fan.
5. Use cavalry if fighting in woods. Keep cavalry or motociclers screen before your troops if advancing fast. Use scout screen if advancing slow.
6. Don't neglect air defense. AA cannon and MG are useful against armor and infantry too.

There is alot more tricks in SPWW2/SPWAW, but I have to stop somewhere

Re: sorry to Hijack this
 

alright mr 200%

Patience is the main thing I was missing out on along with time as I started playing without the 1.1 patch which made life difficult as everything had to be rushed.

points 1-6 are well noted although finding AT guns even when you know theres one there somewhere is a bit on the tough side.

Re: sorry to Hijack this
 

Put down smoke in front of where you suspect AT guns to be.

The you can move some infantry units close enough to spot and eliminate it. Unless AI is smart enough to have transport near by, and moved it once it's LOS was blocked.

Re: sorry to Hijack this
 

A lot of useful tips on this thread. I've not played a game like this for a while & there's plenty to learn :-) Agreed the AI has this knack of parking units in frustrating places, but on the otherhand Ive seen it do some really stupid stuff too - just like real people :-)
I think the keys are not sticking your neck out too much & too often and a balanced force, in terms of quantity and quality. Have a little bit of everything. Going for lots of Cheap can end up in massed routs. If you have All Expensive then you dont have the numbers to cover the ground and every casualty hurts the points bank. (Some throw away infantry in your core is useful - after all, if they survive they gain experience so you cant lose).
And my biggest screw ups have been allowing my tanks and infantry to get seperated. A big No-No.

Hveldenz says it exactly right. On attack/meeting missions Ive done about the same as him.. err.... so far.
Choose carefully what you think is the best place to attack, and do so with the bulk of your armour & inf, but make sure you have your flanks covered (AT /TD's /HMG's /Flak).
I notice the AI likes sending T34 spoiling attacks along the very top and lower edges of the map even when it's on a delay mission, so make sure even extremeties are covered by recon. (h/track aufklr great. ditto a m/cycle zug).
I also tend not to occupy the 1st victory hexes with the lead unit. Get a decent sized force (Armour platoon plus infantry) to the locality b4 "stepping onto" the hex. That way you'll be ready for a likely inevitable AI counter attack. Even better if you can motor in some AT too.
Oh yeah, and of course, know when to runawaaaaaaaaay,,,

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

I am in a long campaign Germany vs. Russia. I am playing Germany. I am using default settings except for tank heavy is off, my tanks are 110%, my hitting 110% and artillery effectiveness at 50%. I feel like I am cheating but I was not enjoying myself. This campaign is LONG month to month. I am currently in 8/1942. A few months back in the game i started investing in artillery. I have 5 10cm batteries that I dont use so they are utilized as counter fire and are very effective, I have 5 15cm batteries, five 15cm sig 33s, and 5 32cm werfgerats. I have 3 good sdkfz 223 fus as my foward observers 2 of them are elite. This is starting to work well for me.

Re: long campaign unplayable
 

1 & 2) The AI has no idea where you are either, slow down & scout effectivly to find him, have patience just because you see him doesnt mean you need to attack him.
Gaining local superiority takes time in WW2 if playing with realistic forces as most nations lacked adequate transport so your moving up on foot. MBT requires less thought due to mech infantry being able to switch positions faster. If you have some mechanised units keep them in reserve to move to the point of contact.
Smoke is VERY powerful both for protecting the original contact units if you make a mess of it & for moving up reserves under. You can then use it to screen out some of the enemy force letting you choose who to engage & gain force superiority.
Remember you can advance in the wrong direction to falling back & regrouping is a valid tactic if it all goes wrong.
3) Thats your imagination working overtime.
4) The AI gets forces based on the force points you deploy so going with 2/3rds is not an issue. Not sure with special battles where you are not allowed to repair if you choose to do them. Would make more sense if they were based on the points total for your fully ready force.
Long time since I played SPWAW but yes units are more inteligent at picking targets, took a while to get my head round but it comes, WAW units seem to fire at everything while WW2 gauge the threat.
Example a tank might not fire at an halftrack at medium range but will fire at a tank, it will however fire at the halftrack at closer range. Getting a feel for how this works means your overwatch becomes much better.
A tip with vehicles unless in safe areas never use all the move points that way you can pull back if something takes a shot at you. Not always helpful the AI may well decide not to reaction fire especially RPGs till its turn. Now it can hopefuly take multiple shots at you.