vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Regarding the "vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)" mentioned in this thread Design Contests, Tournaments and other ideas!

I have decided to shorten it to 5 battles so we can use the maps Marek has made. This means to participate you would only be required to play a total of 5 battles against the AI so there is no need to "wait" for your opponent to send you their turn. :D

There is no "special" number of players needed. The player with the combined total score over 5 battle wins.

The player's Core Force would be about 4500 points total and you would command a BTR equipped Motorized Rifle Battalion.

For those looking for more details here is the Core Force;

3rd MOTORIZED RIFLE BATTALION (BTR),
146th MOTORIZED RIFLE REGIMENT,
48th MOTORIZED RIFLE DIVISION

BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
...Headquarters

MOTORIZED RIFLE COMPANY
...10x Mech Squad
...12x BTR-60PB (+)
...6x 7.62mm PKMS MMG

MOTORIZED RIFLE COMPANY
...10x Mech Squad
...12x BTR-60PB (+)
...6x 7.62mm PKMS MMG

MOTORIZED RIFLE COMPANY
...10x Mech Squad
...12x BTR-60PB (+)
...6x 7.62mm PKMS MMG

ANTITANK PLATOON
...2x 73mm SPG-9 RCL
...3x BTR-60PB (+)
...6x Malutku-P Team

MORTAR BATTERY
...6x 120mm Mortar
...6x GAZ-66

AIR DEFENSE PLATOON
...9x Strela-2 SAM
...3x BTR-60PB (+)

AUTOMATIC GRENADE LAUNCHER PLATOON
...6x 30mm AGS GL
...3x BTR-60PB (+)

FORWARD OBSERVER
...1x Art Observer
...1x MT-LBu 1V12

BATTALION HEADQUARTERS TRANSPORT
...BTR-60PB (+)

As you can see their is a definite lack of armor and heavy weapons available making the battles that much more of a challenge. Support Forces will be purchased for each battle by me depending on the mission, terrain, etc. These forces will likely concentrate on making up for the lack of heavy weapons for your unit but commanders must make due with what they are given, not necessarily what they want. ;)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I've noticed a absence of helicopters, attack and transport.
Unless I'm missing something it would be all wheels/tracks and boots on the ground?

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

And you would be correct. As a BTR MRB Commander that would be your actual core force. The extras would come with the support purchase points for each battle in the campaign. I will use those points to select for each battle depending on the map, mission, etc.

In the 1st battle (Meeting Engagement) you are to probe the enemy front. For this mission you get 2x T-62D's and 12x tubes of 122mm arty. These are Regimental level assets allocated to you by the MRR Commander.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Sounds good Double D!
I would love to do a tourney by those guide lines:)
Would it be just for CD owners?

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Nope, anyone can play, CD or No CD will be fine.

You are playing regular campaign battles against the AI BUT instead of playing normally, you are basically playing the battles that pop up in my campaign as I proceed from the save game files. This way everyone get the same mission with identical forces, map, etc. The key is how each player does in each mission. Since it is a campaign that I am playing, everyone has to start each battle with the identical force as I do.

To give a better overview.

• I create the 5 Battle Campaign using the criteria I listed (player core force, enemy nations, dates, etc).
• I load a custom map, set up the VH's based on the mission (and the story I see unfolding in my head), the # turns, etc.
• I save the campaign and send it to all participants (it will be loaded by players like a regular saved game file).
• You load the Save File, deploy your forces how you see fit as the MRB Commander and play the battle.
• When you are finished, you send me the End Game File and I record the results (point totals).
• The results of MY battle only, are carried over to the next battle (since its a regular generated campaign on my machine) and this means everyone plays the next battle with whatever I have been able to repair between the battles.

I will probably get about 10 turns into my copy of each battle before I release the "Save File" to players. This way I can create more a more detailed intel briefing for the players to go along with the game file and give you some idea of what is out there.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I am in, 001 and 004 of my single player save games are occupied though. (yes I could copy but I rather not)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

So players would have to battle with the same amount of pt's as the Gamemaster has (after playtesting the forthcoming battle) in R/R, i think i got it!
Novel idea!
I love it:)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Count me in as well.
When you get it ironed out:)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Yes, I will be playing a regular Generated Campaign game. When I get to the deploy part for each battle, I save the game and then I play the first 8-10 turns (saving in other slots so as to not overwrite the first saved file) so I see what I (and the players) will be facing. With that extra "Intel" from those 8-10 turns I then write up a mission briefing, and maybe a map overlay, and send the earlier save game file to all the players. When you open it, you will go straight to the deploy phase (the map, Victory Hexes, etc will have already been set) and all you can do is deploy your forces and then play the battle.

One thing though, if I get stomped the campaign may end early. :(

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

You should be able to play it out of any saved game slot. Its not secure, etc, just a regular saved game file.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I already played the 1st battle and got a draw, so the file is ready. Since there is no min/max player limit we could really start anytime. I just need to make sure all interested parties are ready and understand the rules/process. And I need to write up a short mission brief.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I will probably distribute the game file and briefing via download so I would ask all those interested to go ahead and PM me with your interest and I will start ironing out the "official" details.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Great,Even better for us noobs to PBEM (to get our feet wet) as you only have to send in the end battle to get the next battle data, not each turn!
Am i correct?

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Yes, you play through the battle against the AI at your own pace (no need to wait for your opponent to send you his turn ;) ) and then send me the End Game file. Oh and no replaying turns of course.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Of course it would have to be on your "honour" deal but betting most or hoping most would abide that:angel

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Well, you will command a BTR Battalion without real AT capability against the AI with TI and armor. If you are stomping the enemy on a regular basis in this campaign you may be . . an extremely good player (vs the AI) or cheating. :D

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Agreed, it would be obvious to you since you played the very same battle as who may be cheating;)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

[quote=Double_Deuce;683423][quote=gila;683414]Of course it would have to be on your "honour" deal but betting most or hoping most would abide I'm not an extremely "good player" anyways,so will hope for a Draw or an marginal anything:D

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

OK, a major snafu. It appears that I was wrong in assuming that you could save the End Game screen after a Generated Campaign battle. :mad:

I will have to come up with a workaround. Looks like the battles may need to be ended on a set turn and then send me the last save file. I will open the files and manually calculate Victory Points.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Guess you just get to see who improves then go to next battles R&R screen so thoughts.
1) If players keep track of flags controled after say turn 15 so long as all same points easy to add subtract.
2) Set R&R high to a round figure like 5000pts.
Press fix all diffrence between the 2 is the score lowest wins.
Example after repair (A) has 4300 points left so score was 700
(B) 4100 points left so score 900
Flags either ignore or deduct diffrence from score.
Example 21 flags at 100points each
Player controls 10, AI 7, 4 neutral
Diffrence between player & AI is 300 points (10-7) x100
So take 300 off players total score.

This will be easier I think than trying to work out loses by counting missing men.
If flags total makes to much of a diffrence divide it by something say 4 so it fits, your call as ref.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

This sounds interesting. When did you plan on starting this thing?

And as for counting the score, you could just ask every player to save at the end of the last turn, load the saved game and finish the turn. Or, since the game can theoretically end at any given turn, to save at the end of each turn just to be sure they'll have the end game turn saved.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Actually - one part of the "core" force is missing.

The regimental tank battalion (4 tank platoon organisation almost always) was doctrinally split to attach a company to each mech battalion as an almost invariable rule. The tank company would then be split to attach a platoon to each mech company as an almost invariable rule as well.

The attached scenario 299 is not a scenario - it was something I was working on as a tactical guide, but have not had the time to progress. It is based on Isby, and is designed to be viewed in the editor. Scenario text is a first attempt at the explanation of the non-scenario.

Andy

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I am thinking within the next week (the official campaign). At this point I am creating a test (1 battle) campaign for everyone to go through the process for a complete battle. Receiving the file, playing and then sending me back the file. This way, players can get the process down and I can receive the last save file and see what info for sure I have to work with. Sorta work out the bugs, pre-offical campaign.

I think if players alternate saving their game to 2 slots they will have the last one before any early ending that they can then send. That would work best I think.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I will be counting the Victory Flags since they are tied to the assigned mission objectives. If I get the last turn save file (before the end game screen) I can go through the players unit list screen in the beginning of the next turn and track the damage points (units KIA, etc) that way. I can't do this for the enemy forces though. :doh:

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I have revised the player's Core Force to the following (the BTR's are now the PB model and not the PB(+) model so they are not armed with the 30mm AGL but this is offset by the direct attachment of a Tank Company from the Regimental Tank Battalion);

BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
1x Headquarters

BTR RIFLE COMPANY
10x Mech Squad
1x Strela-2M SAM
3x RPG-7V Team
10x BTR-60PB

BTR RIFLE COMPANY
10x Mech Squad
1x Strela-2M SAM
3x RPG-7V Team
10x BTR-60PB

BTR RIFLE COMPANY
10x Mech Squad
1x Strela-2M SAM
3x RPG-7V Team
10x BTR-60PB

TANK COMPANY (4)
13x T-62D

ANTI-TANK PLATOON
2x 73mm SPM-9 RCL
6x Malutku-P Team
3x BTR-60PB

MORTAR BATTERY
6x 120mm Mortar
6x GAZ-66

AUTOMATIC GL PLATOON
6x 30mm AGS GL
3x BTR-60PB

FORWARD OBSERVER
1x Art Observer
1x MT-LBu 1V12

BATTALION HQ TRANSPORT
1x BTR-60PB (+)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I need to drop out. I am sorry.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

Andy couple of questions
1) Is the book worth a gander
2) When I do this force normally add a scout section normaly 5 as buy from armour screen & delete other scout platoon & one SAM platoon assume they would have scouts.
Its actually clearer seeing it laid out in game than in a book nice one.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

No worries. We will probably start just after the weekend. If things change between then now and then just let me know, we can still work you in any time up untill the 1st battle is completed by all players.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

1) Yes - I had it and sold it in the 90s with all my tabletop wargaming stuff, so re-bought a second hand copy from an online book dealers. There is a revised edition out now (saw at Amazon for lots of money).

2) the scouts would be ahead of the demo, under regimental control. Maybe 5 - 10 KM ahead. MANPADS SAM platoon - is in the support coy columns.

Andy

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

1) Yes realised that its why I asked ebay I think
2) Perfect sense realy

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

For those interested, this site gives the basic formation of a Soviet Motorized Rifle Regiment n the move (usually when advancing against unknown enemy defenses).

Motorized Rifle Regiment in Advanced Guard Formation

It also gives time frames (spacing) between the groups of the formation.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I am still working on the "written" rules so I welcome hearing any feedback from playing the sample battle, along with any other questions you might have. The important thing will be to know the process of loading, playing and sending the game file back as well as scoring (who wins).

vs AI Tournament (UPDATE)!
 

Here is an update. I have played through the revised Battle #1. Got a DRAW.

I have also created a fancy spreadsheet that will track Core Units lost, Damage Points (to "each" friendly unit), VH Points Earned (friendly and enemy), Enemy Points Earned and the Campaign Points Earned (the difference between friendly and enemy points earned).

It it will track this information for each Battle in the Campaign and Overall for each Player. The person with the the greatest overall Point Total at the end of the Campaign wins. It should go for 5 battles unless I do really bad and the campaign ends for me early. :(

I am behind on writing up the official rules as I am trying to keep it simple. I guess in a nutshell everyone just needs to just play saved game battles I send them, saving every turn in alternating slots until the battle ends, then send me the save file from the last turn you saved where the battle didn't end and go to the end game screen. :D

That being said, I will concentrate on writing up the Rules, Campaign Briefing and Mission #1 Operations Order. Once I have all that I will post the rules here and will take another roll call. Once that is done, game on! :cool:

If you want in and haven't done so at this point please send me a PM.

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

These list is of those who are either "in" or expressed an interest in participating;

Lt. Ketch
Imp
gila
Skirmisher
Koh

There is no limit to the number of people who can join in. Its all versus the AI so no need for even matched pairs, etc. Official rules to follow . . hopefully sooner than later. ;)

Re: vs AI Tournament (Actually a Campaign)
 

I have the Rules and overall Campaign Briefing completed. The Operations Order for Mission #1 should be done by tomorrow afternoon. Once that is done I will post another call for players and will work on getting the files out within 2-3 days after that.