Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Are the upgrade paths for generated campaigns posted somewhere? I've tried the manual and a search but I've only uncovered that they have changed. I'm trying to convert a M2A3 BUSK III (unit class 127) to a M3A3 BUSK AT (unit class 19). However, the M3A3 BUSK AT isn't present but the M3A3 BUSK (unit class 121) is. What I want to know is if it's worthwhile to make the attempt or if I 'll end up winding through too many intermediates.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

There's no "upgrade path".
Any unit can be upgraded/converted to any other unit of the same general type that's available in the time period covered by the campaign.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

P.S.

Keep in mind the basic unit type when upgrading.
If you start out as say a tank and change it to SP artillery the unit will still have the skills of a tank (vehicle) thus will be a lousy artillery unit (no artillery skill).

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

So, if I can't convert my M2A3 to a M3A3 AT right now I simply won't be able to do so? Is there a place where I can find the groupings? Ultimately, 3 TOW missiles isn't that big a deal but it just seems weird I can convert an Abrams into a HMMWV with stingers but I can't convert a troop carrying variant of the Bradley into an Anti-Tank variant of the Bradley.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Sometimes you cant go directly from one class type (list in GG "MBT Unit Classes") to another but can get there by swapping to a third class first (ie perhaps APC -> tank -> SP atgm). However this will lead to two loses in experience, as the crews grapple with new equipment, and as Suhiir points out may lead to the crews having the "wrong skillset".

Often its easier and more economical to delete the core unit and expand the core with the desired replacement.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

P.S. What about the PBI? I guess they are walking :p

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

It's the HQ platoon, 1 infantry squad with 3 Bradleys. So, HQ squad will have a ride and the 2 extra Bradleys I want to turn into AT units. I guess if the other platoons lose a Bradley they'll have to walk.

Side note, can I combine platoons?

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

If the current campaign date is prior to January 1996 then no you cannot upgrade as the M3A3 isn't available until that date.

Unit# 007 M3A3+ Bradley 01/1996-09/2001
Unit# 305 M3A3 Bradley 10/2001-12/2020
Unit# 667 M3A3 Bradley 01/1996-06/2001
Unit# 668 M3A3 Bradley 10/2001-12/2020
Unit# 898 M3A3 BUSK AT 01/2012-12/2020
Unit# 898 M3A3 BUSK 01/2012-12/2020

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Combine platoons?
Do you mean can you change the company HQ a platoon is attached to?
Do you mean add the units attached to one platoon to another platoon?

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

It's January 2020 so I don't think time is an issue.

By combine platoons I mean the second. I want to take units from platoon C and give them to platoon B. So, I want to take units that are in formation C in the unit list and give them to formation B in the unit list.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Then use the cross-attach command in the deployment screen. (You cannot cross attach away the formation leader though). Mouse over the buttons till you find the guy "saluting" and the info text is "assign current unit to a new HQ". Click the unit you wish to assign, then click on one of the units in the desired formation.

If the cross attaching puts the leader away from the 0 unit, then use the fix formation leader button in the formations screen (only if you have the full game).

cheers
Andy

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Alright, so if platoon A starts with 4 units and platoon B starts with 4 units I can set it up so that platoon A has 7 units and platoon B has 1 unit since B0 won't be willing to serve under A0? I'd check for myself but I'm away from my copy of the game at the moment.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

Yes, then if you don't need the 1 unit B platoon, you can delete it later.

Re: Upgrade Paths in Campaign
 

The upgrade paths reside in code and are pretty much as SSI originally had it. Therefore some are not particularly intuitive... Nor does it suit any sort of table showing such. Quite frankly - one of these days I may just "simplify" it by making all units available as swaps, bar any not allowed in cores..

The best way to figure it out is simply to save off your campaign at the last turn as usual. Now let it proceed. At the upgrade screen play about with units and see what path is what - some will need a change to something that allows swapping to the desired type (e.g. I think MG units seem to be "artillery", swap to scout car and you can then swap to a MBT). Once you have finished playing about then skip through the upgrade screens and get to the next battle setup (which you wont be bothering about since you were mucking about in the upgrades screen!) and exit (abort) at the first screen with an exit button.

Now go back to your last turns save, and proceed as normal but this time with the knowledge gained, swap what needs swapped with a change of internal "swap type" in between. (Some different units to last time may upgrade to veterans or not, that is random. The next battle spawned may differ in location and or type - that too is random unless it is a user campaign.)

cheers
Andy