Playtesters Wanted

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by shahadi

Some feedback: In the early engagements, I used my Apaches at low altitude to score big time against the Iraqi armor in the Center sector. My Apaches in the North sector popped-up from buildings with tremendous devastation. In the Southern sector, I have prepared an ambush.

Cobra's actually, the USMC has never used the Apache.
Yeah the lack of USMC tanks means our air, helos, and ATGMs are our anti-armor units. Part of the intent here to let players "learn" for themselves that you don't necessarily need tanks to stop tanks.

Originally Posted by shahadi

Since some units are positioned at certain off-road points, as they are not appearing as check-points, I assume the brigade S2 staff anticipated as Insurgent encroachment, correct?

If I understand your comment correctly it's more that this is the desert. Roads are convenient but rarely limit the potential avenues of approach one can use. So units are positioned to cover those not the roads themselves.

Originally Posted by shahadi

As with the other guys, I find the AI movement is very good thus far. I want to play the USMC side then switch to Iraqi using a simple straight-up penetration maneuver.

I seriously doubt the AI will put up much of a fight as the USMC side, as they'll die in place in their initial positions. The AI can't handle "shoot and scoot" tactics. Nor will it reload from ammo trucks.

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

From what you say it sounds like the Iraqi's never got to your main defensive positions? If so I need to tweak. Some are suppose to be able to make it that far.

The did not engage any of the entrenched USMC rifle companies. I moved Echo Company forward and this unit saw some action, but not that much.

ATGMs, artillery and air killed off the bulk of Iraqi armour before they got close. But it's not given the result would at all be similiar with a different setup of the core...

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by wulfir

ATGMs, artillery and air killed off the bulk of Iraqi armour before they got close. But it's not given the result would at all be similiar with a different setup of the core...

Very true, but while exactly as expected I thought some would make it to the entrenched positions. Have to tweak a bit.

Questions:
What did you find odd/unusual about USMC deployment?

Was any of the initial deployment "wrong"?

How useful were the UAV's and MV-22's as spotters? Too much? I'm considering pulling the MV-22's as they're NOT recon helos, but they are part of a MEU and under the circumstances they're not needed for redeployment. The other option is to use Gulf Co in the MV-22's as the reserve vice Echo Co in AAV's.

How useful/effective did you find the inherent air assets (the F-35's) of the MEU? Decisive or merely handy?

The Iraqi's had an off-board artillery battalion (3 x batteries in a total of 6 x platoons) did your non-player-controlled "Ctr Bty Air" do a fair job dealing with them? Too effective?

I made the bulk of the Iraqi armor T-72's because M1's would be near invulnerable to SMAWs/AT4s but from the sound of it they never made it far enough for that to be an issue. Did you find the M1's difficult to deal with?

Did Iraqi AA play any role on the battle? Most was MPADs in M113's, did any actually deploy? Did the Iraqi MT-LB w/ZU-23's have any effect on your use of air?

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

What did you find odd/unusual about USMC deployment?

Nothing really..., the service/support units, wounded, civilians etc might be somewhat unusual but I understand their role in the scenario.

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Was any of the initial deployment "wrong"?

IMHO, not really.

Originally Posted by Suhiir

How useful were the UAV's and MV-22's as spotters? Too much?

They give you near complete coverage of the battlefield.

Originally Posted by Suhiir

How useful/effective did you find the inherent air assets (the F-35's) of the MEU? Decisive or merely handy?

More decisive than handy. I used them to target Iraqi Abrams tanks mainly.

Originally Posted by Suhiir

The Iraqi's had an off-board artillery battalion (3 x batteries in a total of 6 x platoons) did your non-player-controlled "Ctr Bty Air" do a fair job dealing with them? Too effective?

The Iraqi artillery did not give me much trouble so I guess not.

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Did you find the M1's difficult to deal with?

More dangerous than the T72s - but they will be killed by TOWs, air and artillery. Especially the quick response artillery with their ammo trucks are useful. The true hero of this scneario is the Forward Observer...

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Did Iraqi AA play any role on the battle? Most was MPADs in M113's, did any actually deploy? Did the Iraqi MT-LB w/ZU-23's have any effect on your use of air?

The MT-LB AA tracks did not make much of an impact but the Strela/Stinger teams did damage one Jet and one Cobra.

[Suhiir]

Thank you again. Very useful observations.
*begins tweaking*

Originally Posted by wulfir

The true hero of this scenario is the Forward Observer...

*just chuckles*

[wulfir]

Just for fun I will re-play the scenario with a similar size force based on the Nordic Battle Group concept that will have somewhat less AT capability.

The OOB is loosely based on a mix of NBG 08 and NBG 11.

HQ/NBG Cmdr
Forward Observer
Special Forces Element (4 SSG Teams, RG-32M)

Mech Inf Coy (CV90) Sweden
Mech Inf Coy (Bv309) Sweden
Mech Inf Coy (AMW Patria) Finland
Bn Support Coy (Pioneer Plt-trucks, Recce Plt-RG32M, AA Plt-Rbs 70, Lvkv 90, Mortar Plt - 120mm towed, Supply Element - 6 Ammo Carriers)

Cavalry Recce Coy (Piranah) - Ireland (this formation is a mix of in game Australian and Swiss units)

Heavy Company - Norway (Tank Plt - Leopard 2A4NO, Leo 2 Dozer, 2 Engineer Plt's - Bv206, Indirect Fire Plt - 6 BW L52 Archer)

Heavy Supply Company - (6 Ammo Carriers) Norway

Independent Mech Platoon(+) - (XA-185 Pasi) Estonia (mix of in game Israeli and Finnish units)

Independent Mech Platoon - (Patria AMW) Croatia

Helicopter Group (2 Augusta 109, 2 UH-60 Blackhawk, 2 Mi-8 C Hip)

Air Support Element (6 JAS-39 Gripen)

No attack helicopters, no UAV, no off board artillery.

I'm using mostly stock OOB units and the Mech Inf companies are mostly equipped with AT capability having about 3 ATGM teams each. The Irish Recce Company has the most ATGM weapons, including two TOW armed Pirahnas. The Norwegian Heavy Company has all the tanks and the Archer artillery systems and is probably the best equipped to kill armour.

Of course I know the routes the AI will take, but I will probably not be able to halt all the attacks at once. We'll see...

[gila]

This is good stuff,and another campaign being hammered out,keep up the great work Suhiir and you have probalely the best playtester with Wulfir

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by wulfir

Just for fun I will re-play the scenario with a similar size force based on the Nordic Battle Group concept that will have somewhat less AT capability.

Unfortunately, if I'm not mistaken, if you buy any new units for a scenario it tends to screw up the waypoints.

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by gila

This is good stuff,and another campaign being hammered out,keep up the great work Suhiir and you have probalely the best playtester with Wulfir

More the merrier!
Feedback as always appreciated. Specially in a project of this scope because you're ALWAYS going to miss something.

[wulfir]

Originally Posted by Suhiir

Unfortunately, if I'm not mistaken, if you buy any new units for a scenario it tends to screw up the waypoints.

Don't know - but I'm not playing it as a scenario, but as a two scenario long campaign. I made a 1 turn long "intro scenario" where I bought the forces to be used, bought air support for aux pts.

I'm on turn 8.

The Irish in the south have knocked out about 8 or so T72s and a couple of M113s, but are now running low on ammo. There are two TOW armed Piranah's and one Leopard 2 Dozer. Three of the infantry Cav Scout Teams have Javelin ATGMs, but with only two rounds. Falling back to re-load, but the T72s are closing in, and behind it the wave of mech inf and Abrams'.

There are two things I happening I did not notice before. There is one T72 platoon moving through the rough terrain in the middle of the map, and about a company size T72 tank force is moving along the hard surface road from the centre of the map to the upper part...

In the far upper part of the map I have the Norwegian Leopard 2 platoon, and these have killed off a large part of the enemy tanks and armoured cars.