Scenario Recommendations

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Ziploc

I've not played any player generated battles/campaigns yet as I'm still getting a feel for the system. Initially I've played quite a few defensive orientated scenarios to get a feel for the game mechanics. So I guess I'm quite used to fighting at a numerical disadvantage.

if you are still learning, then the best thing to do is as others have suggested and play random battles, not scenarios.

Set the players to Germany and Soviet Union in game options, and the date to 6/42. First player will be you - so SU or Nazi as you like it, at this point the technology is relatively even (T34 for SU, Nazis have access to the long 75mm variants).

In the game itself, ensure the preferences points are big enough - put in a silly number like 10000. You are not going to spend that as you said you want a battalion or so, it just ensures there is enough cash in the kitty. Or just press the "Max points" button in the purchase screen.

Now set up a meeting engagement. It is the simplest game type and more "even". Whatever points you spend, the AI player 2 will get, provided you left the player 2 points to XXX.

Now, play several successive games like this (6 to 10 meeters at the same opponent and time, perhaps). Experiment with your force types and structures, and the game itself (e.g. learn how to select maps, spin the V-hexes and so on in the "view map" section as described in the Game Guide). Learn the purchase system. Try tank-heavy, balanced and other force structures. see what support troops tend to be useful (flak, SP-mortars, whatever) and what ones might not be generally so (police, partisans, whatever).

Don't worry too much about "winning" and "losing" in your initial games, try to learn from "what-if" actions. You will learn what not to do and what not to do from practical experience, just like military officers would do in training. These battles will be training exercises, not "competitive" - feel free to abandon and restart such games. Save off your training game before you try a "bright idea" and you can reload after learning - maybe to try another one !.

Once you have done a dozen or so such scratch training games, you will know more about the system. (Use arty, air, infantry (mech and leg both) etc in your games and see what benefits they bring, and any weak points).

Then you may want to try a few types other than meeters - try a delay on your side or an assault for you, whatever. Again, just for training value and not any kudos of "winning".

Random battles are more fun - since the set up and force used against you as well as map etc will change. (I find scenarios are usually play-once things in any case)

Andy

[Ziploc]

Thanks for the replies for what was on reflection a somewhat ill considered question.
Whilst I have wargamed for some years this is the first squad level game I have really played. So I guess it is a case of learning what works. Having vehicles knocked out, or dameaged beyond effective use, in one go rather than step reductions takes some getting used to. In other words developing a feel for the gaming battlefield.
I think you're right to put the beginner scenarios from the game manual in quotation marks DRG as one or two are quite brutal! I really struggled with 011-Gavrus. Personally, I think 062-The Plains Before the Rhine is a good taster for new players.