Frontlines - Cyrenaica comments and minor bugs

[terminator]

Fist mission (Invading Egypt) : image of duplicate heroes

Capture d'écran 2025-03-13 073847.png (195.78 KiB) Viewed 1439 times

[DefiantXYX]

Are these random heroes? Never saw one with two traits like "Flag Killer" and "cheap replacement".

[terminator]

Are these random heroes? Never saw one with two traits like "Flag Killer" and "cheap replacement".

These are the 3 heroes I received at the beginning of the first mission of the Italian campaign during deployment.
So I guess these are random heroes?

[AKMAK74]

Only two traits heros are guaranteed,others are random.
So if choose "killler team",it will give you five randow heros

[Tassadar]

It seems to be just coincidence that the guaranteed historical hero uses the same portrait as randomly generated ones. After all it's a copyright minefield to use images that are fine to get in this type of game (unless it's a free mod, the the options are much wider). Even if you'd pull the images of guaranteed heroes out of the list used by the random pull, you'd still end up with duplicates at one point most probably - this was best seen in AO series after a few DLC and having dozens of heroes available.

[milliethedog]

Well i am not of to a good start, I chose to play the British on General, got a Zero slot bonus hero (great) picked the rest of my team and started turn one, found 1 enemy in the desert and destroyed it. no enemy action. turn 2 no enemy action and so on until the end. no enemy moves or action at all. Started the game again same thing so now i will restart the campaigne, loose my zero slot hero and try again.
Martin

[Tassadar]

Well i am not of to a good start, I chose to play the British on General, got a Zero slot bonus hero (great) picked the rest of my team and started turn one, found 1 enemy in the desert and destroyed it. no enemy action. turn 2 no enemy action and so on until the end. no enemy moves or action at all. Started the game again same thing so now i will restart the campaigne, loose my zero slot hero and try again.
Martin

Keep that good save with the hero you wanted. What you are describing seems to be a documented bug that can sometimes happen due to file issues within the game. Reinstalling it seems to work as a fix, just clear any settings leftover and move the saves and cores, so you don't delete them by accident. I had a similar thing once in AO 1946, but reinstalling fixed things.

[milliethedog]

thanks, followed your advice and it was working after starting again. loaded my save game and got my hero zero slot back.
Thanks
Martin

[milliethedog]

Hi, completed Game 1 playing the British, I must admit it seams strange to be told in the briefing at the end that all was basically lost then get the victory message. we have to come up with something different going forward. I got all the bonuses and held the target town until the end (Just) loosing just 1 unit. The game play does not match the briefings

Fun still but needs something different. following the historical route i know means retreat, but?

Martin

[milliethedog]

Game 2. Again i got the bonuses, held the attacking Italians loosing 2 units, an infantry and again a recon. Victory but all is lost? Maybe another Hero for holding the Italians up for x turns or for not loosing any bases etc?

still fun though.
Martin

[adiekmann]

Game 2. Again i got the bonuses, held the attacking Italians loosing 2 units, an infantry and again a recon. Victory but all is lost? Maybe another Hero for holding the Italians up for x turns or for not loosing any bases etc?

still fun though.
Martin

This is the same old problem that dates to PC1: I cleared the map but still lost?

Accept that you are a good player, or that you need to up the difficulty level. During the beta, I completed both campaigns on Field Marshal (second hardest). I still was able to dominate, but most maps weren't easy and I dealt constantly with prestige issues. Right now, I rolled from Killer Team a Overwhelming and Envelope hero and because of them, I am swimming in prestige. Now I wish I had increased the difficulty level, but at the time I set it i didn't know that I would get those heroes.

Like most PC2 campaigns, including the vanilla one, I find the first scenarios the hardest while you have few heroes and zero experience. Once you get all the unique heroes your units will become monsters. Most of them are not acquired until middle and late campaign. Also, it appears most players choose to start this DLC as the British but the Italian campaign is more difficult, but in the end they balanced it out fairly well.

On replay you can tinker with the settings

[Tassadar]

During the beta, I completed both campaigns on Field Marshal (second hardest). I still was able to dominate, but most maps weren't easy and I dealt constantly with prestige issues.

A question since you completed both campaigns - did you run into the bug I described in Italian "Battle of Tobruch" mission with not getting the extra core slot award? It's listed here: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 5#p1050015

I'm at a total loss what's causing it, but it seems there is something not triggering at the start of the mission. Granted, I could just edit in the lost core slots available out or just add it via a cheat code, but I'd prefer to get the award for the bonus objective the normal way.

[adiekmann]

During the beta, I completed both campaigns on Field Marshal (second hardest). I still was able to dominate, but most maps weren't easy and I dealt constantly with prestige issues.

A question since you completed both campaigns - did you run into the bug I described in Italian "Battle of Tobruch" mission with not getting the extra core slot award? It's listed here: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 5#p1050015

I'm at a total loss what's causing it, but it seems there is something not triggering at the start of the mission. Granted, I could just edit in the lost core slots available out or just add it via a cheat code, but I'd prefer to get the award for the bonus objective the normal way.

I did question it but it isn't a bug. In the Italian campaign you lose core slots by design in the defensive scenarios to reflect the staggering loses that the Italians suffered. So, what is happening is that the bonus cancels out the slot loses and it remains the same.

You can do an experiment if you are still in doubt and replay the last turns so that you DON'T meet the bonus objective and you should see that you now have only 37 or whatever slots instead of it "remaining the same."

[Bee1976]

I finished both campaigns on Generalissimus.

First: Im really sad! Dont get me wrong, it was a lot of fun playing this DLC. But the more missions i finished i got more sad, because i knew it will be soon over. Sounds strange ? Yeah, maybe.

I dont wanted the game to be over...and with the last mission, there was this bad feeling of "next cool content - no long campaign" /sniff But i have a little hope - last brit mission got some bonus stuff....maybe this will be important for the next DLC.


That said, some comments:

The first missions felt quite hard, but with every win it went smoother for me.I wasnt able to play with full corelsot army due to some prestige issues But i did all bonus missions and story events for both campaigns.

Stuff i dislike to an extend:
The new hero system. You recieve some fun heros, yes, but you dont get a lot of rnd heros. The reduces "replayability" for me. yes i know i cout use the cheat code but i prefer to not use cheats. gamewise this means some pressure on the players. If you play nice, and do the bonus stuff you recieve some nice heros and the game gets easier. but if you are able to earn those heros you are not really in need for them.
If you are sturggleing with your playthrough and miss bonus obejctives, you miss some noce heros and the game gets harder...

the lack of good airfields to use more strat bombers :/

and of course the missing 2025 road map, last year we got a roadmap for 2024 and 2025 but uhm ....yes there might some parts be missing hehe
so whats next ?

[adiekmann]

During the beta, I completed both campaigns on Field Marshal (second hardest). I still was able to dominate, but most maps weren't easy and I dealt constantly with prestige issues.

A question since you completed both campaigns - did you run into the bug I described in Italian "Battle of Tobruch" mission with not getting the extra core slot award? It's listed here: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 5#p1050015

I'm at a total loss what's causing it, but it seems there is something not triggering at the start of the mission. Granted, I could just edit in the lost core slots available out or just add it via a cheat code, but I'd prefer to get the award for the bonus objective the normal way.

Sorry, I only now looked at the link you put in your post. I thought you were only asking about the core slots.

I thought they fixed all of those kinds of errors. I completed 2 complete playthroughs of both sides in the beta. I completed my last one in February and did not encounter that error. I'm sure the devs are monitoring this forum for any issues and will look into it.

[DefiantXYX]

Game 2. Again i got the bonuses, held the attacking Italians loosing 2 units, an infantry and again a recon. Victory but all is lost? Maybe another Hero for holding the Italians up for x turns or for not loosing any bases etc?

Especially in this DLC you run into a serious problem: there is absolut no mechanic for defensive scenarios.
I also win every single map by devestating the enemy. Even when its said "prepare for attack/hold defensive position" I am the attacking one. There are some elements, like retreat with some units, or save some units, but that does not fit at all.
Like you said, the briefings have nothing to do the outcome of the game. I see absolutly no reason, why I should fall back!

I am really disappointed about that, because I thought from the previews, that they had found a solution to this. They even talked about smart AI. I am almost done with the italian part, but I have not found anything smart yet.
The only thing I noticed is a really cheap way try to force you to move back while the enemy should move forward. They give the AI 3.5 Star units and strong heroes, especially game breaking one like shock attacks. This is just annoying. The ai does not try to win a scenario, if it can kill one of your units, no matter the costs.
Talking about game breaking heroes, wtf is this? You can get a "on the roll hero". Is this fanservice? Hey, would you like to have a Tiger II in 1941? No problem, take some italian shit tank, give him some heroes and overrun some easy targets. After 3-4 turns you have +10 attack and crush anything.
Later you get an ambusher with provocateur. WTF? Combine this with rapidfire and tank killer and the AI will kill itself turn by turn...
I mean, the DLC is good fun so far, but compare that with SCW. In SCW you have to think about everything, otherwise you are lost. In this DLC should combine OP stuff you get almost for free. I already had some 5 star units after 4-5 scenarios. Thats just boring.

[Tassadar]

Sorry, I only now looked at the link you put in your post. I thought you were only asking about the core slots.

I thought they fixed all of those kinds of errors. I completed 2 complete playthroughs of both sides in the beta. I completed my last one in February and did not encounter that error. I'm sure the devs are monitoring this forum for any issues and will look into it.

No worries, it is just 2 core slots after all, I might just live with it and put one Ascari del Cielo to reserve as I use these mostly as special duty units or do some similar reduction. Still, as I at least partially get what's going on in the lua files I ma quite curious what's blocking the triggers here, so I'll try to figure it out. I did compare the results with not touching the objective and it's the same, I still get down to 58. In any case, I probably won't be waiting for a possible patch, it would see a bit overkill if it's not a game-breaking issue.

I dont wanted the game to be over...and with the last mission, there was this bad feeling of "next cool content - no long campaign" /sniff But i have a little hope - last brit mission got some bonus stuff....maybe this will be important for the next DLC.

Same, it's the one game I am never bored with and always look forward to new campaigns.

Stuff i dislike to an extend:
The new hero system. You recieve some fun heros, yes, but you dont get a lot of rnd heros. The reduces "replayability" for me. yes i know i cout use the cheat code but i prefer to not use cheats. gamewise this means some pressure on the players. If you play nice, and do the bonus stuff you recieve some nice heros and the game gets easier. but if you are able to earn those heros you are not really in need for them.
If you are sturggleing with your playthrough and miss bonus obejctives, you miss some noce heros and the game gets harder...

I'm just halfway through the Italian campaign, but I agree, it's a mixed bag in some cases. I enjoy that sometimes the heroes have ability combinations that either don't work ideally with each other, or with unit classed you'd normally pair the hero based on his "better" of the two abilities. This encourages some thinking. That said, some are very powerful and there seems to be too many of them in the short timeframe of just 12 missions per campaign. There could be either fewer of these of with more limited power, to not railroad the player as much into more powerful choices.

the lack of good airfields to use more strat bombers :/

Historically accurate, so it's a thing I don't have an issue with.

and of course the missing 2025 road map, last year we got a roadmap for 2024 and 2025 but uhm ....yes there might some parts be missing hehe
so whats next ?

Agreed, I'm really curious for this, even if it will be a very vague note without anything too specific.

The only thing I noticed is a really cheap way try to force you to move back while the enemy should move forward. They give the AI 3.5 Star units and strong heroes, especially game breaking one like shock attacks. This is just annoying. The ai does not try to win a scenario, if it can kill one of your units, no matter the costs.

I am still not sure how I feel about this, but you do get a warning in The Defense of Sidi Barrani by getting a No Surrender auxiliary to be aware of the possibility. I guess I'd prefer more enemies instead, as Shock Tactics and Envelopment given to the AI are always a risky choice.

Talking about game breaking heroes, wtf is this? You can get a "on the roll hero". Is this fanservice? Hey, would you like to have a Tiger II in 1941? No problem, take some italian shit tank, give him some heroes and overrun some easy targets. After 3-4 turns you have +10 attack and crush anything.
Later you get an ambusher with provocateur. WTF? Combine this with rapidfire and tank killer and the AI will kill itself turn by turn...

I always stand by the argument that heroes never force you to use them in an optimal way, or even at all. The great thing about them is that you can utilize the most broken ones to their full extent if you want an easier experience, but you are free to increase the difficulty yourself by adding them to less powerful units. Same concept as with the composition of your core force. It is always more practical and better to use best units for the same core slot, but you don't have to. I keep one M11/39 in my core next to a M13/40 even if the former is objectively worse. It's just for flavor, no other reason.

I mean, the DLC is good fun so far, but compare that with SCW. In SCW you have to think about everything, otherwise you are lost. In this DLC should combine OP stuff you get almost for free. I already had some 5 star units after 4-5 scenarios. Thats just boring.

Again, more options to allow both new players and experienced ones finish the DLC and customize their force to their intended difficulty further, but I do agree that compared to SCW there's a quick point after you're able to break parity with the enemy. As with one of my comments above, it is probably not just since the heroes are powerful, but there's a high number of them in just 12 scenarios. I'd cut their count by half and slightly ease down on the combinations.

[DefiantXYX]

I always stand by the argument that heroes never force you to use them in an optimal way, or even at all. The great thing about them is that you can utilize the most broken ones to their full extent if you want an easier experience, but you are free to increase the difficulty yourself by adding them to less powerful units.

Yeah I know, I/we had this discussion several times in different topics. But thats not how it works for me. Its like playing chess and you say, hey, my queen can only act like a king. Recently I played some older shooters like Farcry 5 and 6. After so many years you can guy the gold edition for 10€ or something like that. But its not just more content, you also get some overpowered guns right at the start. Thats also breaking the whole game.

The player should not be forced to balance the game himself by doing bad choices. You can use the general points to make it harder, thats really fine. Or my favorite one, david vs goliath and I am still waiting for a slider

But dont get me wrong, like I said, its still good fun, the game is just great but it could be even better!

[Bee1976]

Or my favorite one, david vs goliath and I am still waiting for a slider

I copy that! A slider for DvG would be awesome!

@Tassadar I know that the missing "good" airfields are historically correct - but i love using strat bombers

And i forgot one point that is a small issue for me: no hidden caches/easter eggs! I enjoy exploring the map and getting my hands on unusual equipment for some variation in my core - no need for gamebreaking or OP stuff.

[DefiantXYX]

And i forgot one point that is a small issue for me: no hidden caches/easter eggs! I enjoy exploring the map and getting my hands on unusual equipment for some variation in my core - no need for gamebreaking or OP stuff.

Yeah true, but I guess it does not make sense storywise, at least in the italian part when you are always on the run. Unlikely to find some british depots there.
I am also missing some events, like a chance to get german equipment instead of the italian crap.

But in one of the maps, maybe mission 7 or 8 in the italian campaign, I think you have to save 3 infantry units in it, I found a 500 prestige cache in a city in the bottom right corner. Normally you dont get anything if you conquer the british bases, looks like the devs could not imagine how easily a player can abuse the op heroes and attacks instead of retreating.