The Bulge - The Cavalry Arrives -- Finally Made it Through

rkr1958 · Post by **rkr1958** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:39 pm

It took me six or seven times to make it through this one. I took 4 of 5 victory objectives, killed the King Tiger, captured the farm and killed the 30 (or units). I wasn't even close to the 5th victory objective, which included the fort and the 88-mm on a hill!

The first three or four times I played this one I completely got wiped out! It was only through prior knowledge of where the Germans 75's, 88's and MG-42's and my ability to target them before they made themselves known I was able to eventually win. I definitely have a lot to learn on tactics and I'm finding that the sound tactics to win at MP games require more hit and run (i.e., move fast -- attack -- move fast out of the way) than in single-player games.

I do feel a bit guilty in single-player games targeting German positions that I found in previous games the hard way. I'm curious how folks handle this aspect when they're having to replay a single-player scenario in order to advance to the next one. Also, I seem to use area (or suppression) fire much more often in single-player versus multi-player scenarios. It that your experience too?

MarsRobert · Post by **MarsRobert** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:12 pm

rkr1958 wrote:It took me six or seven times to make it through this one. I took 4 of 5 victory objectives, killed the King Tiger, captured the farm and killed the 30 (or units). I wasn't even close to the 5th victory objective, which included the fort and the 88-mm on a hill!

The first three or four times I played this one I completely got wiped out! It was only through prior knowledge of where the Germans 75's, 88's and MG-42's and my ability to target them before they made themselves known I was able to eventually win. I definitely have a lot to learn on tactics and I'm finding that the sound tactics to win at MP games require more hit and run (i.e., move fast -- attack -- move fast out of the way) than in single-player games.

I do feel a bit guilty in single-player games targeting German positions that I found in previous games the hard way. I'm curious how folks handle this aspect when they're having to replay a single-player scenario in order to advance to the next one. Also, I seem to use area (or suppression) fire much more often in single-player versus multi-player scenarios. It that your experience too?

I hear ya man! It was not an easy battle, and not to be immodest, but I was rather surprised that I won it on the first try. I think for me it was narrowly avoiding getting my butt kicked by the Tiger and Panther at that central town, and then the 'Deus Ex Machina' reinforcements showing up close to those two objectives points. Still in all as tough missions go, I think the crown goes to the 'Bulge' missions #7 and #9. OMG those two were over the top difficult!!!

BTW, I may have to break down and try BA multiplayer at some point. I'm not a big fan of PBEM though. I would much prefer an online hot seat or LAN party.

junk2drive · Post by **junk2drive** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:45 am

If you and your opponent arrange a time to play it can be almost as fast as TCP/IP.

Rosseau · Post by **Rosseau** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:19 am

You gotta try MP, MarsRobert. But not with me--you're too good.

Only played two games in MP, FoG and BA. By good luck, my first MP BA game was well matched, and I will never forget it. Gave me even more respect for the brave American tankers in their inferior Shermans.

MarsRobert · Post by **MarsRobert** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:23 pm

Rosseau wrote:You gotta try MP, MarsRobert. But not with me--you're too good.

Only played two games in MP, FoG and BA. By good luck, my first MP BA game was well matched, and I will never forget it. Gave me even more respect for the brave American tankers in their inferior Shermans.

You are much too kind Rousseau.

A couple years ago a tried a PBEM tourney with John Tiller's 'Dien Bien Phu', and for the most part got my butt kicked. It wasn't so much losing that rankled me as the fact that a couple of my opponents were rather smug about it. Also, it seemed like the tourney took forever to play.

Junk - You may have a good idea there about PBEM for BA. I would much prefer playing a game PBEM if it could be finished in the space of a single 1-2 hour session.

Also, Rousseau, you are absolutely correct about the American tankers. In fact, it just goes to show how formidable an opponent the Germans still were even in 1944 when their time had clearly passed.

PirateJock_Wargamer · Post by **PirateJock_Wargamer** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:04 pm

What timezone you in MarsRobert?

I've never played a game right through in a single sitting. Working the timings through ... say a MP game is 15 turns - as far as I know most are roughly around this number - with each turn comprising an Axis and an Allied move. If each move takes on average, over the game, 10 - 15 minutes you're looking at something in the region of 5 to 7.5 hours. Maybe that'd be 2 sittings then

What do people reckon, does that sound reasonable for timings?

Cheers

Merr · Post by **Merr** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:13 pm

PirateJock wrote: What do people reckon, does that sound reasonable for timings?

Did you add in the time it takes for light to travel between Earth and Mars?

Amaz_Ed · Post by **Amaz_Ed** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:14 pm

Depends on the scenario and how gung ho you are. I personally take less than 10-15 minutes per turn on EVERY scenario, but then that's why you nearly always beat me.....

I have played some of the shorter scenarios through in one sitting, usually playing 2-4 battles simultaneously with that person. I used to do the same with FoG and, prior to that, DBAOL. I'd guess that your estimates wouldn't be far out with many of the newer, more complex scenarios though.

PirateJock_Wargamer · Post by **PirateJock_Wargamer** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:48 pm

Amaz_Ed wrote:Depends on the scenario and how gung ho you are. I personally take less than 10-15 minutes per turn on EVERY scenario, but then that's why you nearly always beat me.....

I was actually underestimating the time it takes *me* to do a go! But I know I am a bit slow. I'll try and be a bit more speedy to give you a chance

Cheers

Amaz_Ed · Post by **Amaz_Ed** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:07 pm

Thanks!

MarsRobert · Post by **MarsRobert** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:27 pm

Merr wrote:
PirateJock wrote: What do people reckon, does that sound reasonable for timings?
Did you add in the time it takes for light to travel between Earth and Mars?

No mate, not Mars the planet, but Mars the God of War. General Robert E. Lee's soldiers called him 'Mars' Robert.

Post by **pipfromslitherine** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:03 pm

But surely Mars lives on Mars? Otherwise, at the very least, he's making life less easy for the post office...

Cheers

Pip

The Bulge - The Cavalry Arrives -- Finally Made it Through

The Bulge - The Cavalry Arrives -- Finally Made it Through

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