Handicap balancing of historical SP scenarios for MP

Amaranthus · Post by **Amaranthus** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:16 am

Apart from the fit-for-purpose multiplayer maps, have people had much experience in balancing the single player scenarios for use in multiplayer via the prestige handicap system?

As an example, I just played a PBEM with Norway -- I played Allies. Because the scenario is typically an Axis overrun, I tried to handicap it so that Allies got +100% extra prestige (maximum handicap), but I think this was overkill, as it ended up with an Axis surrender on about turn 19/25 (only artillery ground units left) and Allies starting to re-take the southern cities.

It's hard to judge the issue of player skill vs handicap effect from a sample size of n = 1, however, so I wondered if other people had experience in this?

I was thinking of trying Sealion (not sure if 1940 or 1942 is better for this), and was toying with what sort of handicap (favouring Allies) to impose, if any, to give a balanced game (which is my aim, obviously!) But that's just one example, and others that might work well include the Ardenne, Crete, and possibly many others...

soldier · Post by **soldier** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:03 pm

I'd be more inclined to give the axis the advantage on those scenarios where the allies have naval superiority (norway, sealion, sicily). I'd imagine having the allied fleet belting your northern landing would make it very tough for the axis in Norway and I had a hard time against the AI royal navy in Sealion 42. I think it would once again be very tough for the axis to establish a landing in Britain with all those battleships and coastal defenses around (let alone push inland

). So try them with a slight axis advantage and see how you go.

The bottom line is that it depends on who your playing, so it can be difficult to establish an even contest without knowing your opponent before hand. Consider the Lake Balaton scenario (which strongly favours the soviet union). I'm a fairly competent player and have actually beaten the russians in MP but against an expert it would be almost impossible.

Amaranthus · Post by **Amaranthus** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:03 am

Interesting - you may well be right. My reasoning for the assumption of a handicap to the Allies in these scenarios is that historically, the Axis would not have launched these 'invasion' style offensives without a (presumed) >50% chance of success (and probably much higher, given the consequences of failure). But it really would need a lot of testing.

Anyway, to enhance my sample size to 2, I've just started a PBEM on Sealion 42. We'll see! Thanks for the feedback BTW, and if anyone else has opinions/experience on this, I'd like to hear it.

soldier · Post by **soldier** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:50 am

The allies have a strong navy and air force in sealion 42 and their land forces have the huge advantage of defending a coastline. With some good strategy and a handicap in your favour you should it romp home over an axis opponent of equal experience.

Amaranthus · Post by **Amaranthus** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:56 am

I think you're right. I've played the first turn, and although Axis chewed through a few of my capital ships in their first move, my airforce managed to take down all 6 paratrooper squads and my fleet still took out 4 transports. I set the handicap to step 1, but even this may have been overkill. Will report back when done.

Amaranthus · Post by **Amaranthus** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:26 pm

So the Sealion 42 game ended on turn 4 with my opponent (Axis) resigning. The handicap issue became irrelevant because I never had a chance to spend any prestige. He/she made some tactical blunders (sending paratroopers unescorted), but the fundamental problem was the ease with which the RN was able to cripple the transports. This, coupled with the Axis not spreading the transports widely enough meant that I could block every disembarkation hex even by turn 3, so it was hopeless for him. My conclusion was that with a decent Ally player, it is almost impossible for Axis to win on Sealion 42, even with a major handicap benefit.

I guess that's a long way of saying "soldier, you were right".

Still, I'll keep looking (and thinking) about other balanced MP historical scenarios.

Kerensky · Post by **Kerensky** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:14 pm

You're fighting a considerable uphill battle. The scenarios you're trying to play were not designed to be played the way you're playing them.
Short of an entire document dedicated to exploring the imbalances of the scenarios such as
http://www.panzergeneral.org/PGtxt.txt
I don't think you're going to have a lot of success.

Personally, I recommend something like Bzura or Dnieper if you want a balanced AND historical multiplayer map.