DLC43 East Nikivdd

[nikivdd]

Once again it's an honor to be part of the betatesting. Although i still get the shivers when i think of Stalingrad...

Download and install went smooth as always.

Like with the previous beta, i'm playing on general difficulty level.
I decided to import my DLC42 core. For the first scenario i upgraded all that i could and sold some captured equipment.

[nikivdd]

Kharkov43.


Deployment left


Deployment in the middle


Deployment right

I have two russian tanks left, the rest was either upgraded to Tiger I's or just sold.

It is an interesting scenario but too easy.
After the initial attack, i cut easily through the frontline troops. Only on the fourth turn i had to take a break because my Tiger's went low on fuel.
At the same time the attack against my right flank started. I half expected that with all those forces present on the other side of the river. But the bridge engineers really gave it away.
I always script them to appear on the riverhex exactly on the moment of (counter)attack. If they wouldn't have been there, i would only leave very few units to guard, take my chances and blitz forward.
With a tank and support at every bridge, the enemy just had no opportunity to reach the other shore. A lot of them fell into ambush. The AI doesn't scout properly.
The small pinprick on the right was a nasty one. I had to withdraw two units to prevent them taking down the captured officers. I liked that.
The advance towards Kharkov was just too easy. Those russian tanks can use a few more strength points. And about their airforce, it just felt like DLC41 again. They never had the chance.
I found a Su122 of which i hope that the problem with this unit is no longer actual. I finished the mission in 15/20 and 1180PP.

[nikivdd]

Belgorod.

A very nice scenario but again too easy.
I didn't have PP enough to bring all my tanks up to strength, so i took my two StuG IIIG's out of the stable. They did a good job in defending the bridges.
On the westbank the russians went down rather quick. They need more experience and strength points imo. All those units are too passive or they are just shitting their pants facing my tigers.
The airforce was a good show, new units appearing all the time. Once i didn't escort a LB and it almost went down. I really like auxiliary units, i know it is not intended, but they are perfect decoys against attacks.
No units were lost (previous scenario also not). I finished in 11/17 with 1254PP.

[nikivdd]

Orel.

Reinforced some of the units at the deployment.

This scenario rocks!

I said to myself when i read the briefing, what the heck, i'm going on the offensive and i'll see where i get...
The italian comrads are quickly in big trouble, so i moved some of my infantry and tanks (PzIIIL and M's) south by railtransport. That definitely paid off, the russians never managed to take the objectives at the river.
Later some paratroopers came in, really nice but 1 or 2 more of them wouldn't be a bad idea.
The russians coming from the east in the direction of Orel came in a nice double row, so i managed to force several to surrender. I used my PzIIIN's and PzIVG's to stop them, backed up by selfpropelled artillery.
The rest of my pzIVG and all my tigers went first south to help the italians. Then moved direction Pozdeevo where i met lots of tanks. It was a heavy fight which lasted several turns.


That's the situation near the end after i knocked out all the tanks with tremendous help of my bombers. Enemy air activity is one of the best till now. They made me retreat several damaged units.
I did notice that the T34/41 models didn't attack my tanks at all, only the T34/43 models.
I finished this mission in 13/16 with 1684PP. My favorite DLC43 scenario up till now.

[deducter]

The sad truth is that these scenarios are not hard for someone with an imported core, what with 2-3 heroes 3-4 stars on most units. At least you don't seem to have 10k+ prestige. You have optimal units, probably 4+ Tigers (I see 14 strength tigers in your core, those can crush Manstein level units without much trouble). The only solution for someone like you is to play on one of the bonus difficulties.

If you play with the DLC43 core, trust me, these scenarios are not cakewalks. And you know how I usually complain about scenarios being easy.

[nikivdd]

The sad truth is that these scenarios are not hard for someone with an imported core, what with 2-3 heroes 3-4 stars on most units. At least you don't seem to have 10k+ prestige. You have optimal units, probably 4+ Tigers (I see 14 strength tigers in your core, those can crush Manstein level units without much trouble). The only solution for someone like you is to play on one of the bonus difficulties.

If you play with the DLC43 core, trust me, these scenarios are not cakewalks. And you know how I usually complain about scenarios being easy.

I went rather easy with my units in DLC42, especially in the later scenario's. I didn't take many risks. So in the end i finished with a pretty hardened core and not too much battered up.
The prestige is not a luxury item in DLC43 but i suppose it reflects that supplies were getting harder to come by.
On the other hand, i wonder how DLC43 or any of them since DLC40 was initially tested by the dev's. Were those scenario's tested with a preset core, with an imported core, or with both?
I haven't looked at the preset core yet, but i think on the basis what you wrote, that there must be a huge difference. Perhaps they should crank up the preset core to compensate for a lack of heroes.
I fear that this discrepancy might get bigger in the later parts.

[nikivdd]

Ponyri.

As usual, reinforcements during deployment. Bought a brandnew level bomber.

I started the mission with at least, my entire airforce on full strength. My 3 level bombers and 2 stuka's did overtime. I'm very glad i took them.
The first ring of defense was easily rounded up with a minimum of casualties. Tagnio was taken in round 2.
A wave of russian tanks were no match for mine. Outdated BT-7's.
The first sign of trouble came when i took Maloarkhangelsk in round 5. A sudden counterattack destroyed my wurfrahmen and brought my right flank out of balance. My level bombers easily softened them up and i finished them with PzIVG and a Tiger tank. Throughout the whole mission several enemy aircraft came from time to time but could hardly do any damage. I also brought my fighters along
My left flank cut through the second ring direction Molotychi that was taken earlier than Ponyri. There were some very nice counterattacks near the southern edge of the map, quite unexpected but well scripted.
When i surrounded Ponyri another attackwave came from the south-east trying to break through but once again - the heroes of the day - my level bombers made a difference .They pound a T-34 or KV-1 tank and i finish them off with my tanks. Once again the T-34/41's didn't do anything. I also found a KV-1c along the way, i'm going to sell that in the next mission.
After the fall of Ponyri the bulk of my core was send towards Zabolotskoye. South of this city were russian units standing idle but i took them out anyway.
Overall, this is a wonderful scenario. You really need to apply combined tactics or your tanks will suffer. I do recommend at least 3 level bombers and the rest of your airforce to soften up those heavily entrenched russians. The infantry performed great against those AT units. Enemy AA units were taken out as quickly as possible and there are quite a number of them present.
I lost only the wurfrahmen and a few PzIII class tanks suffered heavily but luckily none of them were destroyed. All my units got their strength drained but at least i finished the mission with a rather nice amount of prestige. DV 19/20 and 3810PP. Great great scenario!

[nikivdd]

Olkhovatka.

Reinforcements as usual, upgraded one SE PzIIIM to Panther D.

It was a blitzkrieg till halfway the map. Then i had to deal with attacks on both flanks. Olkhovatka itself was not easy to take, it was one of the last cities that fell. Intrenched units with artillery and AA support is never easy. The last half of the map was more crawling speed as more counterattacks came. It was definitely an action packed scenario. Liked the air activity as well, perhaps too well as i almost lost my stuka's.
I think this one is properly balanced but might be a nightmare for those playing with the preset core. I didn't lose any core units, only a couple of aux AA units. I prefer the russians go for the bone and then i finish them off. This DLC is getting better and better .
I finished in 19/20 and 1941PP. I didn't get any captured equipment, a pity for i could use the prestige.

[nikivdd]

Kursk armory north

European crisis hits russian armories...
Shopping missions are always a nice bonus but i only found 2 KV-85. By experience i am not fond of that unit, i will exchange both for prestige.
I didn't have enough prestige to bring my units up to max strength so i had to spend them wisely.
This is a pretty tough mission, especially the capture of Kursk. There were new russian units on the field, luckily only half strength.
I must have misread the mission briefing, but there were never so many russian planes. Lost a stuka and a pionier because of them.
I did manage to take everything but it was a costly one. When i finished the mission i had the feeling that nothing was gained here. Except for spicing up the casualty list.
Hopefully i will get a nice prestige reward for doing this mission, if not what's the point then. In my opinion, the most difficult mission of this DLC sofar and no fun compared to the shopping mission in DLC42.
I finished in 16/16 with 1950PP.

[nikivdd]

Prohkorovka.

By selling the KV-85's i had enough prestige to buy another pionier ,a new Stuka and a StuG IIIG.
The rest i used to add points to my tanks. I started with 5 core slots open.
This is a hell of a mission. Probably best scripted ever.


This is the situation at the end of round 1. I already have the enemy in my sight.
In the rounds that follow i move slowly to the first objectives, hacking in those russian tanks.
I had to retreat in the south-east corner because there was a very nasty counterattack towards Rzhavets. That costed me a Sturmpz I.


Here at the end of round five i took my first objective, that was not so difficult. Taking Belenikino (south-west objective) was a completely different matter.
As soon it was mine the enemy came from all sides. It was a very heavy battle. Also i have never seen russian airforce so present in any of the scenario's (not even the previous one).
Lost my new Stuka. My StuH 42's there prevented from losing AA units and a StuG IIIG. They were so battered up that i left them there. Finally the battle in the south-east was over and could move
some of my forces towards Maloyablonovo. I took Andreevka on turn 8, that city just north-west of "Hill 247".


Here is round 10. I just took Maloyablonovo and hell yes, they came again from all sides. Another heavy battle. It took me several more turns to consider the surroundings of Belenikino and Maloyablonovo safe enough for me to go on the offensive again. Also in that last city i had to leave a few units behind.
From Andreevka i moved a PzIIIN and a KV-1B on the river backed up by artillery. Two T-34 attacked but could not prevent me from destroying that artillery piece next to the primary objective "Hill 247" with my PzIIIN. Then i moved my KV where the artillery was, next to the fort and attacked (turn 10). On turn 11 i destroyed it and took this hex with a minimum of casualties.
Now i could start concentrating on the last objective, Prohkorovka.


Here is round 15. I'm moving in but my artillery lags behind. The russian airforce is a constant, and where ever those fighters can, they are attacking my bombers. I had retreat a few because their strength got dangerously low. With the rest i started to pound the units north-east of Prohkorovka. Appearingly they are waiting for something... On the screenshot i had to leave 16 severly damaged groundunits behind. Except the one in the south-west corner is on full strength. I left it there because i couldn't afford losing this hex. On turn 16 i took the first victory hex of Prohkorovka and on turn 18 the second. Just in time. The final screenshot will show you why...the 5th guards army had arrived



They came and surrounded me almost in two turns.

I can say once again that this is a hell of a scenario. The russians come, come again and come again from any direction... it was very confusing at times how to move my tanks, to fight what first and/or which vulnerable unit of mine badly needed protection. I had a full mind workout! For me the balance is right but i have the luck to be in possession of several hardened veteran Tiger tanks.
I finished the mission in 18/22 with 4369PP. I need those points badly.

[nikivdd]

Dnipropetrovsk.

Prestige allowed me to buy a hummel to compensate for the lost Sturmpz. Managed to bring my tanks back up to strength, what little was left i gave to the most badly damaged units.
I don't have so much to say about this scenario. The enemy units west of the river were annihilated in four turns and for the rest i could just easily finish off the units that tried to cross the river.
I took Zhaporozhye on turn 8. I expected an airborne drop but nothing fell out of the sky... while overviewing the battlefield i saw numerous russian units dancing Kalinka on the edges of the map.
Most of my tanks are now 5 star units. 8/18, 1100PP.

[nikivdd]

Kremenchug.

The usual with reinforcements.

The briefing was very intriguing. I decided to seek out those artillery pieces out and get them. It went all well till turn 6. I advanced north to Horyslavtsi, in the east as far as Komendantivka and Ozera when the russian attack started. It was a glorious battle up till the last russian unit in the north-east corner of the map. I had no retreat on my mind and i tested the limits of my daring.
I wonder if the map can be taken with the preset core.
The amphibious assault never came by the way. Perhaps by going on the attack, a trigger failed??? At the end of the mission all the landing craft were still there.
It is a great mission and as usual a part of the fun you have to create yourself. Anyway, i got my well deserved DV and 3431PP. I gonna need them.
The screenshot shows my tanks and antitank units that were engaged in battle. Four tanks were undamaged simply because i kept them on the westside of the river...just incase.
We need a klingon mod Today is a good day to die...



I really liked this scenario. Those russian units are getting stronger now with those self-propelled AT units and the KV-85's. It is becoming more unevident for the german counterparts. The Tiger I is no longer unmatched.

[Kerensky]

Yup, that's a bug with the amphibious attack. And a very obvious one too, I shoulda caught it (placed LAKE tiles instead of DEEP SEA). Thanks for the report!

[nikivdd]

Kiev43 (still v1)

Usual reinforcements, 4000 PP spended on tanks and what's left on airforce.

It is an action packed scenario and a worthy finisher of DLC43 east. Especially you have to play till the very last turn, i must say i was missing this a bit.
I used 7 tanks (2 in reserve for rotation) to protect Kiev with 4 Art and 2 AA units in direct support. As the game turned out, i was very well prepared to repulse all the attacks towards Kiev.
The rest of my core i used to counterattack to the south and south-east. The paratroopers and their meager support units were no match. By turn 9 i had recaptured all objectives west of the Dnjepr. Three turns later i had recaptured the two remaining objectives. I supplied everything and east of Divychyki in went on the offensive. I had some tough counterattacks, especially the heavy AT guns were a pain. But at the last turn i managed to capture everything end emptied the map of russians.
DV 22/22 4245PP. No core units lost. No auxies except for the romanians and some wehr reserve. Like previous scenario my tanks took a hell of beating, as well as my airforce.
Casualty list DCL39 up till now:

[deducter]

Judging by Nikivdd's report on Prohkorovka, it seems that the 5th Guards Army needs to activate sooner, or there needs to be an additional VH somewhere beyond Prohkorovka itself. That tank army did historically fight and was almost completely destroyed. It seems cheap for the player to be able to win without engaging much of it.

[nikivdd]

Judging by Nikivdd's report on Prohkorovka, it seems that the 5th Guards Army needs to activate sooner, or there needs to be an additional VH somewhere beyond Prohkorovka itself. That tank army did historically fight and was almost completely destroyed. It seems cheap for the player to be able to win without engaging much of it.

I am curious how they are triggered. Proximity, zone or time trigger? They seemed to come "alive" when i took the first VH.