Complexity question.

[stormbringer3]

I haven't played a Commander game before. I really like Panzer Corps but I hope that this title will be higher up on the complexity ladder or have options to increase the complexity level.
Thanks for any opinions.

[conger]

I've played the other two games and they are slightly more demanding, then PC. The mechanics are quite similar, but there are a few differences. You have to worry about man power, money, national morale, and ammo (for the big guns) along with declaring war on your neighbors. Outside of that; you've more units to husband and more planing to do. I hope that answers your question.

[bebro]

Didn't play any commander game either so far, but I'm interested in this one for various reasons (WWI topic, good experiences with Lordz' PzC etc).

What I'm wondering is: the map seems to be quite large, representing (I guess) the whole of Europe and even more. Do you command the indvidual units here like in Panzer Corps, or can you also compose bigger formations, like corps or armies consisting of several units?

[adherbal]

From a gameplay POV it's fairly similar, each hex can contain 1 unit max which you control individually. But those units generally represent bigger formations. For example there is only one "Amour" unit type that represents an Infantry army reinforced with tanks. When research unlocks better tank technologies, that Armour unit becomes stronger and it's icon changes rather than having several tank types like in PzC (PzI, PzII, PzIII, ...).

[bebro]

I see, thank you

[Aloo]

Is there any smaller campaing? I have to say that playing for the first time Im a bit overwhelmed by the huge map and gaining more and more countries under my control. It would be great if there would be a smaller tutorial map to learn the basics before going for all of europe.

[adherbal]

Alas, no. A big part of the "grand strategy" is to decide what to do on each front (defend, retreat, attack) and dividing tactics, reinforcements & upgrades accordingly. It wouldn't really work in a small, single front theatre.

The Allies are probably easiest to start with cos generally you can rely more on defending, while the Central Powers must use their initial advantage to push the enemy as hard as they can.

Good luck!

[Aloo]

I understand the concept of grand strategy - thanks The problem is learning the mechanics how units, movement, combat predictions, generals, technology and production works before going for the whole package. Most games with huge maps have some tutorial smaller maps to learn the mechanics. Once you get how stuff works you can play the big game.

I guess Ill just learn by mistakes and restart a few times.

[adherbal]

We tried slowing down the first turns as much as possible, but WW1 gets big on all fronts rather fast. Unlike WW2 where its a more gradual process: Poland > France > Russia > East & West.

A small tutorial campaign would've been an option, but it would've been mostly fictional and explaining only the mechanics - not the way to apply them in the ACTUAL campaign.

[Myrddraal]

I guess Ill just learn by mistakes and restart a few times.

That's the best way to go. Also, start on the lowest difficulty level to give yourself some breathing space.

[majpalmer]

Regarding a "shorter" campaign, the 1918 campaign obviously doesn't last as long and the Russian front is gone. So the scope is not quite as large, and the number of turns is substantially less.

[avoran]

Short, yes, but VERY messy!

[danijocker90]

Also, start on the lowest difficulty level to give yourself some breathing space.

I have played a few times with AI Handicapped and i have to say that is more aggressive and hard to beat than Balanced.