Dates for Introduction of New Equipment

[Zhivago]

I've been replaying the DLC East content, and I've noticed that it seems in many cases, new equipment that was previously available at an earlier point in time is now available at a later point in the game. It is very subtle...sometimes equipment seems delayed for a couple of scenarios, sometimes more. I assume this might have been a developer tweak to make the DLCs more challenging by holding off the newer German weaponry until the newer Russian equipment is in more abundance. I started DLC 39, and I am half-way through DLC 44 now, playing FM level. Maybe it's my imagination. I dunno...Anyone else notice this?

[deducter]

I'm almost certain that the availability dates for the old units have not been changed. There are a few small tweaks like the Bf 109K has more fuel (quite useful for MP!). I think, because of the new units with v1.10 (Brummbar, Hs 129 in 1943 for example) it seems as if some of the dates have been tweaked.

Unfortunately, the developers have said over and over again that they don't intend to continue tweaking the DLCs that have already been released, but who knows, maybe they'll change their minds in the future.

[Zhivago]

I'm almost certain that the availability dates for the old units have not been changed. There are a few small tweaks like the Bf 109K has more fuel (quite useful for MP!). I think, because of the new units with v1.10 (Brummbar, Hs 129 in 1943 for example) it seems as if some of the dates have been tweaked.

Unfortunately, the developers have said over and over again that they don't intend to continue tweaking the DLCs that have already been released, but who knows, maybe they'll change their minds in the future.

Again, let's here from the developers for a definitive answer to the question...Rudankort, Kerensky? It would be nice to have a quick reference guide that a player could check during the game to see exactly what date new units become available.

[deducter]

I still have the original eqp file for v1.05, and below are the dates listed for the introduction of some selected equipment in 1943-1944. I double checked with v1.10 and every one of these units are introduced on the same date in the v1.05 and v1.10 eqp file.

Tiger I 26.12.1942
Tiger II 1.6.1944
Panther D 4.7.1943
Panther A 27.8.1943
Panther G 17.3.1944
Panzer IVH 30.4.1943
Panzer IVJ 13.5.1944
Fw 190A 10.9.1942
Fw 190D-9 2.6.1944
Bf 190K 1.3.1944
Me 262A 8.9.1944
Fw 190F 3.7.1943
Fw 190G 1.6.1944
Ju 87G 16.4.1943
Me 410A 23.1.1943
Jagdpanther 3.5.1944
Jagdtiger 8.8.1944
Hummel 8.4.1943

While this list isn't exhaustive, it does cover a good number of late war units, including some of the more famous units.

[Zhivago]

I still have the original eqp file for v1.05, and below are the dates listed for the introduction of some selected equipment in 1943-1944. I double checked with v1.10 and every one of these units are introduced on the same date in the v1.05 and v1.10 eqp file.

Tiger I 26.12.1942
Tiger II 1.6.1944
Panther D 4.7.1943
Panther A 27.8.1943
Panther G 17.3.1944
Panzer IVH 30.4.1943
Panzer IVJ 13.5.1944
Fw 190A 10.9.1942
Fw 190D-9 2.6.1944
Bf 190K 1.3.1944
Me 262A 8.9.1944
Fw 190F 3.7.1943
Fw 190G 1.6.1944
Ju 87G 16.4.1943
Me 410A 23.1.1943
Jagdpanther 3.5.1944
Jagdtiger 8.8.1944
Hummel 8.4.1943

While this list isn't exhaustive, it does cover a good number of late war units, including some of the more famous units.

Great--get together with Orlinos and put together a readable, searchable quick-reference document and then we are in business.

[orlinos]

The only true date change I have found is for 5 cm Pak 38:
1.05: 17.4.1941
1.10: 23.3.1941

The rest is in the file. It seems a lot of changes at the first glance, but in reality it's mostly new transports, theatres (that's the mysterious lone "1" in some columns) and new traits.

Mind you, it's a rough comparison, but I'm too busy losing the first scenario of 1943. Damn those Reds.

[Kamerer]

It would be nice to have a quick reference guide that a player could check during the game to see exactly what date new units become available.

I had a thought on that recently. I have a "wish list" of minor tweeks to PC I've been keeping. Next beta testing I'm going to submit them to see which might improve gameplay. One was a suggestion for something like an "OKW Technical Bulletin." It would be like the "New Equipment is available" box at the start of deployments - perhaps part of it. It would outline expected new equipment and give a vague statement as to future availability. Something like "The new medium tank - Panther - is expected to be available for field deployment in two months."

Ideally, something in-game that splits the difference between an exact prediction (unrealistic) and complete ignorance (equally unrealistic). Then a player can plan purchases and upgrades accordingly. No need to note every minor upgrade or unit, but significant ones. Family/upgrade characteristics can be hinted at by wording it like, "An upgraded Pz.IV/F with a high-velocity gun should be available in two months," could note the coming F/2, and the Panther statement would say "new" so you know it's a ground-up purchase/new unit.

[Zhivago]

Just finished Vilna in the DLC 44 campaign and am about to start Warsaw Uprising. Still no ME 262. Supposedly they are available September 7, 1944. I remember during Beta testing DLC 44 that the ME 262 was available at least one or two scenarios before this. I think my hunch about new equipment roll-out dates is correct, at least before the 1.05 and 1.10 patches were implemented.

[Zhivago]

I think I proved my theory. Just finished Warsaw Uprising in DLC 44 with a DV. Playing FM level. The next scenario up is Budapest 44, which takes place on November 25, 1944. The ME 262 is FINALLY available. Historically, the ME 262 was available and being incorporated into units as early as July 1944. I don't care what the equipment files say, new German equipment comes later than it used to.

[Razz1]

me 262a is the same date

[Zhivago]

Why isn't it available in July 1944 instead of November 1944? I seem to recall it being available earlier during beta testing.

[deducter]

I have an equipment file from v1.02, this was before DLC 1944 beta, and the Me 262A was available on the exact same date, 8.9.1944. It has not been changed.

You can change this if you don't like the current availability date. Just open the equipment.pzeqp under excel, go to the Available From column, go to the Me 262A entry, and change it to 1.7.1944 or whatever date you feel is appropriate.

[Razz1]

If a designer wishes... Any unit can be placed into a scenario.

Even a M1 tank!!!

So perhaps your recollection is correct.

[Zhivago]

I have an equipment file from v1.02, this was before DLC 1944 beta, and the Me 262A was available on the exact same date, 8.9.1944. It has not been changed.

You can change this if you don't like the current availability date. Just open the equipment.pzeqp under excel, go to the Available From column, go to the Me 262A entry, and change it to 1.7.1944 or whatever date you feel is appropriate.

If that was the case, the ME 262 should have appeared as a new available unit during the Warsaw Uprising scenario, which is a large many-day scenario that begins on September 1, 1944. It doesn't. It's not available until the next scenario which starts on November 25, 1944. I don't care what the equipment files say, the ME 262 was available earlier when the beta testing was going on.

[deducter]

The numbers are date.month.year, so 8.9.1944 means September 8, 1944, not August 9, 1944. So this is entirely consistent with your current observations.