IJA Campaign 1938-45, v1.0 plus install help available

[RobertCL]

Scen 6 (Singapur)

I upgraded my B17D into a Japanese bomber.
But when placed on a Japanese airfield in Singapur scenario the plane could not be repaired (max value remained 2 maybe because it was really a US plane after all...).

If I were you I would remove the B17 from Kampar/Luzon scenario.
The idea was original but it creates too much problems.

Singapore is an excellent scenario, congrats!

As usual I only finished with a marginal victory.

[bebro]

Did you receive a txt message when getting the B-17? It should explain that there are too few of them to equip a full squadron, and you might better send it to Japan for inspection or somesuch. So it's set so that it cannot get full strength.

The best use is to disband it for prestige before the next scn (during deployment), just buy a Japanese bomber instead if you need one. Strats get xp very fast anyway.

Though I can make the message more clear if required.

Glad you like Singapore

edit: did you get a captured unit there too? The rest of captured equipment has no repair limit (IIRC) though personally I dsiband them mostly too for prestige, since original Japanese units have advantages like upgrade family or so....

[RobertCL]

Yes I got in Singapore a Rolls Royce British recon captured unit...

So the B17D is just a long process just to get back prestige points ?
I think it is easier to give more prestige to the player.

Between two options the easiest one is often the best.

[bebro]

You're probably right. I guess I just leave it in, but as aux unit, so it goes away after the scn. Then I change the message and trigger so that you get rewarded right away with prestige when you capture it.

[guille1434]

Hi Bebro! Very good work! The icons (that is the part of the mod I was viewing) are fantastic!
But I have a question... How is it that this mod (an Us Maelstrom, for example) come in two different downloads (tha main mod files in one download and the scenario files in another one)? I read about copying the two separate downloads in differents folders. But, I have the PzCorps game in only one folder in my PC (I use WinXP, and there is no "my Games" folder in my system). Is it possible to merge all the files in the main PzCorps folder (example: Copiyng the scen files in the same Data folder as the rest of the mod files). Do you think the mod will work in this way?

Thanks!

[RobertCL]

Hi Guille1434,

I also think this is complicated but it has an advantage: you clearly see the campaign in the user-made campaign, otherwise the original campaigns of Pz Corps are totally replaced by new ones.

If you use PG Classic 015 in the MOD directory of PzCorps game where the campaign is (using GME) then the original campaign of Slitherine is "lost".
If you use GTPG Grand Campaign_Handpick_v1.0 (or USMC, or Red Dawn or this Japanese campaign) in the MODS directory of MY Documents\My Games\Pz Corps, then the original campaigns of Pz Corps are still playable and you see clearly this extra campaign in the menu.

I just agree it was not easy for me (1st post is not clear) that one download (graphic files) is for Game\Mod folder using GME and one download (scenarios) is for My Documents\My Games\Mod folder.
But this is the same case for USMC or Red Dawn campaigns.

Under Win XP Windows creates automatically My Documents\My games\Panzer Corps, the only thing you have to do is to add Mods subfolder.

If you merge evrything then you lose the original campaigns of Slitherine and it becomes really complicated for the campaign designer (since e-file is also different).

But you have one point: the way extra campaigns have to be installed should be a standardised process.

Use of Pz Corps game\Mods is when graphical files are altered and e-file is different than Slitherine original's e-file
SOLE use of My Documents\My Games\Mods is done for campaigns when scenarios can easily use the standard e-file and when no graphical change or e-file is needed (e.g. GTPG Grand Campaign_Handpick_v1.0).
Use of MODS directories (game with GME + My Documents) is needed when campaigns need graphical changes.

[McGuba]

scen 7 Singapur

Start with 2500 prestige after purchasing a new 150mm arty to fill the core slots.
Lost a core infantry in the 1st turn right after the amphibious landing. I had no recon info about the forces on the other side of the channel in the deployment phase so I had to place and land my units blindfolded and the enemy proved to be quite strong. Thus this loss was almost inevitable what I do not really like. But it happens in a war.

In the second turn I lost two (!) more core units. This time due to those strong coastal batteries covered by the fog of war. I am thinking about restarting the scen, but I decide to press on regardless. Luckily I have enough prestige to replace the losses immediately.

The coastal batteries are way too storng. As they are in the fog of war I cannot even check their max range to position my units out of it. They are heavily imbalanced in my view. As I know, historically the main reason for the fall of Singapur was the fact that those coastal batteries were facing the sea and they could not fire inland.

MV in last turn. The hardest scen so far.

[RobertCL]

scen 7 (Singapur)

Same problem for me.
The coastal batteries have a superb design but they are deadly.
By lack of prestige I was not able to purchase 3 CORE units right from the start then I lost also 2 CORE units at the 2nd turn.
So by despair I had to cheat with the prestige, I added 5.000 PP. This way I purchased 5 units + upgrade all my fighters, this way I was able to finish the scenario.
I want to be able to finish this campaign, sad if cheating is the sole way...
Sad to be forced to cheat but I had the same problem with USMC: from a certain moment in a campaign if you play by the rules you are doomed especially if the nr of core units is limited and if you ware not able to get experienced units!
I usually take time to conquer a VH: 1st I eliminate the arty then AD then I use my arty on the main target and infantry can follow. So I really need time and those stupid trucks made my units easy preys for any clever allied unit.

This being said with elite reinforcement points for your CORE troops the scenario is winnable, even so I was unable to get a decisive victory because I am slow.
The map is awesome like the unit icons.

Now let's go to Java...

[bebro]

guille1434:

Are you sure you have no "my games" folder at all? PzC usually stores certain info there, like savegames. Should exist under XP as well.

Anyway, you could try to copy the scenarios and briefings which are separate into the GME folder of the mod, specifically into the "data" folder (where other pzdat files are, like equipment etc.). Then activate the whole thing in GME.

I had such a setup in an early USMC version, and it did work on my machine, but some people reported it is not working correctly on theirs, which is why I changed to El_Condoro's method. So the method above is not guaranteed to work.

I recommend to stay with the split installation in separate folder after all. Bottom line is that PzC's moddir function still need improvement. From the forum thread here I got that the devs are aware of that and intend to improve it, but may need time...dunno what the latest info is on this.

[bebro]

McGuba and Robert:

Thanks for the Singapore feedback.

Re coastal arty - I read it could actually fire vs. the Japanese invading from inland but it was terribly ineffective against ground targets, since it was intendet for use vs. heavy warships.

I'm surprised to hear it has such a devastating effect, this was not my goal and didn't happen during my tests. It should be deadly vs. units still embarked (=naval), but rather weak once they are on land (subtracting 1 strength maybe). If it wipes out units on ground easily I need to change it indeed.

Easiest way is to disembark near the deployment hexes, and not to drive around with your units still embarked in ships more than needed. I recommend using 1-2 aux planes to scout the main landing zone.

Did you both get the additional aircraft at the start?

[guille1434]

Bebro: Ok... will use the split install method... The advantages are more than the "complications". Indeed, PzCorps Moddir functions needs some improvements. Exaple: Why no add a "Campaigns" Folder inside the main data folder and allow the game software read the scenarios linked in any campaign from this place. I do not like at all how Windows "manages" the places where files are stored. I like to be in control of those things in my system...

Thanks for the time in explaining this matter to me!

[McGuba]

If it wipes out units on ground easily I need to change it indeed.

Actually it did not wipe out my units directly, but two coastal batteries could reach the southern landing area near Choa Chu Kang suppressing my units on the beachead and after they became easy prey for the nearby numerous enemy ground units (and there is another 25pdr gun). This is how I lost my 3 core units in the firts two turns, before I could form an effective battle formation, i.e. placing defensive artillery behind the infantry and units supporting each other's flank. I did not drive around with the vulnerable transport ships. Once I got through the coastal area my losses had started to reduce.

Thus I suggest either reducing the number of coastal batteries in that area by one, and / or reducing their max range by one or two hexes. Now they have range = 6 which is two times more than the range of the best available towed artillery so they can suppress virtually any of my units and I cannot even see them. The only way to attack them early on is to use airpower, but I do not like to send my expensive aircraft into the fog of war due to possible AA threat and the risk of getting ambushed by enemy fighters on the way. Another possible solution is to reduce their ROF, I do not know what it is at the moment, but it could be reduced for sure.

Also it would be nice to see some more of the landing area in the deployement phase so that the player can place the army knowing the general dispositon and strenght of the nearby enemy forces. So maybe the aux aircraft should be placed over the enemy beach instead of the owned area in the beginning.

Did you both get the additional aircraft at the start?

yeah, I was given a Zero

[RobertCL]

Hi Bebro,

Did you both get the additional aircraft at the start?

Yes, a Zeke and the bomber.

[McGuba]

Robert:

I have a few tips on how to save presige in PC as I think that the prestige allotment in this campaign is all right so far. However, I do not consider myself an expert, as I often make mistakes, even though I have been playing hex-based wargames for twenty years.

- do not use elite replacements during a scenario, only in the deployment phase. In this way you will have less experienced units, obviously, but you will have more money to upgrade to the best available unit. In Panzer Corps unit experience has smaller impact than it had in Panzer General possibly due to the addition of the heroes, who add bonus points to the stats as well.
- on the other hand: do not always upgrade to the latest, most expensive units as they are more expensive to maintain as well. E.g. in this campaign now I have only one 150mm arty and I still have three 70-75mm arty as they are much cheaper to maintain and not much less effective. The 75mm Type 90 has range = 3, which is good, and the 70mm one can move two hexes on its own.
- do not replace / repair units near the end of a scenario unneccessarily as in the deployment phase it is much cheaper.
- always try to take care of your vulnerable trucks by placing them behind a protective screen of stronger units. In the following example the enemy infantry in the nearby town cannot attack any of my trucks in the next Allied turn:



If I cannot provide the same protection I usually do not move my trucks for a turn or two until I can. If I do not have air superiority I usually position a fighter as well above the trucks to protect them from enemy aircraft.

I usually take time to conquer a VH: 1st I eliminate the arty then AD

however, sometimes it is better to eliminate the AD first as after it you can use your bombers to join the attack one turn earlier.

I was unable to get a decisive victory because I am slow

you are not neccessarily slow, maybe just cautios
I could not get a DV here either, only a last minute MV. This IS a hard scenario at the moment. But, with a little more luck with the dice rolls, and maybe with a bit more thinking and planning DV could be possible as well.

[bebro]

McGuba: I could see how it is with rng 5 for those coastal guns. IMO they should have distinctively more range than normal arty, since they included 15inch calibers, which is more than a number of BBs of the time (King George V class had 14 inch IIRC). So I don't want to go down too much, but one less is ok. If reducing ROF helps I'd need to test it.

[McGuba]

Java,

very good, balanced scen. And no coastal batteries!
The map is quite big, for a change. Actually, I prefer bigger maps.

MV: turn 16

[alex1960]

Great Work!

I made small Add-on allows recieve different ranks to IJA and IJN units

I also added Order of the Sacred Treasure and real japanese photos for air and ground heroes.

[alex1960]

But I have a problem - I can't paste download link to the post.
RAR size: 1,93 Mb
Installation: simply overwrite files from achive to the IJA Redux folder.

[huertgenwald]

It's an Anti-SPAM measurement for "noobs". If you'll post enough...

[bebro]

Java,

very good, balanced scen. And no coastal batteries!

Hehe..I could include some in the update....nah, glad you like it.

Personally I consider the next one (Kokoda) not so good for various reasons, but I kept it in nonetheless.