Losing Interest

[s_nheather]

Before I say why this game isn't grabbing me, let me say that I think the game mechanics, use interface and graphics are fantastic.

My problem is that I have played the small mission (Meuse) several times as the Axis against Monty and I haven't come close to winning once. My problem is that the only realistic point to hit the Meuse within the limited turns is at the top of the map, but my units always get bogged down by one or two stubbon enemy units. The combat often seems overwhelming 9:2 or better in my favour but with the luck of the dice the allies hold out and I make no progress. That more or less seals the game for me because my units cannot be moved again that day.

Also I don't get a real feel of control - I'm just pushing units about with little indication or confidence of combat output 9:1 and 13:2 advantages seem to have little meaning).

This combined with losing each time is making me less and less inclined to try again.

I've no doubt that the battles can be won, but not it seems with my skill and understanding. Constantly losing over and over again no matter what I try is becoming to be a bore and I'm losing the interest to play any more.

A challenge is one thing but being knocked down over and over again is another.

I understand why there are only 2 scenarios but perhaps some more smaller and easier scenarios would have been a good idea to give guys like me at least some sense of achievement and the opportunity to get better.

As it is, the game for me is too hard. I'm sure it can be won but I'm struggling to see how because I simply can't see how I could have done better.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Yojimbo252]

The combat often seems overwhelming 9:2 or better in my favour but with the luck of the dice the allies hold out and I make no progress. That more or less seals the game for me because my units cannot be moved again that day.

Also I don't get a real feel of control - I'm just pushing units about with little indication or confidence of combat output 9:1 and 13:2 advantages seem to have little meaning).

It sounds like you're getting some really bad dice. With those sorts of combat odds you should be winning those engagement far more often than not.

The general feeling seems to be that the AI is ok but not that difficult to beat so perhaps we might need to look at your strategy.

If you want a 'practice' game, send me an invite and we can see if there's some fundamentals you may be overlooking. We can use this site to private message each other.

Game centre id = Yojimbo252

[rddfxx]

Just casually looking over the post publication telemetry -- comments re: BotB -- on various boards, there appears a clear difference between experienced, veteran board wargamers and newbies to the genre who may be struggling with BotB. I don't know if that is the case here, but BotB is part of a family of games that goes back a lot of years, and there is much about it -- by careful, intelligent design -- that is very comforting and familiar to the grognards. I would urge patience and practice, and trying it via Game Center as per the kind offer. Shoot, I've played BotB quite a lot, vs AIs and vs peeps, and sometimes I am astounded by the crazy bad "dice rolls" one can get in what looks like a sure thing attack (and sometimes defense).

[boone737]

I have to agree that your strategy seems lacking. My Game Center ID is "boone737" and iMessage is boone737@gmail.com. send me a friend request and add me to your iMessage and we'll see if we can work out some kinks.

Yes, the dice can hate me, too, but with proper strategy, you can plan for such bad luck to mitigate chance.

[daviddunham]

the only realistic point to hit the Meuse within the limited turns is at the top of the map, but my units always get bogged down by one or two stubbon enemy units.

To quote from @TSS_Bulge:
#BotB tip: With armor, it’s often more effective to go around rather than through. #battleofthebulge

Also I don't get a real feel of control - I'm just pushing units about with little indication or confidence of combat output 9:1 and 13:2 advantages seem to have little meaning).

Are you expanding the combat previews to show the likely outcomes and the combat bonuses? 9:1 is good but if the 1 has excellent terrain or elite status, it can be less good.

[s_nheather]

Thanks for the offers of some online tuition - that will have to wait to the New Year. I'm on vacation in Australia at the moment so our relative time zones mean that we won't have any common sociable hours.

I'm no expert to wargaming, but I'm not exactly new either (I've played lighter war boardgames including Tide of Iron, World at War, Conflict of Heroes) but this one has me stumped.

I'm a little concerned with comments about poor AI and not using the exact right strategy that it is more like a puzzle game with one solution - but once you have the solution it works evey time.

This has been my strategy so far - what is wrong with it.

The Meuse is 4 moves at the top and 7 moves at the bottom.
Tanks get two moves per game (excluding breakthrough) and can move two regions along unopposed roads.
Infantry can get three moves a game if they are used in the opening surprise, otherwise they get two. They can only move one region at a time.

So my first conclusions are that

Infantry cannot reach the Meuse
The Meuse can only be reached at the top within the move limits (time)

So my strategy is to push with tanks at the top, using infantry to support initially and to then hold the supply line.
At the middle and bottom I push forward to ensure that enemy can't break through and disrupt the supply to the tanks at the top.

My best result has been a draw after I took Bastogne.

My tanks at the top always get bogged down by stubbon infantry so don't get to use breakthough or unopposed road movements.

The problem with this strategy is that to cover the 4 regions the tanks have to win two combats to get breakthrough, or have unopposed road movement (which I have never seen).

This leaves me with a feeling that as soon as my tanks fail to win their first combat I may as well resign the game because it is mathematically impossible for them to cover the distance in time.

What am I missing?

Cheers,

Nigel

[boone737]

With proper leapfrogging, covering flanks, a bit of luck and poor countermoves, you can go up the middle, too. When you feint top or bottom, and see Allied reaction you can move decisively the other way.

We don't have to play in all one continuous sitting. You make a move I make a move. Sleep. Have dinner. Whatever. Game Center will wait. It can be a bit like play-by-email.

[s_ron42na]

I'm not an expert by any means, but I've managed to get wins going through the center (angled top right after breakthrough), and going along the north. My suggestions are to read the strategy notes in the Help menu, watch the videos on this site (the daily ones where they are stepping through game turns as both sides), and play against people on Game Center to see how they play.

[Miguel_TSS]

Just a quick thing I should point out is that the number in the combat preview is a count of units in the battle Not a ratio. Hit the "v" on the combat preview to see a combat outcome histogram.

Also try playing as the allies vs VanR to see his strategy. You can do it!

[s_nheather]

Hooray! Managed to win.

Finished with control of Bastogne and adjacent to the Meuse.

Thought I wasn't going to get awarded the win because my supply chain had a contested region.

But he game gave me a win despite the contested region.

Bit generous in my opinion - I could understand supply getting to a contested region but not through it and beyond.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Yojimbo252]

Thought I wasn't going to get awarded the win because my supply chain had a contested region.

But he game gave me a win despite the contested region.

Bit generous in my opinion - I could understand supply getting to a contested region but not through it and beyond.

You can trace supply through a contested region IF you control that contested region. Ie. you're the side that owned it originally and the enemy has advanced into it forcing the combat.

Having said that I believe there is currently a bug regarding supply and awarding wins as a result of units that are technically out of supply. Not sure if that was the case in your situation or you legitimately controlled that contested area.

In any case your strategy outlined above is pretty sound. The problem with the RttM scenario is if you get a bad result and fail to achieve the breakthrough you were anticipating it can leave you in the situation where the best you can hope for is a draw.

I'd suggest moving on to the BotB scenario as generally speaking the outcome of an individual engagement is not so game deciding and you have greater opportunities to overcome such temporary setbacks.

[s_ron42na]

Gratz!