Managing Soft Cap - Open Slots

[verstaubtgesicht]

A lot has been said on this point, but mainly regarding not upgrading units too soon, not over-strengthening units too much (especially expensive ones; SE units exception because they do not count towards the soft cap), and disbanding infantry SE units so that all SE units are tanks. However, I found that NOT USING ALL SLOTS is probably the most effective strategy. I have not seen this covered, but if it was, my apologies if it is repetitive.

First, saving one slot reduces the soft cap penalty rather quickly (faster than not over-strengthening). Second, if all slots are used, at least in most scenarios, there is a diminished utility of the last few units (just think of various unit clutters that invariably occur). Third, and maybe most importantly, this happens very often: having two 10 strength units that give you a 5:1 outcome is worse than having one unit that gives you a 6:0 outcome,or having two units that give you a 7:0 and an 8:0 outcome is the same than one unit that gives you a 10:0 outcome.

I am not saying that it is as straightforward as just over-strengthening to the max all units to be deployed, and then reducing the number of slots to get the most prestige. There is a bit of an art form of tweaking it and doing back-of-the envelope cost/benefit analysis, but for me dropping 2-3 slots and getting key units to over-strength is beneficial. It is psychologically very hard to leave those couple of slots empty, but it worked for me.

[goose_2]

That is brilliant and I am glad you have posted this. I was wondering this myself, but would not be bold enough to try it. I have been tweaking with this as soon as I started seeing the cap affecting me and I was not sure if overstrengthening affected it, but you have just given me confirmation.
I wish the game gave you some kind of signal when you hit over the soft cap.

I may just need to leave a unit or 2 or even 3 behind on some later scenarios.

Starting Campaign 43 soon.
Yay!

[robman]

This is indeed a clever suggestion, and it probably will fit many players' style better than some of the alternatives, especially those that require far-in-advance planning. It can of course be combined with other strategies as well.

[TSPC37730]

It is a good idea. Some points though...

1) There will be occasional scenarios where you will receive bonus units (Special reinforcement unit has arrived!) or where you will capture units. This may skew your calculations unexpectedly & in the wrong way.

2) I really wish they'd just drop in a little in-game calculator, meter or other means of letting you know if you're below, approaching, or over the cap. This would save you the trouble of having to use scratch paper, slide rules & spread sheets to avoid it. It takes a little away from the enjoyment of the game IMO & doesn't seem like it would take too much to fix.

3) Temptation, temptation. Once you've finished your deployment, you'll always be tempted to drop in that extra tank or fighter. It'll be right there in your corps after all. Besides, you're outnumbered. By 12 & 13 strength tanks too. "Just one... Ok, maybe two. Wait - how many slots do I have left??" Then before you know it, it's "Whoops, I guess I blew through the cap. Again..."

I've done a bit of this myself as well in the earlier scenarios, but it wasn't for prestige reasons & instead was mostly to allow me to tailor my group to the situation I'd be facing. I'd leave a few slots open so I could add extra tanks, artillery, fighters, etc as needed. You can certainly make it work for prestige as well, but, it will take some care & planning.

Good luck!

[verstaubtgesicht]

It is a good idea. Some points though...

I really wish they'd just drop in a little in-game calculator, meter or other means of letting you know if you're below, approaching, or over the cap.

Temptation, temptation.

I'd leave a few slots open so I could add extra tanks, artillery, fighters, etc as needed. You can certainly make it work for prestige as well, but, it will take some care & planning.

Good luck!

On monitoring soft cap: I sometimes set up a scenario, then test it by capturing a city or an airfield with or without some units, and that tells me how much soft cap prestige punishment, if any, I'm getting. Then I decide on the final set and play.

On temptation: Well, as I mentioned, quote: "It is psychologically very hard to leave those couple of slots empty", but once rewarded with extra prestige and realizing that you don't need that last expensive tank, it works.

On open slots besides prestige: a nice idea to have these slots open regardless of the soft cap, and then if in a pinch, which is usually a need for extra defense, then just drop in a unit or two.

[simcc]

There is a player name Stephen who suggested not using all slot to me before.

For me I plan my army on task force style and all task force average is keep below 400 average due to soft cap rules hence I don't find soft cap rules affect my income much but it does increase the difficulty of the game especially after 43 as mass russian armor and air unit will really hurt strength 10 units.

I only have less than 5 infantry over strength 10 and only me SS units is max over strength and enemy planes love to bomb them so make sure u hava AA or fightet protection as it is very expensive to replace strength 14 tiger. Try to avoid over strength on tanks as they are expensive and will hit soft cap very fast also a strength 14 tank won't help much if in bad position in later game, there are just too many enemy and they can even overrun a tiger on bad position. I lost a SS tiger becoz I was over stretching and end up being bomb mass armor assault and he ran into woods only to be finish off by guards. Guards 43 hit very very hard against armor in close terrain so even over strength tiger won't survive.

After taking Stephen advice I always leave at lease 2 slots empty so they can be deploy later if needed and also you can see which area needed the extra help so you can choose what unit to deploy and that helps a lot in flexibility. With the latest style of not over strength unit I manage to accumulate 80k prestige after upgrades in 43 mid game on Kursk. I have 86 core unit at the moment. Another thing I always do is keep my shock infantry like Oleh grenadier at strength 12 and will always keep him well protected as you will need a high strenght unit to punch thru the last few objective as by the time you get there enemy have entreched 8 and it's very hard to dug out an infantry or AT with that entrenchment without high strenght units. Also another note is Air Force Luftwaffe, 2 88s is better than a focke as the cost and replacement and 88 can use as AT against enemy armor. A lot of my fighters is still 109s as they are far cheaper and I was lucky to get +8 attk (3heroes) on a fighter and he is in a focke now which really helps to kill off almost anything in the air without dmg at strength 10 only. Germans fighters are far superior hence 109s is good enough against most air unit and with a 4 stars 88 with +1 movement it's a wonder. I train my 88s since 39 so they are very good at tank, bunker busting and on defensive fire he usually took 7-8 strength away from enemy planes.

Have a chat with Stephen he have excellent tips which helps me a lot, he also open my tactics to using paras which is extremely cheap and effective against any soft target or bunkers. If you infantry have initiative heroes turn them to paras and they can really dish out damage without much losses. I pair a twin heinkel with my paras and they are very great at hitting towns and arty positions.

[Stephen1024]

Thanks Simcc appreciate you mentioning me.

If anyone has questions ask, but not multiplayer I am only just starting out in MP myself so learning what works best in MP.

If your looking for some advice try core 42 choice thread I started, you see some points I made to Simcc and CaptainJack. Also try BNC he around lot and probably knows game inside out. Just don't throw cakes at BNC Jadgtiger

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Also try BNC he around lot

By popular demand, here's my input

I never really noticed the soft cap in my playthrough of the GC.

My main suggestion would be to go heavy on flak, especially after 43 when you are always defending. Reasons why:
1/ Flak is cheap
2/ Cheap = less points against soft cap
3/ Less points against cap calculator = more prestige.
4/ More prestige = more replacements.
5/ Fighters are expensive
6/ Flak cannot be killed much with fighter.
7/ Fighter can be killed by fighter, quite easily.
8/ Not having your fighters killed = more prestige
9/ see 4 = more replacements.
10/ more replacements = more time your core lasts.

Just don't throw cakes at BNC Jadgtiger

People are welcome to throw cakes at my Jagdtiger. I don't advise them to though as they would then have to negotiate a 88mm anti-tank cannon. Most equipment on these forums is some variation of a tank = I find them easy to eliminate

- BNC

[Stephen1024]

BNC

How about we shoot Jadgtiger with Oddballs pretty pink paint shells.

For those that not seen film Oddballs character in Kelly's hero played by Donald Sutherland, accidently shoots tiger tank with paint shells.

I have to watch some war movies.

BNC I have my own counter to Jadgtiger Stephen Spitfire with rockets Haha

If that don't work I get a British Centurion!

[edahl1980]

Ive been saying it over and over, this game needs a soft cap calculator option.
The way it is now you spend an awful lot of time calculating on your own, and its no fun.