Eastern Front: Soviet Storm v1.96b (Link Fixed)

[fgiannet]

I wanted to thank Akkula and all the other great modders who contributed to this Big Scenario Eastern Front mod. I just finished playing this for the first time yesterday and I would have to say I have never played anything like it. What an incredible work of art in terms of military/strategy gaming. The amount of history was amazing and I am still researching and learning more about different things the mod mentioned. The depth was astonishing. After about 3 turns I had to start naming units and organizing them into armies situated on different avenues of attack. I had to recreate an organizational structure, along with rationing my artillery due to heavy losses, in the midst of the invasion which is very much what the Soviets had to do. Having the player be responsible for moving the factories provides a window into the immense logistics the Soviets were undertaking all while the front was daily rushing forward (I think I read about one industrial steel complex taking 4000 rail cars to relocate). I have known about some of these subjects but your mod made me experience some of the unprecedented weight/severity of them. This is just a game but that is an incredibly respectful thing (I believe only Call of Duty has ever treated the subject with that much respect, that ferry ride into Stalingrad is a great example).

Seeing the hero’s and then researching them has been a wonderful experience for me. It is just a great education on how small we are in the big picture, astonishing to think about what people had to go through, and an honor to remember, read about, and contemplate at least some of the people, among the many many millions, who fought and possibly died in that incomprehensible war. Your mod allowed me to play, feel the rush of excitement, and educated me about many different aspects of the largest front/campaign of WW2. The constant logistics of running all new equipment through the railways (along with thinking about their routing) was great. I also think having to work with what your factories are producing instead of ordering what you want built right at a newly conquered city was an incredibly fun change and required good strategic thinking.

You and everyone who helped you are the Best! Thank you. No game has even come close to this experience. This is the 1st mod for Panzer Corps I have tried so I am not making any comparisons to BE (which I will be saving until Autumn with a nice bottle of scotch), etc. I am grateful there are people who can make these games who clearly loving the history as well.

I did finish early as some of the other players mentioned. When I play it again maybe 6 months from now I will disband all the KV tanks from the start and might change any new ones into t-34s (although the KV tank SHOULD play some production limited role in the war....too many can ruin things....). I played on 50% experience, 100% prestige, 150% enemy prestige and that seemed like a great setting as I had to be careful during that first year and did not have much money for upgrades after replenishments.

Right now I am playing your Caucus campaign on Rommel with historical forces and having a great time while being careful. I can play with historical forces (only using 4 tank regiments) because you are a great designer making intelligent scenarios and not just dumping massive waves of units (KVs etc) into a map. You produce some some intelligent and educational games!

Thank You so much for your work

[Akkula]

Hello fgiannet,
Thanks a lot for your kind words.
I am really gad you are enjoying the mod so much. Indeed I spent a lot of time trying to recreate the historical events as much as possible, so it is nice to read comments like yours
Maybe someday I will resume my work on Soviet Storm, when that happens one of my priorities will be to make the grand scenario much more difficult to the player: it seems a lot of people are finding it easier than I thought!

Best regards,
Akkula.

[fgiannet]

Well if you are talking about reworking the big scenario then I would think having less KVs (along with the other heavy tanks) would go a long way towards making things more difficult. When I saw the KV-2s in the Baltic I suspected that the Germans would not even make it to Riga.They are just too powerful and more were coming from the factories. I would think the ratio should be around 2:2:1 (t60:t-34:KV-1) in terms of tanks. I believe that was the ratio when the Soviets resurrected their Armored Corps but actual production numbers could be looked at as well. The production can even be switched into more t-34s as the years go on (along with the t60s/70s). I do not think there was too much AA but a little less would probably make for a greater challenge.

If we are talking about the 38 mission campaign you created....well that is on the player. They can play without any KVs tanks, they could adjust the prestige, they could play it on Manstein, etc. I myself would prefer less prestige and more realistic forces but that may not be the majority opinion. If people want an all KV force fighting an all Tiger enemy then I guess that is how best to design the scenario but it does not leave much room for history or the players who want to play in a historical fashion. One thing is for sure at present.....people can change many parameters in order to make the game more difficult.....it is not all on the game modder/designer.

And while we are on the subject....let’s stop and take a minute to talk about your immense dignity and good nature. You created something magnificent. Something far better than the official Soviet DLC (and I am a fan of that DLC too). Some say it is too easy and, instead of getting upset (which would be my reaction after all that incredibly detailed and hard work) you think of possible ways of making it more challenging rather than saying “I’ve done the hard part, find your own ways to make it more difficult”. Ha! That is a vast reservoir of dignity you are pulling from my friend.

In six months time I am going to pick up the big scenario up again. There are a few items I am personally going to change myself (disband the KVs or change them into T-26s, keep the 2:2:1 ratio for new production, etc) but that is on me as the player to do. You have done the truly hard part and it is a masterpiece. The only thing you should be hearing is “thank you very much” and “we are not worthy of your historical wargaming brilliance” (Ha, ha, ha have I taken things too far now?!).

Oh and the music is amazing. I never tire of it.

[gaius21]

i havent played the big scenario, but in the campaign i kept the kv-1's until i got the IS heavy tanks. i try to use them to create breakthroughs for the t-34 to pour into.
they are really good for the defence also, backed with artillery they can hold anything untill the ai starts to field long gun 7,5cm guns.

[fgiannet]

Well that sounds great gaius21! I am glad to hear you enjoy using them and find it interesting that you are using them the way they were used historically (you are a natural born strategist but the name Gaius already told me that). My suggestion was only for people who felt the scenario and/or missions were too easy. We are fortunate to have a wide range of equipment available to us. If people feel the scenarios are too easy then they can make use of the weaker equipment (it isn’t all about the company or modders....they have produced so much incredible content already). You can be successful with weaker equipment in Panzer Corps, unlike a lot of strategy games, but you will need to think more. The Modder, through a ton of hard work, has already made everything available to us.

But if YOU are having fun playing with your KVs......I only have one thing to say.......”That’s the spirit General!” Go get em!

[Кэп]

Hola Akkula!
don't you think in the future to play out an updated Soviet storm on a new map with the Asian Theater of Operations and events exciting Asia from 1939 to September 3, 1945 and the subsequent hypothetical clash of the USSR troops and allied forces on the territory of defeated Germany by 150 moves? The mod should be compatible with all versions of PzC up to 1.31 .

[Кэп]

And also to measure the forces of the British Fleet against the Kriegsmarine and its submarines, and Bismarck, Tirpitz in the North Sea and the Atlantic.

[HHT1]

Hi folks.
I have a question: Are there any campagnia trees for EasternFront?

[Estherr]

Hi folks.
I have a question: Are there any campagnia trees for EasternFront?

It's linear with DV benefits higher prestige rewards, but that is it. So... no, there's none. But there's always a 38-entries long scenario list for main campaign =)

[HHT1]

Hi folks.
I have a question: Are there any campagnia trees for EasternFront?

It's linear with DV benefits higher prestige rewards, but that is it. So... no, there's none. But there's always a 38-entries long scenario list for main campaign =)

Thanks for the answer, Estherr. Would have been possible

[fgiannet]

Is there a way to extract a pzscn file from a saved game? I was trying to put Intensio’s brilliant equipment modifications (low supplies, faster early Wehrmacht, etc.) with historical German orders of battle/offensives into Akkula’s Big Scenario (a lot of the incredible historical detail of that scenario I did not get to see because I finished too early). It was nearly complete but the pzscn file apparently was overwritten when I reactivated Soviet Storm after using gme to play another mod. I have a lot of saved game files using the last iteration (the order of battle for the Germans up to Kursk with equipment file modifications).

I am hoping there is a way to get a new pzscn file from a saved game because I do not want to start again from the beginning.

[Akkula]

Hello fgiannet,
Unfortunately there is no way to extract the pzscn file from a savegame. Savegames become completely standalone since the moment of its creation. If you restart the scenario, it would be use the "pzscn" form the savegame, regardless if you change or updated the mod.

Best regards,
Akkula.

[fgiannet]

Well Hello there Akkula! I feel as though I am in the presence of greatness just reading your response. Thank you for the clear and quick answer. I understand the concept even though I do not exactly understand how.

I will take this moment, once again, to say thank you very much for putting so much of your vast intelligence and effort into this great mod. I had finished the big scenario over the summer but felt like I missed a lot of the included history because I had finished early. I added historical orders of battle for Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht’s offensives, and made “Intensio style” adjustments to the equip file. It turned into a wonderful historical model that taught me a great deal and I got to see much more of the great history you included. The reinforcements you had setup, which I did not adjust, blended perfectly with the game. You are a modding Genius! People still talk about your mod many years later. The pictures you have included with this mod are incredible and I am seeing equipment I have never seen in more than 40 years of researching this subject. The scope is amazing as well. It is a large map with obstacles but also plenty of room to maneuver (the logistics are awe inspiring). The big scenario really gives you some of the feeling of leading/managing a gigantic multi-front theatre of war with all the many competing demands. A wonderful mental exercise while providing a great window into some of the amazing things the Soviets accomplished/learned in order to win the war (things that get left out of a lot of history books).

I am very grateful to you and Intensio for your mods covering the Eastern Front. I get that this is a game first and must be fun, fewer people seem to speak about Intensio’s mod probably because it is so difficult, but I really wanted to try to combine the best aspects of both great mods. It was one of the best wargaming experiences of my life and I thank you. I am happy I got to see both your incredible ideas together even if the pzscn is lost now (I don’t think the majority of players would enjoy the historical limitations anyway). Thank you for the response and the mod. You are a legend.

[HHT1]

Hello comrades.
for all those who like to play "in German".

Have fun
Hans

Hallo Kameraden.
für alle, die gern "auf deutsch" spielen.

Viel Spaß
Hans

https://www.mediafire.com/file/nexmxndv ... rm.7z/file

[gaius21]

what are the chances to get SE units?

[Estherr]

what are the chances to get SE units?

Pretty good actually. If I recall, by the end of main campaign you can have up to 5 SE units (Guards actually). First can appear, I believe, after second or third scenario and by Sevastopol you can sure have two Guard units atleast.

[gaius21]

thanks for the answer, i should have articulated my question better because i want to know what are the chances per mission (what are the triggers etc).
like do i have to get decisive victories to have a chance next mission to get one? i have noticed that if i get one, i can quickload to get another type.

[Akkula]

Hello Gaius,
Guards units are awarded at the beginning of some particular scenarios. You don't need to do special tasks to receive them

Best regards,
Akkula.

[Anderkav]

Soviet Storm Barbarossa is a mod that expands and complements the original Soviet Storm.
The task of the mod: To show the Great Patriotic War in as much detail as possible. To make the retreat of the Soviet army at the initial stage of the war more tragic and inevitable, to show chaos and panic for the first time in the months of the war and the inevitability of encirclement. But at the same time, and bring a little alternative, including new units, events and mechanics. Theoretically, with this mod, you can go through the Soviet Storm campaign, but it was tested only on a global scenario.
Major changes:
• In general, the speed of the entire Soviet army has fallen, this will not allow the player to quickly create effective mobile units, and will force him to conduct a retreat and defense more carefully
• Complete rebalancing of Soviet units in order to make it more logical
• The overview of many Soviet units initially became smaller (to show chaos in the command)
• Soviet armored vehicles at the initial stage became worse and less adapted to active operations (including the extra KV-2 and T-35 were removed, they looked bad there in terms of balance and historicity (not so many were produced, there were more t-26s instead))
• Stationary air defense is now divided into light (25-37) and heavy (76-85). Heavy AA needs tractors, now it will not be so fast and cheap to create an effective AA defense.
• The weather in the first five moves has become significantly better, German aviation is a real nightmare for the Soviet army
• Weak infantry rebalance
But do not be afraid, the command does not leave you empty-handed!
• You will be able to get more unique units, including if you keep a certain (secret) technique, you will be able to upgrade it to a more advanced one.
• Rybinsk Tank School (near Yaroslavl) will be able to train crews of your (tanks /recon/AT guns). To do this, you will need to put your units in certain hexes. This may be useful in the future (your tips on balance will be useful)
• If you don't need any equipment anymore or you don't want to replenish it, now you can send it to the rear to the training units for melting (special hexes). For this you will get a little prestige and a little experience for parts of the same class (tanks /recon/AT guns) (your tips on balance will be useful)
• Your light PTO (45mm guns) have ceased to be useless cargo and have become quite an effective means to delay the enemy (the main change is the movement of two cells per turn)
• Your light tanks (T-40, T-60, T-50, T-70 and T-80) in general have become more useful
• Your mountain infantry has become much more useful!
Enjoy, and let the war be only in games
(translated with Yandex translator)

Unfortunately at the moment the mod is not translated into English. A little later I will try to make at least an amateur translation
Link to the mod
https://disk.yandex.ru/d/AgTBn22jeP45_g

[Anderkav]

Soviet Storm Barbarossa мод расширяющий и дополняющий оригинальный Soviet Storm.
Задача мода: Показать Великую Отечественную Войну насколько это возможно подробно. Сделать отступление Советской армии на начальном этапе войны более трагическим и неизбежным, показать хаос и панику впервые месяцы войны и неизбежность окружений. Но при этом и привнести немного альтернативы, в том числе новые юниты, события и механики. Теоретически с этим модом можно проходить кампанию Soviet Storm, но он тестировался только на глобальном сценарии.
Основные изменения:
 В целом скорость всей Советской армии упала, это не позволит игроку быстро создать эффективные подвижные соединения, и заставит более внимательно проводить отступление и оборону
 Полный ребаланс советской техники с целью сделать его более логичным
 Обзор у многой советской техники вначале стал меньше(чтобы показать хаос в командовании)
 Советская бронетехника на начальном этапе стала хуже и менее приспособлена к активным действиям(в том числе был убран лишний КВ-2 и Т-35, они плохо смотрелись там в плане баланса и историчности(их было произведено не так много, вместо них стало больше т-26))
 Стационарное ПВО теперь делиться на легкое(25-37) и тяжелое(76-85). Для тяжелых AA нужны тягачи, теперь не выйдет так быстро и дешево создать эффективную AA оборону.
 Погода в первые пять ходов стала существенно лучше, немецкая авиация настоящий кошмар для советской армии
 Легкий ребаланс пехоты
Но не пугайтесь, командование не бросает вас с пустыми руками!
 Вы сможете получить больше уникальных подразделений в том числе если вы сохраните определенную(секрет) технику то сможете её модернизировать до более совершенной.
 Рыбинское танковое училище(около Ярославля) вскоре после начала войны сможет обучать экипажи ваших танков/развед.машин/ПТО. Для этого вам нужно будет поставить свои юниты в определенные гексы. Это может быть полезно в дальнейшем(будут полезны ваши советы по балансу)
 Если какая-то техника вам больше не нужна или вы не хотите ее пополнять, то теперь вы сможете отправить ее в тыл в учебные части на переплавку(специальные гексы). За это вы получите немного престижа и немного опыта для частей того же класса(танков/развед.машин/ПТО) (будут полезны ваши советы по балансу)
 Ваши легкие ПТО (45мм орудия) перестали быть бесполезным грузом и стали вполне эффективным средством чтобы задержать врага( главное изменение – передвижение две клетки за ход)
 Ваши легкие танки (т-40, т-60, т-50, т-70 и т-80) в целом стали более полезны
 Ваша горная пехота стала куда более полезной!
Наслаждайтесь, и пусть война будет только в играх. Миру, мир!

К сожалению на данный момент мод не переведен на Английский язык. Чуть позже постараюсь сделать хотя бы любительский перевод.
Ссылка на мод
https://disk.yandex.ru/d/AgTBn22jeP45_g