Random thoughts on collector v. Limited Stock

[Korvessa]

I like playing with a self-imposed “Collector” trait. I don’t like the standard one as it is too limiting in some scenarios. So I use it like this:
Infantry: only one pioneer, one Azul & one heavy weapons; otherwise, multiples OK
Tanks & recon: No duplicates
Artillery: maximum of 2 copies for towed, no duplicates for self-propelled
Anti-Air: maximum of two copies
Fighters*: This one is a bit tricky, as choices are limited early on. So only one copy of most advanced, but two copies of others.
Tac & Strat Bombers*: a maximum of one copy
*= Except air only scenarios, then anything goes.
Currently I am in my first run through of 1943 and am wondering if it would be better to limit the tanks even more to one per type. I am in the 3rd scenario and it seems having both a Tiger I & a Tiger-P as well as a Panther D and a Panther P is a bit much. So maybe just one Tiger (any type), one Panther (any type) & one T34 (any type).
Using these self-imposed rules, I don’t find “Limited Stock” to be very limiting. Since I don’t use many duplicates, it really isn’t a big deal after the first scenario. If it weren’t for the impact on infantry, I would set limited stock on something like “5.”
I like using heroes (to the point that I even use force concentration) and have been importing since ACW, so have some very powerful units – a couple of my tanks have level 3 infantry killer, tank killer & defense (those England scenarios are good for this – move a tank to the south shore and let the navy shoot at it for a couple turns, they won’t kill it and it will earn maximum survivor. Take turns with units and before you know it you have 2-3, or more, units with the maximum survival trait.
I tried something new for 1942: David v Goliath coupled with inept logistics. I also used axillary force, but limited it to cheap stuff like regular infantry or the weak captured stuff that normally I would never use.
Anyone else have any thoughts on collector v limited stock?

[DefiantXYX]

I like using heroes (to the point that I even use force concentration) and have been importing since ACW, so have some very powerful units – a couple of my tanks have level 3 infantry killer, tank killer & defense (those England scenarios are good for this – move a tank to the south shore and let the navy shoot at it for a couple turns, they won’t kill it and it will earn maximum survivor. Take turns with units and before you know it you have 2-3, or more, units with the maximum survival trait.

That never worked for me, maybe only once. If I dont kill so navy as soon as possible it will advance to my fleet and kill it, no matter how units I put at the beach.
And losing the navy is the worst case scenario and I still would like to see it changed. I want the bismarck and zeppelin back in 1945 when I save them in 1940! I guess we get a chance in 1945 for a sealion 2.0, thats the best chance to make it possible.
And it is not hard to implement. Just change the debriefing, the navy was heavily damaged instead of destroyed and the story will work again. In 1944 ahistorical Galldand talks about the navy, sitting in their harbour. They could just add " also the bismarck and graf zeppelin which you could save in your invasion..."

Well, sry, back to topic:
I dont like this collector-thing, but what could help is a shard pool for the stock. You dont get 20x PVIV D, E, F, G, you just get 20 PZIV and you have to decide which type you want.

[Tassadar]

I never played with Limited Stock yet due to the whole thing with basic infantry that collides with my ideas for potential runs, but I will probably do so for the Western DLC path in the future (I even have some ideas for that already). That said, as someone who will often add some various self-imposed limitations I feel that there is much that can be customized for more challenge, flavor, or just unique approaches to the campaigns.

You can use all sort of various measures to compliment your playstyle with Limited Stock or Collector:

• Use historical production figures to limit the amount of units you can deploy, or even hard cap the amount of parts you can use from limited stock.

• Do not allow upgrades outside the productions series (so if you want Panthers, they need to start as new units, the Panzer IV remains within Panzer IV family forever).

• Limit the amount of towed vs. self-propelled units and motorized infantry.

• Do not apply Zero and Reduced Slot heroes to anything other than AA/AT and only those medium ones, or simply use it only for the lass powerful or unusual units.

• Stick to historical units compositions (Khancotlette's excellent thread: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 16#p930416)

The possibilities are endless and you can adjust to your liking. I personally always try to go beyond just the actual game trait or challenge rules as hey sooner or later tend to loos some of the balance they offer. Adding your own modifications really helps personalize the experience and hope the game will further expand these in the future, even if just slightly.

[Korvessa]

• Do not allow upgrades outside the productions series (so if you want Panthers, they need to start as new units, the Panzer IV remains within Panzer IV family forever).

I like this one