Locarnus Addon 2026-01, for Battlefield Europe, OC, AK, SC and Grand Campaign East

[goose_2]

Merry Christmas Eve Locarnus! !!!

My son is playing the Soviet Corps with your mod and when trying to play Leningrad scenario it crashes the game. Any ideas?

Blessings on your celebration of Christmas

[Locarnus]

Merry Christmas Eve Locarnus! !!!

My son is playing the Soviet Corps with your mod and when trying to play Leningrad scenario it crashes the game. Any ideas?

Blessings on your celebration of Christmas

Thank you, you too.

Oh that i bad, what is the in-game name of the scenario that crashed?
Was it the third scenario with Finland (Winter War) or the tenth scenario (Sinyavino Offensive)?
I just found a small issue in Winter War, but nothing that should produce a crash.

[RobertCL]

Hi Locarnus,

Merry Xtmas and happy New Year!

I do not remember if in Battlefiled Europe it was already the case or not but in the grand scenario in your mod, will USSR attack me as long as I do not attack the Soviets ?
So it it possible to do the whole game without any Eastern front ?
Of course I get less points but conquering England & Middle East should be enough to win the game no ?

Thx for your answer and all your hard work!

[Locarnus]

Hi Locarnus,

Merry Xtmas and happy New Year!

I do not remember if in Battlefiled Europe it was already the case or not but in the grand scenario in your mod, will USSR attack me as long as I do not attack the Soviets ?
So it it possible to do the whole game without any Eastern front ?
Of course I get less points but conquering England & Middle East should be enough to win the game no ?

Thx for your answer and all your hard work!

Merry christmas and happy new year to you too!

Hm, as far as I remember the Soviets will indeed attack even if not invaded, since that conflict has already started with the scenario. There was a message in some previous BE version mentioning that the Soviet attack will not be as strong if they are not attacked first.
The Addon is based on BE 2.3, but I'm not sure if my meddling has influenced or even broken some of the scripts in that regard. I'm also not sure how the Soviet units in the Caucasus respond to the player only invading Iraq from the Mediterranean, instead of primarily coming from the Black Sea and Caucasus.
The player consensus up until now has been, that the campaign against the Soviet Union decides the war. While Africa, Middle East and England are merely bonus objectives, the cherry on top.

I'm not aware of any recent playthrough that tried it the other way around, focusing on the West rather than the East.

In fact I slowly introduced negative consequences for early retreats from Africa, since that was a usual strategy to bolster the forces in the Soviet Union early on. Same for the redeployment of the occupational infantry units, eg in France. A small, initial advantage would be, that your units would not have to suffer in the first winter if they do not go east.

Probably the worst issue for focusing West with the Addon is the initial lack of trains.
Making it much harder to redeploy your forces.
I have not thought about that, will be interesting to revisit the balancing for that.

[goose_2]

Merry Christmas Eve Locarnus! !!!

My son is playing the Soviet Corps with your mod and when trying to play Leningrad scenario it crashes the game. Any ideas?

Blessings on your celebration of Christmas

Thank you, you too.

Oh that i bad, what is the in-game name of the scenario that crashed?
Was it the third scenario with Finland (Winter War) or the tenth scenario (Sinyavino Offensive)?
I just found a small issue in Winter War, but nothing that should produce a crash.

Sinyavino Offensive

[Locarnus]

Hi Locarnus,

Merry Xtmas and happy New Year!

I do not remember if in Battlefiled Europe it was already the case or not but in the grand scenario in your mod, will USSR attack me as long as I do not attack the Soviets ?
So it it possible to do the whole game without any Eastern front ?
Of course I get less points but conquering England & Middle East should be enough to win the game no ?

Thx for your answer and all your hard work!

Sinyavino Offensive

Happy new year!

I made the trains in Battlefield Europe scenario purchasable from the beginning instead of turn 16.
Still not sure if going West first is possible, but that should help a bit.

Fixed Sinyavino Offensive, the equipment file entry for gliders was missing.
I'll have to revisit this as well, but it should avoid the crash for now.

Also did some changes for USA scenarios of the original campaign. Specifically providing additional core units for the USA East Coast scenario.
The jet fighter units Me 262 and Ho 229 as well as the planned Löwe heavy tank, each with named hero units.

Publishing this now gives me some more time to work on the 2026 base version, while still getting the hotfixes out.



2025-12b Update "Locarnus Addon" Download: https://bit.ly/4aFqSAm

This is only an update to the Addon and requires the 2025 base version of the Locarnus Addon to be installed already on top of BE 2.4 and the bugfixed PzC patch 1.32 first. All previous updates to the 2025 base version are included in this one.

Technical fixes and graphics, thanks to Gooseboy:
- SovietCorps Gribovski glider fixed, repairs Sinyavino (Leningrad) scenario

Battlefield Europe, GC East, AK, SC & original PzC campaign compatibility
- BE Trains are purchasable from day 1, thanks to RobertCL feedback
- GC 44 Mogilev scenario aux Me 163 now has 3 stars, fixed via script
- OC USA East Coast 3 hero units join core (tank, 2 fighters), fewer core slots
- OC USA Mid West, hungarian aux units, Maus aux also in campaign mode
- OC USA West Coast, 40 instead of 42 core, more hungarian aux, E.555 aux strat

Unit Changes:
- Bf 109 G-14 and G-10 gun pod variants have 1 more soft attack
- He 162 has 1 more hard attack
- Me 163 has some soft and hard attack rating
- SU-100 more expensive
- Grenadiere a bit more expensive
- Ar 234 cheaper
- Go 229 renamed to Ho 229, rebalanced more for fighter role
- Panther G BeWg removed the G from the name

[goose_2]

GC Update:

This morning I finished the first broadcast for Minsk playthrough. I took some painful damage, but am not interested in retrying as no longer interested in trying for the best results. I am just happy when I do not lose units. It is going pretty well and am super pleased with the progress of my various units.

I hope to finish this weekend and hope to be able to shoot you the results.

Did you receive the Kursk battle results?

I would love to get your thoughts on upgrades/ purchases for Moscow 43 and the USA Scenario's.

Blessings,
Dave aka the Gooseman

[Locarnus]

GC Update:

This morning I finished the first broadcast for Minsk playthrough. I took some painful damage, but am not interested in retrying as no longer interested in trying for the best results. I am just happy when I do not lose units. It is going pretty well and am super pleased with the progress of my various units.

I hope to finish this weekend and hope to be able to shoot you the results.

Did you receive the Kursk battle results?

I would love to get your thoughts on upgrades/ purchases for Moscow 43 and the USA Scenario's.

Blessings,
Dave aka the Gooseman

Ah, great! Just commented on youtube as well:

------------------------------------------
Thank you for the Kursk ending savegame. Working on the 2026 update.
Even found a great graphic from Puma, to use as a final, expensive but full strength Porsche Tiger unit for the USA branch.
So I highly recommend waiting for that update, after DV Moscow 43!
------------------------------------------

Thoughts on Moscow 43 upgrades, after spending a frightening amount of prestige on elite reinforcements and having a terrifying < 700 prestige left (maybe I spent too much on elites?). Practically no prestige for elaborate unit changes.
One of the main issues is, that there is practically no time for training left and there was no prestige for training earlier.

Max core for USA scenarios is 36 (plus 4 gifted hero core units at the start of that first USA East Coast scenario).
So 5 slots left to fill for USA, but one for Moscow 43.
USA East Coast gifts are:
Brandenburger r9 special forces infantry with camo trait, lead by Klingenberg.
Löwe r9 heavy tank, lead by Carius.
Horten 229 jet fighter bomber, lead by Rollwage.
Me 262+ jet fighter, lead by Eder



Going from bottom to top of the unit list, to have prestige for aircraft first:
? is option, . is info, > is strong recommendation


? JLHFans in Bf 110 G-4 => perhaps Me 410 A-1/U4 to dissuade enemy air attacks a bit? . 11p
. Jakenolt in Ju 87 D-5 => That one has the Bunker Killer trait, so could help a lot as it is, in this scenario.
> Nico in Bf 109 F-4+ => Bf 109 G-6+ for sure, or Erla if you must. . 11p
? ElMagnifico in Fw 190 A-5 => F-3 or G-3 could help with ground attack for little prestige, but costs ammo and air attack.

=> 22p for airforce upgrades

> Roces with Std 15cm sIG 33 r8 => Std 7.5cm FK16 nA r11 for that better rate of fire and range. . 0p
. Lehmann with 21cm Mrs 16 r5 => Totally outdated, but upgrades with transports are too expensive.
. Michal in PzSfl IVb => End scenario in tank mode for future upgrade to Jagdpanzer IV!
? Askeri in StuG III G+ => Upgrade in tank mode to StuH 42 for better range? Or keep as is better tank destroyer. . 24p
? Powerbelly with Kz 8cm Granatwerfer => 7.5 GebG or 10.5 GebH? Or end in inf mode for future Fallschirmjäger?
? RichardMartin with 12cm Granatwerfer => Same as Powerbelly, but expensive options for more range.
? unnamed 10.5 sK 18 => Rather expensive options for more damage, though that def 3 hero is unlucky.
> PeteMitchell in Bison II r7 => Grille r8 for more rof and fuel. . 8p
? Gooseboy in Grille r8 => Brummbär r8, decent unit in tank mode vs enemy tanks, plus Bunker Killer trait. . 128p
> BattlefieldDiaries with 21cm NblWf => Candidate for infantry, via 10cm NblWf, with that d3 hero and 4 stars
> unnamed 7.5 FK 16 nA r11 => 7.62 FK 297(r) r11 or inf via 8 GrWerfer, so that Roces can take the 7.5 FK16 above. . 5p

=> 37p for arty forces without Gooseboy taking Brummbär. Imho Brummbär can replace a frontline tank at this time, with bunker killer trait being especially useful in this scenario.

? TestDummy in Tiger P+ s8 => Ferdinand s8 due to number of enemy tanks? . 20p
> MichaDome in SdKfz 10/4 r11 => SdKfz 10/5 r12 (hard) or 10/4+ r12 (soft) for higher rof and other stats. . 10p
> Askeri in Pz III N+ => Flammpanzer III r12 for rof, plus Military Engineer and Bunker Killer traits. . 11p
> Goose in Marder II => Pz II 5cm r9 for fun or Wespe for mobile arty training? . 24p
> Blast in Panther D => Panther A for overall stats. . 0p
. Fedefed in Pz IV H => Future upgrade to StuG IV ?

=> 65p on tanks or more if Goose takes Wespe

All infantry can upgrade to 1943 version, but it costs 30p from the 42 version and 40p from earlier versions. Which is fine for a normal run, but expensive for this very limited prestige purse.
A Grenadier with movement would be nice, but not sure where to take it from. Few movement heroes, lots of initiative heroes. RichardMartin has movement hero, but is only at 2 stars. BattlefieldDiaries has 4 stars and def 3 hero.

Logically the additionally bought unit should start in arty class for some last minute training until USA.
Or perhaps even a 2nd purchase, while leaving one unit behind?
Really not sure what to go for.

So many options to spend prestige, but so little to spend.

[goose_2]

GC Update:

This morning I finished the first broadcast for Minsk playthrough. I took some painful damage, but am not interested in retrying as no longer interested in trying for the best results. I am just happy when I do not lose units. It is going pretty well and am super pleased with the progress of my various units.

I hope to finish this weekend and hope to be able to shoot you the results.

Did you receive the Kursk battle results?

I would love to get your thoughts on upgrades/ purchases for Moscow 43 and the USA Scenario's.

Blessings,
Dave aka the Gooseman

Ah, great! Just commented on youtube as well:

------------------------------------------
Thank you for the Kursk ending savegame. Working on the 2026 update.
Even found a great graphic from Puma, to use as a final, expensive but full strength Porsche Tiger unit for the USA branch.
So I highly recommend waiting for that update, after DV Moscow 43!
------------------------------------------

Thoughts on Moscow 43 upgrades, after spending a frightening amount of prestige on elite reinforcements and having a terrifying < 700 prestige left (maybe I spent too much on elites?). Practically no prestige for elaborate unit changes.
One of the main issues is, that there is practically no time for training left and there was no prestige for training earlier.

That is so cute that you think I will now give all elite replacements when it has been minimally applied for this entire playthrough. I am earning full exp each scenario as such I am ok with letting the exp dip for training in each scenario. Yes, that means I will not have best exp units, but enough to finish is the important thing.

So I had a thought in the shower this morning, yes, I think about this game way too much, that the training in 44 is going so well with my infantry I have switched to artillery that it had me thinking.... I may train some units up to 5 stars of exp before switching them back to infantry, and would it be cheating the rule of 1 if in Berlin and Berlin redux I use a Grenadiere 43 and Grenadiere 44?

Those last scenarios are so urban heavy that 2 Grenadiere's just make sense, 1 at 5 stars and the other at 4.

Thoughts?

[Locarnus]

That is so cute that you think I will now give all elite replacements when it has been minimally applied for this entire playthrough. I am earning full exp each scenario as such I am ok with letting the exp dip for training in each scenario. Yes, that means I will not have best exp units, but enough to finish is the important thing.

So I had a thought in the shower this morning, yes, I think about this game way too much, that the training in 44 is going so well with my infantry I have switched to artillery that it had me thinking.... I may train some units up to 5 stars of exp before switching them back to infantry, and would it be cheating the rule of 1 if in Berlin and Berlin redux I use a Grenadiere 43 and Grenadiere 44?

Those last scenarios are so urban heavy that 2 Grenadiere's just make sense, 1 at 5 stars and the other at 4.

Thoughts?

Yep, maybe I'm still a bit in grand campaign core mode, have to switch my reinforcements mindset for the double Rommel original campaign.

In that original campaign playthrough, Nashorn could also be an upgrade option for your Panzer IV H. The movement hero of your current Panzer IV H would help the camo AT mode and the long 8.8cm is great against enemy tanks (since most infantry on the Moscow 43 map is fixed). Though the weather could ruin that.

I'll wait with the 2026 base version until you finished Moscow 43, in case there are issues with that somewhat rebalanced scenario. But then I'm ready to go so that USA East Coast can be started with the coming update.
Especially due to the new VK 4502 (P) heavy tank, for the Tiger (P) / Ferdinand family (expensive upgrade and only 8 strength for East Coast, but then 10 strength for Mid West, if you can afford that).


Strategy Showerthoughts!
Imho Grenadiere 43 and 44 are the same as Panzer IV G and H, or the different camo paints for the Panther A, or Bf 109 G-6 and G-6+. Different versions are ok for original rule of 1, but of course it is a players choice to narrow a house rule.

To be honest I usually regarded Berlin as the finale for Grand Campaign East anyway.
Berlin Redux is imho more like an encore for theater/concert.

[goose_2]

I'll wait with the 2026 base version until you finished Moscow 43, in case there are issues with that somewhat rebalanced scenario. But then I'm ready to go so that USA East Coast can be started with the coming update.
Especially due to the new VK 4502 (P) heavy tank, for the Tiger (P) / Ferdinand family (expensive upgrade and only 8 strength for East Coast, but then 10 strength for Mid West, if you can afford that).



To be honest I usually regarded Berlin as the finale for Grand Campaign East anyway.
Berlin Redux is imho more like an encore for theater/concert.

I do not know when I can play Moscow 43 as am focused on finishing Minsk, so it will be a minute before I try and tackle that one.

I am so looking forward to Berlin Redux / nervous as it will be my first time playing that scenario,

Playing blind is so exciting, but I usually lose interest in a Campaign once I reach Berlin, but this feels totally different based on the extreme difficulty I am playing there will always be units that need training.

I keep thinking what are options I can utilize in order to get more units to 5 stars exp and 3 heroes.

There will be many that I will settle on 4 stars and 3 heroes being good enough. Others will try for 5th star of exp and 2 heroes being good enough. Each unit's strengths and weaknesses become such a focus for my mental calculations and all of these SE options have kept my interest high and love to reach new levels of enjoyment.

[Locarnus]

I do not know when I can play Moscow 43 as am focused on finishing Minsk, so it will be a minute before I try and tackle that one.

I am so looking forward to Berlin Redux / nervous as it will be my first time playing that scenario,

In the test version for the coming update that you have right now, there are SdKfz 250 units that can switch between tank and recon class.
Please make sure to not use any of those (the switchable ones, does not concern the normal transport SdKfz 250)!

They will not be in the coming update, at least not in that form.

[bondjamesbond]

Hello! How about adding the Swedish and Turkish sea convoys that transported ore to the Third Reich? We all know about Lend-Lease and the Allied sea and land convoys, but we forget about Germany's trade agreements with other countries.
https://history.wikireading.ru/30826
https://samlib.ru/p/polo_m/6letvehrmacht.shtml
https://nvo.ng.ru/history/2020-12-10/12 ... story.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ZOxf8AUmg
34.18

[Locarnus]

Hello! How about adding the Swedish and Turkish sea convoys that transported ore to the Third Reich? We all know about Lend-Lease and the Allied sea and land convoys, but we forget about Germany's trade agreements with other countries.
[...]

Great idea!
I nearly forgot it, but thanks to your reminder the coming update will introduce some allied disruption of the Swedish iron ore shipments around Norway.
While not fully implementing a German convoy route, it at least makes a reference to it by including that vulnerability and strategic necessity.

[bondjamesbond]

Hello! How about adding the Swedish and Turkish sea convoys that transported ore to the Third Reich? We all know about Lend-Lease and the Allied sea and land convoys, but we forget about Germany's trade agreements with other countries.
[...]

Great idea!
I nearly forgot it, but thanks to your reminder the coming update will introduce some allied disruption of the Swedish iron ore shipments around Norway.
While not fully implementing a German convoy route, it at least makes a reference to it by including that vulnerability and strategic necessity.

Thank you for taking our wishes and the reality of the situation at that time into account!
https://dzen.ru/a/YEyiyAp9UWVKv2SE
‘Pike’ vs. Ore Carrier
https://nvo.ng.ru/history/2005-02-18/5_payment.html

The People's Commissar of the Navy unequivocally prohibited attacks on Swedish military ships and civilian vessels, while allowing attacks on enemy military and civilian ships in Swedish waters. However, the instructions to boat commanders prepared by the Baltic Fleet headquarters allowed for two interpretations. The phrase ‘Destroy all transports and enemy warships except for Swedish naval vessels, which are prohibited from being attacked’ allowed, when read literally, for Swedish transports to be attacked.

https://ezyk091978.livejournal.com/28764.html

https://ezyk091978.livejournal.com/28483.html

https://www.rubaltic.ru/article/kultura ... -bratyami/


The German battleship Bismarck moored in the Bosporus Strait
https://dzen.ru/a/Xil9-arUNgCtSeme

[Locarnus]

https://dzen.ru/a/Xil9-arUNgCtSeme

Turkey is certainly a most interesting what-if aspect of WW2.

What they would have done if the Axis had not failed in Stalingrad and Africa around 43/43?
Not much fighting power per soldier, due to being technologically so far behind at that point.
But lots of additional manpower could have made quite the difference in 1943.

Turkey and Spain would both be very nice to include, but both would require significant time investment.

[bondjamesbond]

https://dzen.ru/a/Xil9-arUNgCtSeme

Turkey is certainly a most interesting what-if aspect of WW2.

What they would have done if the Axis had not failed in Stalingrad and Africa around 43/43?
Not much fighting power per soldier, due to being technologically so far behind at that point.
But lots of additional manpower could have made quite the difference in 1943.

Turkey and Spain would both be very nice to include, but both would require significant time investment.

Why rush? The mod is updated monthly, so take your time. You could even add Iran, which was occupied by Anglo-Soviet troops, and Swiss aircraft, which sometimes even shot down Allied and German planes that violated their airspace. And the Swedish merchant fleet under the cover of the Swedish Navy.


American troops destroyed a German sniper )))

[goose_2]

Locarnus, Couple of quick questions that came up yesterday but I did not get more info on.

You mentioned converting grenade throwers to camo trait in arty mode, and I would like your thoughts on that?

2nd you mentioned not starting Moscow 43? That is ok, I was thinking of trying Moscow 41 for losing side, but when can I try Moscow 43? After next update, or later than that?

[Locarnus]

Locarnus, Couple of quick questions that came up yesterday but I did not get more info on.

You mentioned converting grenade throwers to camo trait in arty mode, and I would like your thoughts on that?

2nd you mentioned not starting Moscow 43? That is ok, I was thinking of trying Moscow 41 for losing side, but when can I try Moscow 43? After next update, or later than that?

The camo trait for the small grenade throwers (eg the 8cm ones) was just an idea for future testing.
Nothing I'm working on right now, since that would mess up the transport situation as well.
It would provide extra utility for those extreme short range arty units.
Perhaps something to consider for the coming months...


I recommend waiting with Moscow 43 until the coming update, which I'm working on right now.
If I do not find any last minute bug, that update might be ready later today or tomorrow.

[goose_2]

By the by enjoyed readin the chat you and Mark Thomas had on the video, nice to have dialogue with other appreciative players.