Tipps for playing the Battlefield Europe mod

[JimmyC]

I've made it up to the Mediterranean scenario and i have some questions:
1. Is there any reason to purchase non-German units as part of my core?
2. There are so many units available. Too many. Its a good thing overall, but bad at the beginning because its just so hard to tell what's worth it and what's not. Yes, prestige is a major deciding factor, but can you perhaps make a brief list of some of the good units (in terms of both value for money and hitting power)? It will help those like me who are new to the mod. And yes, i have uploaded the unit stats to Excel, but there are still so many units that its all a bit overwhelming.
3. In terms of general strategy, in the base game you pretty much had to capture all the cities between your start point and the objectives as otherwise the AI would start spamming units from the uncaptured cities. In this mod, does it work the same way? If it doesnt work that way, i'm thinking a viable strategy is to ignore most of the subsidiary cities that are out of the way and just focus on capturing the key ones. I imagine this would save a lot of time...?

[Uhu]

It is not fully clear for me: did you finish the Mediterranean scenario, or you just started it?

1., No. Core army is anyway small. It is highly recommended to build up/change the core from Poland on, because it makes a big difference, with what types of core unit you start Barbarossa. Ideal core composition above.
2., OK, I understand. I will make a unit-focus advise-section soon.
3., No, happily, no spawning units at all! (I just played the vanilla Italy scenario, and the spawning was so odd...) All enemy units comes scripted/fix installed. IMHO non-objective towns are also important:
- prestige! (just do not forget to not make yourself more causalties, as the value of the town!)
- many times important defense "bastion"
- recon (2 range LOS)
On the other hand, it is true, that they are not first priority. So, you can capture them as fast, as you want - no need for ASAP capture because of spawning.

I've made it up to the Mediterranean scenario and i have some questions:
1. Is there any reason to purchase non-German units as part of my core?
2. There are so many units available. Too many. Its a good thing overall, but bad at the beginning because its just so hard to tell what's worth it and what's not. Yes, prestige is a major deciding factor, but can you perhaps make a brief list of some of the good units (in terms of both value for money and hitting power)? It will help those like me who are new to the mod. And yes, i have uploaded the unit stats to Excel, but there are still so many units that its all a bit overwhelming.
3. In terms of general strategy, in the base game you pretty much had to capture all the cities between your start point and the objectives as otherwise the AI would start spamming units from the uncaptured cities. In this mod, does it work the same way? If it doesnt work that way, i'm thinking a viable strategy is to ignore most of the subsidiary cities that are out of the way and just focus on capturing the key ones. I imagine this would save a lot of time...?

[Uhu]

Tipps about, how to manage the different types of units and nations
(It is subjective and it is looked from Rommel difficulty, on lower level, some aspects could ne not so essential.)

First, some basic suggestions:
- Do not waste ANY units! All units has it's purpose, like everything has in the Universe.
- NEVER give overstrenght! It is far too expensive and you will not have the prestige for that. Apart from this, you will always be too carefully with the (expensive) overstrenghtened units and not go into fights, where they can loose even 1 point (I experienced this already at the "factory default" overstrenghtened Pz III's).
- Always have knowledge about the value of the given unit (stats, price)
- Always have knowledge about the upgrade tables: availability, price, upgrade-families
- Replacements: earlier scenarios - always between the scenarios phase. Barbarossa: it depends from many factors, when is useful to give elite or normal (green) replacement. For example, if you play in "quick run" mode - your goal is to finish the game with DV as soon as possible - you will not have the chance to grew many 3 star units. But I think, most gamer's goal is not a quick run.
At replacement giving, you should consider, if it has worth to give the given unit an elite replacement. Ususally, if the unit is near to the next levele of experience, than it is useful. Or it is near above that level and it would go belove that, after the normal replacement. It depends also from the importance of the unit and it's replacement price.
Calculate also, how many turns are left from the game. In the later phase, maybe you "grew" a fighter to earn the 300 xp level and you give therefore always elite replacement. But if it can not collect so many xp's, or it will earn the 300 xp just before the end, than it has mostly no use to pay the price for that. Except, if the given unit has an important task and the victory is still not sure till to the last turns. Than, even one unit can make the difference, so in that case, do not hesitate to give the needed elite replacement (if you have enough prestige...)

[Uhu]

I mentioned already above, but I can not mention enough the importance of the core force!
- They collect xp and kills much earlier -> more heroes, higher xp level
- The 3 arty (1 Sig) and the +1-2 fighter makes a difference!
- You should sell the inf's, because you will have enough inf in Barbarossa

[Uhu]

OK, now let's start with the several unit types:

Infantry, German:
- Normal Inf: there are plenty of them, but don't be fooled: all will be needed from late 1942 on!! Do not let any unnecessary casualties happen to them neither (for examle letting them bombarded in France in 1941 - transport them ASAP away)! The not-full-strenght ones could be stationed in Hungary or East Germany and when they are needed, giving them normal replacement. They will not gain 200 xp, and gaining 100 is not so hard, even without elite replacement. I give elite replacement in the situations, mentioned above: if they are near to 200 xp above, or below. If they were butchered, and the elite replacement would cost a hell, then also not. Sometimes it is also worthy, if they would have, let say 195 xp, after the normal replacement, to make this - after one fight (without casualty) they can gain the 200 xp again. I never gave them motorisation: no prestige for that and the replacement would be also much higher. With smart planned rail transportation, anyway, no need for them. One last world: dot not waste them for partisan hunting, just as long as needed (before the avilability of the Hungarian replacement units). Minor nations and even replacement inf units are much more ideal for that task. I upgrade them partly to 44 level (depends on, how much prestige I have and how experienced is the given unit). Sometimes, if advance is needed and I have plenty of prestige, a few get even a truck.

- Pz Grenadiers: buy a truck for the 4th one. They are very useful units in the close fights (cities, forests). Try to not loose any of them. Maybe 1, or even 2 loss is still manageable, but it is still not a good event. Best task for them are city fights. They make wonders against low-level inf (conscripts, Soviet early regulars) and armored vehicles. If they have time to dig in, than they are also "bastions" in defence: Moscow and later Rostov and even a forest next to Rostov were so strong for the Soviets, that even tanks with heroes blooded there and many times, Rostov was absolute not attacked (with dug-in level 7-8). One or two is also very useful for the defense of Stalingrad from late 1943 (44 ugprade is a must).

- Fallschirmjägers:: very important and rare units, do not loose them (at least, not in the early, mid phase of the game). In the eary phase I give them elite replacement, to maintain the 200 xp level. Later, when their important tasks are over, no more elite replacement is needed. Important tasks could be: the quick transport and defense in Tunesia, the behind-the-frontline-attack at El-Alamein and later, what you want. Do not upgrade them to later version, only if you play the defense of the Reich, because the later version has no para ability.
Personal advice: if you want them use realisticaly, than do not make a paradrop in rain, or snow and calculate a fuel level about with 60 points, so do not make flights without touching airfields.

- Gebirgsjägers: I save them for the important tasks, or fight them in style to avoid casualties, before their main job. Do not give them truck, because they loose their hill-climbing ability. Their main task is either the defense of Tunesia, or/and the attack of the British Island. Because they are important part of these battles, maintain their 200 xp level and give them elite replacement, until their main jobs are finished. It is useful to upgrade them on 44 level.

- Pioniere: I felt not much difference to Pz Grenadiers. No need to have even a second one. Their main job is to clear minefields quickly. They are also as good in close fights, as the grenadiers. At me, they mostly got plenty of casualties and the replacement is expensive, so they never received elite replacement. It is not a tragedy. but still not advisable to loose them.

More tipps later...

[JimmyC]

This is really great. I was expecting just a quick overview, but yours is really detailed. Great help, especially about prestige and elite/normal replacements!

[Uhu]

This is really great. I was expecting just a quick overview, but yours is really detailed. Great help, especially about prestige and elite/normal replacements!

I'm happy, you can use it good.

[JimmyC]

I'm struggling with the naval component of the game. It seems that the allies are just too strong in the ocean to overcome. I know its supposed to be a rock/paper/scissors type thing, but as they just have so many more vessels, they can just swarm me with them (or so it feels).

Also, can you give some advice on whether to get tracked AT or Tanks? Tanks are just so expensive that on the harder modes, i wonder tracked AT are a better alternative due to their cheapness...?

[Uhu]

1.,

I'm struggling with the naval component of the game. It seems that the allies are just too strong in the ocean to overcome. I know its supposed to be a rock/paper/scissors type thing, but as they just have so many more vessels, they can just swarm me with them (or so it feels).

2.,

Also, can you give some advice on whether to get tracked AT or Tanks? Tanks are just so expensive that on the harder modes, i wonder tracked AT are a better alternative due to their cheapness...?

1., Well, to adress more about the naval tactics is a long story...
- I hope, in the Mediterrean, you have overcome the Allies. In that theater, if you are cauitious enough and you know, what and how many naval enemies you get faced, and you have the supporting aircrafts too, than there should be really no problem. But if you need detailed tipps with possible spoilers, I can write it later.
- About the Battle of the Atlantic. There is no cure. The Allies are simply overhelming. You cannot defeat them in "fair" fights. But you do not need it too!! Some players capture Island and make an airbase there and slaughter the Allied combat ships from there. It is a possibility, but IMHO it drain to much resource, while giving fewer back. In my experiences, subs and destroyers will be hunted down after some times - to goal is to preserve them as long, as you can to gain prestige on the convoy routes.
Again an advise, if you want to play it realistic: when the subs are ammo-depleted, head back to port - subs without torpedos cannot blockade merchant shipping...
The battleships should try to stay behind the curtain (sometimes with bad luck, an airplane, or destroyer stumble on them and than bad things happen...ce la vie) and destroy, or weaken the Allied destroyers. When there is a possibility to stay on the convoy routes with the subs, while attacking Allied capital ships, than it is a bonus gift. Oh, and when good weather is present, I tend to set my subs in deep dive mode on convoy routes - they sustain fewer casualties, while they make still the prestige. I give them also sometimes accompanist, while travelling on the surface after leaving the northest little islands to not get stumbled by some hostile destroyers. I always try to preserve my capital ships and bring them south in the shadow of the winter weather - either in the winter of 41/42, or 42/42 (if played in historical mode).
The capital ships in France will be built up slowly and defended/hidden from allied aircraft and they are mostly ready by the winther of 41/42 to assist on the landings in England. The subs in the south are needed too for this, so do not waste them. The destroyer can be sent to to group at the convoy routes.

2., AT assest. OK, I will write about them, when I finished the tipps about all inf's. In universal, I think, it is a very subjective part of the mod. In my last plays, I used the AT's as 50 -> 75mm AT guns intensively, StuG were used rarely - just the gift-one and maybe one upgraded from a 200 xp AT gun. The PzJ I - after my development to put all the Marders in one upgrade family - was upgraded to Marder III and was used well - with very careful play and elite always elite replacement. I would have even upgraded it to Hornisse (also in the Marder family), I just played that time the quick run mode, so there was no need for it.

[JimmyC]

I've been growing somewhat sick of dealing with partisans in Norway, as they seem to be just another drain on my limited resources. Is there any reason why i shouldn't just abandon the top city in Norway and instead defend the 2 bottom ones? Are there any negative effects if i do this?

[Uhu]

Did you tried that tactics, what I wrote about the Norwegian partisans? When yes, what was exactly the problem? I ask this, because I always made that tactics and - apart when I forgot about the partisans and the weakened unit has strenghtened himself back - I never had problems and many times, even the casualties didn't needed to be replaced (or not all of them), because the situation was manageable.

I've been growing somewhat sick of dealing with partisans in Norway, as they seem to be just another drain on my limited resources. Is there any reason why i shouldn't just abandon the top city in Norway and instead defend the 2 bottom ones? Are there any negative effects if i do this?

[JimmyC]

I guess that is in the mod thread section, rather than this thread?
<Edit - Ok, i found it>

By the way, i have many problems in dealing with the heavily fortified cities that have a fort, artillery, AA and then troops ringed around in bunkers. Such place as Odessa or to a lesser extent Tobruk. How do you effectively assault these? I have simply been avoiding them as thinking they result in too high casualties...

[Uhu]

JimmyC,

I would really advise you to look at one of my replays - sure, it cost hell of time, but you can learn a lot of it. Especially from the first turns, which IMHO are always critical to the victory of a given scenario. If you have further questions about this theme, after you looked it, we discuss it!

I guess that is in the mod thread section, rather than this thread?
<Edit - Ok, i found it>

By the way, i have many problems in dealing with the heavily fortified cities that have a fort, artillery, AA and then troops ringed around in bunkers. Such place as Odessa or to a lesser extent Tobruk. How do you effectively assault these? I have simply been avoiding them as thinking they result in too high casualties...

[JimmyC]

JimmyC,

I would really advise you to look at one of my replays - sure, it cost hell of time, but you can learn a lot of it. Especially from the first turns, which IMHO are always critical to the victory of a given scenario. If you have further questions about this theme, after you looked it, we discuss it!

I guess that is in the mod thread section, rather than this thread?
<Edit - Ok, i found it>

By the way, i have many problems in dealing with the heavily fortified cities that have a fort, artillery, AA and then troops ringed around in bunkers. Such place as Odessa or to a lesser extent Tobruk. How do you effectively assault these? I have simply been avoiding them as thinking they result in too high casualties...

Where are your replays?

[Uhu]

Here you are! (Posted earlier in Battlefield mod thread)

https://panzercorps.wordpress.com/2015/ ... ifficulty/
https://panzercorps.wordpress.com/2015/ ... -hardcore/

Where are your replays?

[JimmyC]

Thanks. I've never viewed a replay before. Can you fast forward them and jump around, or is it in realtime? If its in realtime, i dont think i will have the patience...

Also, where do i download the file to? Which folder?

[hugh2711]

for norway i would use the three indigenous german infantry elswhere (e.g. iceland) and replace them with two mountain troops who are much better suited for that enviroment - can move easily over that terrain. they will then have no problem as both of them can get to any partisans fast and are good against troops (partisans)

[Uhu]

for norway i would use the three indigenous german infantry elswhere (e.g. iceland) and replace them with two mountain troops who are much better suited for that enviroment - can move easily over that terrain. they will then have no problem as both of them can get to any partisans fast and are good against troops (partisans)

IMHO it would be the waste of rare resources. The mountain troops are needed elsewhere (Tunisia, England), while the inf's are common. And you don't need to hunt the partisans in the mountains - it is much easier to wait them in the flatland and even more in the range of the fort...

[JimmyC]

I thought there is some sort of negative hit to prestige if you don't kill the partisans quickly? I've been going out of my way to hunt them down and kill them.

[Uhu]

I thought there is some sort of negative hit to prestige if you don't kill the partisans quickly? I've been going out of my way to hunt them down and kill them.

That is only in Russia/Ukraine at specific points of the railway line.
The negative effect is elsewhere, that you transport line will be disrupted (Balkan, France), or the airports will be used by the Allied planes, while you cannot use them.
By the way, for me they are also "not in the order", so regardless of that, I always try to clear the area of them as soon as possible. Luckily, if they capture sometimes something, with the recapture, some prestige points will be gained.