Slitherine

I have just completed a mission that was planned for 99 moves, but I finished it in 90. Some important points were recaptured several times by enemies, who were very numerous. I also delivered cargo. For this, I built bunkers and artillery. Anyway, if anyone is interested, there are screenshots and replays in the message. The enemies have a lot of mines.

The imeror , a true patriot of France, handed us a bunch of weak Nigerians and a handful of Russians ))) But he gave the French a lot of space, cool planes upgraded by veteran special forces, and very accurate artillery ))) My guys who had been through two campaigns before that were just kids to be beaten up ))) I would say right away that it's impossible to win there honestly ))) That's where I had to make 99 moves so that mine would be completely destroyed ) I suggest replays and pictures! Of course, I was also clever enough to go on attack aircraft to fight combat aircraft, as I was used to beating up ISIS fighters who couldn't really damage my aircraft very much ) I'll have to replay and change my tactics and strategy, as the easy battle with the savages is over )))
https://www.deepl.com/ru/translator

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 3:46 am But he gave the French a lot of space, cool planes upgraded by veteran special forces, and very accurate artillery ))) My guys who had been through two campaigns before that were just kids to be beaten up ))) I would say right away that it's impossible to win there honestly )))

I estimated that a 10 years long campaign in the local environment would grant as much stars as the player core, but I think that the problem is elsewhere.

I unfortunately think that my row of releases without the need of a fix is over : the last scenario was designed to be played with AT LEAST 3 000 points in reserve and the 33 reserve unit limit ready to be filled before needing to buy anything. You started just with the income from the previous victory and 19 units, far below what I thought is required to win comfortably ; so I guess I've totally missed the balance of the prestige income in the previous scenarios and let the player with a very weak core at that point...

Il will replay the Russian campaign from the beginning to see where is the "prestige problem" and fix it once and for all for future players !



That's a problem with my release format. Since I'm switching between multiple campaigns, I think I'm mixing up the potential state of a player core army at the start of each chapter. Judging by your screeshots, "economic" situation was always dire at the first scenario. Hence my conclusion that I've miscalculated the player need already in the previous chapters.
I hesitate to just focus on only one campaign to avoid that mistake again, instead of switching between multiple factions... Or I just take better notes to remember what the player core looks like at the end of a chapter



If you want to replay this scenario immediately, you can grant you 10 000 prestige immediately to compensate the mistakes from the officer working in the logistics that underestimated the need of your army
The battle will still not be easy, but you'll have the weapons required to advance at a good pace this time.



tl;dr : my mistake ; prestige problem, as often

Imeror wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 5:44 am

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 3:46 am But he gave the French a lot of space, cool planes upgraded by veteran special forces, and very accurate artillery ))) My guys who had been through two campaigns before that were just kids to be beaten up ))) I would say right away that it's impossible to win there honestly )))

I estimated that a 10 years long campaign in the local environment would grant as much stars as the player core, but I think that the problem is elsewhere.

I unfortunately think that my row of releases without the need of a fix is over : the last scenario was designed to be played with AT LEAST 3 000 points in reserve and the 33 reserve unit limit ready to be filled before needing to buy anything. You started just with the income from the previous victory and 19 units, far below what I thought is required to win comfortably ; so I guess I've totally missed the balance of the prestige income in the previous scenarios and let the player with a very weak core at that point...

Il will replay the Russian campaign from the beginning to see where is the "prestige problem" and fix it once and for all for future players !



That's a problem with my release format. Since I'm switching between multiple campaigns, I think I'm mixing up the potential state of a player core army at the start of each chapter. Judging by your screeshots, "economic" situation was always dire at the first scenario. Hence my conclusion that I've miscalculated the player need already in the previous chapters.
I hesitate to just focus on only one campaign to avoid that mistake again, instead of switching between multiple factions... Or I just take better notes to remember what the player core looks like at the end of a chapter



If you want to replay this scenario immediately, you can grant you 10 000 prestige immediately to compensate the mistakes from the officer working in the logistics that underestimated the need of your army
The battle will still not be easy, but you'll have the weapons required to advance at a good pace this time.



tl;dr : my mistake ; prestige problem, as often

You're suggesting I use a cheat to give myself a budget of 10,000 prestige ))) That's not a great idea, because I might get hooked on conjuring up this heavenly manna in the form of prestige and experience for troops who haven't even smelled gunpowder ))) But then it wouldn't be a game anymore, just a triumphant ride across the map using live waves

I tried again and I don't have enough strength, I'll have to take a cheat credit ))) It turns out to be a massive battle between super-accurate and resilient French terminator professionals and collective farmers ))) The power and accuracy of French artillery is legendary. Since our nervous system is more valuable and games should be enjoyable, we'll take a loan for 10,000 prestige.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:38 pm You're suggesting I use a cheat to give myself a budget of 10,000 prestige ))) That's not a great idea, because I might get hooked on conjuring up this heavenly manna in the form of prestige and experience for troops who haven't even smelled gunpowder

When the system is unfair : you are free to take arms, break the system, and... VIVE LA REVOLUTION !!!
... Or something like that...

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:38 pm But then it wouldn't be a game anymore, just a triumphant ride across the map using live waves

Talking about live waves :



With 7 000 prestige at the start of the scenario, there is the possibility to literally flood the map with your units.
In this test, I attacked from north-west, west and south west. Once everyone regroup at the center of the map and the perimeter is breached, the fun can really begin.

So yeah : the scenario is doable with enough prestige ; the problem is that I don't give it in sufficient number. I have to return to work to fix it.



Maybe it's due to another french trait : "no rich allowed"

Imeror wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 8:38 pm

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:38 pm You're suggesting I use a cheat to give myself a budget of 10,000 prestige ))) That's not a great idea, because I might get hooked on conjuring up this heavenly manna in the form of prestige and experience for troops who haven't even smelled gunpowder

When the system is unfair : you are free to take arms, break the system, and... VIVE LA REVOLUTION !!!
... Or something like that...

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:38 pm But then it wouldn't be a game anymore, just a triumphant ride across the map using live waves

Talking about live waves :



With 7 000 prestige at the start of the scenario, there is the possibility to literally flood the map with your units.
In this test, I attacked from north-west, west and south west. Once everyone regroup at the center of the map and the perimeter is breached, the fun can really begin.

So yeah : the scenario is doable with enough prestige ; the problem is that I don't give it in sufficient number. I have to return to work to fix it.



Maybe it's due to another french trait : "no rich allowed"

In short, the war with the French cost the treasury 30,000 prestige points. In the replay, it was both a decisive victory and a normal one. As I understand it, this was the last card in the third Russian chapter. I saved the cannonballs, so stay tuned for the continuation! Thank you all for viewing the screenshots and replays. Stay with us!

30 000 prestige ponts !?

Indeed, I'll add prestige income in previous missions/campaigns as I intended, but also reduce the difficulty on this map like you suggested.



I have some idea of things to change for a better balance :

1 - Since the opposing army is supposed to be a fast reaction force composed of troops that have fought in the region for years, I'll not change the ennemy infantry experience, nor it's unit type. Paratroopers, marine infantry, Foreign Legion (that act as "mini-boss" on a few key positions) will consequently stay. However, their numbers will be reduced. Objective : Less grinding required to move forward, for more maneuvering ;

2 - Less light vehicles will roam around the map. They were meant to sting by surprise, but they are numerous enough to create fronts on their own, sometimes ;

3 - EBRC Jaguar units will be removed. It was a very recent vehicle in 2023, and tend to be too dangerous for player units. Either I replace it with older VBL or P4, either I simply delete them ; resolving the previous point ;

4 - Less ennemy artillery. Initially, I wanted less artillery units on the map, but the problem was that I find the AI very weak in defense without artillery. I guess that more infantry units with the AI setting on "Active" will provoke more dangerous but shortest firefights. I will make some tests, to see how I can reduce the artillery number without making the opponent powerless ;

5 - There were initially no Niger units to support the player units. I originally intended to write a line in the briefing stating that both governement decided to leave Russian units deal with the situation, but I finally decided to add a bunch of auxiliary Niger units to help the player in this difficult scenario. Niger military is generally considered far more reliable than its Malian and Burkinabé neighbors, so its plausible to give 1 experience star to each Niger unit. It's not much, but can help.



I didn't expected so much things to fix.

At work, now !

Imeror wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 4:28 pm 30 000 prestige ponts !?

Indeed, I'll add prestige income in previous missions/campaigns as I intended, but also reduce the difficulty on this map like you suggested.



I have some idea of things to change for a better balance :

1 - Since the opposing army is supposed to be a fast reaction force composed of troops that have fought in the region for years, I'll not change the ennemy infantry experience, nor it's unit type. Paratroopers, marine infantry, Foreign Legion (that act as "mini-boss" on a few key positions) will consequently stay. However, their numbers will be reduced. Objective : Less grinding required to move forward, for more maneuvering ;

2 - Less light vehicles will roam around the map. They were meant to sting by surprise, but they are numerous enough to create fronts on their own, sometimes ;

3 - EBRC Jaguar units will be removed. It was a very recent vehicle in 2023, and tend to be too dangerous for player units. Either I replace it with older VBL or P4, either I simply delete them ; resolving the previous point ;

4 - Less ennemy artillery. Initially, I wanted less artillery units on the map, but the problem was that I find the AI very weak in defense without artillery. I guess that more infantry units with the AI setting on "Active" will provoke more dangerous but shortest firefights. I will make some tests, to see how I can reduce the artillery number without making the opponent powerless ;

5 - There were initially no Niger units to support the player units. I originally intended to write a line in the briefing stating that both governement decided to leave Russian units deal with the situation, but I finally decided to add a bunch of auxiliary Niger units to help the player in this difficult scenario. Niger military is generally considered far more reliable than its Malian and Burkinabé neighbors, so its plausible to give 1 experience star to each Niger unit. It's not much, but can help.



I didn't expected so much things to fix.

At work, now !

I like the Nigerian units under the Russian flag; even in captured areas, with enough prestige, they can be turned into Russians. But they lose experience and go from 12 to 10 units, and again, for prestige, they need to be upgraded again. Everything is as old as the world itself. There are material resources, and your army will be better armed, but there is also morale. Look, the Houthis are beating fat Dubai Arabs like children, even though they are armed with very expensive toys )))

At the same time, in order to gain prestige, I try to capture all the villages and towns so that there is at least some income, but this disperses my modest forces and slows down the pace of the offensive.




Just for the sake of experiment, I started playing through the Russian campaign from the first chapter. So as not to clutter this up with pictures, I just recorded the replay. I completed all three missions in the first chapter with a decisive victory. In Chapter 2 in Ukraine, I started well but still didn't make it to move 22 because I lost my pace and speed as the Ukrainian troops resisted, finishing at move 30. Now, on the second map of Chapter 2 in Kiev, we will try to defeat the ghost of Kiev. To be continued. And my veterans are still fighting on old equipment that belongs in a museum. Yes, you don't take prestige into account because there isn't enough of it, and as we know, decisive victories give less prestige than indecisive ones.
https://www.deepl.com/ru/translator

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:50 pm Just for the sake of experiment, I started playing through the Russian campaign from the first chapter. So as not to clutter this up with pictures, I just recorded the replay. I completed all three missions in the first chapter with a decisive victory. In Chapter 2 in Ukraine, I started well but still didn't make it to move 22 because I lost my pace and speed as the Ukrainian troops resisted, finishing at move 30. Now, on the second map of Chapter 2 in Kiev, we will try to defeat the ghost of Kiev. To be continued. And my veterans are still fighting on old equipment that belongs in a museum. Yes, you don't take prestige into account because there isn't enough of it, and as we know, decisive victories give less prestige than indecisive ones.
https://www.deepl.com/ru/translator

You should delay this playthrought by around a week, I think.
I'm also playing all of them again to adjust the prestige points given to the player.

Chapter 2 will have a lot of changes.
The dificulty on a whole will be reduced, especially the Kyiv scenario. I'm removing some ennemy units, give more reinforcements to the player, add more core slots, etc...
And I also make more aesthetics improvements, like allow the presentation screen to show the objectives, finish to put MC city tiles in Kyiv, etc...
If I remind well, it was my first campaign (before, the other were just map packs). I was afraid for a long time that players could send hordes of T-72 if I give too much ; and I finished to give practically nothing. It was time to fix this chapter !

In chapter 3, players will have a better income and Niamey mission will be rebalanced (in the same spirit than Kyiv) ; but nothing more. This chapter was make hard mainly due to the previous chapter that could destroy a player core without giving enough points to expand, or simply, rebuild it.

But I have nothing to change to chapter 1. This one is in its final version.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:50 pm To be continued. And my veterans are still fighting on old equipment that belongs in a museum.

That will not be changed.
Why ? Gameplay reasons, feeling of progress with better equipment, etc...
I decided to re-use the gameplay logic behind the army progression that the campaigns of the main mod : the US start with Pattons, France with AMX-30s, etc...

I have find a justification for the old equipment in the chapter in Syria (a potential "pre-sale" demonstration) ; but I have indeed not justified it in the part in Ukraine.

Despite your success in Syria, you are still the "rookie" general around. Maybe older and (still) more prestigious generals in charge of other fronts demanded that all the new shiny equipments go to their armies in priority, leaving you with what remain.
But don't worry, more modern T-72s will soon roll free in Eastern Europe under your banner. After 3 success in Syria, Ukraine, and Sahel, your superiors should understand they can give you the best equipment they have, and that you will make good use of them.


By the way, don't worry : every factions in my campaigns start with some "museum" equipment, Russia is not the only one



PS : Your replay contain all your playthrough until Kyiv ? I will certainly download it tomorrow, to check how many points have a player at the start of Chapter 2.

Imeror wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 10:40 pm

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:50 pm Just for the sake of experiment, I started playing through the Russian campaign from the first chapter. So as not to clutter this up with pictures, I just recorded the replay. I completed all three missions in the first chapter with a decisive victory. In Chapter 2 in Ukraine, I started well but still didn't make it to move 22 because I lost my pace and speed as the Ukrainian troops resisted, finishing at move 30. Now, on the second map of Chapter 2 in Kiev, we will try to defeat the ghost of Kiev. To be continued. And my veterans are still fighting on old equipment that belongs in a museum. Yes, you don't take prestige into account because there isn't enough of it, and as we know, decisive victories give less prestige than indecisive ones.
https://www.deepl.com/ru/translator

You should delay this playthrought by around a week, I think.
I'm also playing all of them again to adjust the prestige points given to the player.

Chapter 2 will have a lot of changes.
The dificulty on a whole will be reduced, especially the Kyiv scenario. I'm removing some ennemy units, give more reinforcements to the player, add more core slots, etc...
And I also make more aesthetics improvements, like allow the presentation screen to show the objectives, finish to put MC city tiles in Kyiv, etc...
If I remind well, it was my first campaign (before, the other were just map packs). I was afraid for a long time that players could send hordes of T-72 if I give too much ; and I finished to give practically nothing. It was time to fix this chapter !

In chapter 3, players will have a better income and Niamey mission will be rebalanced (in the same spirit than Kyiv) ; but nothing more. This chapter was make hard mainly due to the previous chapter that could destroy a player core without giving enough points to expand, or simply, rebuild it.

But I have nothing to change to chapter 1. This one is in its final version.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 9:50 pm To be continued. And my veterans are still fighting on old equipment that belongs in a museum.

That will not be changed.
Why ? Gameplay reasons, feeling of progress with better equipment, etc...
I decided to re-use the gameplay logic behind the army progression that the campaigns of the main mod : the US start with Pattons, France with AMX-30s, etc...

I have find a justification for the old equipment in the chapter in Syria (a potential "pre-sale" demonstration) ; but I have indeed not justified it in the part in Ukraine.

Despite your success in Syria, you are still the "rookie" general around. Maybe older and (still) more prestigious generals in charge of other fronts demanded that all the new shiny equipments go to their armies in priority, leaving you with what remain.
But don't worry, more modern T-72s will soon roll free in Eastern Europe under your banner. After 3 success in Syria, Ukraine, and Sahel, your superiors should understand they can give you the best equipment they have, and that you will make good use of them.


By the way, don't worry : every factions in my campaigns start with some "museum" equipment, Russia is not the only one



PS : Your replay contain all your playthrough until Kyiv ? I will certainly download it tomorrow, to check how many points have a player at the start of Chapter 2.

There's 1600 prestige there. I'm not against old technology, but sometimes you have to give players something new, like Toby does with bonuses or for completing secondary tasks. Yes, when you created it, you weren't very experienced as a mapmaker, but now you're a real pro and it's time to polish your work. I also understand that it's very difficult to combine conventions and game balance without straying from realism. I know you can do it, and the replay will be another look and test.







I couldn't resist, and I was right—the ghost of Kiev fell into my trap. I hope that after your refinement, he will become wiser and more cautious.

I'll probably finish the second chapter, but you guys watch the replay to change the AI's tactics and strategy.




It would be good to give prestige for complete destruction or replenishment for holding bridges on which the Ukrainians are attacking )))) Their counter attack is very exhausting and reduces the pace of the offensive )








How will Flight 1 fly to the summit in Hungary?

For reference. Il-96-300PU is a highly protected platform with an echeloned defence system: all sorts of MAWS, lasers, DIRCM infrared jammers, heat traps, REB, armour, redundancy. Also inside the "nuclear button", and next to it - an escort of fighters and Il-22PP "Porubshchik", repeater planes, etc. In short - the most protected in non-combat conditions.

There are three routes of Air Force One, each of which is a whole geopolitical construct.

The main and safest one is the southern one: Moscow - Sochi - Black Sea along Turkey - Istanbul - Bulgaria or Greece (bypassing NATO zones) - Serbia - Budapest. Erdogan remembers who saved him, Serbia is an ally and Hungary guarantees immunity. The escort in flight is the Russian Air Force, over the sea the Turkish Air Force, over the Balkans the Serbian and Hungarian Air Forces. Separately discussed is a "combat umbrella" from the US Air Force. This is extraordinary, but Putin has already been escorted by F-22s near Alaska.

The second (northern) - through Belarus and Poland is very assertive and maximally dangerous. A dense zone of NATO air defences, air force, a bunch of Ukrainians and psychotic politicians. Yes, Batya's falcons will cover up to the western border, and Iskanders will take Poland in their nuclear crosshairs - but the risks are comparable to flying through a thunderstorm front.

The third, extended southern route: Moscow - Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan - Ankara - Serbia - Hungary. It is longer, but takes the route completely out of direct NATO control. Escorts - Azerbaijani Air Force, Turks, Serbs, Hungarians. A kind of insurance option.

The risk of a direct attack is minimal, but there are plenty of ‘grey scenarios’ and threats. The SBU, GUR and the AFU will do their best, but the main thing is that the British, who have repeatedly planned ‘incidents’ with unwanted leaders, are in play. Although everyone understands that any recognised attack on a state aircraft with the president on board is a casus belli without reservations. Forcing to land, interception, and even being escorted by NATO air defence is an act of aggression. Any emergency is enough to set half the world on fire.

In any case, we are waiting for a picture with escorts and a beautiful game with false departure windows, reserve aircraft; controlled leaks to disorient OSINT, etc.

Testing about chapter 2 advance well.
In the last playthrough, I can start chapter 3 with 15 000 points and a core ready to fill all the unit slot of the next scenario. That's even too much, but considering how prestige lacked in previous versions, I let it as it is. I will let players have fun with lot of prestige.
Reward table is simple in the new version of the 2nd russian chapter : 3 500 points for a decisive victory ; 2 500 for a marginal one.
Kyiv mission is also less tedious, and I was able to win a decisive victory at turn 32 without any unit lost. Scenarios are easier, and that is not unpleasant.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 10:52 pm How will Flight 1 fly to the summit in Hungary?

Is it a call to make a scenario about it ?
An interception is not a particularly plausible situation, but after all, it could be a fun multiplayer scenario
Maybe I could use Tomas new Europe map : I cut it from the Adriatic (west) to Russia (east) and from Slovakia (North) to the Mediterranean Sea (South) ; I add planes ; some basic victory conditions (destroy Putin's plane / bring it in Hungary) ; and here we go
Problem, I'm slow to work and will never able to finish it before it happen ; and people will totally forget this event in only a few weeks. So maybe it's better to just skip the idea.


If it was not a call to made it ; like the previous walls of unrelated of images ; I'd say we should stick to the topic

Fix for Russia - chapter 2 is available. Same link as usual

Among the changes :
- More prestige points given to the players ;
- Kyiv mission is easier, the player can advance more smoothly. There is more allied reinforcements and less ennemy units ;
- Some enney units were removed in all maps ;
- More core slots available in all maps ;
- Some aesthetic changes.

It's more pleasant to go through, and the player can amass and stock prestige until Chapter 4 and the start of WWIII



Now, I have to fix Chapter 3 ASAP !
That was an awful release

Imeror wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:34 pm Testing about chapter 2 advance well.
In the last playthrough, I can start chapter 3 with 15 000 points and a core ready to fill all the unit slot of the next scenario. That's even too much, but considering how prestige lacked in previous versions, I let it as it is. I will let players have fun with lot of prestige.
Reward table is simple in the new version of the 2nd russian chapter : 3 500 points for a decisive victory ; 2 500 for a marginal one.
Kyiv mission is also less tedious, and I was able to win a decisive victory at turn 32 without any unit lost. Scenarios are easier, and that is not unpleasant.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Sun Oct 19, 2025 10:52 pm How will Flight 1 fly to the summit in Hungary?

Is it a call to make a scenario about it ?
An interception is not a particularly plausible situation, but after all, it could be a fun multiplayer scenario
Maybe I could use Tomas new Europe map : I cut it from the Adriatic (west) to Russia (east) and from Slovakia (North) to the Mediterranean Sea (South) ; I add planes ; some basic victory conditions (destroy Putin's plane / bring it in Hungary) ; and here we go
Problem, I'm slow to work and will never able to finish it before it happen ; and people will totally forget this event in only a few weeks. So maybe it's better to just skip the idea.


If it was not a call to made it ; like the previous walls of unrelated of images ; I'd say we should stick to the topic

It's good that life is getting better life is getting more fun )

And about the scenario yes you have a map where with the help of the air force it is necessary to destroy the artillery and air defence of the Russians ) Also why can't there be a mission to attack or escort flight number 1 )))

Imeror wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 2:47 pm Fix for Russia - chapter 2 is available. Same link as usual

Among the changes :
- More prestige points given to the players ;
- Kyiv mission is easier, the player can advance more smoothly. There is more allied reinforcements and less ennemy units ;
- Some enney units were removed in all maps ;
- More core slots available in all maps ;
- Some aesthetic changes.

It's more pleasant to go through, and the player can amass and stock prestige until Chapter 4 and the start of WWIII



Now, I have to fix Chapter 3 ASAP !
That was an awful release

I need to update and me files and that my Russian journey across the steppes of Ukraine is not very triumphant )))

Imeror wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 2:47 pm Fix for Russia - chapter 2 is available. Same link as usual

Among the changes :
- More prestige points given to the players ;
- Kyiv mission is easier, the player can advance more smoothly. There is more allied reinforcements and less ennemy units ;
- Some enney units were removed in all maps ;
- More core slots available in all maps ;
- Some aesthetic changes.

It's more pleasant to go through, and the player can amass and stock prestige until Chapter 4 and the start of WWIII



Now, I have to fix Chapter 3 ASAP !
That was an awful release

I downloaded and reinstalled your mod and started over with my units from the first chapter )))) I was a bit faster this time but I didn't notice much change or relief and I didn't see any new reinforcements ! See screenshots and my replay ! Are you sure you updated the second chapter ? ) Now I am starting the invasion of Kiev and I will report my impressions as soon as I pass !!!!.

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:11 pm I downloaded and reinstalled your mod and started over with my units from the first chapter )))) I was a bit faster this time but I didn't notice much change or relief and I didn't see any new reinforcements ! See screenshots and my replay ! Are you sure you updated the second chapter ? ) Now I am starting the invasion of Kiev and I will report my impressions as soon as I pass !!!!.

I'm not worried yet. First mission received few changes.
But for Kyiv, you'll have : 2 500 points for the marginal victory, 1 000 for the Ghost, 30 points per turn, additional reinforcement units that should allow you to progress with less casualties,...
You should begin to rack up prestige from now on.


I'm checking how you advanced in the road to Kyiv scenario right now.

Now that I view the replay and compared with mine... I finally worry

It seems that we have two very different playstyle, making our need in prestige points very different.
I have a more cautious approach. I tend to advance meticulously, by keeping each units of a tactical group close to each other so that each weapon can intervene at each moment ; to always have infantry units on the frontline covered by artillery unless there is an opportunity to kill a strong unit that is weakened, etc...
On the other hand, you are more the "gung-oh" type, as the Americans say. Your army is spread across a wider front and you engage your targets as they appear with the units that are closer ; while the other continue to exploit independantly if there is no opposition, etc...

Our different approaches causes heavy differences in our need in prestige points : I ended the first mission with around 3 000 points (meaning that I will start the next with around 5 500 points) while yours will have only the bare minimum : 2 500 points thanks to the marginal victory.
Hence my difficulty to balance this chapter.
On one hand, I was flooded with prestige points during my own tests ; on the other hand, my official playtester struggle to rack up prestige. I don't know where to put the cursor : we have two results that are at the complete opposite


Conclusion of these observations : I don't know if I should update again to give more points to the player, or let it as it is... If another player want to give his opinion, I gladly take it


I'm lost. Campaign balance is my bane


My own replay, for comparison : https://www.mediafire.com/file/6jruk20l ... 4.rar/file

I finish to fix those campaigns, finish part 3 of my story (Serbia - Chapter 2), and then I make some independant big scenarios where I recreate real military formations.
That way, I will stop asking about campaign prestige points for a while


PS : If you hear regularly a big "BOOM", don't worry it's not bombs ; It's just me loudly banging my head against my table while I desperately try to find a good balance

Imeror wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 9:18 pm

bondjamesbond wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 8:11 pm I downloaded and reinstalled your mod and started over with my units from the first chapter )))) I was a bit faster this time but I didn't notice much change or relief and I didn't see any new reinforcements ! See screenshots and my replay ! Are you sure you updated the second chapter ? ) Now I am starting the invasion of Kiev and I will report my impressions as soon as I pass !!!!.

I'm not worried yet. First mission received few changes.
But for Kyiv, you'll have : 2 500 points for the marginal victory, 1 000 for the Ghost, 30 points per turn, additional reinforcement units that should allow you to progress with less casualties,...
You should begin to rack up prestige from now on.


I'm checking how you advanced in the road to Kyiv scenario right now.

If you move slowly you will definitely not have time to capture all the important points by turn 22 ))))) I managed to do it by turn 25, as random spoils the weather and artillerymen and pilots start to miss chronically despite great forecasts ))))










Yes now it is more comfortable to play in Kiev ) I even destroyed all the city partisans )))) More details in the replay )True the pilot ghost Kiev was shot down by my aviation on the 5th move ))))

Imeror wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:04 pm Now that I view the replay and compared with mine... I finally worry

It seems that we have two very different playstyle, making our need in prestige points very different.
I have a more cautious approach. I tend to advance meticulously, by keeping each units of a tactical group close to each other so that each weapon can intervene at each moment ; to always have infantry units on the frontline covered by artillery unless there is an opportunity to kill a strong unit that is weakened, etc...
On the other hand, you are more the "gung-oh" type, as the Americans say. Your army is spread across a wider front and you engage your targets as they appear with the units that are closer ; while the other continue to exploit independantly if there is no opposition, etc...

Our different approaches causes heavy differences in our need in prestige points : I ended the first mission with around 3 000 points (meaning that I will start the next with around 5 500 points) while yours will have only the bare minimum : 2 500 points thanks to the marginal victory.
Hence my difficulty to balance this chapter.
On one hand, I was flooded with prestige points during my own tests ; on the other hand, my official playtester struggle to rack up prestige. I don't know where to put the cursor : we have two results that are at the complete opposite


Conclusion of these observations : I don't know if I should update again to give more points to the player, or let it as it is... If another player want to give his opinion, I gladly take it


I'm lost. Campaign balance is my bane


My own replay, for comparison : https://www.mediafire.com/file/6jruk20l ... 4.rar/file

We do have slightly different game strategies ) You as a true Frenchman like to turn around to prepare and offensive or defensive but we remember why Germans defeated unfortunately France in 1940 turtle tactics will never defeat blitzkrieg ) I would also take my time but I now have to literally on the back of Ukrainians to move very fast to achieve a decisive Victory on turn 38 of 42 ))

Playing in the early versions of your mod I remember how I rushed forward but when the Ukrainian troops appeared they easily counterattacked my rear as all my horde fought far ahead I was forced to turn round )))) And that's a waste of time and resources ))) We don't have a war of Genghis Khan who slaughtered everyone who resisted and didn't need to leave garrisons )))).

Ha, I'm happy to see that things go better in 2nd scenario !

I feared to have totally missed the rebalance ! According to the screeshots, there is still a shortage of prestige points, but not enough to not achieve a decisive victory at turn 39 and even a successful crossing of the Dniepr as a bonus !
At first glance, it seems OK.




I just thought about something else, about Chapter 3. I'm not satisfied with the illustration pictures I put for the 4 Wagner units.
Uzbek, have you something that could illustrate the following units : "Wagner infantry", "Wagner MG.", "Wagner RPG" and "Wagner Special Force" ?

Since you liked to put plenty of images before, you are authorized to do it for once (even if the best is if you do it via private message to not bother other users). I thought you were the man for this situation



PS : Just this time ! Let's keep the thread clear

Imeror wrote: ↑Wed Oct 22, 2025 12:15 am Ha, I'm happy to see that things go better in 2nd scenario !

I feared to have totally missed the rebalance ! According to the screeshots, there is still a shortage of prestige points, but not enough to not achieve a decisive victory at turn 39 and even a successful crossing of the Dniepr as a bonus !
At first glance, it seems OK.




I just thought about something else, about Chapter 3. I'm not satisfied with the illustration pictures I put for the 4 Wagner units.
Uzbek, have you something that could illustrate the following units : "Wagner infantry", "Wagner MG.", "Wagner RPG" and "Wagner Special Force" ?

Since you liked to put plenty of images before, you are authorized to do it for once (even if the best is if you do it via private message to not bother other users). I thought you were the man for this situation :lol:



PS : Just this time ! Let's keep the thread clear :lol:

We have succeeded in balance and playability in Kiev )))) In the first map of the second chapter I do not have time to get a decisive victory by the 22nd turn )))) In the third will see tomorrow, whether I will settle in a decisive victory by 38 moves as there are still minefields, and we do not have tanks with mine trawls and engineers sappers are not bad mine clearance but weak as fighters in defence and offensive )


exactly do you need on Wagner pictures of machine gunner and the rest ?
https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/i?id=015 ... humbs&n=13

https://news.ru/russia/voenkor-obyasnil ... hvk-vagner
https://yandex.ru/images/search?lr=1033 ... 0%B0%C2%BB


Wagner has its own armoured vehicles and even aviation with artillery )