Difficulty Help Please

[bladebarrier]

Hello all,

I'm pretty new to strategy games, or at least I haven't really played them much since way back when Harpoon originally came out.

I picked up Panzer Corps and enjoyed the tutorial missions so much that I grabbed all of the DLC's for it, so that I could start playing the extended campaign. Aside from the basic learning curve, I was able to get through the tutorial missions with all decisive victories.

I just started the first non-tutorial match, and I'm getting clobbered in the very first scenario ('39 grand campaign). I wasn't sure if it's just tactics I need to work on or if the game is just naturally difficult for beginners. So far I've tried 4 times, and while I can get sort of close to winning, I just don't have enough turns to do it without getting sloppy and losing lots of forces very quickly.

I'd consider turning down the difficulty (it's on the middle/default setting now), but I'm afraid that once I start getting better It could end up being way too easy.

Any suggestions? Is there a place where maybe I could find some spoilers so I know what I'm doing wrong, or is the first mission really just that hard for beginners unless you turn down the difficulty setting?

Thank you!

-bb

[VPaulus]

Hi, welcome.
Deducter has been creating some great AAR tutorial videos.
I would begin with one or two videos from the 39 campaign, at least until you understand better some of the game mechanics.
viewtopic.php?f=145&t=32405

[bladebarrier]

Hi, welcome.
Deducter has been creating some great AAR tutorial videos.
I would begin with one or two videos from the 39 campaign, at least until you understand better some of the game mechanics.
viewtopic.php?f=145&t=32405

Very good. Thank you for linking that. I can already spot some of my major mistakes.

Much appreciated,

--bb

[boredatwork]

Because of the way the current campaign is structured, ironically and unintentionally the first missions are IMO the most challenging. Once you get past them, because resources saved in one scenario are available to make the next scenario easier, thus saving yet more resources to make each subsequent scenario easier, you'll find the difficulty is lowered somewhat.

Don't be afraid to lower the difficulty for GC39 to get you past that initial hurdle. Between each GC you're given the option to change difficulty so if you start finding the last scenarios on GC39 getting too easy you can raise it back up when you continue on to GC40.

[Vaughn]

When I was learning the game I kept it on medium difficulty, but I had supply, and fog of war turned off. Once I learned the capabilities of mine and my enemies units I just turned them back on. Worked for me.

[Kerensky]

Because of the way the current campaign is structured, ironically and unintentionally the first missions are IMO the most challenging. Once you get past them, because resources saved in one scenario are available to make the next scenario easier, thus saving yet more resources to make each subsequent scenario easier, you'll find the difficulty is lowered somewhat.

Don't be afraid to lower the difficulty for GC39 to get you past that initial hurdle. Between each GC you're given the option to change difficulty so if you start finding the last scenarios on GC39 getting too easy you can raise it back up when you continue on to GC40.

Yes this is sort of true, but it's more of a result of not being familiar with the campaign than actual scenario difficulty. We intentionally undertune the starting scenarios of each DLC slightly. Still, it takes a little bit to get the hang of, least of all because of the new kinds of objectives you are encountering.

[Bonners]

Hello from another inexperienced player. I too struggled with the '39 campaign first time around and never seemed to get back on top of things. Took the decision a while back to play all the way through the DLCs in a kind of cheat, but not cheating mode. I replayed '39 on the easiest difficult level. Then when I got to the '40 DLC I changed the difficulty level to medium (third one up) and imported the core from the '39 play through at the easiest level. In other words I've got some experienced units and a bit of prestige built up to help me if I get into difficulties. I consider it about level 2 and a bit. Once I've finished this play through (working my way through '44 now) I'm tempted to go back and try a level up, i.e. do '39 on the second difficulty level and then import that core to play on the 4th difficulty level.

[Kerensky]

Hello from another inexperienced player. I too struggled with the '39 campaign first time around and never seemed to get back on top of things. Took the decision a while back to play all the way through the DLCs in a kind of cheat, but not cheating mode. I replayed '39 on the easiest difficult level. Then when I got to the '40 DLC I changed the difficulty level to medium (third one up) and imported the core from the '39 play through at the easiest level. In other words I've got some experienced units and a bit of prestige built up to help me if I get into difficulties. I consider it about level 2 and a bit. Once I've finished this play through (working my way through '44 now) I'm tempted to go back and try a level up, i.e. do '39 on the second difficulty level and then import that core to play on the 4th difficulty level.

And that's a good mind set to have, making great use of the flexibility of the difficulty settings offered. Especially since each DLC campaign can be started on any difficulty setting, moving the difficulty up or down (but still saving your CORE) as you see fit.

[Bonners]

Another tip whilst I remember, when I started up I had a good read through the tricks and tips (both threads) and the common questions threads at the top of this forum, there is a lot of good stuff in there that'll help you make silly muck ups.

For instance, when I first played my panzer grenadiers spent their whole lives charging up to the front lines then being shot up whilst still sat in their trucks/half tracks.

[soldier]

Some things to keep in mind.
Strategy
Check the strategic map before you start so you can plan your advance and then try to deploy your forces accordingly (note the terrain you will face). Generally you'll try to set up 2 independant groups (kampfgruppes ) with armour, infantry and mobile artillery support. 1 group might be busier than the other so strenghten them accordingly and decide wether you will be diverting units to pick up non crucial towns that are out of the way (prestige hunting). Try to maintain organisation and supply in your groups before you approach the last objectives (sometimes the toughest challenge is at the end when your weakest).
Tactics
Its always nice to strike hard and fast and then keep moving forward but in the DLC's sometimes caution is also necessary. Use recon units before you advance to spot nasty surprises before they spot you. When attacking a tough position or tank force use your artillery and airforce before you strike. Be careful hitting entrenched positions before your ready, sometimes you might have to set up your assault first and attack next turn.
Its also very important to leave your groups set up for the counter attack when you end turn. Keep defensive artillery behind your front, troops in close terrain and withdraw or reinforce weak units. No point taking a town just to lose it next turn or wreck your army. If your successful its time to mop up decisively and effectively, then move on.
Finally, know your units and your enemies. Check their stats (soft attack, hard attack and defense) and use the right units for the right job. Use terrain to your advantage and don't forget about the weather.

Theres a bit of reading there but i think some of those points will help... good luck with your blitzkrieg

[robman]

Soldier's advice is excellent. I would add three more: (1) Try not to leave any individual units at the front "alone," i.e., with no friendly units adjacent to them, because the AI is likely to surround and destroy them; (2) whenever possible, leave a line of retreat (one hex is usually sufficient) for units at the front, especially those if they are not backed by artillery; and (3) watch your artillery's ammo--it's better to not shoot and resupply during your turn than to have no ammo for defensive fire during the enemy's turn. And remember that artillery can shoot defensively more than once during the enemy turn, so one round may not be enough.

[fliegenderstaub]

Indeed the 39 DLC ist tricky at start. The other posts still cover nearly all measures to be taken.

But one little advice from me (seems to be obvious, but who knows ): At the start of the first scenario you have still some "Kernfelder" core slots left (i.e. four) to fill. So I usually buy a 10,5 cm artillery, a cavallry, an 8,8 cm Flak and another unit, an engineer for example, which eases city fight a lot (these are just my choices, Panzer Corps leaves a lot of room for experiments). You place these units on the board and from turn two on they are available for action. Of course that uses up lot of your prestige, but with a careful advance you will be able to win a deceisive victory for time is seldom a problem during DLC-scenarios contrary to the original campaign.

[Kerensky]

And of course, this thread is packed full of tips on the DLC campaigns.

viewtopic.php?f=121&t=29134

[Tima]

I've mentioned this elsewhere but I'll do it again because I think some gamers don't realize that Panzer Corp and the original Panzer General are and were so great to play because detail was given to how each piece of equipment and groupings of soldiers react and perform according to historical recollection. Thus I will stress that you should take the time (hopefully your interested) in learning the way WWII played out. People seem to be having trouble with DLC 39 but I found it the easier(not to boast) of the DLC's because I knew the strenghs and weaknesses of the German forces at that point in the war. For example, German air power was better both technically and tactically. They had the best equipment for the methods they were using.
In the Polish and Norwegian Campaigns German fighters were supreme. The Stuka and BF110 were perfect for destroying disorganized armor and equipment quickly so that their weak Panzers could get behind the enemy and destroy defensive artillery or AAA. Germany spearheaded paratroop use early in the war, so a good amount of paratroops can get deep into enemy territory and capture airfields or get next to key cities before enemy equipment can be purchased. But remember that as soon as you get to DLC 40 things change so you'll have to read up or watch the history channel for awhile to get up to speed. The great thing is you can retry the campaign a million times with different combinations, making replay perfect reason for getting all the DLCs.

[McRoos]

Hello all,

I'm pretty new to strategy games, or at least I haven't really played them much since way back when Harpoon originally came out.
I picked up Panzer Corps and enjoyed the tutorial missions so much that I grabbed all of the DLC's for it, so that I could start playing the extended campaign. Aside from the basic learning curve, I was able to get through the tutorial missions with all decisive victories.

I just started the first non-tutorial match, and I'm getting clobbered in the very first scenario ('39 grand campaign). I wasn't sure if it's just tactics I need to work on or if the game is just naturally difficult for beginners. So far I've tried 4 times, and while I can get sort of close to winning, I just don't have enough turns to do it without getting sloppy and losing lots of forces very quickly.
I'd consider turning down the difficulty (it's on the middle/default setting now), but I'm afraid that once I start getting better It could end up being way too easy.
Any suggestions? Is there a place where maybe I could find some spoilers so I know what I'm doing wrong, or is the first mission really just that hard for beginners unless you turn down the difficulty setting?

Thank you!

-bb

BB;
Being new to somthing means that you have no experience.
Take some time in learning the game by playing a couple of scenario's and find out what happens.
Don't bother to fail, just learn.

When you feel comfortable with the way things work, start your campaign.
Now, operations are clear and tactics come into play.
What is the mission and what are your goals?
Many players (me included) sometimes don't score a major victory, or loose a scenario because they focus on too many objectives!!
Wrong bet !
You can win a war while loosing some battles.
The Russians have some experience whith that.

So, now you know the basics, all that rests is Good luck !!

Oh, In addition to that; it might help if one has any knowledge about combined arms warfare.

[Wings]

I just started the first non-tutorial match, and I'm getting clobbered in the very first scenario ('39 grand campaign).

Why don't get your feet wet first with the campaigns of the original game, instead of just jumping straight into GC39? It's a bit asking for trouble is you ask me.

Thus I will stress that you should take the time (hopefully your interested) in learning the way WWII played out. People seem to be having trouble with DLC 39 but I found it the easier(not to boast) of the DLC's because I knew the strenghs and weaknesses of the German forces at that point in the war. For example, German air power was better both technically and tactically. They had the best equipment for the methods they were using.

There is no need to learn how WWII played out, it also takes the fun out of it. There is much more fun in observing the actual game play and adjusting your tactics and strategy accordingly, even if it means a replay. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[bladebarrier]

Thank you all for the tips. They've helped a lot, and I've been able to settle in better because of them

[Ballacraine]

Hi there,

I am a newcomer to this game, but have played all iterations of Panzer General, Allied General & Pacific General to death back in the day.

What the developers have done here is great & very enjoyable for seasoned players.

I do feel though that the tweaked difficulty of the GCs may discourage newcomers.

Would it be possible to market them at the same settings as the base game?

I think that would make it more accessible for them & make it more likely they would by follow-up DLC GCs.

An ahistorical butt-kicking at early doors may discourage them from buying the later campaigns?

Just a thought.

Balla.

[Ballacraine]

Bumped just in case the feedback was missed.