Slitherine

Things to be aware of:
Designed as the 'easier' branch of the campaign, this is a fairly typical scenario. Mostly the Italians shouldnt put up too much of a fight, but they might be padded with better units or more British if this scenario is TOO easy.

9) Catanzaro – beta 1

Level: Field Marshal
Prestige - Begin: 1,575. End: 2,925. Net: +1,350.
Result: DV at 16/17
Replacements: None.

Core changes: Upgraded two Bf109s to FW190s.

Problems: None noted.

General impressions/comments:

• · Fine scenario, time and turns seem OK.
  · Did not capture far SW city and airfield, all others taken.
  · Would be good and accurate to have one, or better two Italian capture pieces from the scenario – historically this is correct. A P26/40, a 90mm TD/SPG, artillery piece, or 90mm AA. Or better yet, a Veltro. These were all used and welcomed by the Wehrmacht.

General level. Starting Prestige 784, ending 1066.

As mentioned the Italians weren't too tough. The 26/40 tanks cause some damage and the Alpini are tough to kill. The British coming to their aid are their usual tough selves. Their air power is very bothersome (just like in the war). I was able to overcome these challenges and get the DV on 17/17 after doing a bit of prestige farming. No issues with game play. I don't have any Italians in my core, so I didn't have any issues there.

Beta2:
This scenario wasn't changed to Beta1 so I agree the former posts: after (Messina and) Etna North a real pleasure to attack a underdog opponent. And prestige to earn!!! I spend all my prestige to refit the existing units no prestige left to upgrade or purchase a unit. I would not change anything for the release version.

Catanzaro
Beta 2
General level
Non-Imported Core
Ending prestige 1000
Decisive Victory on 15//17

This was an enjoyable and unique scenario, it is not every day that I get to fight Italian units. Their P-26s put up a decent fight but otherwise they weren't too tough. Still, the British airforce was powerful and capturing all the objective hexes in time was reasonably challenging. It was noticeably easier than the Salerno path though. I wouldn't recommend any significant changes to this one.

One thing I noticed on this one though is that the briefing says to keep an eye on your former Italian units but I didn't see any of them at all, are we supposed to be able to deploy them? If so, this part of the scenario is bugged.

That warning is there in case the player manually purchased Italian CORE units in the previous scenarios. So far it seems like no one has though.

Woah, you can purchase Italian core units??! *Mind blown*

I seriously had no clue, I don't know how I overlooked that.

Nope nevermind, you cannot buy Italian units into your CORE because the scenarios aren't set up for it. I knew I did that for a reason.

Catanzaro – beta 2, stock core

Field Marshal, DV at 15/17
Begin pp: 1,250 End: 1,875. Net: +425.

Problems: None noted.

New Observations:

• Finally adjusted my play to anticipate the 3 spotting for the LRDG UK motorized infantry. Having three spotting when they are being used as line infantry really upsets the air and artillery game. Once I adjusted positioning to anticipate these, it went more smoothly.
• I played it once with stock core in Beta 1, DV very costly. Much better with beta 2 stock core, and prestige to feed them now.

Suggestions: None. Seems good!

beta 3 - Colonel, DV 17/17

prestige deploy fase/after reinforcing/last turn: 2858/1086/1406

Nice scenario, the Italians are not too tough, but the other Allies can cause problems if you're not careful. In the beginning I had to spread my forces a bit, but near Pizzo I could link up again, the wooded area there is a nice battleground for infantry. Managed to capture almost the whole map because I was very fast in the beginning, but that early succes cost me time and prestige later when I had to reinforce a couple of units on the road to Pizzo.

It's nice that the airfields are relatively far apart so that the player is forced to capture airfields to keep his air units easily supplied.

Beta3 - imported core - Colonel level.
As written above: a nice and enjoyable scenario only to have fun. The allied units are harmless and not really a threat.
I would not change anything for the release version.