Slitherine

Please post here your comments about this scenario.

Note: This scenario not available with BETA1.

9) Colmar Pocket – beta 2

Level: Field Marshal, stock/game corps
Prestige - Begin: 3,675. End: 4,050. Net: +375
Result: DV 16/21

Problems:

• • None noted.

General impressions/comments:

• • Decently interesting scenario. I deployed tightly around Colmar to give mutual support, about five fewer units than maximum as the space allowed. I ignored the outlying hexes initially, left them to their fate. It worked well to meet the initial Allied rush on my terms where I was concentrated, and to defeat it quickly.
  • Orders appeared to be triggered when moving out and retaking those earlier-ignored nearby victory hexes. I grabbed two or maybe three on the same turn, so I don't know if the trigger was one or a combination of them. I got the revised orders, and retreated quickly and orderly. Clear instructions, it went smoothly to finish with no drama.

Colmar Pocket, beta2

Colonel, Imported Core, DV 10/21

Prestige before/after deployment: 10132/7209
Prestige on last turn/incl. victory bonus: 7235/10335

I managed to stop the intial Allied attack, but stayed around my objectives, picking off everything close by. On turn 6 I received a message to evac 20 core ground units. I have a lot of aircraft and some of my slower units were positioned west, so I decided against a slow fighting withdrawal and raced everything that had a chance of making it quickly across the bridge. Only left behind a small screening group with Elefant etc, and my (still on foot) paratroopers. But still no casualties, but one more turn and core losses would have been inevitable.

I have a few remarks/questions about the victory conditions (VC). Long story, sorry about that. They worked fine, but the message containing the changed VC mentioned I needed to evac the units before losing all Victory Hexes (victory hex=VHex), and I wasn't sure exactly what that is supposed to mean. The confusion comes from the fact that there are now four extra VHex on the East bank, so does the stated VC include those new ones as well? When I got the message I initially thought I would need to keep control over at least one VHex on the West bank until I had enough units across, until I saw the new VHexes, and I assume it might confuse others as well.


So I took a peek in the editor afterwards, and now I am a bit puzzled. Assuming I deciphered the conditions right, I just have to keep control over at least three VHex for a marginal victory (MV), so the Allied could take over a VHex on the East bank and it would still be a MV, since after the change in conditions there are four VHex on East river bank.

And for a DV the Allied could take over every VHex except one, so if a player evacuates enough units but the Allies practically take over the East bank, it's still a DV? And yes, that will be a very hypothetical situation, but it just seemed strange to me. And even more so when the VC seem to better suit the VHex situation before the extra ones were added, that is, keep control over one (West bank) VHex and evac enough units. I don't know if I'm correct about all this, but maybe the VC need to be changed a little? If I'm wrong, my apologies. But apart from the actual VC, the message should be bit clearer about wether the 'new' VHex are included in the stated VC or just the ones on the West bank.

I don't know if a MV is even supposed to be easier here than a DV. Since the previous Western front DLC, where Italian evac scenarios had virtually impossible MV's I sort of assume that that could be the case here as well?

Just before starting the scenario I have a little map observation: Near Neuf-Brisach on the other Rhine side the german city Breisach am Rhein is missing. Perhaps it could be located at hex (27, 15). Also missing is Neuenburg am Rhein which could be located at hex (27, 26).

Beta2 - Colonel level - Imported core - DV at turn 16

First I had a feeling like Minsk 44, later I remebered Messina. My core forces are to tough for the AI but while I'm playing on Colonel this is alright. Managed to nearly clear the map even though 20 core units crossed the Rhine (AA/AD, recon, paratroopers). Left all tanks and artillery on the western side of the Rhine to attack the AI-forces. I had to defend Colmar because I deployed a railroad gun because the was no chance to transport it on the right Rhine-side.
Maybe it was a little bit to easy, I'll have to raise the difficulty level the next time.