Slitherine

I am finally ready to present my first big Panzer Corps project on Youtube. I want to show all bonus difficulties starting with the Wehrmacht Campaign. I can not garuantee victory, but we will see how far we can get! You can expect

• Rommel: Full live commentary with lots of explanations and historic backgrounds
• Guderian: Replay mode with discussion of tactics and much shorter videos
• Manstein: This is my favorite. Replay mode as well and review of tactics, because of the fierce resistance the AI can put up on this level.

Moreover I will provide short after action reports here and keep track of unit efficiency using the method discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=121&t=52813

Feedback and tips are very welcome, this is my first Let's Play.

• Fall Weiß - Poland: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Weserübung - Norway: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Fall Gelb - Low Countries: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Fall Rot - France: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Sealion - England: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Barbarossa: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Kiev Encirclement: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Typhoon - Moscow 1941: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Fall Blau - Stalingrad: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Operation Citadel - Kursk: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• Moscow 1943: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• US East Coast: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• US Mid West: Rommel | Guderian | Manstein
• US West Coast: Meeting of High Command | Rommel | Guderian| Manstein

Pretty successful operation for all three generals!

• Rommel: Polish resistance concentrates on Warsaw and we try to force multiple surrenders by encircling the city. http://youtu.be/DfcNtqojICM
• Guderian: Blitzkrieg tactics are really put to the test and our green units get in trouble. Our Sturmpanzers fail miserable and are too slow. http://youtu.be/nYzSEkuXmno
• Manstein: Pure chaos. There is fighting all over the map while strong Polish tank forces invade Slovakia. Welcome to Manstein difficulty! http://youtu.be/AjSnrFF8oKQ
  

AAR - Efficiency.
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted.

1x Panzer IA >> 5,88 / 7,01 / 4,16 / 5,68
1x Panzer IB >> 5,12 / 5,08 / 7,09 / 5,76
3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 7,30 / 10,53 / 9,85 / 9,22
2x Wehrmacht Inf - Truck >> 5,68 / 6,89 / 6,59 / 6,39
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 5,59 / 10,66 / 3,46 / 6,57
1x Panzer IIC >> 9,62 / 11,72 / 5,01 / 8,78
3x 10.5 cm leFH 18 >> 9,05 / 7,22 / 6,24 / 7,50
1x Bf 109E >> 12,61 / 15,73 / 9,41 / 12,58
1x Bf 110C >> 3,32 / 4,56 / 4,96 / 4,28
1x Ju 87B >> 2,58 / 8,72 / 3,88 / 5,06
1x SdKfz 222 >> - / 4,11 / 1,68 / 2,90

The average of all three missions is quite balanced. Generally cheap infantry without trucks gives great value for your money. On Guderian efficiency was higher overall, because kills per turn naturally are higher while still beeing able to avoid big losses. Other story at Manstein. Much more kills there, but at high cost which drops efficiency to the bottom for many units. Let's hope this ratio gets better with experience, otherwise we will run out of prestige!

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 213,23 / 228,00 / 1,07
• Guderian: 207,79 / 193,00 / 0,93
• Manstein: 207,79 / 285,00 / 1,37

So we are well below the soft cap limit and do approx. one damage per prestige cost point. Manstein is higher obviously because there is more to kill.

Hello Braccada. I was watching your Rommel series of AARs up to the first part of the invasion of Low Countries so far. I really like them. Quite often the life AARs tend to drag on and become a but boring but so far your's aren't the case. I especially like the way you started explaining the basic game mechanics at the start. It should really help someone new to the game to understand the deeper mechanics in an easy and enjoyable way.

A few comments: You are often saying you aren't exactly sure what certain events, like for example rugger defense, exactly do. You can press the key "L" after a fight to see a detailed combat log. There you can easily see the effects of most of the special events and analyze the combat in depth.

You upgraded as well your artillery at the begin of Low Countries scenario to the 15cm version. There seems to be a consensus on the boards here, that especially on Rommel where prestige is really tight, it's better to stick to the 10cm artillery at least until the 17cm becomes available. You gain better attack values with the 15cm artillery but you lose Rate of Fire which leads to them being about same but the 10cm one is cheaper on reinforcement.

Well thanks for the feedback!

I explain the "L" key in the Low Countries video if I remember correctly. And especially in the first videos I have a hard time talking and concentrating at the same time. So sometimes I get unsure about facts while I try to explain them and rather say I am not sure. Don't want to spread confusion after all

Yeah and I did not know about the artillery RoF until this week. I should mention it in my next video, thanks for reminding me!

Guderian and Manstein take their time to maximize prestige while Rommel rushes to a decicive victory. Hmm...

• Rommel: Our landing operation meets little resistance and we try to keep the Admiral Hipper alive. http://youtu.be/bL5EKt4717g
• Guderian: Even Guderian needs a break sometimes. We go for a minor victory and take our time. http://youtu.be/fe2ZXLJtbrk
• Manstein: Manstein madness continues! I really begin to enjoy this difficulty setting. Epic sea battle with a much more historical outcome. http://youtu.be/cUYbZaJlJa4

AAR - Efficiency.
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength.

1x Panzer IA >> 2,75 / 6,47 / 2,86 / 4,03
1x Panzer IB >> 5,26 / 1,22 / 2,44 / 2,97
3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 2,18 / 3,02 / 4,25 / 3,15
2x Wehrmacht Inf - Truck >> 3,63 / 1,55 / 4,05 / 3,08
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 8,88 / 2,84 / 4,55* / 5,42
1x Panzer IIC >> 3,62 / 0,52 / 2,23 / 2,12
3x 10.5 cm leFH 18 >> 6,04 / 3,88* / 8,74** / 6,22
1-2x Bf 109E >> 1,02 / 1,17 / 1,53 / 1,18
1x Bf 110C >> 2,15 / 1,80 / 4,56 / 2,83
1x Ju 87B >> 0,46 / 2,26 / 1,03 / 1,25
1-2x Ju 88A >> 6,72 / 6,22 / 8,87 / 7,38
1x SdKfz 222 >> - / 9,85 / 2,77 / 6,31

The rough terrain in Norway drops the efficiency of our units drastically and therefore the Gebirgsjäger and the mobile scouts perform excellent! Because of the distances trucked infantry is actually better in Norway. Our Artillery did tons of damage and was the key to victory. Norwegian infantry has low ground devensive and is very susceptible to artillery. Top performer are the level bombers that excel in the naval battle!

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 244,79 / 150,00 / 0,61
• Guderian: 244,66 / 169,00 / 0,69
• Manstein: 255,91 / 384,00 / 1,50

Still our army composition is very cheap and interestingly we had to do more kills at Manstein than the other two combined.

Rommel should easily solve his task while Manstein has a real struggle ahead of him and Guderian has to beat the regular time limit by 14 Turns!

• Rommel: Are our forces able to cross the Meuse river in time? At least reinforcements arrive and we get supported by a very special scout car! http://youtu.be/p2BRGAkmLBk
• Guderian: 14 turns quicker? Ha. Easy. Guderian is on speed! http://youtu.be/RrizyjCpJcA
• Manstein: After two failed attempts Manstein developes the plan to destroy them all. Easy. And bad for the French super units. http://youtu.be/71c3varvSrs

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

2-3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 7,82 / 11,33* / 6,29** / 8,38
1-2x Wehrmacht Inf - Truck >> 5,89 / 7,40* / 2,80** / 5,26
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 8,95 / 4,81* / 2,32** / 5,36
1x SE-Infantry >> - / 15,41 / 6,38 / 10,89
1x Fallschirmjäger >> - / 6,22* / 6,46** / 6,34
1x Panzer IIC >> 12,13 / - / - / 12,13
3-4x Panzer IV >> 5,35 / 6,42* / 4,20* / 5,21
1x SE Panzer IIF >> 3,91 / - / - / 3,91
1x Panzerjäger I >> - / 2,98 / - / 2,98
1x SdKfz 222 >> 7,02 / 5,47 / 11,39 / 7,96
1x 10.5 cm leFH 18 >> 6,13 / - / - / 6,13
3-4x 15 cm sFH 18 >> 5,44 / 5,80** / 5,00** / 5,41
3x Bf 109E >> 3,52 / 4,50 / 3,12 / 3,71
1x Bf 110D >> 3,13 / 5,07** / 4,38** / 4,19
1x Ju 87B >> 6,78 / 5,11* / 5,70* / 5,87
1-2x Ju 88A >> 0,84 / 1,63* / 1,91* / 1,59

Our experienced units encounter green units which drastically increases efficiency across the board. Especially cheap units like scout cars and infantry without transports do really well. Another important aspect is, that one point of overstrength seems ok for front line units, but two points drop efficiency. On Manstein the number of kills was extremly high, but the 2-point-overstrength is simply too expensive. However I do not see a way to avoid this on Manstein.

Finally as expected the smaller artillery was more efficient, our Luftwaffe and the artillery did a fine job and the ATs... well, their job is to build up experience.

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 262,55 / 426,00 / 1,62
• Guderian: 326,70 / 439,00 / 1,34
• Manstein: 361,75 / 618,00 / 1,71

Rommel stays on the cheap side and is pretty efficient, but our other two generals start two invest in overstrength and Manstein almost reaches the soft cap limit.

We try to finish the conquest of France and bring Fall Rot to a successful end. Success and challenge on this map very much depend on where the French decide to reinforce.

• Rommel:The French resistance is concentrated between the rivers Somme and Seine. But Rommel is confident to manage a quick breakthrough! http://youtu.be/hqQ57ODQQa8
• Guderian: The French reinforce at the worst possible locations and give Guderian quite a struggle against time. http://youtu.be/Gni7QZgZ22Q
• Manstein: Intense battle for Paris and time to shine for the Luftwaffe. http://youtu.be/o2gMmv0ZOio

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

2-3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 7,90 / 10,17* / 6,09** / 8,03
1-2x Wehrmacht Inf - Truck >> 4,79 / 5,68* / 5,95** / 5,61
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 11,31 / 12,74* / 7,40** / 10,48
1-2x SE-Infantry >> - / 11,30 / 5,09 / 7,16
1x Fallschirmjäger >> - / 4,42** / 7,50*** / 5,96
3-4x Panzer IV >> 9,37 / 8,51* / 4,94** / 7,53
1-2x SE Panzer III/IV >> 6,57 / 5,65 / - / 6,27
1-2x Panzerjäger I >> 2,44 / 5,39 / 3,60 / 4,20
1x SdKfz 222 >> 7,30 / 13,30* / 3,65** / 8,08
4x 15 cm sFH 18 >> 7,18 / 2,99** / 7,30** / 7,44
4x Bf 109E >> 5,91 / 4,50* / 6,19* / 5,03
1x Bf 110D >> 5,10 / 5,72** / 5,06*** / 5,29
1x Ju 87B >> 8,53 / 5,43** / 7,24** / 7,06
2x Ju 88A >> 1,64 / 1,24** / 2,48*** / 1,79

Our experienced core still encounters green units which once more drastically increases efficiency across the board. Extreme efficiency for our cheap units like scout cars and infantry without transports. Finally our Luftwaffe and the artillery did a great job and the Panzerjäger are still in the progess of gaining experience and I am curious if the will be able to be more efficient in the future. For now even their low cost does not justify their place in the core! Tanks at the moment absolutely dominate the battlefield.

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 277,35 / 647,00 / 2,33
• Guderian: 362,88 / 479,00 / 1,32
• Manstein: 402,92 / 827,00 / 2,05

Rommel's core is impressively cheap and efficient. His core is completly without overstrength and gets the job done. Manstein's overpowered core does enough kills to justify the costs, but the soft cap is going to be a problem soon. Guderian on the other hand has accumulated the most prestige so far. So even if his numbers are not that impressive, that is mainly because of the reduced turn count.

Are we able to successfully finish the war in the West? At leat Guderian and Manstein have quite a challange at their hands!

• Rommel: We brush aside the Royal Navy and under cover of the Luftwaffe our landing forces storm the beaches. Does the momentum last till London? http://youtu.be/rB3KCMPxObQ
• Guderian: Can Guderian make the impossible happen? Operation Sealion in ten turns will put his skills to the ultimate test. http://youtu.be/F4YTx2nE-XY
• Manstein: Brutal fight for Britain against overwhelming odds on Manstein difficulty and tension till the end. http://youtu.be/juuDJEz_9PA

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

0-3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 6,09 / - / 6,03** / 6,06
1-2x Wehrmacht Inf - Truck >> 6,51 / 4,22** / 5,09** / 5,03
1x Pionier - Truck >> 3,38 / - / - / 3,38
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 3,94 / 3,33* / 7,22** / 4,83
1-2x SE-Infantry >> 8,47 / 10,24* / 5,91* / 7,64
1-3x Fallschirmjäger >> - / 2,56** / 3,80*** / 2,87
3-4x Panzer IV >> 4,26 / 4,88** / 3,72** / 4,23
0-2x SE Panzer III/IV >> 3,09 / 7,81* / - / 5,45
1-2x Panzerjäger I >> 2,10 / 5,00* / 3,88 / 3,62
1x SdKfz 222 >> 6,64 / 10,22** / 3,82** / 6,89
4x 15 cm sFH 18 >> 2,85*** / 2,85** / 3,13*** / 2,94
1-2x StuG IIIB >> 0,64 / 4,43 / 2,63 / 2,95
4x Bf 109F >> 3,57 / 4,38* / 2,16** / 3,37
1x Bf 110D >> 2,06*** / 3,56*** / 4,33*** / 3,32
1x Ju 87R >> 2,52** / 2,36** / 4,48*** / 3,12
2x Ju 88A >> 4,22** / 6,72*** / 5,32**** / 5,42

Fighting the British is a lot harder than the French. Efficiency is dropping considerably as our losses are going up. Cheap units still do better, but would not be enough to break the resistance. Especially on Manstein the fghters almost are not up to the task.

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 344,90 / 476 / 1,38
• Guderian: 399,50 / 475 / 1,19
• Manstein: 438,59 / 744 / 1,70

Same picture here. It takes more prestige to score a kill, the English units are more experienced and quite digged in. So this mission is one of the more difficult for a reason!

Let's do a surprise attack on Russia. Should be easy, right? After destroying all those units in the first few turns, they cannot have much left!

• Rommel: Compared to the historical Wehrmacht, Rommel has a decent unit composition at his disposal. Nevertheless our prestige is still too low, to use all core slots: http://youtu.be/gndH05aCBqY
• Guderian: I have added some tips on how to beat the Barbarossa scenario really quickly. http://youtu.be/LWgdrW13BPQ
• Manstein: Not going for a dicisive victory here, so this should be fairly easy, but the Russian airforce will be a serious threat! http://youtu.be/rdc7drKLaGE

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

0-3x Wehrmacht Inf >> 5,42 / - / 5,19** / 5,31
1-2x Wehrmacht Inf - Transport >> 2,46 / 1,81* / 3,63** / 2,63
1x Pionier - Truck >> 5,37 / - / - / 5,37
1x Granadier - Halftrack >> - / 1,83* / - / 1,83
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 10,61 / 6,08* / 5,99** / 7,56
1-2x SE-Infantry >> 3,28 / 4,18* / 4,79* / 4,08
1-3x Fallschirmjäger >> - / 1,93 / 2,16** / 2,05
3-4x Panzer IVF >> 2,49 / 3,91* / 9,02** / 5,14
1-2x SE Panzer III/IV >> 1,96 / 3,57* / 5,56 / 3,70
1-2x Panzerjäger I >> 2,15 / 3,18* / 2,80* / 2,71
1x SdKfz 222 >> 0,95 / 5,82** / 3,17** / 3,31
4x 17 cm K 18 >> 3,88*** / 3,88** / 7,27*** / 5,01
2x Wurfrahmen 40 >> 5,14 / 2,96 / 8,92 / 5,67
1-2x StuG IIIB >> 0,46** / 5,09* / 7,41* / 4,32
4x Bf 109F >> 1,98* / 2,76* / 2,50** / 2,41
1x Bf 110D >> 2,83*** / 2,01*** / 2,69*** / 2,51
1x Ju 87R >> 1,44** / 2,96** / 2,75*** / 2,38
2x Ju 88A >> 0,78** / 1,18*** / 2,43**** / 1,46

Now this is unexpected. No it is not the tanks that dominate the Russian plains. Once again the infantry is best value - by far. 138 kills by the infantry compared to 154 by the armored forces that cost more than twice the prestige points. Both are dwarfed by the work done by the Luftwaffe which did 175 damage to the Russians, but almost at double prestige costs of the tanks. Artillery did 131 damage and a lot of suppression only the StuG is notoriously underperforming (all numbers taken from Rommel).

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 389,69 / 601 / 1,54
• Guderian: 439,17 / 695 / 1,58
• Manstein: 478,07 / 1094 / 2,29

Efficiency is rising again, the Russians in the opening stage clearly field more quantity than quality.

We are tasked with helping out Army Group South in their siege of Kiew. Our forces close the encirclement and start apply pressure on the Russian troops.

• Rommel: Operations run smoothly and our progress seems unstoppable. For the first time we have enough prestige to upgrade everything and fill all core spots: http://youtu.be/SOH4WTVb1GQ
• Guderian: This feels more like a commando operation. Total vision and go in with and do the job without losses (almost...): http://youtu.be/vJ0dMkxrk6k
• Manstein: This one needed two attempts. Our core forces do quite well, but Army Group South.. well see for yourself... http://youtu.be/DlpCDpXExeU

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

1-2x Wehrmacht Inf - Transport >> 6,63 / - / 3,78** / 5,21
1x Granadier - Halftrack >> - / 4,29* / - / 4,29
1x Gebirgsjäger >> 4,45 / 6,20* / - / 5,33
1-2x SE-Infantry >> 9,16 / 9,15* / 7,29* / 8,53
1-2x Panzer IVF >> 5,67 / 4,24** / 8,60** / 6,17
1-2x SE Panzer III/IV >> 1,07 / 5,68* / 7,26* / 4,67
1-2x Panzerjäger I >> 2,11 / 1,32* / 4,14* / 2,52
1x SdKfz 222 >> 10,39 / 8,52 / 7,62* / 8,84
3-4x 17 cm K 18 >> 2,86*** / 4,43*** / 6,93*** / 4,74
2x Wurfrahmen 40 >> 5,20 / 6,03 / 15,69* / 8,97
0-1x StuG IIIB >> - / 4,23** / 1,47** / 2,85
4x Bf 109F >> 2,01* / 2,76* / 3,04** / 2,60
1x Bf 110D >> 2,36*** / 4,73*** / 5,05*** / 4,05
1x Ju 87R >> 2,98** / 4,15*** / 6,65*** / 4,59

Things develope differently for the difficulty settings. On Manstein the importance of artillery (especially Wurfrahmen), bombers and heavy tanks is clearly visible while Rommel can rely more on his cheaper infantry. 20 strength Russian infantry however is best suppressed and then overrun by tanks.

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 410,78 / 508 / 1,24
• Guderian: 493,60 / 593 / 1,20
• Manstein: 518,87 / 936 / 1,80

Soft cap is now starting to be a real issue and even Rommel is over 400pp average unit value now!

Finally at the gates of Moscow Operation Typhoon is about to get unleashed. We are facing mud, rain, snow, major supply issues and Russian forces entrenched up to a level of nine!

• Rommel: Panzer II Flamm or not? Never tried it but it sure is tempting!: http://youtu.be/ILfoig2b7V0
• Guderian: Everything goes according to plan until the Russian forces surrounded in the Vyazma pocket simply refuse to surrender...: http://youtu.be/6DFPNWyZvcs
• Manstein: As all missions depending on non-core units this one will be extra difficult on Manstein. Expect a massive Russian counter attack in the end, that will put our ability to improvise to the test. http://youtu.be/0peyWWFSCw4

AAR - Efficiency
To keep it short the numbers are this order: Rommel, Guderian, Manstein and Average. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

1-4 x Wehrmacht Inf - Transport >> 5,29 / 1,39* / 3,33*** / 3,37
0-1 x Granadier - Halftrack >> 3,29 / 3,63* / - / 3,46
1 x Gebirgsjäger - (Transport) >> 5,99 / 11,87* / 4,27*** / 7,38
0-1 x Pioniere - Transport >> 3,74 / - / - / 3,74
0-3 x Fallschirmjäger >> - / 2,79** / 2,42*** / 2,61
1-2 x SE-Infantry - Transport >> 7,49 / 8,92* / 3,17** / 6,53
3-4 x Panzer IVF >> 3,58 / 4,21* / 4,35** / 4,05
1-2 x SE Panzer III/IV >> 2,79 / 4,37* / 2,76** / 3,31
1 x Panzer II Flamm >> 3,98 / 2,89 / 3,13 / 3,33
1-2 x Panzerjäger I >> 2,10 / 1,95* / 3,00** / 2,35
1 x SdKfz 222 >> 3,98 / 10,73 / 4,74** / 6,48
4 x 17 cm K 18 >> 4,32*** / 2,49*** / 3,55*** / 3,45
2 x Wurfrahmen 40 >> 7,13* / 5,37* / 5,66* / 6,05
1 x StuG IIIB >> 6,07** / 3,01** / 2,78*** / 3,95
4 x Bf 109F >> 2,14* / 2,69* / 2,27** / 2,37
1 x Bf 110F >> 1,68*** / 0,90*** / 2,23**** / 1,60
1 x Ju 87R >> 2,55*** / 2,96*** / 3,96**** / 3,16
2 x Ju 88A >> 0,64*** / 1,35*** / 1,21**** / 1,07

Our forces seem to be quite balanced at the moment. Our main unit types rate between 2 and 4 and the Luftwaffe mainly suffers from its very high prestige costs. But we absolutely need them to deal with the heavy russian tanks and they do a great job at reducing entrenchment levels!

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 423,17 / 844 / 1,99
• Guderian: 471,48 / 764 / 1,62
• Manstein: 571,37 / 1283 / 2,25

Soft cap is now starting to be a real issue and even Rommel is over 400pp average unit value now!

What happened to this great playthrough???
Braccada???
Braccada?

At the moment production is little bit slower, but don't worry Rommel has already taken Stalingrad

I am playing a blind playthrough of the Grand Campaign, but trying to do a well planned out playthrough of the normal campaign. I watched your attack of England 40. Simply brilliant.
I was not as successful on Field Marshall difficulty.
I am not going to get a decisive victory but a moderate victory.
Would it be better for me to get a loss so I can fight in Greece?
Let me know because I could just back out of everything I have taken and just defend.
Thanks~!

Thanks! And well that depends if you want to win in the end. If so decisive at Sealion 40 is the better option. It is even harder to beat England later. If not I think going via Greece is better, because you get more exp and prestige. You should land at Barbarossa after Greece regardless of the outcome.

In this campaign often a loss or MV provides you with more prestige, I guess to support players that are struggling. Going for decisive all the time gets more and more difficult, because you will take more losses and get less replacements (prestige). But on the other hand to truly beat the game decisive all the time is the way to go

Operation Fall Blau has been approved by high command and our battle hardend troops stand ready to storm forward to the Wolga!

• Rommel: We run into some nasty surprises in the form of Russian KV-1 tanks. Good thing we have Stugs now... https://youtu.be/i70-eu8G--8
• Guderian: I hope we can make good use of our Fallschirmjägers in the south and this time we are extra careful and prepare for Russian counterattacks... https://youtu.be/GDxCPjVcjr0
• Manstein: 20-strenght-conspripts and overall very strong Russian units at that period of the conflict put extrem strain on our equipement... https://youtu.be/U5fS92sspdI

AAR - Efficiency
Im going to stop analysing these stats for Guerian and Manstein. It is quite some work and there seems to be not much interest anyways. Top 3 are highlighted and stars mark overstrength level.

3 x Wehrmacht Inf - Transport >> 1,91
1 x Granadier - Halftrack >> 3,70
1 x Gebirgsjäger >> 7,50
1 x Pioniere - Transport >> 3,67
1 x SE-Infantry - Transport >> 4,24
4 x Panzer IVG >> 4,85
2 x SE Panzer III/IV >> 3,25
1 x Panzer II Flamm >> 3,77
2 x StuG IIIF >> 3,19
1 x SdKfz 222 >> 3,26
4 x 17 cm K 18 >> 3,49***
2 x Wurfrahmen 40 >> 3,38**
1 x StuG IIIB >> 1,96**
5 x Bf 109G >> 1,62*
1 x Bf 110G >> 4,22***
1 x Ju 87D >> 2,88***
2 x Ju 88A >> 4,17***

Our forces seem to be quite balanced at the moment. Our main unit types rate between 2 and 4. The new AT StuGs are definitely performinf better than the Panzerjäger 1B and the Luftwaffe did great at Stalingrad!

Average unit cost and performance
In order to keep track of the soft cap I will note the average unit cost of my deployed core and because its easy and interesting, the total number of kills (hit points) and the kills per average prestige cost in this order: average cost / kills / kills per average prestige:

• Rommel: 469,50 / 1172 / 2,50

Very efficient battle for Rommel and unit costs do climb, but still the composition is rather on the cheap side, because almost no overstrength is used.

Hey Braccada,

I am on your Let's play 2nd part of Kiev.

I only watch during breaks and such at work.

Anyway I noticed that your version of the game has little movie and tactical map scenes as it is going through the opening map narrative.

Mine does not have that.

Would you know why?

I bought my game off steam when it had that super sale in Dec 2014 and not sure if the upgraded version did not have those movie scenes.

If it doesn't I am thoroughly disappointed.

Mine does not have them either I made those intros for my videos

braccada wrote:Mine does not have them either I made those intros for my videos

Oh wow! That is so very cool. Thanks for doing that. It makes your beginnings to each battle must view for me.

Any chance of doing a filmed guderian run through of McGuba's battlefield europe?