Slitherine

thanks for the great update - I'm really liking Endgame - seems nicely balanced with lots of interesting decision points, and great to have a snapshot of historical positions too; it even plays interestingly with the AIs. I wonder if Bastogne is mostly doomed in Endgame?
I like the random scenario too, though that sometimes throws up a start which is too skewed; Germans seem like they're more likely to have an advantage from the random draw (I would even suggest switching off early victory for Axis in this scenario because of this)

Agreed I'm very much enjoying Endgame.

The start positions feel a little chaotic for both sides (which is a good thing) as lines of supply are stretched and the way that the areas of control are intermingled makes determining where the front is a bit hazy.

I like the fact that one of your initial priorities is trying to bring order to that chaos whilst seizing upon the opportunities that are present whilst both sides are in a 'disorganised' state.

I'll provide feedback on balance after I've played a decent amount of games.

blahblah3502 wrote:thanks for the great update - I'm really liking Endgame - seems nicely balanced with lots of interesting decision points, and great to have a snapshot of historical positions too; it even plays interestingly with the AIs. I wonder if Bastogne is mostly doomed in Endgame?
I like the random scenario too, though that sometimes throws up a start which is too skewed; Germans seem like they're more likely to have an advantage from the random draw (I would even suggest switching off early victory for Axis in this scenario because of this)

I am enjoying it also. Yes, Bastogne is almost certainly lost. I've been able to extract the badly mangled defenders but haven't yet held it. St. Vith is also pretty much a write off and I haven't been able to save the defenders.

Interesting - so now the British are released only when the Germans *cross* the Meuse, not just reach it? This essentially means that the British only get released early if the Allies are about to lose the game. I also don't think this will happen often, if ever.

Anyway, interesting condition.

St. V and Bastogne will both fall if/when the Axis turns to them. But hopefully lots of other interesting options to try out.

spacerumsfeld wrote:Interesting - so now the British are released only when the Germans *cross* the Meuse, not just reach it? This essentially means that the British only get released early if the Allies are about to lose the game.

We played around with this. Often in the BotB scenario, people avoid the Meuse because it acts as a tripwire, and it’s not worth the cost.

The other change in this scenario that makes touching the Meuse more worthwhile: the OKW reserve continues to be released, even if you are pushed back.

I’m sure we didn’t play enough to know if things are truly “balanced,” but these little rules tweaks seemed to help make the situation more fun to play. I don’t know if it’s just because it’s new, but I think Endgame is my favorite scenario.

Is it just me or is the AI markedly better at Endgame than the main scenario ? At least as Axis...
I'm finding AI very satisfying with Endgame so far...

blahblah3502 wrote:Is it just me or is the AI markedly better at Endgame than the main scenario ? At least as Axis...

I think this may be because the scenario feels pro-Axis in balance ... that may just be me, though.

The AI might also be better because as the Axis it needs to do two things: keep units from becoming unsupplied, and protect units by stacking in good terrain. It seems to be doing well in both.

David, it didn't even occur to me that touching the Meuse as the Axis in Endgame would trigger the OKW reserve. That's huge in a game where there are not a lot of big panzer units.

Yes, the OKW and British release rules are a bit different in this scenario -- gives the Axis a better incentive to stretch out and makes for a lot of tense situations!

I'm thinking of organizing a small (nothing like the 64-player one that just ended) tournament using the "Endgame" scenario. I thought it would be interesting to see how that goes before play gets stereotyped or people "figure out" the right moves, if there are indeed any to figure out. It might also provide some early public balance data. If you read this and are interested, head over to Quarter to Three:

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk ... ost3386520

and register an account, or just email me at botb@quartertothree.com. I'll see how many people we can get and go from there.