Southern Strategy
Moderator: Gil R.
RE: Southern Strategy
I find this interesting but my experience in Southern Steel so far is vastly different. Even after adjusting the initial economy, I'm way short on labor and somewhat short on iron. I have enough money, even after shifting some cities to labor. I have horses coming out my wazoo, which is a little painful if you know what wazoo is! I shifted some of those horse producing cities to iron and that's helped a bit but I still have so many I buy lots of scout upgrades and raiders.
Other than that point, I largely agree with what's said. I didn't make the choice about diplomacy but I think that was a mistake on my part, I probably should have, and will soon, eschew it completely. Hopefully the delay won't put my economy too far behind the 8-ball. Well, more than it was at least.
My experience comes with playing the Southern Steel scenario as Confederates on Captain. I've been struggling a little bit because of some unlucky impressment rolls (at least I haven't lost a building) but it's a fun and challenging scenario as the south. And you start with 10 research in Training and Logistics at that level Gil. Everything else is -1.
Other than that point, I largely agree with what's said. I didn't make the choice about diplomacy but I think that was a mistake on my part, I probably should have, and will soon, eschew it completely. Hopefully the delay won't put my economy too far behind the 8-ball. Well, more than it was at least.
My experience comes with playing the Southern Steel scenario as Confederates on Captain. I've been struggling a little bit because of some unlucky impressment rolls (at least I haven't lost a building) but it's a fun and challenging scenario as the south. And you start with 10 research in Training and Logistics at that level Gil. Everything else is -1.
- Erik Rutins
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RE: Southern Strategy
Joram, et. al.,
This certainly isn't the only successful strategy for the South. I've seen and tried others with different priorities that also work quite well, but it's a pretty good one. Don't think though that because you're doing something differently, that you're doing it wrong.
Regards,
- Erik
This certainly isn't the only successful strategy for the South. I've seen and tried others with different priorities that also work quite well, but it's a pretty good one. Don't think though that because you're doing something differently, that you're doing it wrong.
Regards,
- Erik
Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC
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For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/
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RE: Southern Strategy
Sorry, wasn't trying to badmouth the strategy, you're absolutely correct Erik. I do wonder if the economy differences though are due to the scenario. What works for the standard campaign probably wouldn't work for Southern Steel or the July scenario with the historical economies? I think the tips on diplomacy and the military are spot on though in any scenario!
RE: Southern Strategy
I'm playing Southern Steel too, and I what I'm really short in is Labour and Money. Horses? I've so many that at the end of the war I'll start an equestrian circus.
After reorganizing cities production and building some factories and plantations the things started to get better, but every single production/build is still a pain....
After reorganizing cities production and building some factories and plantations the things started to get better, but every single production/build is still a pain....
H. Barca,
Surplus Consuls Dispatcher
Surplus Consuls Dispatcher
RE: Southern Strategy
I think the first part of the walk through is something to stick to adding factories to the list. If I have enough money left over after building a mint, mine, and plantation I usually throw in a camp for good measure. I don't build plantations every turn unless I know I'll need them in a certain city that's running out of space. RR's come last but I try not to ignore them. I muster troops to make up for not having enough resources left over to build anything. I did buy an artillery unit around mid 62 just because I am lacking in that department. I have noticed that it's a waste to wait to see which side Kentucky comes in on when playing the CSA I always strike North and take them over rather than wait for nothing as I usually wind up with them against me. Cheers.
RE: Southern Strategy
ORIGINAL: Gil R.
...the Union can buy just about anything it wants, meaning that a monkey could probably handle the building and purchasing decisions without hurting the war effort too much...
In fact, thats exactly what happened.
[:D]
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Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas
Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas
- Gray_Lensman
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RE: Southern Strategy
ORIGINAL: Mus
ORIGINAL: Gil R.
...the Union can buy just about anything it wants, meaning that a monkey could probably handle the building and purchasing decisions without hurting the war effort too much...
In fact, thats exactly what happened.
[:D]
Subtle! HeHe
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RE: Southern Strategy
Only time I played (as Rebs), I vacated KY and almost immediately got it! This must be a much rarer thing that I thought at the time. Should have appreciated the signifigance of it a bit more, methinks.
RE: Southern Strategy
(Bumped for Critter, and other new players.)
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RE: Southern Strategy
thanks much Valdemar and others on this thread - great info to add to learning the mechanics. I have this and the northern one printed out along with my manual and am ready to really enjoy myself learning this great game properly as I have just picked around the edges so to speak until now. Again, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
Michael
Michael
RE: Southern Strategy
(Bumped again)
Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.
RE: Southern Strategy
I would slightly reconsider the strategy on building so many camps since with the latest patch those camps will influence the production of new men, possibly leaving no room for buying any fresh troops at all. The importance of diplomacy is still there though. Without assistance the lone runners won't get much of opportunity to gather the iron needed for the rr. I would stress the importance of Partisans and Raiders as they can really help tip the scales a little less towards USA production. It's a good strategy but we need to see it at the light of 1.10.10
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RE: Southern Strategy
(Bumping to the top for the benefit of new players.)
Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.
RE: Southern Strategy
Will throw my experience in here as well then.
-As to number of available troops when you start, empty some fortresses, use those units as normal infantry, you should easily gain 8-10 brigades that way.
-Diplomacy never seems worth it to me, so I do not engage in that no matter.
-I never build camps in my "unit producing" cities
-Weapon resarch rocks! Cav with Spencer Carabines will break almost any unit in one or two attacks.
-Aprox. half the units in a container will keep muskets untill my economy is going strong, I then move offensively but fight defensively. Arty and inf with minie/springfield/richmond muskets on a hilltop with inf with muskets in front will make the union bleed hard when he attacks.
-Always use detailed battle, even if you know you need to withdraw. Why? So that you do not lose some 300+ men in pursuit from a quick battle.
-I never build arty units, let the north build them and donate them to you
-I never build anything the first 2-3 turns, instead I rearm my units. Only after all units have something other than "improvised" do I start building, cause the yanks are gonna attack you again and again, making decent weapons a must buy.
-learn to read the going of a battle, if you realize that the union troops are going to run back to DC in a turn or two, start moving around the flanks with as many units as can be spared, keep those yanks in a southern resort instead of allowing them to return to DC just to come back into Virginia again next turn!
-As to number of available troops when you start, empty some fortresses, use those units as normal infantry, you should easily gain 8-10 brigades that way.
-Diplomacy never seems worth it to me, so I do not engage in that no matter.
-I never build camps in my "unit producing" cities
-Weapon resarch rocks! Cav with Spencer Carabines will break almost any unit in one or two attacks.
-Aprox. half the units in a container will keep muskets untill my economy is going strong, I then move offensively but fight defensively. Arty and inf with minie/springfield/richmond muskets on a hilltop with inf with muskets in front will make the union bleed hard when he attacks.
-Always use detailed battle, even if you know you need to withdraw. Why? So that you do not lose some 300+ men in pursuit from a quick battle.
-I never build arty units, let the north build them and donate them to you
-I never build anything the first 2-3 turns, instead I rearm my units. Only after all units have something other than "improvised" do I start building, cause the yanks are gonna attack you again and again, making decent weapons a must buy.
-learn to read the going of a battle, if you realize that the union troops are going to run back to DC in a turn or two, start moving around the flanks with as many units as can be spared, keep those yanks in a southern resort instead of allowing them to return to DC just to come back into Virginia again next turn!
"Hun skal torpederes!" - Birger Eriksen
("She is to be torpedoed!")
("She is to be torpedoed!")
RE: Southern Strategy
Very Informitive! Thanks!
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- meisterchow
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RE: Southern Strategy
ORIGINAL: terje439
-I never build arty units, let the north build them and donate them to you
Amen, brother! In my current game I have built 2 siege artillery units to speed the siege process. Expensive, but worth it. Since about 95% of the Union army is either in Virginia or North Carolina, I've got two containers (a rampaging Lee and besieging Polk) invading Ohio now that Kentucky has been pacified. Army of Northern Virginia just finished a successful spoiling attack in the Potomac River and 4 of 5 artillery units in the army were built up North. After a bloody field battle, I shifted everything during the first night to the opposite flank, lined the artillery up hub to hub and started reducing fortresses. Those Yankees make very good artillery, and I take every opportunity to show them my appreciation. [:D]
'Fear God and dread nought'
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RE: Southern Strategy
Just realized I forgot to mention one thing;
Rearange your command structure. Some of the Corps and Armies have Div's in them with only a few brigades, I prefer to max out the number of brigades in each Div, which makes some containers available for you, just remember to move the empty containers away from the front as they will be disbanded if they end up in the same province as an enemy unit. I also tend to rearrange my generals, Polk is sent back to NC were he is given command of any available container in the off chance he will raise the quality of any units in said container. And for the love of God make sure Lee is overall commander of whatever army you put him in, the game itself seems to treasure Beauregard even when he is placed in a lower container level than Lee. (Ofc that is no issue as soon as you get Lee that 5th star on his collar). I also try to have a 2 star general in every Div, a 3 star in every Corps and a 4 star in every Army.
Rearange your command structure. Some of the Corps and Armies have Div's in them with only a few brigades, I prefer to max out the number of brigades in each Div, which makes some containers available for you, just remember to move the empty containers away from the front as they will be disbanded if they end up in the same province as an enemy unit. I also tend to rearrange my generals, Polk is sent back to NC were he is given command of any available container in the off chance he will raise the quality of any units in said container. And for the love of God make sure Lee is overall commander of whatever army you put him in, the game itself seems to treasure Beauregard even when he is placed in a lower container level than Lee. (Ofc that is no issue as soon as you get Lee that 5th star on his collar). I also try to have a 2 star general in every Div, a 3 star in every Corps and a 4 star in every Army.
"Hun skal torpederes!" - Birger Eriksen
("She is to be torpedoed!")
("She is to be torpedoed!")
RE: Southern Strategy
Thanks for the input Terje.
I will be writing a new guide for the South entitled "Southern Strategy 2.0", which will include some of these points and tips.
The reasons are:
1) When I wrote this guide, I was still a new player and experience has changed some things.
2) Some of the points I made, while still valid, were vague and I need to clarify and make additions.
3) I want to go into more specifics about which cities should get what improvements.
4) I want to address the military situation in more detail.
5) I want to write a guide that will apply to the standard campaign as well as the July, 1861 campaign.
6) Finally, I need to address the changes in the latest version as it makes a significant impact on builds, especially camps.
Regards.
I will be writing a new guide for the South entitled "Southern Strategy 2.0", which will include some of these points and tips.
The reasons are:
1) When I wrote this guide, I was still a new player and experience has changed some things.
2) Some of the points I made, while still valid, were vague and I need to clarify and make additions.
3) I want to go into more specifics about which cities should get what improvements.
4) I want to address the military situation in more detail.
5) I want to write a guide that will apply to the standard campaign as well as the July, 1861 campaign.
6) Finally, I need to address the changes in the latest version as it makes a significant impact on builds, especially camps.
Regards.
"Tell my mother that, when you found me, I was with the only brothers I had left. She'll understand that." - Private Ryan
RE: Southern Strategy
Excellent news! We look forward to 2.0.
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- Pubcrawler
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RE: Southern Strategy
That's great stuff. While I usually play Union, I'm pondering becoming a Sessesh for my next game!
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