[UPDATE] New Scenario: Hold the Line

[Gunner98]

Attached is the first release of a 'battleset' I hope to create called 'Northern Fury'. The background document is included in the zip and I hope to crank out 4-5 more scenarios over the next month.

'Hold the Line' is the 8th scenario in the series but the first one released. It is rather large, AU count hovers around the 2000 range but some final cleaning should reduce that to about 1800.

Situation is Cold War 94, Red Banner Northern Fleet is making a play to cut the Sea and Air Lines of Communication between the US & Europe. You have the newly re-commissioned USS Enterprise and her battle group plus supporting land base air forces to stop the Russians from interfering.

I look forward to any comments and will try and improve the scenario base on them.

Enjoy.

BG

Edit: Updated version attached. Make sure you have special messages enabled to pop up, quite a bit of info is passed to you via these messages.

BG

Edit: V1.02 uploaded, a couple of cosmetic changes and switched most Soviet A/C to Auto Evade OFF, RTB Winchester OFF.

BG

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New updated version 2.2. Quite a few changes so it’s out for more testing if anyone is willing:

V2.2 Changes:

-Thinned out the MiG 31’s from up north
-Moved the MiG 31’s to Kef and set up a couple surprises
-Adjusted the CAP around Iceland which should make it a little more interesting to go for the deep strikes
-Adjusted the LR Bmr missions somewhat, I think the LOCs in the South will need more attention from the player now
-Turned off the ‘Engage Opportunity Targets’ for the Bmrs and gave them Prosecution zones instead.
-spread the Sov jammers out a bit
-Spruced up the SAM and AAA at Kef. Along with the adjusted CAP, this should defeat a single throw of TLAMs unless they are escorted in with AAW, SEAD and OECM.
-Removed the Phantoms from the UK
-Removed the Ch-53’s from the Seattle

Here is the file and I’ll add it to the first post as well. Really appreciate the help in making this one better.

One year – almost to the day since first release!

New version 17 Apr 15, changes :

-Upgraded most of the 493rd FS and 11 Sqn RAF to Ace - thanks to their action in previous scenarios
-Sprinkled 1 or 2 Aces into each USN Ftr Sqn
-Adjusted the briefing to address: Command; Satellite; and Tanker concerns
-Updated to build 678 (man this game just gets better and better!) and DB3000 build 429

Final Version (2.4) 31 May 15


Finally the Final version [:D](yeah right!)

Ver 2.4 changes:

-Changed up all the NATO subs. Not sure what happened with the LA's but they are all correct now. The Brit has Spearfish
-Bison's at Kef now have a load-out which should correct the issue with MiG-31s running out of fuel
-Fixed the CRAF ferry missions which should fix the problem with them stacking up at each end.
-Reduced the number of French MPA's
-Deactivated the supporting Tanker mission for the Sqn heading to Thule once no longer needed
-Corrected some issues with Russian Subs
-Other minor changes

Enjoy

Version 2.5 upladed here and in the Community Scenario Thread.

Some changes suggested by Kgambit

-Fixed some issues with CRAFT AC
-Changed up the Sturgeon, there was something wrong and its now fixed
-Move the Flankers to Andoya to save gas
-Put more Tankers in the mix for the Sovs


Ver 2.8 uploaded

[Meroka37]

Starting to play it.... huge!!!

[Gunner98]

Yes. Some of the new features such as dropping the curser dialog to the bottom of the page, saving views for different map areas and dimming down the Ref points make a big difference though.

Forgot to mention to make sure 'Special Messages' are enabled for Pop up. There are several that will help paint background in the scenario.


enjoy

B

[tommo8993]

its just CTD's for me

[Dimitris]

What is a CRD?

[tommo8993]

ORIGINAL: Sunburn

What is a CRD?

Meant cTd, edited now

[rytech]

Some of the new features such as dropping the curser dialog to the bottom of the page, saving views for different map areas and dimming down the Ref points make a big difference though.

Looks awesome but would you be able to tell us specifically what you managed to do to make it runnable? Every time I've tried to play it'll freeze around 2min in even though the pulse time is at <150ms. Do you need those to be able to run the scenario?

Great job by the way!

EDIT: Even by deleting all the NATO missions I only get to about 3 minutes before it freezes. I'd really hate to think that it's simply too big for my computer to run (my CPU is a i7-2670 running 2.2GHz - is your setup a lot bigger?)

[Gunner98]

rytech

I'm running an i7-4770 @3.4GHz. But I can also run it on my laptop which is an i7-2630 @2GHz. So your system should run it. Perhaps its just all the calculations at the front end, you may want to load the autosave when you get a freeze and push through. My system freezes every now and again but infrequently.

Perhaps you have some programs running in the background? I'm not a tech guy so am not realy sure.

B

[rytech]

Rog. Will report to the Tech Support forum.

[Upuauta]

For me it crashes right after the start on my I7 / 8GBRam Laptop.
Will try it later on my main computer which is more powerful.

[TMP95]

looks fantastic - Huge. I've just gone about trying to figure out what to do first! ha Haven't played more than 30 seconds. Trying to get a game plan set. But heck of a great job done with setting this one up. Thanks!

[Gunner98]

Thanks

Sunburn has pointed out that laying Sonabouys over half the Atlantic is probably not a great idea for game performance so if everyone's crashes persist I'll cut that bit out and upload a modified version without the French Atlantiques.

Is there anyone out there who is not crashing in the first few minutes?

BG

[bsq]

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

Thanks

Sunburn has pointed out that laying Sonabouys over half the Atlantic is probably not a great idea for game performance so if everyone's crashes persist I'll cut that bit out and upload a modified version without the French Atlantiques.

Is there anyone out there who is not crashing in the first few minutes?

BG

Stopped my 3rd Gen I7 laptop in a couple of seconds...

Whilst looking at the scenario, I did notice few errors/issues...

24 Inf Div Main Convoy
The SL-7 Class ships were designed to steam at 30kts + all the time, indeed they were efficient at these speeds. Why do they have escorts that would destroy themselves at that speed? Especially as these escorts add nothing to the defence of these ships? At 32 Kts they would be almost impossible to hit with Torpedoes and make a very difficult target to most other means. The escorts you assigned would only have 2 fire channels for medium range SAMs and 2 for short range and 2 CIWS. The Victors you have waiting for them, likely wouldn't get a firing solution on them (IRL)

REFORGER
Would have flown further south. The routes you show are typical for NAT tracks on the northern most routes used by 4 engined airliners in peacetime. The routes for Reforger would fly closer to the Azores and then coast in over Biscay and then into the German/French/Dutch airports. This is to put them out of the range of LRA assests even if forward based. But I guess thats the point (just wouldn't have happened that way).

Nimrod R1 P was not flown by 9 Sqn, nor were the Falcons

Nimrod R1 P = 51 Sqn. Falcons = FRA - civilian company contracted to UK MOD

(for info 9 Sqn were/are a Tornado unit specialising in SEAD/ALARM)

Petr Velikiy - did not have SA-N-20 in 1994... Replace with SA-N-6 - if you look you have used the 1999- model of this ship... even 1999 is a push for the upgraded system as the missiles went elsewhere...
Varyag - you have used the 2000 model of this ship, surely it should be the same as its sister ship, the 1995 version?

[Bazza042]

Gunner98,

Although I am also suffering 'freezing' I am working through this scenario and hope you will continue.

If there is one aspect of COMMAND with which I have been disappointed it is the minimal number of cold war scenarios, especially related to the GIUK Gap. A gap, in more ways than one [:)], that I hope you can close.

I guess most scenario makers like using the latest 'toys'.....

(And, goes into defensive mode, I think Command is excellent - as is the support - and, of course, people who take the time to produce scenarios are entitled to produce a Chile versus South Africa if that is their desire.)

[Gunner98]

bsq

Thanks for your input.

24 Inf Div Main - I was struggling with this one, could not imagine ships of this value with this cargo going un-escorted. Your point is valid and I'll strip out the escorts and group them into a small ASW gp in mid Atlantic.

Reforger - I agree that they would have run further south; however, putting this right would take away an interesting side to the scenario. Have play tested it half a dozen times and at the worst only lost three CRAF liners, but the air fight and tension this threat caused were quite good. So I'll leave this bit in.

Nimrod & Falcons: Thanks for the info, I'll fix that. Would it be reasonable that the Falcons be rolled up into 51 Sqn in the situation that they were used on a war patrol or would UK MOD continue to operate them?

Velikiy & Varyag - confusing, thought I had used the older versions. The background to the scenario assumes a quicker implementation cycle but not that quick. Will fix,

Appreciate the input. Have you managed to play passed the initial freeze by re-loading the Auto save?

B

[Gunner98]

Bazza042

There are several future scenarios in this battleset that feature the 'GAP' specifically, in my mind it is one of the most interesting Naval problems in history. I'll keep plugging away at this as I have been building these scenarios in my head and in some cases in the various games since Harpoon Version 1. COMMAND will allow many of my ideas to come to reality - if I can manage to keep the scenarios down to a playable size. [:D]

B

[Gunner98]

Updated version attached.

-Dropped many ASW missions to improve performance
-Removed escort from 24 Div convoy and set up a small ASW gp instead
-Name changes to RAF ECM A/C
-Changed Peter Velikiy to Frunze (did not change Varyag to older version, saw no difference in versions)
-Moves some SOV ASW missions to more appropriate areas

Have run this on test for 30 min without a freeze or issues. If it does freeze on you, try immediately re-loading the Auto Save, for some reason the freeze does not seem to re-appear. Also load with the message window closed, still having an issue with that, you can open a separate msg window once the game is loaded.

Thank you for your input.

BG

[bsq]

51 Sqn would have used the R1, FRA(DU) or Flight Refuelling or Cobham (cant recall what they were called then) would have used the Falcons.

As for REFORGER, I thought that would be your logic and completely agree with the reasoning (it's what I would have done too if building a scenario like this).

Have seen (and photographed) those Fast Sealift ships at speed - awesome that something like that can steam continuously at 32 (we always quoted 33) knots.

[Flankerk]

Under build 479 this is running impressively fast on my not very high end system. Very impressive scenario, about an hour in. No problems encountered. The only slight query I had was the RAF Falcon jammers, which I think are strictly speaking training only?

None too sure on that one.

[Gunner98]

ORIGINAL: Flankerk


Under build 479 this is running impressively fast on my not very high end system. Very impressive scenario, about an hour in. No problems encountered. The only slight query I had was the RAF Falcon jammers, which I think are strictly speaking training only?

None too sure on that one.

Thanks for the update, glad to hear the new builds are improving playability. The Falcon jammers are there to add flavour and give the impression that all stops are being pulled out to regain initiative. There is a message pop up to that effect. I'm not sure if they add any real effect to the game but I thought it was a nice touch.
B