RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> The Operational Art of War IV >> After Action Reports >> RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry

Page: << < prev 2 3 4 5 [6]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/29/2019 10:46:07 PM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

This is a spot in the Wurzburg area and I've just noticed by accident that my polish paratroopers can be replaced in the front lines, can move to the airfield occupied by the HQ of the paratroopers, and be ready to drop in an LZ somewhere in Damon's backfield next turn. Maybe drop some bridges and convert the rail to friendly just so he has to repair it to use it again. All the Polish paratroopers are expendable and they know it. I'm wondering if I can't just set up a strong point somewhere in Damon's backfield that would be difficult to dislodge. Italy is in the final stages of falling....I could drop the Polish paratroopers in Italy to accellerate the takedown. And then head toward France.

< Message edited by larryfulkerson -- 5/29/2019 10:47:02 PM >

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 151

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/30/2019 12:33:55 AM

mussey

Posts: 658
Joined: 12/2/2006
From: Cleve-Land
Status: offline

quote:

to drop in an LZ somewhere in Damon's backfield next turn.

Not sure what Denmark looks like, but there are some VP's to be gained if it surrenders...

_____________________________

Col. Mussbu

The long arm of the law - "The King of Battle"

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 152

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/30/2019 7:10:59 AM

StuccoFresco

Posts: 534
Joined: 9/17/2004
From: Italy
Status: offline

Pic of the Italian front?

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 153

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/30/2019 9:36:02 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

A pic of the Italian front coming right up.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 154

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/30/2019 10:28:51 AM

StuccoFresco

Posts: 534
Joined: 9/17/2004
From: Italy
Status: offline

Thanks. This... is a disaster, I missed the part where the Italian front was shattered that way, I was under the impression that the situation was rather static.

Where did you break through? By sheer force through the mountain passes?

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 155

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/30/2019 11:25:11 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

Thanks. This... is a disaster, I missed the part where the Italian front was shattered that way, I was under the impression that the situation was rather static.

Where did you break through? By sheer force through the mountain passes?

I have the impression that the Italian defenders are in reorg or garrison mode or no MP's or something because they don't seem to move from turn to turn. Which makes my takedown a LOT easier. I started my drive from the right side avenues and have been driving to the west for about 15 turns now. I'm trying to keep the railroad behind me repaired to allow for supply flow and I'm about 1/2 way through my invasion of Italy. I'm hoping to capture Turin and cause the Italian surrender. And I'm planning on trying to invade France after that. On the other hand it would disrupt NATO a lot if I just drove north from the western coast of Italy. I'll check out the terrain and see what's possible.

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 156

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 5/31/2019 2:11:02 PM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

New moves from Damon and you can see how I've cleaned out my backfield and now the advance can continue to the west. I'm going to try to clean out Italy and keep moving to France.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 157

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/1/2019 3:21:58 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

You might have better luck putting those paratroops on helos ... at least, I always do. If you want France, you better hurry. I think there is only one or two turns left, if the engine works like it did in the Austrian hot seat game. Well played, Larry!

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 158

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/1/2019 3:30:32 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

quote:

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

Thanks. This... is a disaster, I missed the part where the Italian front was shattered that way, I was under the impression that the situation was rather static.

Where did you break through? By sheer force through the mountain passes?

it would disrupt NATO a lot if I just drove north from the western coast of Italy. I'll check out the terrain and see what's possible.

Using the bypass hexes will cause the game to end, or at least it used to. I think it is called the Geneva bypass (that little strip there around the other exclusion zone.)

At any rate, the game should end in the next turn or two....assuming the event engine is working.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 159

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/1/2019 7:03:43 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

This... is a disaster

Indeed. The Poles should have been withdrawn, but the engine did not see it that way.

Now I know how the Junkers felt when von Papen and Streicher and Hindenburg conspired ....

Politics, man, Politics. But that's what makes this scene so much fun!!

By my calculation, the game should end at the end of NATO 18 ... w/ a Pact MV. I am eager to see the splash screen.

Well, we shall see!! Good game, Larry!!

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 160

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/2/2019 1:22:46 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

New moves from Damon and I see from this resolved combats dialog that there were several furballs and I looked at one of them and it said that the entire NATO squadron had been shot down. So I'm thinking that Damon lost at least one squadron per event. I've had my best fighters on three-dots and I've been losing a lot of them but the Allies are losing a lot also. I feel like I can afford the losses better than he can. If there's only a turn or two left in this game I should probably get with the program and make things happen this turn.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to Hellen_slith)

Post #: 161

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/2/2019 8:41:49 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

I had some unemployed paratroops loitering around Hamburg and thought I'd go for the gold and see if I couldn't stop up the exits from Italy to prevent NATO units escaping to France and to cut off the flow of supply from the west. I'm wondering what's in Turin and can I capture it this turn? Oh, and by the way, I just now had another CTD and had to start over. I lost about an hour's worth of work. I'm going to learn how to save my game more often or keep suffering these kinds of events.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 162

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/2/2019 11:47:01 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

I blasted a hole in NATO lines down south and I've been able to make a little progress as a result. There's a lot of units down there that I haven't moved yet so the lines may change a lot more.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 163

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 7:16:53 AM

StuccoFresco

Posts: 534
Joined: 9/17/2004
From: Italy
Status: offline

How is the situation in the massive NATO bulge in the center? Looks like several Pact units are ready to be encircled and destroyed, and it seems there is just a single-line Pact MLR to prevent a total NATO breakthrough in the area.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 164

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 11:21:52 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

New moves from Damon and it looks like a WP victory and the game is over.

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 165

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 3:22:56 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: StuccoFresco

How is the situation in the massive NATO bulge in the center? Looks like several Pact units are ready to be encircled and destroyed, and it seems there is just a single-line Pact MLR to prevent a total NATO breakthrough in the area.

Looks are deceiving. That massive bulge was occupied mostly by second-line Belge and German regiments, and a few brigade size Territory units in the back (which, by house rule, are not supposed to enter enemy ZOC ... they are intended for defense only.)

By the end of the scene, I had used up what little initiative I had gained from the uprisings.

I was severely hamstrung by total collapse of REFORGER (I got the WORST possible dice roll on that Atlantic event ... zero US reinforcements. I only had a few reconstituted units show back up for 82d Airborne, and by that time I was either out of helos, and I couldn't fly them in planes over the ZOCs Larry had set up ... they just got shot down if they were in planes.)

So, when I lost the initiative, I had moved so many forces north (trying for that breakthrough you and I both envisioned) that Italy was pretty much ripe for picking, and at the end I couldn't get the French back to Munich in time or the Italians back to Italy (which would have left Munich open anyway.)

Larry's interdiction plans were VERY effective all through the game. Well played, Comrade!!

This is a very enjoyable scene to play. Had the game allowed more turns, I would have eventually been overrun. But, that's one of the reasons this scene is so much fun ... only a limited amount of moves, so both sides have to ride hell for leather to achieve victory.

The only major drawback is that dang CTD issue. It gets VERY tiresome in PBEM play to have to save "JIC" throughout your moves, b/c the game closes and you have to reopen it, but that is better than losing hours of planning and moving, which both Larry and I experienced at different times.

Other than that ... looking forward to the next iteration of this expansion plan. Thanks so much for creating this scene! And congrats, Comrade Larry, I bow to your skills! Well played!!

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 166

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 5:49:01 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: cathar1244

What are the divisional-sized engineer units in the Pact forces?

Cheers

Those were not your usual Engineers. Those was Spetsnaz disguised as engineers LoL.

They hard, man. I got the feel that three of the NATO's V Corps "Combat Engineers" units were about equivalent to ONE of those big Spetsnaz engineers. Stalin grade diggers, they dug the Volga Canal for Stalin, and they HARD man, HARD AS NAILS.

Comrade Larry made good use of them :)

EDIT: wrong ratio. I meant ...

1 div. size SPETSNAZ seemed equivalent to THREE of the V Corps Combat engineers units

You could probably verify that but that was just the FEEL I got from it. From their usefulness aspect, that is. Pact sure has a lot of them :)

< Message edited by Hellen_slith -- 6/3/2019 6:03:32 PM >

(in reply to cathar1244)

Post #: 167

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 5:59:15 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mussey

quote:

ORIGINAL: cathar1244

What are the divisional-sized engineer units in the Pact forces?

Cheers

At times I am conflicted of including many of these engineers on both sides since there appears to be little use for them....

Survey Question to Larry and Hellen: Are you utilizing the many engineers, or do they just add clutter?

I found the V Corps and US Combat Engineer units to be very helpful and useful, for digging in and getting out. They add both mobility and defensive bonuses to NATO units, and NATO need all the help she can get!!! I would vote to keep the US Combat Engineer units.

Pact seemed really strong w/ such large size divisional level engineers, of course I was playing NATO, so naturally I think they might have been a bit overpowered. Maybe break them down, and make some of them Spetsnaz (that HAVE to retreat, like SF / Commandos ... I think SAS and USA SF have that attribute, of having to RBC b/c of the nature of their unit? Can't remember ... anyway

I would vote KEEP NATO combat engineers, and maybe breakdown the larger Pact engineer units?

Anyway, thanks!!

(in reply to mussey)

Post #: 168

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 6:17:05 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hellen_slith

Also, I don't recall ever seeing an AAR for the old ACOW version of this scene. It would be interesting to see how those went. I don't recall seeing many AARs back then of any scenes. Are they still around?

Found it. Now THIS is old school AAR, how we used to do it back in the day. <SIGH>

Good times. Ok, well, thanks for reading our AAR and happy gaming!!
H

Next War Old School Iron Man Style AAR

(in reply to Hellen_slith)

Post #: 169

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 6:23:38 PM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

quote:

Survey Question to Larry and Hellen: Are you utilizing the many engineers, or do they just add clutter?

The NATO special forces had a habit of getting into my backfield and bringing down several bridges per turn until I can corner them and destroy them. So then I need to fix the bridges quickly to permit the flow of supply again, either that or pull the entire front backward to better supply. And that's expensive in terms of loss of equipment and so on. Engineers are an essential part of a division or corps and the forces at the command of the player should include at least a minimum number of engineer units or else the formation will be hamstrung very easily.

< Message edited by larryfulkerson -- 6/3/2019 6:24:25 PM >

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to Hellen_slith)

Post #: 170

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 6:27:55 PM

StuccoFresco

Posts: 534
Joined: 9/17/2004
From: Italy
Status: offline

Thoroughly enjoyed the AAR, guys. Cheers.

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 171

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 6:43:27 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

.... 20 turns remaining.

Yes, the news scroll or situation briefing has always displayed the max turns remaining (from maximum 34 moves, if you play full tension mode) but the scene always ends after 17 turns after Pact declaration of hostilities (or if Pact uses the Geneva bypass, that also will trigger the end the game.)

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 172

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/3/2019 7:05:02 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

I almost forgot: special kudos to Mr. Cross for bringing this board-game to life in the first place.

Over the last 10 or 15 years, I have enjoyed many many hundreds of hours of entertainment just from this one scene. It is the reason I bought TOAW in the first place, so ... A Special tip o' the cap, to you, Mr. Cross, who made this scene possible.

I hope to enjoy many many more hundreds of hours playing The Next War. Love it!!
H

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 173

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/4/2019 1:17:17 PM

mussey

Posts: 658
Joined: 12/2/2006
From: Cleve-Land
Status: offline

Well played gentlemen. Your commitment to seeing this through has provided me with valuable feedback and I am highly in your debt. Thank you! This feedback will allow me to make some revisions to the next Beta. A note here that changes are mostly reflected on realistic data and orbats. Previous posts have already mentioned changes, here are a few more:
- the CTD flaw is alarming. I was hoping (still hoping) that the Tech Thread folks would give me some feedback. So far, none has been given

. I've cleaned up a few graphics glitches I've seen on my end, but not sure what causes them on your end. Maybe this will help.
- I may add some more game turns
- I have already revised downward the odds of a Soviet victory in the Battle of the Atlantic to 4%. This was based on more 1979 CIA info on WP limited naval capabilities.
- Engineer equip changed to also fix railroads. Some Soviet Eng Divs are broken down to x3 bdes.
- the events for Non-Soviet WP (NSWP) nation's participation are fixed. Also changed participation/revolt odds and events (see previous posts). Essentially it is no longer an 'all or nothing' result if they revolt or refuse to participate at the beginning of war. Guerrilla event will activate if a revolt occurs. Those engineers will be very important.
- NSWP militia was added, as well as Border Gds. Getting into the WP rear areas will be more hazardous.
- West German Territorial Army was expanded. Getting into the W.Ger rear areas will be more difficult.
- Objective values and VP's for Norway were increased to reflect its value as operating bases for the Soviet Northern Fleet.
- Norwegian coastal batteries were added. Froy Line added north of Narvik (thanks Cathar).
- Event added that Norway may refuse NATO forces and smaller odds of going neutral.
- Yugoslavia added, may join WP if certain hexes in Austria are occupied by WP.
- a few US Natl Gd units added, as well as several UK Home Gd Bdes. The 12th USAF added, about 475 aircraft. This can alter NATO strength considerably.
- The Air equipment has been converted to Cathar's modifications, and more air models added.
- Naval equipment modified and expanded.
- GT 2 (the first turn of war in 'Sudden War') was altered so that both forces have less movement to reflect mobilization, and delay for NATO. WP will not be able to penetrate as far, NATO will have even less movement to counteract.
- Terrain tweaked so that more roads were added, and more.

Well, there you have it. The next version will be a Beta 1.2 to test these changes. Should be out soon.

Thanks again to Larry & Hellen, and to all that posted here for a great AAR and much needed feedback.

< Message edited by mussey -- 6/4/2019 1:46:46 PM >

_____________________________

Col. Mussbu

The long arm of the law - "The King of Battle"

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 174

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/6/2019 7:15:22 AM

StuccoFresco

Posts: 534
Joined: 9/17/2004
From: Italy
Status: offline

Sounds good.

(in reply to mussey)

Post #: 175

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/6/2019 7:27:11 AM

larryfulkerson

Posts: 39157
Joined: 4/17/2005
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline

Is the new version ready yet? I think somebody wants to play me pretty bad.

_____________________________

If we ever do become a space faring species and are able to visit other worlds let's just make patterns in their crops and leave.

(in reply to StuccoFresco)

Post #: 176

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/6/2019 5:11:48 PM

mussey

Posts: 658
Joined: 12/2/2006
From: Cleve-Land
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

Is the new version ready yet? I think somebody wants to play me pretty bad.

I'm finishing the necessary Word documentation with explained changes, and one more dry run, then I will post Beta 1.2

He (the One that must not be mentioned) may be daunted by a few changes to the WP secondary - mostly Ohio State/Big Ten grads. Kudos to Cabido for graphics):

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by mussey -- 6/6/2019 5:53:09 PM >

_____________________________

Col. Mussbu

The long arm of the law - "The King of Battle"

(in reply to larryfulkerson)

Post #: 177

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/6/2019 6:44:13 PM

Zovs

Posts: 5354
Joined: 2/23/2009
From: United States
Status: offline

Go Buckeyes!

_____________________________

War in the East/War in the East II - Alpha Test Teams
WarPlan Beta Tester
DG CWIE2 tester/SPWW2 and SPMBT playtester/scenario & campaign creator

(in reply to mussey)

Post #: 178

RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry - 6/7/2019 6:13:01 PM

Hellen_slith

Posts: 1783
Joined: 10/10/2005
Status: offline

I like the "watch tower" symbol on those EG units, that is really cool.

All of new changes and additions sound GREAT!!! Can't Wait!!!

Cheers!!

(in reply to Zovs)

Post #: 179

Page: << < prev 2 3 4 5 [6]

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> The Operational Art of War IV >> After Action Reports >> RE: The Next War 1979 Expanded ( Beta 1.0 ) Damon v. larry