Acknowledging the obvious, this thread has not been updated in a very long time. There are other more pressing concerns,
always.
Quite possibly bringing this thread to permanent closure, some parting reflections.
Here is the overall situation in the northern sector:
- CSVN_AAR_AI_AI_RungSat294.jpg (3.66 MiB) Viewed 791 times
The BX Army has succeeded in busting the VNA attack on Xom Ong Keo (middle left turquoise ellipse). There are at least two appropriate responses to that setback.
One, the _3RD_5TH_PARACHUTE_COY_55_A_451 and _5TH_PARACHUTE_WEAPONS_COY_55_455 (upper turquoise ellipse) should abandon their assaults (iffy at best) on the northern Military Posts, OBJECTIVES[16] and OBJECTIVES[17], and backtrack to help defend Xom Ong Keo (upper green arrow).
Two, _1ST_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_169 (lower left green ellipse) should consider sending reinforcements to Xom Ong Keo (lower left green arrow). The attacks on Ap Phuoc Hoa and Ap Tay Khanh, OBJECTIVES[9] and OBJECTIVES[10], are going well enough. (Although, beforehand, how could we be confident of that?)
In the screenshot center, the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 (middle right turquoise ellipse) will likely prevail around the Suoi Nhum and eventually take OBJECTIVES[24] there, then quite possibly go on to capture the Military Post, OBJECTIVES[25] to the near northeast. (OBJECTIVES[27] at Xom Ba Bong (2) is probably an objective too far.)
But there is a catch. At any time, the two BX Army platoons (yellow ellipse) can easily advance (small center green arrow) to recapture OBJECTIVES[15]. By the logic of the latest Side A VNA battle plan, this would force the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 to call off its advance, and instead retreat to contest OBJECTIVES[15]. It is way too easy for the BX Army to upset the _6TH_PARACHUTE_BTN_55_A_226 attack sequence in this way. I really should have left behind one or two platoons garrisoning OBJECTIVES[15] to anticipate this obvious BX Army move.
The overall situation in the southern sector:
- CSVN_AAR_AI_AI_RungSat295.jpg (3.49 MiB) Viewed 791 times
The current Side A VNA battle plan largely bases off the original text battle plan specified when this scenario was first created several years ago, when the CSEE/SAI was still a rough work-in-progress and its capabilities were untested. With actual scripting and testing, we can now see that, overall, the original and current Side A battle plan was/is way too ambitious.
It is way too ambitious to expect that a lone company, the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390, could hope to capture the Military Post at Ap do Hop (upper turquoise circle) singlehandedly.
It is madness to suppose that another lone company, the _10TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_379, could venture deep into the heart of enemy territory and capture, by itself, the Xom An Thit (Quang Xuyen) District Office complex and the collection of OBJECTIVES there.
No, better one or the other of these two alternatives:
One, detour west (lower green arrow) to assist in the attack on the Military Post.
Two, better still, only go so far as Ap Do Hop (upper green arrow; not a backtrack, just pointing to where the move should have stopped) to assist the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390 in assaulting that place. As is in this current playtest, we can see where the VNA taking the Ap Do Hop Military Post is next to hopeless. Indeed, the _11TH_NAVAL_ASSAULT_GROUP_390 is surrounded by two enemy companies and likely faces total destruction. 2:2 odds, two companies contesting two enemy companies, is much better odds than the current 1:2.
To the west, the VNA battle plan is well planned and well executed. Against light enemy opposition, the VNA is sweeping the field. (But how could we know that beforehand?)
My intention had been to let this playtest run to completion. Then back to the drawing board, revising the battle plans. Then playtest the Side A VNA vs. the SAI'ed Side B BX Army. Then back to the drawing board again, more revisions. Round and round it goes until we converge on, if not perfect, then good enough SAI'ed battle plans for both sides. This Rung Sat scenario is so rich with possibilities, the polishing could go on forever. When SAI'ing, you must know when to stop.
Stop here, pause here, we must. To be resumed again in future? Probably not, but never say never.
Even in its unfinished state, and together with the companion more technical thread
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 0&t=383969
this AAR has been useful as an SAI primer. If you give all of this careful study, you have much material to get you started.
Thanks for reading.
