TOAW KNOCKOUT TOURNEY, and the END OF OPFOR!!

[Mantis]

OPFOR is oficially over! All players, please submit your final victory levels and turns! We'll post more on this once the results are in. Stand by!

The NEW Warfare HQ Knockout Tournament!

Ok, I lost alot of my notes when my system died, so I'd like to start a bit of discussion. Players that are familiar with these scenarios, please jump in with your views! I'm going to assign playtest matches (thanx to all our volunteers!) pending the outcome of this thread!

First off!

Normandy Scenario.

Proposed were 2 weeks in Normandy, and Pierre (iirc) suggested Normandy/Rommel instead. Can I get some thoughts on this, please? (I've never played either of them!) Looking for PBEM balance - can either side win? How likely? Are there glaring errors? Houserules? Turns? Map size? Unit density?


Sealion.

I have suggested to me Sealion v2.1. If you've played this, please tell me about it in as much detail as possible! If you have alternate suggestions for an invasion of the UK, now's the time to trot them out.


As for the final scenario (or two), I'm going to reopen that discussion. The theme is WWII West Front. We were looking for perhaps Scandinavian, Bulge, or Marketgarden style scenarios, but anything good will be considered.

I want to wrap up discussions of the first two scenarios, then use the user comments to determine which maps we need to playtest for the final round or two. I'll then assign games out to our volunteers based on this!

Ok, gentlemen, let's get some feedback going!

[tigersqn]

2 Weeks in Normandy:
I'm not sure if I recommended Normandy/Rommel or not, but I know it has the German Pz Divs deployed in advanced position nearer the coast. Although I've never played N/R, I would assume the deployments would even out the balance somewhat as 2 WiN slightly favours the Allies.

Sealion:
Now that WAS me that suggested Sealion v2.1. I've played 2 different versions and v2.1 was by far a better scenario. I played it hot seat and the British won a MV (?). This happened only because the Germans failed to take London; though with another 2-3 turns, they might have turned the trick IIRC.

I'll check out a couple more scenarios and post again later on my thoughts. :crosseye:

[MikeJ]

You can get a rough idea here:

2 In Normandy

http://www.theblitz.org/scenarios/show_full_scenarios.php?scen=1646&game=21&ladder=4

Normandy Rommel

http://www.theblitz.org/scenarios/show_full_scenarios.php?scen=1382&game=21&ladder=4

Sealion 40 v2.1

http://www.theblitz.org/scenarios/show_full_scenarios.php?scen=1382&game=21&ladder=4

[viridomaros]

i never played deeply enough these scenarios to give you any comments but as you said that play testing will begin with people who answer in this thread i answered to say that i have lot of time and that i can grant at least a turn per day which is not so bad i think :D :D

[Mantis]

Originally posted by tigersqn
I'll check out a couple more scenarios and post again later on my thoughts. :crosseye:

I'd appreciate that alot, Pierre!

[Dan Neely]

How long are the scenarios going to be? Having been burned by theblitz's latest tourny by france 44(2-3hrs), I'm a little skitish about starting anything else.

[Richard]

Sealion is tough for the germans- but is doable for either player- big tick from me- v2.1 is the one I have played most

A strong allied player is near unstoppable in 2winnorm

I have played Normandy Rommel a few times- good scenario- allies very vulnerable to counterattack for first few turns, but with massive airpower to blunt any attack

After that first section it is just a grim holding action- with incredible interdiction bombing making counterattacks uneconomical

It is a very big scenario in terms of numbers of units- not quite as bad as France 44 though- that is a huge game

What about El Alamein? Is a good scenarion- small number of units- can't remember number of turns

Cheers

Richard

[Mantis]

Originally posted by Dan Neely
How long are the scenarios going to be? Having been burned by theblitz's latest tourny by france 44(2-3hrs), I'm a little skitish about starting anything else.

I'm looking for short and sweet, but hopefully with enough 'meat and potatoes' in between, so as to not 'be over before it begins'.

2 WiN is a good example.

[Mantis]

Originally posted by Richard
Sealion is tough for the germans- but is doable for either player- big tick from me- v2.1 is the one I have played most

A strong allied player is near unstoppable in 2winnorm

I have played Normandy Rommel a few times- good scenario- allies very vulnerable to counterattack for first few turns, but with massive airpower to blunt any attack

After that first section it is just a grim holding action- with incredible interdiction bombing making counterattacks uneconomical

It is a very big scenario in terms of numbers of units- not quite as bad as France 44 though- that is a huge game

What about El Alamein? Is a good scenarion- small number of units- can't remember number of turns

Cheers

Richard

Thanks for the input on the scenarios, it really helps.

No Africa scenarios in this tourney, tho!

[tigersqn]

Here's my take on a few "other" scenarios I hotseated.

Bluecoat 44: Favours the Allied player. In the hands of an agressive Allied player, the game could be won by the time the Germans get their reinforcements.

Falaise Pocket 44: Interesting scenario in that VPs are determined by the number of German HQ units destroyed. Allies very strong, but Germans have the option to pull out all their HQs for a victory. Very aggressive push needed by the Allies to close the pocket.

Lorraine 44: Not really much in this scenario to get excited about. Reasonably balanced.

Rethel 40: Played this one hot seat and against a human opponent. Did surprisingly well as the French :), though they are at a disadvantage.

If I would have to make a choice from this group, I'd take Falaise Pocket 44 with honourable mention to Rethel 40.

I have a bunch more scenarios I'll look into and provide my opinion.

[Richard]

Have played Falaise Pocket as both germans and allies

Won both but that was sheer luck

The germans are in a hopeless position and an agressive allied player will grind them to dust- and the sheer weight of potential interdiction attacks makes moving hq's out of danger to avoid VP losses near impossible

Market Garden is Ok but the advantages for the brits are tough for the germans to counter

Richard

[tigersqn]

A couple more scenarios I checked out.

Vesting Holland 1940: A cakewalk for the Germans.
Nuff said.

Market Garden 44: Good scenario but if, as the Allies, you deviate from the plan, you're just asking for trouble.

Dragoon 44: Same as Vesting Holland but for the Allies.

Sealion 2.1: As I've said before in another post, the best of the Sealions that are out there. A close fought battle playing hotseat.

[Mantis]

Ok, good stuff. (Thanks, Pierre!)

Can anyone else add anything about Sealion 2.1?

[Mantis]

Brian, can you please tell me who hasn't reported a game for OPFOR yet, please? Let's get this one done; I need closure to this beast before going nuts on the KO tourney.

Thanx!