SPMBT User Campaign - Silver Lions!

[Double Deuce]

For those of you who might be interested I am working on my 1st single player campaign for SPMBT. I have to go through a lot of trial and error as there is not a lot of guidance in the game documents. :blab:

I have finished 2 scenario's BUT I need them playtested. If you would like to give them a go and provide me some feedback shoot me an email and I'll send the scenario to you. Please specify what scenario you want to try. In the campaign you will take command of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. The 2nd Battalion was known as the "Silver Lions" and I was part of that unit for 4 years in the mid 80's so what better reason for me to start a campaign (hypothetical of course)!

The scenario's are;


THE BALLOON GOES UP!
US vs Soviet - Meeting Engagement
Baumholder, West Germany
May 9, 1985
Turns: 15
Scenario Size: Small
.
.
ROADBLOCK AT LAUTERBACH
US vs Soviet - US Assault
Lauterbach, West Germany
May 19, 1985
Turns: 25
Scenario Size: Small

CAMPAIGN CORE FORCE

D COMPANY, 2nd BATTALION, 68th ARMOR REGIMENT, 8th INFANTRY DIVISION

HQ PLT D/2/68 ARMOR
..D-66 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-65 M60A3 (TTS)
1 PLT D/2/68 ARMOR
..D-11 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-12 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-13 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-13 M60A3 (TTS)
2 PLT D/2/68 ARMOR
..D-21 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-22 M60A3 (TTS)
..D-23 M60A3 (TTS)
...D-23 M60A3 (TTS)
3 PLT C/1/13 INFANTRY
Mech Rife Squad
..C-31 M113A2
Mech Rife Squad
..C-32 M113A2
Mech Rife Squad
..C-33 M113A1-Dragon
Mech Rife Squad
..C-34 M113A2
Dragon Team
Dragon Team
SUPPORT PLATOON
..D31 M113A2
..MEDICS Rifle Squad
..D-80 M113A2
..D-81 2&1/2-Ton AAMG
..MECHANICS Rifle Squad
..D-88 Tank Transport
..1 SGT Headquarters (1st Sergeant)
..D-7 Jeep
..D-6 Jeep
..FSO M981A1 FIST-V
..ALO M113A2

NOTE: This is a typical armor heavy Company/Team formation used during the mid 80's.

[Skirmisher]

Hi there,

Are you a member of the SPMBT yahoo group?

When I needed information on that kind of thing I asked it there.

[Double Deuce]

Hi there,

Are you a member of the SPMBT yahoo group?

When I needed information on that kind of thing I asked it there.I have tried there ages ago but got little response. I will try again to see what I can dig up.

P.S. The playtest file just went out to you. Thanks.

[Skirmisher]

Was is it you want to know about specifically.?

[Double Deuce]

Was is it you want to know about specifically.?Mainly just a more detailed Campaign design section. What every possible button does, etc. Maybe I should print out what they have in the manual and go from there by trial and error.

[TF 1-37]

DD,

I'd be happy to try testing. Send me either or both.

Scott

[Double Deuce]

DD,

I'd be happy to try testing. Send me either or both.I will. Actually, I have the 3rd one done BUT I forgot to add the US Core Force so it cant be tested ouside the campaign itself. I would add the core force BUT I is highly edited and I may not be able to reproduce it wthout spending a lot of time on it. :confused:

[Double Deuce]

I have added the layout/OOB of the Core Force to the 1st post so everyone can see what unit wuld be commanded during the Campaign.

[Double Deuce]

Here is a screen shot of the Turkish Worker Compound near Soisdorf in the SL3 - Rescue at Soisdorf scenario. In order to try and influence Turkey to come into the war on the side of NATO, your unit is to protect and then evacuate Turkish citizens working near the front lines before they can get caught in the crossfire. Until your arrival Canadian Recon forces will patrol the surrounding area and provide early warning on any approaching Warsaw Pact forces.

[Double Deuce]

In SL4 - Rest and Refitting your mission will be to provide security for B Battery of 4/29 Field Artillery while they perform extensive automotive maintenance during the night. All their main gun ammunition is placed into nearby Ammo Dumps, while their engines and transmissions are pulled for servicing. This leaves them unable to move and without main gun ammunition. :devil: They will be at the mercy of numerous East German Scouts reported to be nearby. Deploy your forces to set up a perimeter and patrol through the night to keep the area secure.

Here is a screen shot of several M109 SPA's of B Battery and the nearby Ammo Dumps.

[Skirmisher]

Can you upgrade your core force in a user built campaign?

Most of my campaigning was done using the generated version in which you are allowed to buy replacements and upgrade after battles.Just wondering if this goes for user campaigns as well?

Actually, now that I think about it,it wasnt SPMBT that I did all that campaining with.It was SP3 :o

[Double Deuce]

Can you upgrade your core force in a user built campaign?

Most of my campaigning was done using the generated version in which you are allowed to buy replacements and upgrade after battles.Just wondering if this goes for user campaigns as well?Yes you can if the designer assigns you build points (these can be set for each scenario in the campaign independent of each other). I have been doing some deep testing to see what limits I can push this to from a Campaign design standpoint such as the difference between an Open Core Force and a Fixed Core Force as well as the various type of AUX settings (i.e the difference between "AUX" and "FIX"). Getting some interesting results and learning quite a bit actually.

[Achilles]

Hi DD,

I almost finished the first section of a custom campaign in SPMBT.

If you wish to ask me anything send an email.

best,

[Double Deuce]

Hi DD,

I almost finished the first section of a custom campaign in SPMBT.

If you wish to ask me anything send an email.Thanks. I have been doing a lot of trial and error (its actually easier than I thought) and I seem to be making pretty good progress. :D

You'll have to post your campaign here when you get it done.

[Double Deuce]

Was is it you want to know about specifically.?I sent you an unfinished copy for SL2-Roadblock at Lauterbach. Sending you the correct one later tonight for testing.

[Achilles]

Thanks. I have been doing a lot of trial and error (its actually easier than I thought) and I seem to be making pretty good progress. :D

You'll have to post your campaign here when you get it done.

For some technicalities you will have to wait at least 1-2 months before being able to play the campaign :rolleyes:

best,

[Double Deuce]

For some technicalities you will have to wait at least 1-2 months before being able to play the campaign :rolleyes:

best,You'll have to redo it for the windows version by then. :D

[Achilles]

You'll have to redo it for the windows version by then. :D
:halo:

[Double Deuce]

:halo:Hummmm! Interesting choice of smiley. :whist:

[CPangracs]

..MEDICS Rifle Squad


OH HELL YEAH!!!!

[Double Deuce]

OH HELL YEAH!!!!I'm not sure I got the bumber number to the medic track right or not so I guessed.

[CPangracs]

I'm not sure I got the bumber number to the medic track right or not so I guessed.

My baby,...HQ 71

[Double Deuce]

My baby,...HQ 71I'll have to update my campaign to be more accurate then. :D

[Double Deuce]

Excerpt from Silver Lion Campaign Scenario "SL5-Defending Treischfield";

US Delay
Treischfield, West Germany
May 27, 1985

BREIFING:

As Warsaw Pact forces continue their onslaught into West Germany, NATO units garrisoned further in the rear begin to join the fight. The first order of business for these newly arriving units is to set up strongpoints to anchor the secondary NATO line.

As Commander of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 8th Infantry Division you have been ordered to the Treischfield Area. Your defensive positions will run from Oberstoppel in the North to Unterstoppel in the South and centering on Treischfield.

NOTE: This screenshot shows D-21 and D-22 in defensive positions on Hill 214 about 1 km East of Treischfield.

[Double Deuce]

Well, I have 8 scenarios of the campaign done and they are in playtesting. Hopefully I will make some more progress this weekend, time permitting.

[Skirmisher]

Well, I have 8 scenarios of the campaign done and they are in playtesting. Hopefully I will make some more progress this weekend, time permitting.

Thats a decent amount of scenerio's so far,any idea how many it will be total?
Is it a linier campaign or have you experimented with the other way of linking scenerio's?

I hope my little review of your first two was ok. :hush:

[Achilles]

My advice for designing your campaign is to create huge maps and use them for more than one scenario in your campaign.

So far, my campaign (I am now in the beta testing) consists of 8 scenarios. All scenarios uses 200x160 maps and scenarios 2,3 & 4 use the same map with small modifications (trenches, building damage etc.)

By using a huge map you have the possibility to create several sub-versions in order to link your scenarios according to the results.

I am sorry I can't tell anything more for the moment... :halo:

[Double Deuce]

My advice for designing your campaign is to create huge maps and use them for more than one scenario in your campaign.Excellent idea. I can see where it would give the feel of fighting back and forth over the same terrain. I am using 100x100 size maps as I am using only for the core force a US Company/Team size unit (2 Tank Plt/1 Mech Plt, PLUS HQ elements).

[Double Deuce]

Thats a decent amount of scenerio's so far,any idea how many it will be total?
I am thinking 15-20 so that the outcome/storyline will be varied depending on how well you do. If you do well you move through, if not you get "demoted" or given crappy rear area assignments. In one for example you get to pull security duty for an Artillery unit going through maintanence. Not real exciting BUT you better not screw it up. :laugh:

Is it a linier campaign or have you experimented with the other way of linking scenerio's?
Its not really linear. The story will jump back and forth depending on the various victory levels of the battles. I am really liking the way CAMPO has redesigned the Campaign structure especially the ability to allow you to "Hard Code" the Core Force and limit rebuild points.

I hope my little review of your first two was ok. :hush:
Actually they were right on. I am putting together the others to send out for playtesting. If you want a couple let me know.

[Double Deuce]

Here is the draft campaign structure. I think I need to re-space them for adding in the alternate storylines BUT this is my 1st try so I am trying to keep it manageable. Once WinSPMBT comes out I will redo this for that verion and in more depth.

FYI - I have the SPMBT Campaign screen recreated in Excel for reference.

NODE Scenario Name
000 ...SL1-The Balloon Goes up! (100)
001
002 ...SL2-Roadblock at Lauterbach (101)
003 ...SL4-Rest and Refitting (104)
004 ...SL3-Soisdorf Rescue (102)
005 ...SL6-Backs Against the Wall (105)
006 ...SL5-Defending Treischfield (103)
007
008
009
010 ...SL7-Counter-Attack (106)
011
012
013
014
015 ...SL8-Closing the Gap (107)
016
017
018
019
020 ...SL9-Nailing the Coffin Shut (108)
021
022
023
024
025 ...SL10-Mopping Up (109)

[Double Deuce]

UPdate!

Work is progressing slowly BUT with the release of WinPMBT closing in I may put this off for now and redo it using that new version. I still have at least 3 scenarios to design and even more to test.

NOTE: If anyone has PM'ed me to ask for scenarios to playtest I have not received them. For some reason the PM feature is not working for me.

[Pannonicus]

I would gladly test any of them! "WW3" is my favourite. Fortunately, it never happened - but this is why it is so interesting.

[Double Deuce]

UPDATE - Things are progressing again. I have 3 scenarios left to complete unless I decide to add more. This will give it 11 scenarios total.

I will post more once I update my campaign matrix, etc.

[Double Deuce]

I would gladly test any of them! "WW3" is my favourite. Fortunately, it never happened - but this is why it is so interesting.Since I am so close to finishing I can send you the campaign to test if you want. Might be after this weekend though.

[Double Deuce]

UPDATE - The 1st version is now fully complete. There are 11 scenario's total but you may not get into them all depending on how well you do or don't do.

I need 3 playtesters to put it though its paces. Email me at playtesting@combat-campaigns.com if you want to try it out but be advised the file is about 1.5 MB zipped.

Just as a reminder on what the campaign is about, here is the Campaign Intoduction text;

---------------------------------------------------------


SILVER LIONS!

US vs WARSAW PACT

May/June 1985
Game Version: WinSPMBT 1.0
Format: Fixed Core Campaign
Turns: 15 - 25
Player: United States Army
Command Size: Company
Length: 11 Scenario's (maximum)

INTRODUCTION:

World War III has finally erupted between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

You are the commander of of the US Army's D Company, 2nd Battalion (Silver Lions), 68th Armor Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. Your unit has already been assembled and await your orders.

Once the fighting starts, you will have no choice about what reinforcements or repair priority you get. All efforts will be made by the Silver Lion Battalion Commander to provide you and your men with the additional assets necessary to accomplish your mission. Be advised though that as the war progresses you may be placed into difficult situations and will have to carry on the fight with whatever forces you have on hand.