Another joins the ranks

[Pirimeister]

Howdy!

Finally took the plunge and bought my copy of TSATC. I was affraid the game system would be out of my league, so I was a bit indecisive about getting it. But after giving the demo another go and having lots of fun playing the Chinese Farm scenario I could see that I was wrong: it's not the system that's hard to master, it's the great enemy AI that puts up the biggest challenge.

Plus I think that both the maps in TSATC are some of the best in wargames. Using simple elements you guys managed to create some great effects and some fine-looking maps.

So I went for it. And I was lucky to find the game for sale here in Europe, which helped me save on the 50% tax that games from non-EU countries are subjected to. What more could a guy ask for?

I've been playing the Chinese Farm over and over and have yet to win it for the first time :o but I'm learning a lot playing it, since it's an armour-only scenario with a sprinkle of artillery and air support, to pratice your synchronization skills. My biggest mistakes seem to revolve around using my support units in inefficient way. But I'm getting there! Those F-4 Phantoms are widow-makers if you use them properly.

I was looking into buying ATF when the financial opportunity comes up, but I have a question regarding that. I assume that I would be able to play the ATF scenarios in the new AATF game engine, but AATF doesn't come with any of those older scenarios, right? I ask this because I'm not a huge Airborne/Airmobile fan, mostly because I always seem to missuse them in other games I've played... At least with armour I know where I stand (but barely;) :D )

Cheers!
Paulo

[JamesBailey]

Paulo-

Hello from the USA!

One thing that I can tell you from observation on ATF vs TSATC is that ATF is more of a combined arms fight. More 'deliberate attacks' where its essential to put together direct fire armor, breaching engineers (or obstacles), recon (or counter-recon) infantry, and, most importantly, indirect fire (the big 1-5-5 mike mikes!). This was the type of fight every USA soldier prepped fo from 1945 and to roughly 2003-ish.

TSATC has more of the 'hasty attacks', the movement to contact type stuff, with big LOS's that can be dominated by armor and CAS (Close Air Support). If you are a tanker, it sounds like you bought the right game in TSATC.

I have been playing this game for a month, so take the above with a grain of salt! :lier:

[John Osborne]

Welcome Pirimeister,

Good luck with "The Battle of Chinese Farm". I still haven't beaten it yet myself :nuts:

I'm setting up my forces for the "Attack on Jenin". Will post an AAR, win or lose :laugh: this weekend.

John

[Pat Proctor]

Pirimeister,

First, thanks for the purchase! I hope you enjoy the game.

You are correct. Scenarios from ATF (and all of the ATF Engine Games) will run in AATF (along with all of the upgrades like new damage model, TRPs, AI boost, interface improvements, etc.) but the scenarios do not SHIP with the game. You will have to buy them and install AATF over them.

[Pirimeister]

Thanks for the info, Pat. I have the ebay seller where I got TSATC from "under survailance", so when he gets ATF for sale I'll get it from him. Since AATF will ship in December I think I can shoehorn it in my Christmas list. :cool:

Cheers!
Paulo