Looking to Play in the Sand Box (Not That One)

[Iron Mike USMC]

I am looking for an opponent or opponents for non-rated games to experiment with different types of units and strategies.

When games are rated, we tend to be somewhat conservative, and only adjust over time.

I would like to play some experimental games, which may not get to their ends. I'd like to give pure infantry against pure armor a try, without worrying about falling through the floor on the ladder. I want to try different defensive and assault techniques.

I want to do this against humans rather than AI. The AI can be too predictable or timid.

Besides experimenting with unit selections and game parameters, I want to try different map types, not just random QB maps.

I have BB and AK. I have no preferences for either. Force selections and game and map types are all up for discussion and negotiation before each game/experiment.

If we can get something going, I plan to post AARs and observations for open discussion.

edward(dot)brown(at)earthlink(dot)net

[Boff]

I am looking for an opponent or opponents for non-rated games to experiment with different types of units and strategies.

When games are rated, we tend to be somewhat conservative, and only adjust over time.

I would like to play some experimental games, which may not get to their ends. I'd like to give pure infantry against pure armor a try, without worrying about falling through the floor on the ladder. I want to try different defensive and assault techniques.

I want to do this against humans rather than AI. The AI can be too predictable or timid.

Besides experimenting with unit selections and game parameters, I want to try different map types, not just random QB maps.

I have BB and AK. I have no preferences for either. Force selections and game and map types are all up for discussion and negotiation before each game/experiment.

If we can get something going, I plan to post AARs and observations for open discussion.

edward(dot)brown(at)earthlink(dot)net

I'll give it a go, nothing too huge though and I presume you'll provide the setups?

[Iron Mike USMC]

Cool. Any preferences?

For now, I would be interested in 1000 pts or less, on small maps.

I'll send off a QB later tonight.

I am thinking of an urban setting, defended by infantry only, assaulted by combined arms. I will take the defense.

I'll send an email via the forum when ready.

[Boff]

No preferences as it's not for the ladder, I'll take it as it comes..
email to boff at fiskes.co.uk

[Iron Mike USMC]

OK, got a couple of games going now, and another one or two in the works.

In one game, I am playing the Finns with an infantry force, approaching a Soviet held road, and a nearby HQ. The map is mostly woods, with a few open spots, as well as some water and marshy areas, which create some choke points.

The Soviet HQ is a collection of buildings in a clearing, with a light trail off the one road on the map. It sits on the highest elevation of the map, giving it the importance it gets in the game.

The Soviets were given just about carte blanche for forces, so I have no idea what to expect. As a result, I needed to create a force which would be flexible enough to handle everything from infantry to armor to fixed guns. The trcik will be to see if I not only got the balance, but the approach to the targets right.

The first image shows the map from the northwest corner. Trees are set at the lowest display, so as to give a sense of coverage. Note that there is a 100pt flag at each end of the road, as well as one in a cluster of trees at a bend in the road. The third flag denotes a good place to set up an ambush, ergo the flag. The last flag is 300pts for the Russian HQ.

The second image is from the southeast, and you can get a good few of the Finnish right flank obstacles. You can see the choke points around the water and marshes, as well as the open terrain approaches to the southern-most flag, making a direct assault risky.

The first image also gives a good view of the terrain behinf the Finns front line. I don't expect the battle to push the Finns back, but it will make intersting terrain for a future battle on this map.

[Iron Mike USMC]

The other game I have going is centered on a small/medium town in Italy. Again I have an infantry force, but I am on defense. It is a low point game, 800pts, so force selection had to be especially careful. My opponent again has good flexibility in force selection. So, I need to not only keep in mind the possible forces to contend with, I also have to be sure I can cover the town adequately.

The town is primarily heavy buildings, which means my units cannot travel from one building to the next through the walls. They need to enter the streets. So, careful initial placement is crucial. On top of that, I also need ot place the units so that if they do need to move, to reinforce other areas, they can do so with as much cover as possible.

Photoshop is acting up, so I won't have screenshots for a bit.

The approach to the town is from the south. The attacker's right flank is fairly open, with minimal cover. The left flank not only has fair to good cover, the terrain also has a few blind spots for the defense. though logic would dictate the covered approach, all had to be covered.

As my opponent has already noticed, judicial use of FOs and TRPs was very important in the defense. As a result, I was able to quickly react to his approach, much to his chagrine. Sometimes, you eat the bear. Sometimes, he eats you. So far it is bear steaks for me. but, it is early.

The purpose of this scenario, is defense of a built up area, without the use of road blocks, trenches, wire, or mines. How long can I hold out?

[TacCovert4]

If you're up for another one, I'd give it a go. My file rate should be getting back up as toys for tots is winding down, and the tourney is getting a bit easier to work with now that I have a competent team and experience to assist this incompetent CMer.

I'll play any setup you want.

Taccovert4

dehengineer2003 at yahoo dot com dot au

[Iron Mike USMC]

If you're up for another one, I'd give it a go. My file rate should be getting back up as toys for tots is winding down, and the tourney is getting a bit easier to work with now that I have a competent team and experience to assist this incompetent CMer.

I'll play any setup you want.

Taccovert4

dehengineer2003 at yahoo dot com dot au


Email on the way. Something in the Steppes, perhaps?

[TacCovert4]

More likely Italy, But we can go with a less than perfectly realistic "Steppe" map.

[Iron Mike USMC]

Italy is fine. Wandering the Tuscan plain, or climbing the mountains od Sicily? Perhaps slogging off the beaches of Anzio or Salerno?

[TacCovert4]

Whatever you want to do. I'm up for anything at the moment, (no comments numberz), just send me a setup file and we can get started.

Tac

[Iron Mike USMC]

Well, I am back in the sandbox, about to start another set of mirrored games against Mt Carmel Hill. Our current set has been a pair of meat grinders. I am sure we'll post AARs for them. Never seen anything like it.

Anyway, the next round will be small, short scenarios I am calling (for want of a better word) Sprints. 400m x 400m maps, with 1000 pts to spend. The maps were generated by the editor tool in CMAL, and fine tuned. Probably went through 30 or 40 generated maps befre I came to 7 or 8 that were workable, with out puttingin too much effort.

When the games were generated, I allowed the game to automatically select the forces for each side, then selected the custom maps, at the appropriate screen. Added I nice touch of randomness, making each playing a little unique.

The idea was to have games which could be played quickly, during or between other longer games. I do not intend to make these ladder games. The idea is still to work on tactics and skills.