"Rage against the machine" scenario

[Jacksons]

I played this one yesterday and we both thought it favored the Germans, although it was a fun scenario.
For those who have played this before what are the best strategies for the russian attacker.
Once the russian finds the ATG should he put 2-3 of the 122L and 152 AFV on the ATG to try to knock it out quickly?
Should the russian HMG go up on the hill to try to wipe out the german defenders on his left flank and clear away for the infantry to run quickly through the OG in the center of the Board?
What are the axis of attacks that the Russian should choose and how many prongs should he use with the infantry?
Which 2 of the 3 VC should the Russian pursue(bridge, HQ building or crossroads)?
Should the russian look to try a human wave.
How much risk of VBM freeze should the russian take.

Any good advice would be greatly appreciated.


Stan

 

[Mister T]

Your questions show it is a content-rich scenario, with different options available on either side.

I would not necessarily think of it as pro-german. The scenario has good replayability.

 

[Jacksons]

Yes it is a great scenario with replayability!
I am just looking for some pointers for the Russians to hear how others have approached the attack and what worked, did not work and what they would try differently next time. Just trying to improve.

 

[Michael R]

Use Google Advanced Search to search this website for AARs of this scenario. It has been reported more than once.

 

[von Marwitz]

Use Google Advanced Search to search this website for AARs of this scenario. It has been reported more than once.

The search query for google would be something like:

site:gamesquad.com "rage against the machine" aar

Try some combinations, maybe including the scenario ID.

von Marwitz

 

[fenyan]

The scenario comments at ASL Scenario Archive will give you some ideas as well for your next playing.

My notes from playing this in 2019 state that as the Russians, more use of smoke would have helped, and a better pace of attack.

 

[Jacometti]

Yes it is a great scenario with replayability!
I am just looking for some pointers for the Russians to hear how others have approached the attack and what worked, did not work and what they would try differently next time. Just trying to improve.

If you meet me at ASLOK this year you can have the Germans and I can see if my plan of attack is any better than yours, Stan.

In my view, this is among the two or three best designs Chris and I have ever produced, and I think it is challenging for both sides. One thing for sure: the Russians really need to be agressive on the attack, because the objectives are not easy to achieve. Running one Turn short at the end is probably the most common reason for the Russians to lose this scenario.

 

[Toby Pilling]

I love this scenario - it is one of my favourites.

 

[Jacksons]

If you meet me at ASLOK this year you can have the Germans and I can see if my plan of attack is any better than yours, Stan.

In my view, this is among the two or three best designs Chris and I have ever produced, and I think it is challenging for both sides. One thing for sure: the Russians really need to be agressive on the attack, because the objectives are not easy to achieve. Running one Turn short at the end is probably the most common reason for the Russians to lose this scenario.

George,

As you know I will be trying to play as many japanese scenarios as I can at ASLOK, since this is the only time of year that I get to play them.
However I have a buddy of mine from our local group that plans to go to aslok. He thinks that the germans are favored so I may be able to hook you up with a game of Rage against the machine with him. I will sneak a peak at your unstoppable attack so I learn something.

Stan

 

[rwcallen]

I used human wave early in my play as the Russian both times I played it as Russian and won. Once recently, opponent conceded early, maybe too early tbh. Still probably had a chance to win without crazy stuff happening, but you know how it goes when defending and getting beat up for 3+ turns, just start to think you cannot win. German has to fall back FAST and try to stay/grow concealment to limit HW options. First playing as Russian had to create a breech with a DC to eliminate the brokie in the big victory building, otherwise the German had it locked up (units on ground floor, broke unit upstairs). Won once with the Germans as well. I think it’s well balanced but requires the Russians to go hard, as Peter noted. I didn’t exchange fire with the Russian tanks against the AT gun. The gun is often on the other side of the river and and the 152s are as likely to break their own gun as run off the crew, with circled B10. Just keep moving and use the hill mass/buildings in town to screen your flanks and rear from the cross river AT gun. You could interdict most positions of the gun across the river from the bldg on the hill with a 8+1 (leader/4-5-8/hmg). I did use smoke to help assault the town, the Russians have tons of options (s8 on the 122 plus one time use of SD6 on the T34s). Pretty sure I used riders as well, once the tanks got on board. You’ll probably lose a couple tanks to the AT gun, but it’s not easy for the German 75L (AT or AFV) to penetrate the Russian heavy tanks from the front. I’d take either side.

 

[Sparafucil3]

German has to fall back FAST and try to stay/grow concealment to limit HW options.

Doesn't have to be a known Enemy Unit to launch a HW, just an enemy unit. Of course, ff you're growing Concealment, the unit is out of LOS but be careful about advancing Concealed units forward to stop a HW. -- jim

 

[rwcallen]

Doesn't have to be a known Enemy Unit to launch a HW, just an enemy unit. Of course, of you're growing Concealment, the unit is out of LOS but be careful about advancing Concealed units forward to stop a HW. -- jim

You are, of course correct! Meant to say “stay out of LOS”. Thanks for catching the error.

 

[Jacksons]

I used human wave early in my play as the Russian both times I played it as Russian and won. Once recently, opponent conceded early, maybe too early tbh. Still probably had a chance to win without crazy stuff happening, but you know how it goes when defending and getting beat up for 3+ turns, just start to think you cannot win. German has to fall back FAST and try to stay/grow concealment to limit HW options. First playing as Russian had to create a breech with a DC to eliminate the brokie in the big victory building, otherwise the German had it locked up (units on ground floor, broke unit upstairs). Won once with the Germans as well. I think it’s well balanced but requires the Russians to go hard, as Peter noted. I didn’t exchange fire with the Russian tanks against the AT gun. The gun is often on the other side of the river and and the 152s are as likely to break their own gun as run off the crew, with circled B10. Just keep moving and use the hill mass/buildings in town to screen your flanks and rear from the cross river AT gun. You could interdict most positions of the gun across the river from the bldg on the hill with a 8+1 (leader/4-5-8/hmg). I did use smoke to help assault the town, the Russians have tons of options (s8 on the 122 plus one time use of SD6 on the T34s). Pretty sure I used riders as well, once the tanks got on board. You’ll probably lose a couple tanks to the AT gun, but it’s not easy for the German 75L (AT or AFV) to penetrate the Russian heavy tanks from the front. I’d take either side.

Bob,

Thanks! That was the kind of strategic ideas that I was looking to get for the Russians.

Stan