AP194 NOT FADE AWAY - AAR

[synicbast]

combine the logs afterwards, one log per session

 

[von Marwitz]

combine the logs afterwards, one log per session

How can logs be combined? Is there an option to do it or would one copy/paste previous stuff into the latest log?

von Marwitz

 

[sdennis]

I am especially grateful for the hint that units are not Pinned if they roll a 6 when trying for Infantry Smoke. As mentioned, I have played that wrong for years and it is a thing which comes up often.

von Marwitz

When I used to go to more tournaments and play my non-regular opponents more, this was likely one of the most misplayed things I ran into all the time. Gently corrected many a player, it seems pretty unique that you don't get a counter for this...

So trivia, how many actions like this don't produce a counter?? i.e. something "bad" or not good, that doesn't result in a condition reflected by a counter?
Am I just not thinking deep enough?

 

[Michael R]

That said, what does one do if a playing takes more than one session to end?
Would you have to begin a new log for each VASL session or does one load the original log to continue it?
von Marwitz

There is no need to combine the logs; just review a log file until the end and then open the next one.

 

[von Marwitz]

There is no need to combine the logs; just review a log file until the end and then open the next one.

Fair enough!

Writing an AAR two or three weeks after the game, I also found that remembering the exact order of things is at times elusive. This problem would also be fixed by the use of logs.

I shall try it for the next VASL game.

von Marwitz

 

[Perry]

When I used to go to more tournaments and play my non-regular opponents more, this was likely one of the most misplayed things I ran into all the time. Gently corrected many a player, it seems pretty unique that you don't get a counter for this...

So trivia, how many actions like this don't produce a counter?? i.e. something "bad" or not good, that doesn't result in a condition reflected by a counter?
Am I just not thinking deep enough?

What do you want?
A “Not Pinned” counter?
Their MPh is over, just like a unit that spent all its MF.

 

[wrongway149]

In any case, our playing was a close game which was exciting til the end.

von Marwitz

I will consider my objective met.

But I have always wondered -- if a scenario always comes down to the end, the outcome depending on one or two moves or DRs -- but the same side always wins-- IS IT BALANCED?

 

[von Marwitz]

I will consider my objective met.

But I have always wondered -- if a scenario always comes down to the end, the outcome depending on one or two moves or DRs -- but the same side always wins-- IS IT BALANCED?

Well, if you ask for my personal opinion after having once played the scenario if it is balanced, this is my assessment and the reasons for it:

I think that the scenario is somewhat pro German.

In our playing, the outcome was very close, but I believe that this does not reflect the chances in general.

What certainly worked for the Germans in our scenario was that his Sniper killed my 8-0 and 7-0 Leaders in early mid-game and mid-game. This had a sigificant impact. Furthermore, I could not get but a single round of SMOKE (including sM) out of the Shermans, which also helped the Germans without doubt. That two of the Shermans malfunctioned their MA's (one on its 1st shot, the other on the 2nd or 3rd) did not help either.

What helped me as the Americans was that the Germans did not set up the AT-Gun AND the FlaK on "the hilltop". Had they done so, there would have been quite a number of extra long range fire opportunities with good chances to stop/delay some of the US force just before entering the Depression. On top of that, his FlaK on "the hilltop" opened up later that it could have, forfeiting some very good opportunities to fire. His FlaK-Vierling halftrack managed to get off only three shots, two of which he gacked more or less. All this means that a big amount of firepower "didn't" happen that - with good chances - could have. No speed bumps in the form of Minefields or halfsquads were set up on board 91, which - together with long range fire from "the hilltop" not happening saved me a lot of time. And last but not least, his 8-1 choosing Melee instead of advinding up to 1st Level in the single staircase of the 2nd Level building before my last MPh helped me to get that key building.

So in our game, things sort of balanced out somehow.

However, I believe the chances of losing two Leaders KIA rather early in the game (to a Sniper), and hardly any Smoke from all of the three tanks are markedly lower than lots of long range fire not happening, the lack of "speedbumps" on board 91, and choosing Melee for the Leader rather than the upstairs Advance.

Thus, if in our game the outcome was very close, in general in my assessment a tilt in balance in favor to the Germans appears more likely. As of now, a roughly 20:30 ROAR rating in favor of the Germans based on a considerable 50 reported playings seems to support my personal impression.

Of course, this still does not mean that this ROAR rating or my impression is "cemented". Sometimes it has taken a while until the "best way" to play a scenario for a given side is found and eventually might spread to be adopted throughout the community.

Whatever the case, the scenario was fun - and that's the important thing!
So for my personal case: Yes, objective met.

von Marwitz

 

[Michael R]

I played this as the Germans. I put mines and speed bump HS in the woods. I put the MMG in the level 2 building position with the 9-1. The Americans took a couple of turns just to reach the second board and were not even close to winning the scenario at the end.

 

[von Marwitz]

I played this as the Germans. I put mines and speed bump HS in the woods. I put the MMG in the level 2 building position with the 9-1. The Americans took a couple of turns just to reach the second board and were not even close to winning the scenario at the end.

That's probably the way I would have done it, too. Along with the AT-Gun and the FlaK-Gun on "the hilltop".

What is especially "wicked" about this is, when the Americans reach the edge before entering the depression and get Broken there, they will likely Rout back out of LOS. But after they have rallied, they might see themselves exposed to the same long range attacks. Likely, the Americans will not be using Assault Movement to get forward, so these would be +0 DRM shots. Dangerous stuff for 6 or 7 Morale Good Order units...

von Marwitz

 

[sdennis]

I agree, I would play the Germans if playing for money

 

[Old Noob]

As for Pinned status, Bill Mauldin said it best:
"I can't git no lower, Willie. Me buttons is in the way."