Good Day Gentlemen - Some advice if you please

[Ramseur]

Finally got around to buying this game and have updated to Patch 1.5 and have completed the two tutorials and have been replaying the Bull Run and Shiloh scenarios to get the feel of the game and observe the results of Command and Supply.

Can you please advice which scenario I should go to next and also I have read about the enhanced Generals Images mod. Could you please let me know if there is a single download that combines these fine looking images.

Thanks in advance.

[Farseer]

I strongly recommend the full campaign w/Kentucky. Its the only tutorial to learn the full aspect of the game, and the way to do it is to just do it. Sure, you'll make mistakes, but thats how to best learn anything.

Also, pretty much every possible situation and aspect of the game is covered (asked and answered) in this forum so don't hesitate to read up on things you come across or wonder about as you go along. I learned 20 times more that way than by playing the tutorials or short scenarios.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[Ramseur]

I can see that this game is like a game of chess. You just cannot play it unless you are mentally prepared and have time to study the board.

I took the advice of starting the full campaign in 1861 w/Kentucky always as the Confederacy and have gotten to December 1861 five times and then restarted as I finally grasped another aspect of the game.

I have read many AAR's and have realised that my natural aggression and unwillingness to give ground is not going to help me in this simulation.

I understand the importance of command and supply and am using blockade runners with some success.

I am still hopeless at using the River resources and also the placement of forts.

I still cannot wrap my mind around an Industrialization Strategy other than I know I need to do "something" with it.

Any advice would be most welcome, especially as to where to place forts and where and what forces to repel sea born invasions.

I am using patch 1.15 but see references to a beta 1.16 with quick fixes and would like to know if I should find them and install them and information on what the beta patch contains.

Thank you in advance.

[OneArmedMexican]

I am still hopeless at using the River resources and also the placement of forts.

1) River transport points work much like railroad points; keep in mind that you have them especially when moving troops in the Mississippi region. However, I rarely built up my riverine transport capacities as railroad points are more useful.

2) River transports and gunboats: Highly useful in blocking enemy movement across rivers. River transports can be used to build new depots (cheaper than using supply trains).

3) Forts: offer huge combat bonus to defender; downside: danger of getting trapped inside; combat bonus evaporates with mounting number of breeches; cost ressources; are stationary.
Overall, I believe forts are only in exceptional cases worth building. Rather, try to entrench your troops behind a river.

I still cannot wrap my mind around an Industrialization Strategy other than I know I need to do "something" with it.

1) Industrialization costs occur each turn! Don't forget to turn the industrialization option off.

2) In the 61 campaigns, you will mostly likly be short of war supplies, rather than food and ammunition. If that is the case, I would invest in the secure hinterland, e.g. Georgia.

Any advice would be most welcome, especially as to where to place forts and where and what forces to repel sea born invasions.

Sea-born invasions: in my experience the AI isn't especially bold in this departement. It occasionally invades the Peninsula or NC by sea, but I never have seen it mount a seaborn invasion of New Orleans or Mobile.
As concerns a counter-strategy: You haven't got enough troops to protect every coastal city; therefore, I would create a mobile reserve and railway it to the place he lands.
Against human opponents sea-born invasions are a real danger; the AI however, usually isn't able to follow through. The invaders run out of supplies and become easy pickings!

By the way, there are countless threads on this forum on every aspect of the game and there is a Wiki. It might be worth your while searching in them for answers.

[Farseer]

I have read many AAR's and have realised that my natural aggression and unwillingness to give ground is not going to help me in this simulation.

I haven't played CSA myself, but from what I understand from others it is better to play defensively, advance slowly, and only attack where enemy is really weak, OR even better to avoid their larger armies and instead move around and cut them off from their supply lines, which takes some mobility and cunning.

I still cannot wrap my mind around an Industrialization Strategy other than I know I need to do "something" with it.

When you place your industrialization in a State you will receive a chance that production in that state increases. The higher the level of industrialization you invest in, the more production growth you will receive in that state over time. Some advice that as CSA player you shouldn't bother with industrialization. Others say it is essential. I suggest you work with it and find out the strategy that suits you best for yourself. One thing is certain, the south is severely under-industrialized. But since your funds are also very limited it can be debated if investing in industry is worth it with the slow industrial gain. Blockade runners may be a more viable option in the long run. Personally I don't know.

I am using patch 1.15 but see references to a beta 1.16 with quick fixes and would like to know if I should find them and install them and information on what the beta patch contains.

Well, since its still in development there are a few things that aren't working just right yet. I suggest you stick with 1.15 until you either feel ready to help beta test or the 1.16 published version is ready before you update.

Thank you in advance.

You're welcome!

[Ramseur]

Finally my first 1861 w/t full campaign Victory as the CSA in October 1864 but a damn close run thing. Also I had disabled the give AI more time to think option. I shall replay with those options on. I am sure it will be a much tougher game.

AI, did launch several seaborne invasions with some success and only Lee and Three Corps of crack troops launched at Washington, with Johnston and two crack Corps and 12 Ironclads(did a great job) defending Richmond saved the day as the Confederacy was split almost down the middle and I was out of conscripts.

Like, the man said. Only one way to learn this game and that is to dive right into it and be prepared to keep restarting a new campaign when you realise the importance of different aspects of it. Artillery, supply and weather being so very important to understand.

Had a shock on discovering we are only allowed thirty divisions. I used three armies. I think we are allowed four.

Just a couple of questions.

How many Corp are we allowed per per army and in total?

Is there a provisional release date for the next patch and also where can I find a list of changes included in it.

I almost gave up this game in the first hour as I felt overwhelmed but am glad I persevered. As a Brit my knowledge of American geography has certainly been expanded.

Thanks for a great game.

[Pocus]

you welcome

Patch should be hopefully out before Christmas.
You can have up to Strat rating+3 subordinates corps (if memory serves)

[spec10]

I almost gave up this game in the first hour as I felt overwhelmed but am glad I persevered. As a Brit my knowledge of American geography has certainly been expanded.

Thanks for a great game.

I hear you

I had some basic knowledge about where most of the US States are located (basic as in "I can identify most coastal ones but have to guess a lot in between")

I already knew a lot about the American Civil War before I played any games portraying the era, I knew about the different theaters, knew the names and in many cases the tactical layout of all the larger battles, etc. but before playing AACW I had no idea how complex the strategic picture was.

Knowing the geography changes everything