Newbie Question

[LedgerSko]

Hey everyone. I just ordered the game (should have it within a few days) Ive been digging around the site for a few days now. I read the whole manual on the Wiki site but I know Im missing quite a bit.

As someone who just got the game what are the essential mods/add ons/ graphics that I will need when my game arrives? What could you not play without that does not come with the game as it would come out of the box.

Thanks in Advance,

[LedgerSko]

.....and other than completing the tutorials, what should I do before I really dig into the game?

[cptcav]

Hey everyone. I just ordered the game (should have it within a few days) Ive been digging around the site for a few days now. I read the whole manual on the Wiki site but I know Im missing quite a bit.

As someone who just got the game what are the essential mods/add ons/ graphics that I will need when my game arrives? What could you not play without that does not come with the game as it would come out of the box.

Thanks in Advance,

As a newbie myself (I got the game in January), I am playing by email with a friend (who also got the game in January) and find that the vanilla version of the game is quite good. I will probably check out the mods later, but for right now, I am very satisfied with the game. I do not know how the AI handles as I am only playing by email.

I do have to say that there is a steep learning curve. Even so, the game is the best I have ever experienced. I find that the learning is easier with an opponent who is willing to discuss what is going on; even though with us, it is a case of the blind leading the blind. Also, reading as much as you can and posting questions on the forum helps.

Regards,
CptCav

[Franciscus]

Hello LedgerSko and welcome to the forums

First of all, you really do not need anything besides the vanilla game to get a fantastic experience. You should go ahead and apply the latest official patch (1.13b), to get the best experience. Regarding mods, you should not concern yourself too much with them for now. In reality, there is only one mod - SVF, by Clovis, that strives specially for a better experience playing vs AI. It is a great work, but still a work in progress. But really, vanilla is superb.

Regarding your other question, my advice is that before embarking in a grand campaign, you should try some scenarios, particularly Shiloh (very good to get the hang on how to organize forces, conduct movements, raids and battles, etc). You should first play vs AI. And when you start the grand campaign, be prepared to start all over again many, many times...

Regards

[Brochgale]

Recommend in addition to Fransiscus comments that you play on easy to start

[LedgerSko]

Thanks for the responses so far. I cannot believe it took my this long to find this game. I love Civil War history. I teach high school history and have read many books. Ive played the you know what out of the Europa Universalis Series, so I cant wait to dig into this game.

[Gray_Lensman]

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[LedgerSko]

So the SVF mod is already part of the 1.13b patch that I will need?

[bburns9]

So the SVF mod is already part of the 1.13b patch that I will need?

No, the SVF mod would need to be downloaded separately. It is a mod designed by Clovis. The 1.13b download is the most recent version of the vanilla game. After playing the game many times over the past three months, the one thing I've really grown to appreciate is the commitment and dedication of the Aegod team and the members of this forum to continually improve the game.

You can find the 1.13b patch here (I think I'm doing this right):

http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?t=12806

There is another update on the horizon (it's in beta testing now) that will add some more historical accuracy as well.

BB

[Gray_Lensman]

deleted

[LedgerSko]

Thanks again...I cannot wait !!!

[dragoon47]

Speaking as n00B_SaUcE myself, I would recommend the following...

• Read the manual.
• Play the Tutorial.
• Read the Wiki.
• Complete the following Scenarios in order:
  -1st Manassas(Mainly to learn about the new corps/division system until 1862)
  -Shiloh
  -Atlanta
  -Vicksburg

These should be enough for you to gain an upper hand on the gameplay mechanics and give you enough practice on the combat portion of the game along with some elementary corps/division building.

After that, play the Kentucky campaign, then play the Eastern 1862 campaign. These campaign will let you refine your economic decisions, as well as creating new divisions, corps, and armies. If you manage to beat this, move on to the Western campaign to familiarize yourself with that theater, then the Far West if you truly feel like it , then you will be ready to give the AI a run for its money on normal in the grand campaign.

Play all those scenarios on normal mind you...I have them listed in terms of difficulty and it should provide you with at least a 45 degree slope to climb instead of 90 .

P.S. Try to learn the naval portion of the game, it's highly rewarding once your hair turns gray from learning it !

[Rafiki]

In addition to the numerous items of good advice above, I also recommend keeping these forums on speed-dial. If you find yourself stuck, befuddled or simply wondering about how something works and can't find answers to it in the places already looked, these forums are 99% likely to answer your questions, either by

A) using the search function; many people have gone thruogh the same process you are with learning the game, and many question shave been asked and answered along the way

or

B) asking yourself. I trust you'll find the people here to be both friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the game

In any case, welcome to the forums; we hope you will enjoy it here

[Clovis]

Hey everyone. I just ordered the game (should have it within a few days) Ive been digging around the site for a few days now. I read the whole manual on the Wiki site but I know Im missing quite a bit.

As someone who just got the game what are the essential mods/add ons/ graphics that I will need when my game arrives? What could you not play without that does not come with the game as it would come out of the box.

Thanks in Advance,

As newcomer , you should first stick with the official version at first, patched to the last version.

SVF

As mod SVF is almost achieved. Contrary to some opinion expressed here, it's not just destined to modify AI behaviour. The first step, now achieved was to put data closer to the historical figures. The second, AI modification, is nearly completed. The last, PBEM balance, will come in the next months. SVF is fully playable though as is today and achievement rate has been boosted these last weeks thanks to the help of some players.

But as a whole, SVF is yet indeed a work in progress. i've done 98% of I intended

[soundoff]

As mod SVF is almost achieved. Contrary to some opinion expressed here, it's not just destined to modify AI behaviour. The first step, now achieved was to put data closer to the historical figures. The second, AI modification, is nearly completed. The last, PBEM balance, will come in the next months. SVF is fully playable though as is today and achievement rate has been boosted these last weeks thanks to the help of some players.

But as a whole, SVF is yet indeed a work in progress. i've done 98% of I intended

Hi Clovis,

Now I know its slightly off topic but I'm intrigued by your comment that you will be balancing SVF for PBEM. Now that is interesting and when you've managed it, as I'm sure you will, I probably shall have to revise my reluctance to download and install your mod

Could make for another interesting joint AAR.....providing of course Banks and I have completed our current renditioning. Mind you with SVF I'm sure I'd be right back in the beginner category.

[Jarkko]

I want to reiterate what Gray says above: Play the scenarios Bigus made. Especially the Far West scenario was excellent for me to learn and understand the game, as it has basically everything a full campaign game has (except the naval stuff) in a much more forgiving enviroment, and the scenario is easy to play through in an evening when still learning the game

[mikee64]

The last, PBEM balance, will come in the next months.

Go, Clovis, go!

Seriously, my thoughts on this are stated in soundoff's post above almost exactly.

[Clovis]

Go, Clovis, go!

Seriously, my thoughts on this are stated in soundoff's post above almost exactly.

http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?t=13903

[Capt Pob]

Hello LedgerSko,

I am also quite new to AACW. Absoluteley agree with everything said already, but what has helped me most to understand the game mechanics and to develop a strategy has been the AAR's. Not only educational but very entertaining too. Start with Soundoff versus Banks. Very relevant and very informative.

Enjoy.

[LedgerSko]

Thanks again guys this is a great community. I hope I will be able to contribute some meaningful statements here in the future. Im sure I'll have plenty of questions.

[dragoon47]

Also, once you start the larger campaigns, play with historical attrition on so you can get used to the idea of keeping your armies near hospitable regions and good supply lines, as much as I don't, I at least know I should !

[LedgerSko]

Alright the game arrived today and it has taken me about two hours just to get through the tutorials!!! Let's see if I can actually put it all together now !!

[dragoon47]

If you lose, you're learning something, remember young padawan .

Download the patch also, it helps to get used to the new features early, and they greatly enhance replayability with the stance orders and such.

Also, put the engagement delay on long, it's pretty interesting...in a good way of course. It allows for some of those risky moves where you disengage while the enemy is still in the region to fight someone else a la Chancellorsville status .

These are all just personal preferences of course, to make the game more challenging and make it police itself to avoid any "strange" moves on my part or the AI's.