CW2 Thoughts

[BattleVonWar]

Very splendid game. I have now played on and off a year and half and noted several things about the game I like and dislike.

The complex leadership, command structure and combat system simulate the turmoil of controlling an army during the era. People forget unlike WW2 you couldn't fly in a General or Drive one in.. in a day.. Or similarly the battles of the Civil War were bloody. So bloody I think they influence US Military Doctrine today.

The Supply system is rather lenient on the most difficult settings for massive stacks. It is quite possible to maneuver 200k into the South or North with little or no issues if you know how to manipulate the game engine. Plus disease is of little consequence with the bonuses of support units that counter this.

Most value is economic and taking real estate has no Value in places where it might historically had some value. In a current game of mine I have captured Harrisburg and lost Charleston ... Charleston was a massive NM/VP blow for me but taking Harrisburg and being able to hold it really meant little or nothing to me.(so after holding it several turns I more or less abandoned the concept of using that real estate at all)

Similarly I had taken Baltimore and could have potentially taken Philadelphia and Annapolis but neither are high value targets that will yield me much of a victory. They cannot be held long but the terror in the Northern Population would be quite a thing that or had a galvanizing effect much like it did with the South. Neither are properly simulated... Aside events that fire that recruit fresh brigades to answer this.

I love how the game Simulates the build up and the size of the Northern Army. It is an endless tide and eventually it will be an unstoppable Juggernaut. The system that demands a battle in the East though is not particularly good. There are ways to sneak around the rules to save from the NM hits. Anyone can perform them!

The West and Center have less value but are the most entertaining place to fight ... More room to maneuver but no real value in winning vs an all East Strategy!

The Missippi should be in itself a very powerful war goal in my mind...

and there are a dozen other points I could add in but I like how the series is evolving I do hope they continue to make new Titles in this genre and Field Ageod has done quite a fine job here...

Thanks for reading and playing

[Durk]

BattleVonWar,
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Lots of nice insights about the game. Reading your post, I wonder if you have engaged in pbem play? A tough Northern opponent might make you rethink your 'all east' campaign.

Did the Union try to take New Orleans?

I agree, a bit, about the supply system. But as you say, once you understand.

My Civil War mentor and others would actually agree that real estate is, at best, a minor goal. Why do you wish to take Baltimore? It must be for more than real estate, something such as:
Make Washington the Capitol of the CSA.
Recruit more men who are loyal to the South but unable to join.
To prepare the way to take the heart of the North, Philly and New York.
Or most importantly, to defeat the Union army and make them recognize the South as a new nation.

Thanks again.

[BattleVonWar]

Yes, I started a few PBEM games last year and 1 this year. I found out very early that the Union is extremely favoured in Multiplayer play. My Union play consisted of a fellow who did try the East First Strategy and ended up being picked to the bone attacking D.C. by ole Fuss and Feathers himself. There simply isn't enough value in the East but taking Baltimore, Annapolis, Pittsburgh, West Virginia gets some VPs and forces the Union to not pack Missouri or the Mississippi.

Taking all those locations really has no value it is just jockeying for position. So as you agreed, a lot of Real Estate is just pointless. Has no value to own or take. Especially for the cost of say 300 thousand dollars, 150 conscripts, etc... People talk about the use of Brigs say for the South being a cost ineffective strategy but holding say Nashville which I did in a game for the exchange of a 100 thousand lives between both players made no real difference and in the end I was ground to a pulp.

CWII has a lot of historical accuracy. The Numbers game drives North fast... You have to be very bold to win as the South. Conservative is a game she will lose. Though little victories can be fun and historical in feel.