Miracle at the Marne

[Mike Bowen]

I wonder if the VP spread is right. I admit I am playing this v the AI (I am the allies) but I got a major win by game turn 10. I can not see anything but an allied win in this one.

I will have a look at it from the German point of view but it does seem out of kilter.

By the way I notice that there are no H2H scenario versions I imagine because it was tested as H2H but it would be nice to know.

Mike

PS I really really love this game.

[Volcano Man]

It was balanced to head to head; I don't guarantee anything against the AI. You should probably try playing it against another human before you consider it "out of kilter". Besides, one thing to consider is that although the Allies are attacking in the west, the Germans are attacking in the east, so the points can shift quite a bit by the end, provided that you are playing against a human of course and provided that both sides are aggressive.

As for balancing it against the AI, it is impossible to do both, and often it is very difficult to balance VP levels against the AI in general because it all depends on the skill of the one participant (and which side he takes). I opted not to have a duplicate scenario for vs. human and vs. AI VP levels. Maybe I should have, but I don't like doing that because (IMO) vs. Human or solitaire is the only "fun challenge" for VP levels in a large/long scenario, and outside of those "balanced levels" you can trash the AI for whatever fun that is and rack up a VP high score on your own (keep a tab of your personal top score to beat if you want). However, if you are expecting a challenge against the AI with weighted VP levels, then feel free to make your own vs. AI modified version of the scenario where you cut the levels in half.

[Mike Bowen]

Many thanks for the reply I presumed that was the answer(s). I fully expect to be playing this H2H fairly soon. I have to admit that worries me as the two quick scenarios I played with Foul were a bit of a disaster but I can see that this is going to be excellent H2H some scenarios are a challange V the AI as it is. I hate to think what will happen if I play Bill at this!

Mike

[Mr Grumpy]

I have to admit that worries me as the two quick scenarios I played with Foul were a bit of a disaster

Remember Mike i playtested this title so i know the new system inside out, when i first played Ed i had a series of disasters also, it takes time to adapt your PzC tactics to fit this new series.....;)

[Volcano Man]

Right, the other "thing" about the full Marne scenario is that it probably won't yield the same results twice. There are tons of tactical dilemmas in every sector. This is especially true in the west of course, where the Germans are fighting for their life - but the great thing about the full Marne scenario is that both sides are fighting for survival in different places. It is one of those rare battles where both sides are on the attack and on the defensive at the same time. It is kind of like the Ardennes scenario, which is one of my personal favorites, except that the full Marne scenario is like the Ardennes on a much grander scale (it is hard to imagine the scale of this conflict until you play the battle out -- it is truly awe inspiring).

Most boardgames and PC games about WW1 up until this point make it seem as if the "1st Battle of the Marne" consisted only of the action in the Ourcq-Morins area; it seems as if it has been implied that the rest of the front was static during the battle. This couldn't be further from the truth though, everything they have not covered is where some of the bloodiest fighting occurred, so I knew I had to cover all if it. Of course this creates a VP level balancing nightmare of sorts (mentioned in the previous post), since the results can vary wildly. However, it is felt that it is "reasonably" balanced for two equally competent human vs. human play. If it turns out that my estimates are incorrect (over a long period of time of playing it out H2H), then I will certainly consider making VP level adjustments to it over time. Let me know in a couple of years after there have been several reported matches with different opponents. :)

[Mike Bowen]

I am hoping to play it soon (few months we have 90 turns of FSR to go) and will let you know how it goes- As I expect to play the allies I may well be very happy ith the VP levels

I am now onto the Ourcq-Morins area scenario which is proving more of a challange and the AI is doing things a bit differently which is good.

Mike