Smolensk 41 Campaign

[Krak]

Seeking a Russian opponent for the STOCK Smolensk 41 Campaign game. Non bootcamp only please. Return game guaranteed if desired.
Optional Rules as below (will negotiate if necessary)

Recon spotting
Opt surrender
Low vis air
Opt Fire res
Opt Assault res
Higher Fatigue Recovery
Counter battery
Night Fatigue
Programmed weather
Limited air recon

48 to 72 hour turn arounds. Committed players only. Thanks

[Dog Soldier]

I do not think you will get any experienced Russian players of S41 with that set of ORs.

I would try this set:
Recon Spotting
Virtual Supply Trucks - Just ot Keep the panzer divisions from foraging at full supply in the hinterlands of the CG board without some risk.
Low Visibility Air Effects
Night Fatigue

My reasons for not liking the set proposed....
Opt surrender will finish the Russians off with a minimum of Axis forces being used to reduce the inevitable pockets.
The Opt fire and assault results will penalize the Russian ability to concentrate large stacks for a limited counter attack at any point in the CG.
Higher Fatigue Recovery benefits the Germans too much here as the Germans can afford to pull whole divisions out of the line for a rest while the Russians can not.
Counter battery favors the Axis in S41 as their artillery generally has longer range. I do not think I ever spotted a German battery as the Russians with counter battery turned on.
Limited Air recon - depends on your taste, this rule can go either way. It is a question of the threat of Axis air attacks on Russian reserves versus realism. This was a true threat to a Russian commander to think about. Reigning in the Axis ability to spot a column in the Russian rear and shoot it up would not be historical, but necessary if the Russain player needs some help.

Dog Soldier

[Krak]

Yeah I would play with your suggestions bar one. They are just my first take. I am happy to negotiate to varying degrees depending on whether its a mirror or not.

I would still like to use LAR because this limits ones vulnerability to 'unfair' play. That is the use of recon air units over and over to spot those vulnerable columns and blast them. Something I am almost certain I suffered once before. One or two lucky strikes I can live with but consistant destruction of my artillery trains has left a scar.

The opt fire and assault results are simply luck flatteners, I can take them or leave them but again they offer some protection against re-rolls.

This attitude I have in no way is aimed at the honest 99%. Just one bad encounter I had, not anyone necessarily from this club and nothing to do with my loss to TET2, just to be clear.

Thanks for your advice Brian, it is appreciated :)

Anyone out there intersted?

[Krak]

By the look of it there appears to be no Russian on map supply sources. This means virtual supply trucks is not fair supply system for this scenario. Eg Germany will suffer a supply drop from 70 as they move east but Russia will remain at 80 no matter where they are.

[Dog Soldier]

IMHO, the Russians lack of supply sources means they are more vulnerable to surrounding. Mogilev historically became a large pocket that held out for some time delaying the advance on the southern end of the CG map. This is not possible since surrounded Russian forces drop for "normal" morale of D to E just for isolation. Add low ammo or disruption, which will occur, and they become F or no morale, just a bag of rabble easily mopped up.

The Axis are well simulated, IMHO, with the VST OR as it causes the player to pay attention to his extended supply lines as the game wears on. I think this was a concern for the Axis in Smolensk 41.

By passed Russian units that the Axis lose track of can fight a partisan type of battle in the German rear. This makes for an interesting battle. Fan out to make sure there are no Russians hiding anywhere thus diluting the offensive punch. Or concentrate on a spearhead approach to penetrate the Russian defenses at the risk of leaving behind nuisances.

The S41 map is great in that neither side can afford to extend their forces form edge to edge. The open flanks make for an exciting game between skilled players. I guess that is why S41 rates so well when player are polled about titles they like best.

Dog Soldier

[Mr Grumpy]

IMHO, the Russians lack of supply sources means they are more vulnerable to surrounding. Mogilev historically became a large pocket that held out for some time delaying the advance on the southern end of the CG map. This is not possible since surrounded Russian forces drop for "normal" morale of D to E just for isolation. Add low ammo or disruption, which will occur, and they become F or no morale, just a bag of rabble easily mopped up.

I have not played the stock CG, but i am playing the xp2 version at the moment, in that scenario Mogilev has a small supply source which allows the Russians to fight on even when cut off, i allways felt that was more realistic than the stock scenario.

[Sgt Fury]

Just to offer some context, I played the Stronger Russian version, as Russian, with the optional fire/assault. Bad mistake -- Russians never can do any harm the super human German units. They need some luck to survive here. End result was that I got wiped off the face of the earth by a couple skilled opponents (team game).

I think you'll find the XP2 version much better. If you play that one I suggest, VST (not exp supp!), Quality Fatigue. I would also suggest altering the PDT to set dust spotting to 40% or so(from the default 100%).

Fury

[Mr Grumpy]

I would also suggest altering the PDT to set dust spotting to 40% or so(from the default 100%).

Fury

Good point, i had to lower this value for my H2H xp2 scenario as the German losses were unacceptable.

[Krak]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Might have to try something else as it seems no one is interested anyhow.
Cheers