Large PBEM map (Central Europe)

[Artur]

Gentlemen,

I had some free time this weekend, and I had inspiration of doing an SPMBT map...

During the creation of the map I had Central Europe (Especially (West)Germany) countryside in my mind. My goal was to create a map which is fairly balanced for PBEM play (both battles and BPEM scenarios) and also good for creating scenarios against the AI as well.

While this is a hypothetical map, I intended to recreate a realistic landscape of modern day Central Europe which is densely inhabited, so there are many small villages on the roads, almost all space is cultivated, etc. There is a river running diagonally through the map which also makes the situation a bit more complex and interesting. I wanted the players to have many tactical and operational decisions since there are many avenues of advance, a decision can be to destroy the bridges or not which roads to use which village to hold etc.

I also made a second version of the map without a river so if some of the players do not wish to make their life more complicated by doing amphibious operations they also have the chance to use it.

Be warned this is a 200X160 map. You can use the map editor to copy a part of the map if you wish to play on a smaller map. This map is also suitable for team PBEM play. If someone wishes to crate a scenario using this map he is most welcome, I ask him to include me in the credits though.


The map can be used for:
1. Meeting engagements: Each player will have a bridgehead on the other side of the river.The players can make a gentlemen's agreement not to deploy on the other side of the river if they wish. They can agree on not using artillery capable of bringing the bridges down.

2. Assault missions. Even in an assault battle the attacker will have a small bridgehead on the other side of the river. Special agreements can be made here as well like the ones previously described.

Time frame is from the end of WWII till present day. Since SPMBT maps can be used in SPWWII this map can be used for west front (1940,1944,1945) scenarios/battles but it is not advised to be used for east front because by that time in Soviet Union paved roads were not that very common and the density of inhabited places was by far not so high.

Depending on my time I may create scenarios about NATO-WP and NATO-Russia conflict. Until then I would very much appreciate any feedback!

Artur.

[Epoletov [SPR].]

Thanks !

[Artur]

Gentlemen,

I made the first scenario based on the map. It is quite huge with hundreds of units. Is there anyone willing to test it against the AI or PBEM?

Here are the details:
"*
Red Storm 46' - Tank Corps Assault*
*
Date: June, 1946*
*
Battle location: Somewhere in Germany*
*
Battle Type: Soviet Union assault vs. United States defend*
*
Design by: Artur Szekely-Takacs*
*
BACKGROUND:*
One year has passed since V-day in Europe. The bulk of the American forces was shipped back to United States and the rest of the troops were on low alert. Stalin saw this as the best opportunity to spread the Socialist Revolution over all the continent. He had one year to pretend friendship towards the allies and reorganize his war machine in the same time. His "maskirovka" was most successful and now he is on the attack again. Somewhere in Germany the first line of defense is already broken through and fresh tank brigades are thrown in to exploit the gap in the front. Attempting to stop the tide the Americans hastily set up a last defensive line along a minor river.
*
This scenario depicts an offensive operation performed by a Soviet tank corps (60 percent strength) .*
*
The scenario is designed to be played with the human player as Soviet Union side against the United States AI.*
*
ORDERS:*
Comrade General, attack and break through with your Tank Corp elements at once. We are not in a situation which allows us to wait for the whole elements to arrive. You have more than enough to break through so we want results now!*
*
The forces available (with percentage numbers)*
1st Tank Brigade (100)*
2nd Tank Brigade (100)*
3rd Tank Brigade (n/a)*
Heavy tank Regiment (100)*
Rifle Brigade (30)*
Engineer Battalion (60)*
Motorcycle Battalion (60)*
Recon Company (100)*
1st medium artillery regiment (100)*
2nd medium artillery regiment (n/a)*
1st medium artillery regiment (n/a)*
*
Additionally you have under your command amphibious equipment to allow you to perform river crossing operations.*
*
Capture as many of the vital river crossing points you can and occupy the hubs of supply lines behind the front. Make good use of the bridges and fords in the area.*
By doing so we have broken through the whole imperialist defensive line and we are ready to rush our Stalin tanks to Paris and to the Atlantic shore.
*
*
Intel:*
Americans are hastily digging in in the towns and the shore of the river ahead. Armor reserves are also present although not in huge numbers. Our comrades at the Air Force are fighting very hard to clear the skies from imperialist threat but the fight is not yet won there. Be careful.
*
"

Artur.

[Weasel]

Hi Artur; Good on you old boy, more SP members have to step up and add to the ladder to make it better for all of us. It seems to me that a pitiful few do the most for the club which is too bad.

I am working on a "map pack" right now which will contain about 30 maps, some hypothetical, some realistic. They will all be made for playability; I find a lot of the custom maps are fantastic to look at, but do not lend themselves too well to PBEM. One side is disadvantaged with a huge river to cross or the entire map is a city etc.

Anyway, good on you once again. ;)

[Artur]

Thanks Chris!

I have in mind a few other scenario ideas to create with this map. Creating a map is a lot of work, besides play-testing it is the most work intensive part of creating a scenario. Therefore I thought I shall create one good map and use it for more scenarios. As time allows there is more to follow ;).

Artur.

[PzHeinZ]

That is a really nice looking map Artur! Well made new maps are always welcome :)

I send one map also.This was made some time ago, I have used it in H2H and 8.4

PzHeinZ

[Artur]

Gentlemen,

Here is the next one. Any feedback or testing is most welcome!

*
Red Storm 85' - Tank Division Assault*
*
Date: June, 1985*
*
Battle location: Somewhere in West Germany*
*
Battle Type: Soviet Union assault vs. United States Defend*
*
Design by: Artur Szekely-Takacs*
*
BACKGROUND:*
A few months earlier Chief Secretary Gorbachev was assassinated and the power in Soviet Union fell in the hand of orthodox communists. Within a short time the Soviet state prepared it's war machine to end NATO presence in Europe once and for all. After finding a weak spot in the NATO lines the Warsaw Pact forces succeeded in breaking through the first line of defense and now they rush in their strategic reserves in the gap.
*
This scenario depicts an offensive operation performed by elements of a Soviet Tank Division.*
*
The scenario is designed to be played with the human player as Soviet Union side against the United States AI.*
If played by E-mail the more experienced player should take the Soviet side.*
*
ORDERS:*
Comrade General, attack and break through with your Tank Division elements at once. We have the initiative and we must not lose it! You have two full tank regiments at your disposal with additional air and artillery support. You have more than enough to break through so we want results!*
*
Your task is to take control of the main road leading through your sector. That is all. Do not let anything deny you to achieve it!*
*
Intel:*
The Landwehr is hastily fortifying their defensive positions in the villages and towns. The locations near your close vicinity seem to be abandoned. More to the West American mechanized elements have been spotted. Armor reserves are being sent to your sector their strength is unknown. Roads have been mined in several locations. Nobody has won the air war yet so be prepared for American air attacks.
*

Artur.

[Tide1]

Hi Artur

Although I don't play much Steel Panthers I started playing the 46 scenario and really like it. I took a look at the 85 scenario and can only say AWSOME!!! I can't wait to play that one next Great Stuff.

Gary

[Grumbler]

Here is a little time saver;
Start a dummy battle ( a false battle, not a battle for dummies. Dummies don't play SP) and look at the map the program has generated for that battle. You will see some buttons on the right. Select generate new map. That will give you a list of variables that the map generator uses. Use those variables to create a map that is about what you want. Then all you have to do is go thru and edit the map to be exactly what you want. This saves hours of drudgery. I mean, does it really matter what is in the corners?
I call this a semi-custom map, since it is a mix of generated and custom maps. You will have to go thru and check for some things, such as bridges across a pond. In the real world nobody spends the money to build a bridge across a pond 100 meters round. It's just so much cheaper to build a road around the pond. With a little practice, a semi-custom map can be created in half an hour or so. I have several dozen on file.

[Artur]

Here is a little time saver;
Start a dummy battle ( a false battle, not a battle for dummies. Dummies don't play SP) and look at the map the program has generated for that battle. You will see some buttons on the right. Select generate new map. That will give you a list of variables that the map generator uses. Use those variables to create a map that is about what you want. Then all you have to do is go thru and edit the map to be exactly what you want. This saves hours of drudgery. I mean, does it really matter what is in the corners?
I call this a semi-custom map, since it is a mix of generated and custom maps. You will have to go thru and check for some things, such as bridges across a pond. In the real world nobody spends the money to build a bridge across a pond 100 meters round. It's just so much cheaper to build a road around the pond. With a little practice, a semi-custom map can be created in half an hour or so. I have several dozen on file.

I know about this trick it can be done if you play around with the parameters and generate the map many times until there is one resembling to your needs, then modify it. There is a limitation though it will never generate a river like I did in the map posted above. It can be used well for other types of maps though. Good idea.

Artur.