New to SB: Vietnam - any help for a raw recruit?

[Jeff Conner]

Nim8or:

Sounds like you are playing one of the Dodge City scenarios. There are several scenarios which just are not well balanced. Your best bet may be to start over with a better scenario. Check the scenario database and see if you can't find one that is better balanced. If you would like a friendly game with some advise thrown in, send me an email.

If you just want a tip or two here's one that is pretty much common sense, but is not found in PzC. When trying to cross ground in the line of fire of the bad guys, stand up, run as far as you can and then hit the ground again. This means that you will only be able to cover three hexes per turn in open ground, but you stand a much better chance of being able to move the next turn. This only works with units in good order by the way. Once your units are disrupted they can only move one hex unless they started the turn standing up (and only in clear terrain). Also remember that while rice paddies don't block LOS and slow you down, they also provide cover. Try and stick to the paddies if there are any. If you have to cross open ground, it doesn't take too many AKs to bring your advance to a crawl.

When you are more than a couple of hexes away from the enemy, leave your leaders in a hex by themselves. They are less likely to get killed this way (except by snipers). When you get close to the bad guys though, they are very vulnerable to assault when by themselves. If you lose your platoon leader(s), the units ability to conduct an attack with that platoon has just about reached zero.

Feel free to email me with any specific questions you might have. I'll try and answer them for you.

Jeff Conner