SB tips needed

[Riley D. Smith]

As has been mentioned, when it comes to the Squad Battles series, "the devil's in the details". You are on the right track just asking questions and reading whatever articles and such are available.

The player has to make a very conscious effort to play these games tactically. Strategic goals matter of course, but tactics is what is going to get you there. You have to think like that 2nd Lt in charge of that platoon, or that SSgt directing a heavy machine gun squad. How is the Capt in charge of Charlie Company going to react and deploy his 4 platoons? Where are my clear lanes of fire? What can you see from where? I do quite a bit of "mouse click recon" with the "show visible hexes" on. Are there terrain elevation changes between attacking and target hex? Never close-assault uphill or across obstacles (unless there are no other options). Should I change my grenade launcher ammo to canister (devastating I've found against hexes with a leader...high % of vaporized leaders in my experience)? Is my tank weapon load set to "AT" instead of "HE"? That one cost me an entire game that I probably could have won. I've seen games where one hex closer or one more turn to play made a difference, maybe between a draw or a loss. When moving troops, always remember that sometimes moving them one unit at a time gains you 2-3 hexes in distance traveled. That's 80+ meters. Picture yourself on a battlefield, hunkered down and getting ready to attack an enemy postion. You want to jump off adjacent to the enemy or do you want to run 80 meters under fire first? Maximizing all the small, tactical variables is the key to victory in SB. Easy to learn, difficult to master, but a damned good time getting there.

What exactly do I have to do to achieve the stated victory conditions? Make sure you read them before starting the game and look closely at your OOB. How long is the scenario? 10 turns or more is allot more time than it seems. Am I rushing an attack where I could use the terrain to mask a slower/safer advance? Seems obvious, but it's all these small things (and so many more) that win or lose in SB's.

I believe these are the very reasons we all like the games so much. There is more of a personal connection when I am down to that green 2nd Louie and 12 men hoping to hold off a determined counterattack by a reinforced VC platoon. Variation? Just look at titles....no other series comes close to covering as much ground with such a good engine.

Welcome aboard, don't get frustrated while learning (you'll take some losses believe me...just look at my record...lol), and, something I try to do...play folks you know that are generally better than you are. Tons of knowledge is readily dissemated by all players here and you can learn just as much from watching someone elses style of play during a game.

Only a few players here really strike fear in our collective hearts...one of course is our good friend from Eastern Europe, Ozgur Budak, who has been more than happy to "teach me some wargaming". Watch quickly as the end is usually as swift as it is brutal. Laurence Harden, The Great White Shark from down under, another great competitor who's "School of Hard Knocks" I've attended on a regular basis. No degree in sight yet, but he hasn't revoked my scholarship. Others of course....NikB...I am still nipping at your heels, and if I could compile ladder points more than 5 at time I'd be closer! Ha. Everyone here is great to play against. Some real characters and great folks.

Good luck. Fire me a game anytime.