Atheory's Project: PzB-Normandy Campaign

[Strela]

Atheory,

Some very interesting concepts here.

A couple of things to be aware of;

Platoons run the show - if you limit stacking to 2 or less units, you will accumulate excessive fatigue. The game system is hard coded to consider three units to be optimal. If you moved to a squad level, then I believe you could game this factor as from memory this will count as three units. The other option is to allow three units to stack. I’m not quite certain what you’re trying to achieve by limiting it to two platoons or less. PDT stacking limits. If you reduce this to the level you’re suggesting then fire will generate excessive casualties as there is a multiplier once the stacking limit exceeds 50% of the hex stacking limit. My recommendation if you want this approach is to set the stacking limit at 2x 2 platoons (which on my quick calc would be about 160). That approach allows a company to stack, but at a penalty for size.

Replacements. You’re correct, the mechanism for replacements was excluded from PzB. The interesting thing is that it should be in the code. The base PzB code was based on the PzC code as it was back in 2009. No promises, but there is a chance it may be revived if we see value in it. That said, you gave me a few ideas with what you’re suggesting. The replacement platoons idea would work. You could either do as you suggest and have say 5 infantry platoons per company or the more radical 15 squads per company. Going to squads allows you to drip feed the replacements in a more granular fashion. Better still remove the company structure and build out at battalion level either at platoon level (including 6 replacement platoons) or heaven forbid at squad level. I would not worry about house rules because if a player had so few losses that he could build Uber stacks, he would be punished by the PDT limits. It would also reflect big pushes where some units were over strength for particular assaults. This allows the players to decide on risk and reward.

The new ticking VP's will be included in the patches released post North Africa.

I would suggest you not create replacements for guns. They were very finite in relationship to their crews. This was such a specialised arm that you wouldn't have ready replacements. Your armor suggestions would work. particularly if you go to the battalion model I was suggesting. Excluding replacements for engineers and other specialised troops would be justified on the same basis as artillery.

The above approach would allow you to work with the current OOB, unless you went down to squad level. I think using the PDT file as your method of handling stacking and possibly redoing the OB to allow the replacements will be sufficient. New components will be a huge amount of work.

Happy to feedback as necessary - feel free to send any draft work my way for review, but I would start with the Longest Day scenario as your base....

David