France '40 4.00 Map Errors

[Mike Prucha]

Looking Now:
256-192 no problems
269-190 the heavy bridge is on the wrong side of the hex; should be over the stream
292-250 unnecessary heavy bridge transverses nothing
287-242  no problems
329-250  no problems
Thanks for pointing this out. The game designers seem intent on making the French Army as weak as possible so they may no longer be interested in map questions. jonny

Hi Johnny,

Thank you for sharing your concerns.

We are intent on trying to represent the campaign as authentically as possible within the constraints of the game engine. To this end we are very concerned about balance and trying to ensure that the various units perform similarly to their historic counterparts. The coming update will include several changes to morale values. The only French units whose morale has been lowered are tank units. French armor had built in disadvantages - the "overburdened commander," lack of radios, inefficient sights on the SOMUA, etc. These factors played a huge role in that French tanks could not coordinate in the way that the Panzers could and in tank vs tank action partly nullified whatever advantages the French tanks may have had in armor and firepower. None of this is represented in the unit values themselves which only account for more tangible factors like armor and firepower.  There also many other changes to the OOB and scenarios - many French infantry and some artillery and cavalry regiments have increased morale, there are larger unit sizes to consistently account for the battalion weapons companies which especially favor the French (and Belgians), additional French units not previously represented, and additional fortifications. The reduction of French tank morale has made some scenarios (especially Hannut & Dinant) more competitive and the Germans now have a more realistic chance to accomplish what they historically did, but given all of the changes I do not see the French Army as a whole much weaker in the coming version than it was before, if at all. Certainly what we have done cannot in any way be described as "making the French Army as weak as possible." 

The mega update in October will not likely be the last time we revisit France '40, and certainly if, as we continue to study results on the Blitz, receive feedback  from players, and continue to the play the scenarios ourselves, we may re-assess and make further changes, perhaps putting some morale values back to what they were. You are certainly welcome to use your OOB editor to change morale value as you see fit in your copy of the game.

-Mike P