Managing the larger scenarios

[Desslok]

Hello.  Long time lurker, first post.  I am curious if anyone has tips on managing some of the larger scenarios for the various games.  Although I have Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, Smolensk and Minsk I have never managed to play any of the larger scenarios.  More than once I have started saying to myself, "I can do this".  I never manage to get through a single turn without stopping and thinking, "how is micromanaging hundreds of units per turn fun?"  The most I have been able to do is a few dozen turns on Kursk with the Southern only map.

Anyway, I am simply curious if anyone has actually completed some of the larger games which last into the 100s of turns and how you go about managing the huge number of units.

[Fortynslow]

Are you playing solitaire or against a human opponent? I agree with your assessment vis-a-vis solitaire games of TOC, but really enjoy large and long games vs a human opponent. For me, the most enjoyable part of the game is driving that tank division through a whole into the unknown, but knowing its got to last for 200 more turns. Its a nice combination of tactical and strategic. Mind you, I'm no good at it, but to me it a lot of fun.

[Desslok]

Solitaire. never played against a human opponent. I cannot imagine that anyone would have the patience to play for several hundred days in a row. I am of course probably wrong. That just seems like a long time to play a game.

[Fortynslow]

Well, if you have a scenario in mind, go ahead and send it.

jtoney205 (@) rocketmail (dot) com

[Fortynslow]

I should have said, I only have the WW2 stuff.

[Dog Soldier]

FWIW,
I break down large scenarios into sectors. When playing a turn, I manage a sector at a time. As each sector needs to co-ordinate with the others on each flank, the turn just flows along. Sometimes I can finish is one sitting. Most times I have to save, take out the trash, run to the store, or any of the more numerous commands form the household general. Then resume later.

Dog Soldier

[Mr Grumpy]

Well sometimes you have to admit to yourself that the huge scenarios are not for you!

It is very common for players to start a large scenario full of excitement and anticipation only to find that they have bitten off more than they can chew and the game inevitably fizzles out, I found the best way to handle large scenarios was to build up to them by playing the smaller scenarios and then slightly bigger and so on, even then I found it a chore at times to play a turn when I had limited free time for gaming, so now I only play the huge scenarios as part of a team which means you are only responsible for a fraction of the units but get the benefit of participation.

[jonnymacbrown]

Solitaire.  never played against a human opponent.  I cannot imagine that anyone would have the patience to play for several hundred days in a row.  I am of course probably wrong.  That just seems like a long time to play a game.

Check the top of the page under "scenarios" and you can see exactly how many play the larger scenarios; hundreds!  jonny

[Kool Kat]

Solitaire.  never played against a human opponent.  I cannot imagine that anyone would have the patience to play for several hundred days in a row.  I am of course probably wrong.  That just seems like a long time to play a game.

Hey Darren:

A good "compromise" to playing the 100+ turn scenarios is to look for the 30 - 50 turn ones.

Also I recommend playing the longer turn scenarios against opponents you have played previously AND have enjoyed the experience!

Currently, I am playing the Germans in Minsk '44 "5th GTA is Committed" (44 turns) against a long time opponent!  

Each turn is a tense, exciting, and brutal ordeal as the Russian "steamroller" offensive threatens to crush, encircle, and breakthrough my German defenses! I find myself frantically rushing units to shore up a line in one sector, pull back in another, or funnel units down escape roads in a third sector! 

Every turn you have to deal with multiple tactical challenges while planning for strategic operations - e.g. Can I spare these motorized troops from the front lines to act as a reserve? How long can I afford to keep a bridge intact before dropping it? When do reinforcements arrive? How and where do I rest my fatigued units? etc. etc.

IMO, PzC Series really shines in the longer turn scenarios and that's why I have the patience to play them!

[Mr Grumpy]

Good to hear you are having a blast..............