PzC recommendation for newbie

FroBodine · (This post was last modified: 01-07-2011, 03:48 AM by FroBodine.)

As the subject says, I'm interested in learning the PzC game system. I have been playing Squad Battles for a while and love it. I recently started learning Napoleonics and am having a blast with this also.

So, what Panzer Campaigns game is good for a newbie? I'm thinking one that has some lower unit density scenarios, and also scenarios made for solo play. I will also get into PBEM as soon as I learn the system.

I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!

enigma6584 · 01-07-2011, 07:13 AM,

Tobruk 41 or El Alamein 42. You learn how to fight various units with terrain being less of a factor IMHO. I don't mean to say terrain is irrelevant but just easier to move your forces around in. You can conduct sweeping massive movements of your motorized troops while really learning the differences in TO&Es, how they stand up to one another and how to make them do what you want to do.

Then, once you learn game nuances, mechanics, you can move to the eastern front or european theaters and then deal with more difficult terrain. Here you have to deal with deep snow, heavy forests, rivers, etc. etc. Much more dynamic theater IMHO than desert.

**Mr Grumpy** · 01-07-2011, 08:33 AM,

Welcome to the ladder, you will find most titles have a range of scenarios big and small and with various amounts of units involved, the normal rule of thumb is to buy a title that covers a campaign you are interested in, then learn the system against the AI and then move onto a small PBEM game, as you have played other HPS series i am sure learning PzC will be a similar process. Big Grin

saradog · 01-07-2011, 10:09 AM,

Smolensk 41, an oldie but one that has all the options from meeting engagements to dug in infantry battles.

Gasbag · 01-07-2011, 02:57 PM,

(01-07-2011, 07:13 AM)enigma6584 Wrote: Tobruk 41 or El Alamein 42. You learn how to fight various units with terrain being less of a factor IMHO. I don't mean to say terrain is irrelevant but just easier to move your forces around in. You can conduct sweeping massive movements of your motorized troops while really learning the differences in TO&Es, how they stand up to one another and how to make them do what you want to do.

Then, once you learn game nuances, mechanics, you can move to the eastern front or european theaters and then deal with more difficult terrain. Here you have to deal with deep snow, heavy forests, rivers, etc. etc. Much more dynamic theater IMHO than desert.

I just like to add that with El Alamein you can download Volcano Man's Compass '40 expansion for free. All that is necessary is that you register at Volcano Mods. Registration is free as well. Tobruk 41 was my first Panzer Campaigns game & it's still one of my favorites.

enigma6584 · 01-08-2011, 04:27 AM,

I agree. I love Tobruk 41. I always feel like I'm maneuvering fleets of naval warships around in the desert when I'm playing it.

**Compass Rose** · 01-08-2011, 03:50 PM,

Being a newbie myself, I agree with alot of what has been stated by other members already.

In my view, the PzC has the toughest learning curve when compared to the EAW, ACW, and SB series and it will be "easier" to learn the new game system if you are playing a game title in which you have an interest in.

So my suggestion is to make sure to pick a game title from a historical subject which you enjoy.

Good Luck!

Guderian · 01-09-2011, 03:52 AM,

I'm curious to know which titles are optimized for H2H play. I only just started playing Smolensk '41 (I bought it because I was interested in the battle) and the game reports suggest that a majority of the scenarios are unbalanced for H2H play.

I was originally planning on working my way through the entire series from '41 to '45, but the scarcity of H2H scenarios (at least as it appears to me in S'41) is worrisome and may dissuade me from doing so.

I'm very new to the series, without even one game under my belt, so it is difficult for me to judge the evenness of a scenario. However, I know in CS, for example, the scenarios weren't as unbalanced as the results suggested. Certain scenarios appeared skewed, in my opinion, only because a particular side and/or situation called for a particular play that most players weren't good at.

Is that the same case with PzC? Can someone suggest titles that have plenty of scenarios suited for H2H play?

Philippe · 01-09-2011, 06:41 AM,

Disregarding the fact that real history isn't balanced for H2H play, there's a thread in the first part of the OPS section that is devoted to balanced scenarios (which is sort of useful for ladder play).

Glenn Saunders · 01-11-2011, 03:02 PM,

(01-09-2011, 06:41 AM)Philippe Wrote: Disregarding the fact that real history isn't balanced for H2H play, ....

And of course Balanced for H2H Play is really changing Vic levels, and Judgements of things like FIXED and release times (based on what might have been known), Supply Percentages which in real life isn't a value from 1-100 - then YES you are correct - and real history and battles are not balanced period.

Finally in real history one side doens't move first while the other waits for their turn.

But if you can't accept factors like this involved in making a game, then you may as well not buy the game ...