Which optional settings enhance the realism factor in PBEM games?

[burroughs]

Howdy everybody.

I am about to commence hostilities as the 21st Army Group in the complete "Market - Garden" campaign off the "Market - Garden '44" Panzer Campaign.

I used to play the game a lot about three years ago then took a long hiatus and have never played in PBEM mode. Therefore a question arises for me as a realism freak: which otional settings promote enhancing realsim rather than allowing the players an easy gameplay?

To me it seems as everything should be checked in the optional rules dialog, perhaps with the exception of the alternative fire & assault resolution - I think one needs a room for a human error while targeting or storming a position or some weaponry mechanical breakodowns etc.

Also the case of manual or automatic defense fire is troublesome; chcecking them , one or both as I read at the forums here and in the manual breaks turns into phases - movement, defensive fire, offensive fire & assault if I can remember well, but whether ability to manually target a particular enemy formation if more than one is stacked in a certain hexagon promotes realism cannot truly tell myself. I had phases when I played against the AI - I know that it doubles the number of files to be sent to an opponent while playing in a PBEM mode.

What would some more experienced players advise in that regard?

[Mr Grumpy]

Howdy everybody.

I am about to commence hostilities as the 21st Army Group in the complete "Market - Garden" campaign off the "Market - Garden '44" Panzer Campaign.

I used to play the game a lot about three years ago then took a long hiatus and have never played in PBEM mode. Therefore a question arises for me as a realism freak: which otional settings promote enhancing realsim rather than allowing the players an easy gameplay?

To me it seems as everything should be checked in the optional rules dialog, perhaps with the exception of the alternative fire & assault resolution - I think one needs a room for a human error while targeting or storming a position or some weaponry mechanical breakodowns etc.

Also the case of manual or automatic defense fire is troublesome; chcecking them , one or both as I read at the forums here and in the manual breaks turns into phases - movement, defensive fire, offensive fire & assault if I can remember well, but whether ability to manually target a particular enemy formation if more than one is stacked in a certain hexagon promotes realism cannot truly tell myself. I had phases when I played against the AI - I know that it doubles the number of files to be sent to an opponent while playing in a PBEM mode.

What would some more experienced players advise in that regard?

This thread should help, it was ceated because the Opt rules cause so much confusion.
https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards...?tid=47923

[burroughs]

Thanks a lot - I have already been there and some other places here with articles on PBEMing in Pz Cs. Can't say if that helped to root out all the doubts and uncertainity I have. I think I need to investigate closely that phased turn system in working in a PBEM mode to asess that. I have already proposed that to an opponent of mine. We'll try the shortest stock scenario, "Joe's Bridge" and find out how that works in practice. Besides I think I have managed to figure out which otions I want on in my PBEMs to make it and keep real.

Thanks again.

[Ricky B]

Just realize most of the optional rules have nothing to do with realism, at least directly, and some counteract others - I think the link Foul posted explains some of the conflicts, such as with supply rules. And some, such as optional surrender, may reduce realism, depending on your POV. Definitely, in regard to the alt fire and assault rules, play with the scenario designer default, as off or on doesn't impact "realism" just how the fire is implemented, and can have a major impact on overall losses for one side or the other.

Rick