Impromptu Games

Clearly you live in a backwards country. In Colorado the pot shops are considered essential.

I will be on today. Looking forward to it.

Well, looks like Ulm and Grill (plus Digby) really tried honoring their family names yesterday.
It was unfortunate AI didn't manage to strike hard against the eastern columns.
They self-ambushed themselves in such a spectacular way...

We gallantly sacrificed our men against 3 or 4 enemy divisions so that Kevin could think he had won. It helps to keep him happy.

Someone had to fight yesterday and my division apparently drew the short straw. While von Ulm and Voglesang's divisions spent the day falling back, (at least they didn't surrender), my division along with von Truenfel's advanced and scattered all that came before it.

It was all according to plan. The AI would know were were up to something if we didn't make it look believable. Twas a masterstroke, convincing them that they needed 4 divisions to reinforce their left. Even Grill played his role as slow moving bait perfectly.

The master stroke was Miko keeping Grog in reserve, tricking the enemy into thinking we had more divisions that we needed.

It was strange to see the AI come towards us on the left in the opening 30 minutes (near Malmbach) and then simultaneously skirt Grog's division in the West, going due south.  The behavior cause me to think there were 2 divisions there, not just one. Perhaps because I did some probing there and forced an infantry brigade and artillery battery to deploy while the rest of the division moved south.  I pulled back as the battery hit me a couple times for 32 casualties. I kept screening there for Grog and then rejoined at the middle bridge above the 1st objective in time to have my cavalry counter-charge the French Currasiers and then,once those were dispatched (it took more than my units to do it and in fact the other units deserve more credit), hit the supporting batteries (per Miko's request) only to have the cavalry commanders choose infantry in square.  So I moved them closer to the batteries to charge and they again doubled back to hit the infantry.  We did eventually get one gun and ran down a square that Kevin broke.

So I died valiantly and had to depart anyway.

I came back in the evening and had a chat with my regimental officers in my HQ tent.  We drew pictures of infantry in a square formation and compared them to drawings of unlimbered artillery exposing their flank. We discussed why the latter was more preferable than the former.  It was a lively exchange and I had to shoot a couple young Captains to get my point across.  But I think we all reached a common understanding.

But I do enjoy taking a brigade and scouting with it.

I am most definitely ready for a game today. PvP or Pat folder or me vs everyone or Phil in an over-logged rainforest or whatever.

I can play today at the non-usual time, 15:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. I think this is the last day we will have to play at the non-usual time.
If Pat wants one from the Pat Commands folder, who am I to deny him.

That's selective reading, Kevin - he did mention PvP, too

PvP? Pat vs Phil? While we all sit and drink beer and make helpful comments? I have the perfect map.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zty3x55150ybu0j/Nap_Spain_Almansa.jpg

That’s a GREAT map!

Excellent point Miko. Kevin is probably already adjusting the .dll file as we speak to create interesting behaviors in certain units. The map is likely getting adjusted too - I fully expect sinkholes, quicksand and minefields to make their way into the maps.

Actually, I updated the dll yesterday on the assumption you would be playing today. Things are working out.

Kevin, when a player opens his map is it possible to remove the eyeball graphic so he has no clue where he is other than working things out from landmarks and maybe finding units to his flanks and rear who he expects to be there from the pre-battle briefing?

I have this idea for a pvp game on a heavily forested map but the eyeball feature would rather kill the tension.

Digby that is a GREAT option!!

I think there are some very challenging scenarios that could be constructed based on that.

Digby, for me it's already difficult enough as I can get lost even with the eye marker on the map.

I *think* I remember that Kevin tried this years ago in an ACW game on one of the Chancellorsville maps.  So I think it can be done.

Reaction was mixed.  Some of us liked it, but others were in Miko's camp.

Kevin may recall more........

Martin J

I think there are two ways you could try.
1. Edit Map_Icons.tga and remove the eyeball. The file is located in KSSpriteMod\Graphics\Screens.
2. Edit gscreens.csv and remove the references to MAPICONS in the popup maps construction language. I'm not sure if this will work.

Miko, it would not be standard practice. I think it would work only for specific scenarios, maybe those used on April 1st or perhaps at Christmas

In some ways it would be more realistic.  Even the worst mini-maps we have are more detailed and accurate than anything available in the Napoleonic period.

But in other ways perhaps less so.  If you were at a settlement of any size, you could hopefully grab a local and find out what is was called.  Of course that might not be on your map, or it might have more than one name (lots of places in Europe did at the time).  But the complete absence of such information may still be unduly harsh on the players?

Martin J

Martin, I prefer fun and playability first and foremost. I was making the enquiry only for a specific (twisted, sick) scenario I have in mind.

I may well try this, but only for a specific scenario ;l)

Speaking of things that are sick and twisted, Pat I was wondering when your attack on the enemy rear was going to begin.  Miko and I are still waiting.

Actually that sounds like my cup of tea, Diggers  

Let me know and I'll see if I can join you.

Martin J

My Division was exercising the social distancing orders laid down to me from my CiC, Pat.
He advised that I keep a distance from the enemy which is the equivalent measurement of all Ehey's and Miko's troops laid end to end on the floor, dead.!
I can report that the majority of my Division remain in good health and are symptoms free