I want to buy SoW Waterloo, but i have 2 questions first (Volleymechanics and Sandbox Campaign subordinate gameplay)

Hey guys,

as the title say im about to buy SoW, but there are a few questions in my mind i cant find an answer for. The first one regards the volleymechanic. as far as i know the volleymachic works on a "manual 2-click"-basis; first click let regiment reload, second click let them release the volley. i wouldnt really like that since its too micromanagy for me, it should be more of a permanent "stance". however one the matrix forums some users claim that the units indeed fire volleys for themselfs, the enemy just has to be close enough. as i dont own the game yet i cant really tell if thats the case, i have only seen videos with units getting slaughtered because they dont fire back a single volley. So how does it really work?

seconds question is about the sandbox campaign. in most scenarios the player is a lower level subordinate, which i like since i dont want to manage gigantic armys, but participate in gigantic fights. its possible in historical scenarios and custom sandbox as far as i can tell. however, is it possible in sandbox campaign too?

Welcome to the forum.

The volley feature is used the AI in some instances. If it is well timed, it can cause 40 or so casualties to the opposing unit. It can stop a cavalry charge in its tracks. However, it, like some other 'new' features that were introduced into SOWWL, it was not properly tested and have bugs. The volley feature is one of those. Units will sometimes begin the volley process when the enemy gets to within a certain distance. However, it will not release the volley until the enemy get to a closer distance. If the enemy doesn't move closer, the volleying unit will never fire and never abort the volley process. They become easy targets to destroy. They will also quite often never stop using the volley process. Apart from being non-historical, this makes the unit very vulnerable to normal counter-fire from the enemy.

The sandbox campaign is another feature that was never really tested or completed. It is really something that is in an alpha state. If you buy the game, don't waste your time on that feature.

Most people who play this game create or play scenarios, (battles), they build themselves or have been made available in a game mod such as the KS Napoleon mod. These battles are unscripted and rely entirely on the AI to do the 'right' thing. The greatest weakness in this is the strategic AI. The tactical side is actually pretty good. The strategic AI just sends divisions to random locations on the map, usually with the result that they cannot mutually support one another. The KS mod is now addressing that shortcoming and the beta version has mostly done away with that problem.

To its credit, SOWWL is far and away the best Napoleonic warfare game on the market. I have no reservations in encouraging you to buy it. You may wish to wait for it to go on sale either at Matrix or Steam.

Thanks for the reply, very informative! I guess it will help to look at SoW from a different angle. I will wait for sale.