Im OK playing as the soviets. Got your dropbox invite, i'll check the rules out in detail in the evening.
@deadpanic (Germans) vs. @aurelius (US) are ready to go. I set up a shared Dropbox for your game files. You'll enter the password I supplied.
When purchasing, refer to the list of stuff on your tracker and pull from that. You can use add-on vehicles and teams vs. having to buy entire formations to get a single tank, as long as it is coming from somewhere on the tracker. This simulates attachment of assets to platoons and companies for specific missions.
Make sure you purchase the minimum force elements required in the Briefing - and place them as noted in the briefing. If no restriction is listed, your forces may be placed in any zone.
If you had a soft factor adjustment, make sure to account for that in your purchase.
Use only 2380 of the available points. If you can't find something from the Tracker to fit into the 2380, those points are lost. i.e. you can't adjust soft factors to min/max to using all 2380 points if the soft factors weren't part of the campaign purchase.
You CAN use points to buy TRPs, mines, foxholes, fortifications, etc.
Let me know if you have questions...
-OPO
@aurelius Best of luck! I can't wait to get started.
I'll send my force selection tomorrow. I am keen to see and slightly concerned about what will happen! @deadpanic Best of luck to you too!
Some private Q&A that I will post publicly for benefit of all 4 players:
Q: "In Battle #2, will I be able to put reinforcements directly into a location where my troops are positioned at the end of Battle #1?" A: If there is a reasonable path for reinforcements to get from your friendly map edge to the location without being interdicted, then reinforcements can start directly there. If someone places a FlaK 88, Zis-3, or 57mm ATG to cover the line of communication ...then probably not.
Q: "Some units must be placed in certain locations to start. Can they leave those locations?" A: Yes, units may leave their set-up zone as you wish. Also, if the situation allows disengagement, you may have the opportunity between battles to relocate them. A few hours pass between each stage of the campaign (it's all in 1 day), so logically, if a unit could be pulled out, no reason not to allow it. It also means pinning enemy forces is important.
Q: "How will you decide whether a location I occupy at the end of Battle #1 becomes a set-up zone for Battle #2?" I'll look at proximity to the enemy, relative strength of forces if they are in proximity, and whether or not there is a clear line of communication back to friendly lines. IRL, between actions, forces will often fall back if they are in danger, or in order to resupply. If units are on an objective, I'll be more allowing of leaving forces there. Strength of the forces is key; A guy in a jeep/kubelwagen/GAZ isn't really claiming or contesting anything. Arguably, neither is an M8/Puma/Ba-64; although they may DENY a location tot he other side by virtue of being there.
Q: "Do the objectives matter in Battle #1?" No - possession of objectives only matters at the end of Battle #3.
Q: "Does my Battalion commander/commanders need to be on the map in each battle?" No. In fact, it's possible - especially in Battle #1, that everything is just at a company level, due to the budget.
Q: "The rules say I have to use an Infantry or Armored Infantry Battalion as the core of my force. Does that mean I have to use ALL of the Battalion?" No, feel free to cut parts out that you don't want. And feel free to add other formations. The statement in the rules exists to ensure that no one brings an all-armor force. That would be unrealistic and douch-y 🙄 .
Q: "Are the matches designed to favor one side or another? i.e., is Side X supposed to win?" A: Although the 2 maps are historical and the campaign is in a historical setting, it is not my intent that either side is favored. There is certainly some asymmetry, though. Between the purchasing and having a pretty big map with lots of objectives and potential key terrain, there are so many variables...
Q: "Can I surrender or cease-fire?" A: Please do not surrender or cease-fire. Let me know if you are mutually agreed to stop and I will end the game to preserve Fog of War for the next battle.
Q: "What if someone rage-quits?" A: I hope that doesn't happen, but if so, I'll try to find a replacement or - depending on where we are in the campaign, I may take over myself as a distant second choice. Also, if you are going to be away for days, please just let your opponent and me know.
You mentioned 6 Aircraft are allowed in the purchase... I'm aware that in CMRT the player has zero control over them and I believe they launch one at a time...
Russian Elite aircraft spam might be a royal pain in the ass...
Thank you again for putting this on! I shat my pants when I saw the XL spread sheet and thought I was filling it in... That is a lot of work on your end..
Looking forward to the match I should have my purchase done today.
Best!
@deadpanic I'll try sending a turn today, but can't promise it. Gotta go to the capital with the missus...
@aurelius @deadpanic @bleskaceq @thegreatwhitenorth
Once you get your purchases done for battle #1, I (or you) can go in and put a "1" in Column M "# Units to be used" in the Tracker. This indicates what forces out of your campaign purchase are being used in Battle #1, and will feed casualty tracking when the battle ends.
Just wanted you to get a feel for how that aspect is going to work.
@thegreatwhitenorth @bleskaceq
I invited you to a Dropbox for your game. I put the first Battle 1 file in there. The first turn is to Bleskaceq so he can purchase, as he is ready to do so. @thegreatwhitenorth - Once you get the 002 file back, hold until you've sent me your final campaign purchase sheet so I can check, then I'll give you the OK to continue.
Hopefully that makes sense.
Purchase sent God help me....
@deadpanic and @aurelius - Unfortunately, you will need to stop and restart.
@deadpanic - You have used more than the 2380 points alloted for Battle #1. Per the briefing, you can;t use all the points. Please go back to your purchasing turn and re-do from there.
@onepingonly Curious how many matches you are watching over in total? You are one dedicated individual! Wish we still had tournament medals not that I ever had any before but they did look pretty and some here had quite a few over the years...
Best!
@onepingonly @aurelius My apologies—I knew I was going to forget something. I will fix that up as soon as possible.