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Many thanks. Im glad that is entertaining as much as I hope its informative.
Havent checked with the release version yet... Just made sure it installed.
The thing about armies and nations with small manpower and capacity to increase it, is that its a fine balance. Guard brigades are pretty expensive to raise and maintain compared to say light infantry and cavalry. But they are worth their weight in destructive power, mainly because of the Up Guard Tactic and the array of chained battle events that can occur. At the moment these events occurs quite frequently, but perhaps if these are changed in a patch later to become less frequent, having battle events trigger make be a HUGE difference to who wins. When that happens then the UP GUARD event will probably be the difference in large battles fought by armies upward of 100k.
I guess it depends on the nation you are playing, the size of your army and the manpower you are able to generate. Also the type of tactics you wish to employ.
The KEY is that each tactic provide huge bonuses for certain brigade types in that flank. As much as 100% more attack/defense, some more some less. And this is further separated by the 3 combat phases.
So when employing a tactic you will want to maximize the concentration of those particular types for that flank.
When I get the chance I will explain this in AAR.
Yes.... for the next few years, unless Russia gets too far ahead!
Exactly...
Thx. Sorry for the delay!
Thanks again.... on that note... this next one will be the last "requested" update... however there is some good news and some bad.
I have decided to continue playing the game and writing shorter updates....
The bad news is that its likely to be less frequent... and I will probably take a break over the next few days as I catch up with work. :sad:
Anyhow I will play and write for as long as I can. Bear in mind that this is still a Beta AAR... and your experience may be a little different as patches change gameplay. Hopefully I can reach a proper conclusion! Maybe even win!
"With audacity one can undertake anything, but not do everything."
-Napoleon Bonaparte
-Napoleon Bonaparte
A new year begins. One full of promise. Yet one that threatens more. With peace now made between the two dominant powers Britain and France, the rest of the major powers, except Spain are at war with one or another.
If Britain is to cement her place as Naval Dominance leader she must rebuild her navy and protect the naval objectives she currently owns. If she is to rise and claim victory she must embark on the challenge of seizing an additional eight land dominance targets. This is far easy to say than do, as the threat of France continues to linger.... and what of the growning menance in the east? Russia is on her own war-path. Where it will take her and the rest of Europe only time will tell...
… though we should fear that at some point it will lead to a collision course with outselves and then a fight to death.
Summary
In terms of Manpower is now at 5,002 / month and 68k year. We have 94.5k recruits ready for assignment.
The economy is manageable. Our treasury has sunk to 500 ducats. Mainly due to the recruitments of the past month. We still have two loans to pay off of around 1.24k each. We are paying just over 8.6 ducats in interest a month.
We hope to use the increased manpower to build many new brigades this month, build up our armies for the inevitable return to France. However in the meantime we will look to attempt limited conflicts focusing mostly in the Mediterranean. Portugal, Sicily and the Ottoman Empire all own 2 provinces each, which we will need to occupied to achieve Land Dominance.
These will be our immediate targets for this year and perhaps for the next few years beyond. Unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
Monthly Highlights:
8 January
Copenhagen & neighbouring Korsor are painted in the blue stripes of Sweden. Things are hotting up in their war.
9 January
Russia have leapt over us in the race to gain supreme dominance. With the capture of Soci (OE) they are now a mere 28.6% away from grabbing victory Just six naval provinces away from victory. Checking their objectives we see they need to take any of the following:
- (OE) Kostatiniyye
- (OE) Athina
- (GB) Valetta
- (SWE) Koberhaven
- (SWE) Goteborg
- (PRU) Danzig
- (MCK) Lubeck
However what IS interesting to note is that Athina is one of our targets, one that after our campaign in Italy may be the probable destination for our next conflict. Shame to that we didn't hold on to Copenhagen, though we would not have been able to annex it during our first conflict with Denmark. Though if it had been possible holding two of Russia's province would have given us time to stop their impressive march towards their goals.
Wellesley's Force 18 day trip to Gibraltar experienced just under 2k casualties with the attrition on the high seas and getting out of Supply. We should have had them stop off in Porto, the closest friendly port and continue once the number of supplies they held was back up to 100%.
Papacy & Sicily adopted the idea of Expert Foraging.
17 January
Denmark continues to drive deep into Sweden.
24 January
Spanish armies take control of their fifth province in Tunisia.
1 February
Taking a quick look at why Gibraltar is able to be such an important location for us and out military. The SUPPLY LIMIT parameters shows how big an army can be supplied at the location. Essentially it is the most amount that can be used during a single day to supply any armies at the location. This is compared to the Attrition Weight of a stack, to determine if any Attrition is inflicted on an army. Therefore it is IMPORTANT to remember that this value isn't the amount of supply that is generated from the province, but the amount that can be sent to support the armies in this province. Supply comes from the Key Supply Centres (Shown in the Outliner or Supply Mapmode).
Each province can provide a base amount of supply and other factors add or take away from this as follows:
- Base: 1000 – All provinces can provide this amount as a minimum
- Terrain: 3000 – Plains provides one of the highest amounts of additional supply
- Coastal: 3000 – If province neighbours the sea, there is an additional boost
- Road Type: 1000 – Tracks provides the worst form of transportation and thus only provide a minimal amount of additional potential supply.
- Development status: -1000 - This is the only negative. Obviously if a province has a level of Civilized this would allow for a lot more supply provision here.
- Tax Income: 50 – A bonus is gained if the province contributes to tax income, that is if there is a city within its borders. In this cast there is but the tax is small so the supply limit only gains by a proportional amount.
- Depot: 2500 – If the province contains a depot, it receives this boost.
- City: 3000 – If a province is located in the city, supply limit is expanded by this value.
- Owner: x10 – If you are the owner of the province then you get a huge boost.
So its pretty obvious that armies marching through owned territories are much less likely to suffer attrition.
3 February
As France grants Independence to Nassau on its eastern border, the invasion fleet and its escort leave Gibraltar for the coast of Palermo.
5 February
The Ottoman Empire continues to forestall the inevitable. Despite its valiant fight, Moldavia is now almost split between Austria and Russia. Wallachia fares not much better. Across its Eastern territories its fares even worse, as horde of Russian armies pass the halfway mark towards Constantinople. Denmark continues to hold large tracts of Swedish territories and is engaged in skirmishes to regain its capital from their enemy.
9 February
Austria guarantees Bavarian independence. While Spain grants Morocco independence.
In London we continue to build-up our army, with 3x expensive Guard brigades. Taking out manpower reserves to just over 81k.
12 February
Tunisia adopts Platoon Fire. Perhaps a little to later, maybe just in time, as a quick look at the map shows that all but five provinces are now Spanish controlled.
19 February
The Mediterranean and Red fleets arrive at their destination. Immediately we declare war on our new adversary. Hannover our satellite stands by our side. I decide to help our little minion and send them a war subsidy of 10.21 ducats over the next 12 months.
20 February
Wellesley's Force disembarks in the neighbouring province of Trapani, while we check out attrition, tactics and just how much remaining supply the formation has. It doesn't have a lot and it will take a while for enough supply to reach us. So I fear we will be out of supply fairly soon.
23 February
Tunisia finally puts up a fight, retaking a number of provinces. Spain however hits back taking her dominance objectives - the Tunisian capital.
24 February
As feared Wellesley's force is out of Supply. Will this error come back to haunt us?
28 February
As the month closes Wellesley's Force out of supply and isolated is within spitting distance of Palermo, our first land dominance target. What will the next months hold for us.......?
Could it be possible/feasible to make two smaller invading forces and just merge them before/for major battles?
Well asked.
Indeed... that is your best choice. Hopefully one which I will show in a future update.... esp. given the new button additions to the Army window.
Any news on the next update 2Coats? I have been following your excellent AAR but this is my first post.
Up the Guard!
Up the Guard!
Thx, hope you're enjoying it.
Up the Guard indeed!
Thx for following... probably wont be anything till Tuesday at the earliest. Still knee deep in commitments, but I will be posting a flurry of quick updates next week. In my game Ive already completed the Sicilian campaign for instance and am on my next one - I wonder who that could be against!?
Thanks! With hindsight do you still think the Civilized Development expenditure in Dublin was worth it?
I guess its Ottomans if you are going for Land Dominance
Good luck!
I guess its Ottomans if you are going for Land Dominance
Good luck!
Thanks! With hindsight do you still think the Civilized Development expenditure in Dublin was worth it?
I guess its Ottomans if you are going for Land Dominance
Good luck!
Yes. Anything that gives you extra manpower is worth the money and time. Manpower through events is very rare and ideas dont give you extra manpower. At least not for GB. So you have to manufacture MP as much as possible.
Thx. Ill be needing it.
Thank you.Very good reports, nice job !
Ah yes... Im very busy at the moment but rest assured, that I will be continuing to post and play this game very soon. Later on this week!
Sorry for the delay.
I think Supply IV or something (left side, in the middle) gives you +1000 manpower and a 5% modifier.
Its quite alright! just really rather enjoying this game and comparing how other people progress!
I recently played as Prussia, took 3/4 of austria, denmark and the southern half of sweeden!
Then got roflstomped by France. Russia wouldnt help, and GB had a truce with France
had to release all of sweeden and a big chunk of asutria for peace
Thank you. Hopefully there is more to come.
Thats probably true. An error on my part. Thats the downside of wanting to post something when you're exhausted. Brains not quite up to the speed it needs to be.
Yes. The game does tend to throw up some nice surprises. I appreciate that some people seem to find their games easy, but play enough time and not with the strongest nations and the game can be surprisingly challenging at time. I guess I should be sad your game went the way it, but lets face it some people complain that the AI isnt good enough... and then complain when it gets too hard! lolIts quite alright! just really rather enjoying this game and comparing how other people progress!
I recently played as Prussia, took 3/4 of austria, denmark and the southern half of sweeden!
Then got roflstomped by France. Russia wouldnt help, and GB had a truce with France
Update in a minute. And then periodically over the next few weeks!
The campaign for Sicily continues...
1 March
Switzerland adopts the idea of Expert Foraging
3 March
Wellesley's Force of 54,779 men meets the smaller 20,600 men of the the primary Sicilian army under the command of the Conde de Damas, on the hills around Palermo. Victory is pretty comprehensive despite suffering from being out of supply. The superior tactical options chosen for our army see us through with a succession of favourable battle events. The defeated Sicilian army retreats into the relative safety of the fort. As a result Sir Stapleton Cotton gained the Massed Tactic trait.
A breakdown of the battle is recorded below by event. Seems fairly logical if somewhat repetitious.
Day 1
Hour 10: Centre - cavalry charge
Hour 12: Right flank – raid, Sicilians used screen
Hour 13: Sicilians used screen
Hour 14: Left flank – Aggressive probe, Right flank - raid
Hour 16: Centre – Guard assault
Hour 17: Centre – Major assault, Right flank - raid
Hour 18: Centre – Ready the Guard
Day 2
Hour 7: Guard assault, Right flank – raid
Hour 8: Left flank - harass
Hour 9: Right flank – raid
Hour 10: Centre - cavalry charge, Left flank - Aggressive probe, Right flank – Raid
Hour 11: Centre – Guard assault
Hour 12: Centre – Major assault, Left flank – harass, Right flank – raid
Hour 13: Centre – Readied the guard
Hour 14: Centre – Guard assault, Right flank – raid
Hour 16: Centre - cavalry charge
Hour 17: Right flank – raid
Day 3
Hour 8: Left flank – harass
Hour 9: Right flank – raid
Result: GB victory.
Losses: Sicily – 9184 men; GB – 1727 men.
Unfortunately because of our army's high attrition weight and 105.55k for 53k troops in a province that has a supply limit of 14k, the situation is not a good one. Especially if the siege of Palermo proves to be a protracted one. Two days later however, the survivors of the first battle march out of the fort rather than wait for the inevitable assault. The first battle for Palermo begins.
6 March
Surprisingly the Ottoman Empire strides forward and takes a new dominance objective – the Austrian province of Temmeschburg. To help out with the offensive against the Sicilians, Malta force is transported from the island to Siracusa on the southern coast of Sicily.
The battle for Palermo is concluded. Sir Arthur Wellesley, Robert Ross and Robert Scheaffe gain new traits. The Sicilian survivors fleet eastward towards the straits of Messina.
Result: GB victory.
Losses: Sicily – 2460 men; GB – 146 men.
7 March
Tripolitania adopts the idea of Close Blockade. Seeing their fellow comrades fleet, the garrison at Palermo sally forth. All 2,000 of them. The second battle for Palermo begins.
8 March
Reports of a worrisome development filter in. Portugal's independence is now guaranteed by France. A move that will see us likely have to fight the French once more in the future. Maybe we should have bitten the bullet and taken on Spain in a short war for the two dominance targets in Portugal.
The Prussians adopt a new idea of Prussian Discipline.
9 March
By the morning of the 2nd day, we decide to withdraw our superior force as the casualties we are taking are not in proportion to acceptable levels. Being out of supply really has had a dramatic effect on the capacity of Wellesley's force to fight.
Result: GB defeat/
Losses: Sicily – 246 men; GB – 3626 men.
10 March
Austria takes one of their own dominance objectives from Ottoman Empire – Belgrad.
11 March
Two days later Wellesley's force reaches Agrigento and links up with Malta force who landed and now occupy Siracusa. A quick look at Siracusa shows that it can support up to 20k worth of attrition weight. More than enough for the small Malta force. Agrigento though will in no way be able to support Wellesley's 50,000 or so troops. Therefore it is time to split out larger force into two. Which we do using the Split Army button.
The Peninsula army is formed and given some average commanders. On inspecting Wellesley's force, we see that the Left flank is down to one functioning brigade and is unable to use the assigned HOLD tactic. So we some light infantry, cavalry and artillery brigades and switch to the FEINT tactic. With this done we send the army back to Palermo. One of our dominance objectives.
12 March
Portugal adopts the Co-ordinated Moves idea. Morocco adopts Volley Fire. It looks like Spain and Tunis agreed a peace treaty, though I'm not entirely sure of the terms. No territory seems to have been given up. So maybe it was a white peace. Malta force without suffering attrition and being in supply begins to move north towards Enna.
14 March
The Sicilian force defeated at the first battle for Palermo reaches Messina. We instruct Malta force to cancel its move and instead move the Peninsula army under Sir Samuel Auchmuty toward Enna. That should form a solid frontline as we push towards the mainland.
15 March
Wellesley's force reaches Palermo. It now has 4% of its supply, approximately 1 days worth. But due to its attrition weight being supportable by the province, the force is receiving 100% of supply and will in a few weeks be up to 100% supplied.
16 March
Enna is occupied by our Peninsula army. Italy adopts Close Blockade idea. A quick look at the war score shows we are ahead by 10%. No where near enough needed to bargain for Naples or Palermo.
22 March
Baden takes Coordinated Moves idea. Standing between Wellesley and Malta forces, the Peninsula army is given the March to the Sound of guns order. In case it is needed during combat.
25 March
The siege of Palermo continues albeit slowly. After the 11th day, the fortress has sustained light damage and the garrison lacks supplies. It is also suffering 5% attrition. Perhaps now is the time to lead an assault!?
28 March
Peninsula force captures up with Wellesley and together defeat the Palermo garrison with ease. The siege is over. The survivors move eastward to join the Sicilian army at Messina. We have captured and now occupy Palermo – one of our Land Dominance objectives.
Result: GB victory.
Losses: Sicily – 396 men; GB – 490 men.
As the province of Enna belongs to Messina, control of this province is lost when the Peninsula army moved to Palermo. So we move Malta force from Siracusa to secure that location.
30 March
With the city lost the two Sicilian transport squadrons move out of Palermo harbour and right in front of the waiting guns of the Mediterranean fleet. All ships are sunk on sight. The country of Wuttemburg adopts the Coordinated Moves idea.
31 March
As the combined forces of Wellesley's and the Peninsula army approach Messina, the Sicilians there turn tail and look to cross the straits in earnest. We take the decision to hold back Wellesley's force in Palermo. At the same time the Red Transport Fleet anchored at Malta harbour is recalled to the gulf off the coast of Palermo.
The second prize of Naples looms on the horizon...
Great effort 2Coats, thanks for the update! Yeah, Naples awaits...and the Armee d'Italie!!!
Good luck with that...
Good luck with that...
Just guessing, but is it not their capital anyway? Thus you could not get it, only by puppeting.