OOB and Commanders

[B2C]

I was thinking about the OOB issues that some people were bringing up and really, HOI4 already has a two layer system in place, they just need to allow you to assign commanders to the second layer. Specifically, they have theaters (i.e., army groups) and "command groups" (i.e., armies) that are placed within the theaters.

A simple mod would be to allow the player to assign Field Marshals to individual theaters (therefore having their high level attributes apply to all armies placed within that theater), and have Generals assigned to the armies (which is appropriate for their individual attributes as well).

This could be a nice balance between the single level OOB currently in the game and the more detailed system of HOI3. Furthermore, it would make the distinction between Field Marshal and General mean a bit more in gameplay other than an arbitrary limitation on how many divisions they can command.

Just a thought...

 

[OBRkenobi]

Yes I would've thought that generals should at least be contained within or subordinate to army groups. With a Generals bonuses applying to the divisions in his own army and a Field Marshals bonuses applying to the armies in his army group. It would strike a perfect balance between the complex OOB of HoI3 and eliminating it entirely.

 

[Wilbry]

While I agree with you in principle, I can see where the desingers are going with their choice.

It is all about focus.
The entire HoiIV game is about focus. Focusing your attention and encouraging meaningful decisions.
In this case, the decisions are whether you want a broad front or a series of smaller fronts; do you want to focus on punching through an area or advance along an entire axis.

Think of it like a TV show:
There can only be a certain numner of main and supporting characters. You cannot focus on every general, and because it is a grand strategy game the characters are the army commanders and army group commanders. The directors have to make decisions about who gets screen time in each scene: is this a grand front, planning, and sweeping movements scene; or an intense battle scene?
These decisions determine which characters are involved and keep things orderly and compehensible.

If you think aobut it in this way you get a much more narrative game experience and the game is much easier to keep in your head.

This makes HoiIV a different game to HoiIII which was less about meaningful decisions and more about logistical arthimetic and problem soving; putting the suitable peg in the suitable hole on a vast table of holes.

 

[kosmoface]

I understand where you are coming from @Wilbry

We will see if it is too simple or the right balance. People complain about Stellaris' game pace, and HOI IV will have to endure this test, too. Maybe we can take another level of command or it will distract.

I really, really want to play the game to give an informed opinion. Right now i think some simplifactions are wonderful (Upgrades, Supply System), others get me worried (esp. Fuel, Air Combat).

We'll see.

 

[Marfach]

I was thinking about the OOB issues that some people were bringing up and really, HOI4 already has a two layer system in place, they just need to allow you to assign commanders to the second layer. Specifically, they have theaters (i.e., army groups) and "command groups" (i.e., armies) that are placed within the theaters.

A simple mod would be to allow the player to assign Field Marshals to individual theaters (therefore having their high level attributes apply to all armies placed within that theater), and have Generals assigned to the armies (which is appropriate for their individual attributes as well).

This could be a nice balance between the single level OOB currently in the game and the more detailed system of HOI3. Furthermore, it would make the distinction between Field Marshal and General mean a bit more in gameplay other than an arbitrary limitation on how many divisions they can command.

Just a thought...

If that worked, it could be possible to create sub-theatres to continue to increase the complexity of the OOB, I do like the idea. I'm hoping to see some great OOB mods when the game comes out, it's a feature I will miss, I know it won't be for everyone but that is why mods and mod support are wonderful things, they allow players to experience the game exactly the way they want it and broaden the appeal.