Page 1 of 1
Why are all American Revolution armies weaker than historically?
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:02 pm
by FM WarB
The British army has 27 less regiments in the game than historical records, and battle/campaign accounts show. The Gemans are missing twelve (and where did they get those white coats?).
The Americans start with too few in the 75-83 scenario, and mod posted on mod page. The Americans cannot recruit to historic levels in militia or regulars in all scenarios.
Too few troops causes me not to care that there are too few leaders for the Americans, but I'd rather see the game closer to history in both categories.
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:59 pm
by PhilThib
Then please list what is missing (as well as when : where) . Thanks

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:04 pm
by FM WarB
I have information in spreadsheet form. Should I post it here, or send it to you?
The two most useful sources I use are:
Robert K. Wright, The Continental Army
Phillip N. Katcher, Encyclopedia of British, Provincial and German Army Units, 1775-1783
Plus various campaign and battle accounts, so I'm not pulling this out of my bearskin.
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:32 pm
by PhilThib
Post it here, so the lead designer on bOA2 (Hok) can get it too. Thanks

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:56 pm
by lodilefty
PhilThib wrote:Post it here, so the lead designer on bOA2 (Hok) can get it too. Thanks
Yes, please! I'm helping Hok with the 75-76 campaigns right now....

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:20 am
by FM WarB
OK: How do I post these single page xls files here?
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:24 am
by Rafiki
You should be able to attach it/them to your post

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:06 pm
by lodilefty
FM WarB wrote:OK: How do I post these single page xls files here?
When you post reply, scroll down until you see a 'manage attachment' button.....

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:13 pm
by FM WarB
Here are the Brits. Some formatting lost when Quattro Pro converted it to XLS.
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:14 pm
by FM WarB
The Germans and the American Regulars. Units are listed if I find them on the "Masterlists" and I see them mentioned in battle/campaign accounts or orders of battle.
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:10 pm
by lodilefty
Thank you!
I'll make the best of it that I can, then it'll be up to beta testers and design team to do the 'g-balance' of it:
'g-balance' = grognards vs. game balance

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:41 pm
by FM WarB
Care for some leader lists, by time in grade for Brigadier Generals and above, Continental and Brits?
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:25 pm
by PhilThib
Why not, if you have them handy

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:47 pm
by FM WarB
Brit and American Generals
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:26 am
by FM WarB
I will be happy, in public or private, to discuss information provided by these spreadsheets and any other knowlege I may have. My sole goal is to help make BoA2 the best it can be.
I actually PLAY the game, a bit, too and see its potential :-)
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:04 am
by lodilefty
For me, the best way would be for you to put your inputs into the existing DB format.
Use the BoA 1775 (alt) DB as a template [WIA will look the same]. Don't worry about unit types, script syntax, etc., but rather give the unit name, strength [in manpower, not companies], date and location of arrival. That gives us a common format, easier to read.
Indicate Generals in each location/arrival group also if you know 'who went where"
My thoughts and approach:
From what you've posted, I've gotten the Brits looking pretty good, but the Germans are more confusing. I've located more references on them for a backup. Still in progress.
The Americans are a bit different: the initial setup goes the same way [and is pretty close], but the 'Autoraise/dismiss' function makes the rest of the war's appearances depend on how the war progresses [as it should]. Biggest challenge is to determine what 'upgrades' [militia to infantry] to script vs. rely on game mechanics of training and experience.
Once all is done, the play testing may drive some 'balance adjustments'.
I too want WIA to 'be all it can be'....

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:58 am
by FM WarB
I have time to dedicate to the project, so can try to put information in such format.
See my other post for elements/hits questions. How do they relate to strength in manpower?
I'm a wargamer from way back, and historian.
German Mercenaries
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:42 pm
by lodilefty
Working from this reference, I've matched up units and strength....
http://www.americanrevolution.org/hessians/hessapp.html
Note the strength statement that typically these regiments were 'stripped' of Grenadiers, and thus at 650 starting strength. By assigning each to start with 3 elements [~750 men], I get total troop strength at start to match.
The follow up forces listed I am treating as 'replacements pool'....
There are a few differences from the BoA setup [mostly name of regiment, as the names changed as leaders 'departed'! I used staring names], but until a more precise data set is available, we'll try these.....

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:32 pm
by FM WarB
Attached is a short essay about Regimental organizations during the Revolution. It has some detail on the Germans, which should clear it up for you.