Grand Offensive Suggestion

[TheDeadeye]

Note: I have taken this post of mine from the regular forums in response to a posters comments but I thought I'd also post it in this improvement forum since this is basically were it belongs to for debate.

Just a suggestion regarding the different buttons in the Grand Offensive window.

Since certain options require certain units to be present (i.e. Stosstruppen, Bombardment, etc) why not basically gray out the buttons that are unavailable at the time of the Grand Offensive if that required unit is not present?

As it stands now, basically most if not all buttons are readily available for the player to select. For example, and this is also something that confuses me a bit, is the massive bombardment option or any options that use any sort of preliminary bombardment. It is selectable even though you do not have any artillery support available. If I had no artillery present in that army then I shouldn't be able to bombard basically and several options should be grayed off in my opinion and only leave the options open that are feasible.

Another thing I wanted to suggest is why not tie certain options to certain units of a specific veterancy level? Lets say the x10 Hammering. This could only be used when you have an elite unit or several units with veteran status in the army, etc. What Im getting at is basically make some options something special that can really tilt the scale of the battle if you have the units present and leave the regular options like Attacks in Jumps or Waves, etc to when you do not have any unique units.

[WhoCares]

In that case I have to cross-post my answer as well

... For example, and this is also something that confuses me a bit, is the massive bombardment option or any options that use any sort of preliminary bombardment. It is selectable even though you do not have any artillery support available. If I had no artillery present in that army then I shouldn't be able to bombard basically and several options should be grayed off in my opinion and only leave the options open that are feasible.
...

But what if I plan a GO in three month and expect to move or receive the required units to the respective HQ. E.g. I plan in April a GO after the Redeployment phase in June. In the Redeployment phase I can reshuffle most of my Armies, swap units, and so on. With your suggestion I could not plan such a GO because I now don't have what I expect to have by then.

[calvinus]

Since certain options require certain units to be present (i.e. Stosstruppen, Bombardment, etc) why not basically gray out the buttons that are unavailable at the time of the Grand Offensive if that required unit is not present?

I do not agree. This could bring redundant checks and surely a delay in the case the first stosstruppen would arrive upon the launch of the offensive.

As it stands now, basically most if not all buttons are readily available for the player to select. For example, and this is also something that confuses me a bit, is the massive bombardment option or any options that use any sort of preliminary bombardment. It is selectable even though you do not have any artillery support available. If I had no artillery present in that army then I shouldn't be able to bombard basically and several options should be grayed off in my opinion and only leave the options open that are feasible.

I do not agree again, sorry. Because you can plan for the future! So, before the offensive start, you can send artilleries and stosstruppen and tanks there! So taking the enemy for surprise!

Another thing I wanted to suggest is why not tie certain options to certain units of a specific veterancy level? Lets say the x10 Hammering. This could only be used when you have an elite unit or several units with veteran status in the army, etc. What Im getting at is basically make some options something special that can really tilt the scale of the battle if you have the units present and leave the regular options like Attacks in Jumps or Waves, etc to when you do not have any unique units.

Mmm... never written in the design docs (boardgame rules)...
Philippe? Your opinion?

[TheDeadeye]

In that case I have to cross-post my answer as well


But what if I plan a GO in three month and expect to move or receive the required units to the respective HQ. E.g. I plan in April a GO after the Redeployment phase in June. In the Redeployment phase I can reshuffle most of my Armies, swap units, and so on. With your suggestion I could not plan such a GO because I now don't have what I expect to have by then.

Hmmm yeh I see where you are getting at with this. It would sort of make long term plannings rather difficult.

[dougbush93]

I think the GO planning mechanic is fine, but certainly needs thorough explanation in the upcoming manual, especially the political / NW implications of succeeding or failing in the offensive.

It is my understanding that the buttons on the GO planning screen allow you to select tactic (i.e. heavy bombardment, combat gas) that you will "research" by using it in the grand offensive? This is somewhat different than tactics research in the boardgame, which is done through separate die rolls, much like technology. However, I think the way it is done in computer LGG right now is fine because it encourages Grand Offensives.

As for the advance planning required, I think that is just how it has to be in order to be historically accurate.

Doug