Hi! I've just picked the game up and am starting to get used to it. So far its wonderful, thanks so much to everyone involved. I have a few questions but let me start with some specifics. Thanks for any help.
I've played the tutorials, Bull Run, Shiloh, and the New Mexico Campaign. I'm now playing the Western Theater Campaign. All settings on default.
Q1
I'm playing the Union, I have 2 turns left in the game. I hit F9 to get the objectives' screen. I'm playing against the computer.
5 Objectives have a union flag Tucson (2), New Orleans (10), El Paso (5), Cairo (20), St. Louis (20).
But I own 4 Cities that just have crossed rifles: Nashville, Louisville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. What does the crossed rifles mean? Am I getting points from them? In looking at the difference, do I need a general in the city to get the points?
Q2
Are the victory conditions in these scenarios realistic? In Bull Run, I thought the game was so one sided for the Union, I tested it out by never moving a single unit and just hit end turn and won easily! Some of the other scenarios seem to be very one sided.
In my current game, I would think I did everything to win - I did get a little lucky in battles between Curtis and VanDorn But I am sitting at the end of January, I've taken every objective city besides Little Rock, Mobile, and Vicksburg. I've pretty much conquered all of Tennessee, have gotten to El Paso in the West, and conquered Arizona. I've taken Madison and am on the way to Little Rock, but probably won't capture Little Rock on the last 2 turns.
My National Morale is 150, but I'm not going to get to automatic victory levels. The Confederates have a NM of 78. I've won most of the battles, probably 80%, and Grant is undefeated. I've inflicted 83958 in casualties and taken only 59111, and I have 29,700 prisoners.
I would think that I have achieved a victory, but I am going to lose. I won't get the automatic victory in time. I'm behind on VP's 1364-1424. Are these results really 'losing'? I know I haven't played a lot of cards for victory points and used a few options on the F3 menu, but still I would think this should be a solid victory? Some of the options helped, I got VP's from a few. Its a little depressing.
Thanks again for any help.