Units v Elements

[Jipster1]

I had read on these boards that I can stop the enemy from crossing rivers by interdicting the river with 4 gunboats.

But is that 4 gunboat units or 4 gunboat elements? (When I buy a gunboat unit, it comes with 2 actual gunboat elements).

Similar question when it comes to building a depot with 2 Supply Trains or 2 Transport ships.

Lastly - I'm still trying to get past my first game. Like so many others, I keep hitting a point and saying "oh....didn't know that. Now that I understand yet another aspect, I'm gonna restart YET AGAIN. Anyhow, (Union, April 61 campaign) you know how all those generals are available on a certain turn, then supply trains automagically show up on a different turn, then all those units are suddenly available on a given turn, and then on some far-too-late turn I'm actually allowed to build divisions?
Where is an easy place to find a turn by turn breakdown of when these things happen? Both the ones that are fixed (bunch of new generals Late April) and the ones that seem variable (Schurz and his cavalry)?

Thanks!

[Jim-NC]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

I believe it is elements (so 4 ships).

Supply depots depend on your version. IIRC, starting on 1.15, it is elements to create (not units).

AFAIK no one has written a complete list of appearances (and disappearances) in the game. Somewhere in the database (which is modable), is a list of all the possible events (and their percentages). I do not know where it is personally. You can look at the AARs for a clue as to when things happen, or you can list them yourself.

Soundoff vs. Banks is one of the best AARs for how the game works. For a list of events, see the AAR on the 2nd tournament (either mine or Daxil's). I am listing each event as it happens in the game (not a list of all the events possible, but what events actually happened this game). Daxil is listing the effects of each event.

Enjoy your time here.

[Jipster1]

Got it, thanks.

Yeah, the version may have something to do with my confusion. I've been playing under 1.07, and just this weekend loaded up 1.15. Lots of little changes. Was going nuts turn after turn not being able to create division with my Union generals until Oct 1861. Anyhow, that may be the source of my supply/transport to depot confusion.

AARs - just found these a couple days ago. Been avidly reading through them. Almost makes me want to get my hindquarters kicked by a real human being. Almost.

I'm making an event list for my own edification. Maybe if i ever finish a game I'll post it up for folks.