Steel Beasts Pro Discussion Thread

[Grim.Reaper]

Someday I will give it a go with multi-player, but I don't think my skills and understanding of the game right now are nearly good enough to play with others.

Just curious, besides the main Steel Beast web site, are there any more fan/mod web sites which include more missions, including single player missions?  I know there is a lot at the official web site, but a lot of them are older so was just curious if there was somewhere else that had more.

[Yskonyn]

There are some Virtual Units websites, but other than that I am pretty sure the main forums are where the critical mass is.

Older scenario's can still be played. You just have to open them in the mission editor first to let SB generate a navmesh properly (only needed once). Then you can play the mission in the new version again.

You do not have to be very knowledgeable about the sim to engage in MP. As most vehicles are multi-crew vehicles you can just jump in a tank as the gunner or the driver and let the commander guide you. It doesn't matter if you're still slow with acquiring targets as long as you make it known beforehand. The commander can always override. You can have some serious fun quite early. The hump really isn't that big as it seems.

The water has already been tested, come on in! ;)

[Grim.Reaper]

Thanks for the additional information.....I'll try to get through all the tutorials this week and then maybe I will feel comfortable jumping in with you guys:)  I understand you might be patient, but it would make me feel better if I felt I at least knew all the basics first:)

[jomni]

Now I know why I stopped playing.  Large scenarios are confusing.  Making me jump between different tanks.  Commanding using the tactical map.  Jump back to see LOS. This leads to sloppy playing and losing the scenario.  More frantic than an RTS.  I should decide from the start on what role to play and just stick with it for immersion.  But it's sooo tempting to jump around.

These scenarios are meant to be played by a lot of people so that you can concentrate on your own tank (or platoon).

But it's all good fun.

[Asid]

Hey Grim.Reaper

Jump in when you are comfortable  O0

i am on line now with Yskonyn and Tom. It's friendly :)  Drop in and listen if you wish. This is an open invitation to all :)

Regards

[Asid]

Now I know why I stopped playing.  Large scenarios are confusing.  Making me jump between different tanks.  Commanding using the tactical map.  Jump back to see LOS. This leads to sloppy playing and losing the scenario.  More frantic than an RTS.  I should decide from the start on what role to play and just stick with it for immersion.  But it's sooo tempting to jump around.

These scenarios are meant to be played by a lot of people so that you can concentrate on your own tank (or platoon).

But it's all good fun.

It's down to the choice of scenario :)

[Nefaro]

It doesn't look like too much to handle if you're commanding a platoon or less.  I'd imagine a noob like ourselves would probably just be running a single track anyway, at most. 

Like Grim, I'd like to finish some tutorials and get a little mission time, to practice before jumping into MP this week.  If nothing else but to get familiar with the interface and the commands & hotkeys. 

I'm currently in the middle of the M1A1(HA) tutorials and will then move to the M1A2 SEP and M2 Bradley series once I get the earlier one down.  Not sure which ones are most popular in MP games but I figured those were good bets.  Looks like Leopard 2s are also pretty popular.  Fortunately the tutorials make it all easy to pick up on, it's just getting the routine ingrained and improving my speed that will take some practice.  What specific vehicles should we get familiar with?

I'm not too crazy about the location of some of the key commands, however.  Some of the gunnery commands are spread out across the whole keyboard so it can be a bit of a pain switching stuff quickly.  I'm loathe to try remapping it because most keys I'd remap to are already in use so it would be a lot of keybind juggling and writing it all down that I just don't wanna mess with right now.  Are there any custom keymap files available for download that are a bit more efficient?

Also.. Is there any way to adjust the mouse sensitivity on the X-axis?  I'd like to lower it a tad, but I can deal if not.

[Asid]

It doesn't look like too much to handle if you're commanding a platoon or less.  I'd imagine a noob like ourselves would probably just be running a single track anyway, at most. 

When you are handling a platoon you can concentrate on using just 1 vehicle. The AI will control the rest. Or you can issue order such as fire control and formation.

Like Grim, I'd like to finish some tutorials and get a little mission time, to practice before jumping into MP this week.  If nothing else but to get familiar with the interface and the commands & hotkeys. 

Practice will help a lot. You only use a few keys and they are easy to reach/remember.

What specific vehicles should we get familiar with?

Leopard 2A5

Are there any custom keymap files available for download that are a bit more efficient?

Also.. Is there any way to adjust the mouse sensitivity on the X-axis?  I'd like to lower it a tad, but I can deal if not.

No Keymap files to download. I don't think they are needed.

you cant adjust the mouse sensitivity in game. However windows has adjustments. Try using "Show mouse vector" It draws a vector line from centre position to where the mouse is and this can help a lot. Itis in the "system" menu when you are in game.

Regards

[Asid]

Yskonyn (Yassy) and I did some damage today 

[Asid]

M1A1 (HA): Main Battle Tank

Statistics

Main gun: 120mm M256
Ammunition Stowage: 17 ready/23 stowed
Default Ammunition: 13/17 M829A1 APFSDS, 4/6 M830 HEAT


Coaxial machine gun: 7.62mm M240
Ammunition Stowage: 8000 ready/4000 stowed
Default Ammunition: 8000/4000 7.62mm NATO


AAMG: M2 caliber .50 HMG
Ammunition Stowage: 100 ready/900 stowed
Default Ammunition: 100/900 0.50 Cal US


Grenade Dischargers: Grenades
Ammunition Stowage: 2 ready/2 stowed
Default Ammunition: 2/2 Smoke


Armor protection:
Frontal Turret Armor: 359mm-580mm vs KE, 896mm-1220mm vs HEAT
Frontal Hull Armor: 125mm-390mm vs KE, 285mm-910mm vs HEAT
M1A1 HA frontLOS.jpg
M1A1 HA sideLOS.jpg


Combat Weight: 61.3t (67.6 tons)
Engine Power: 1500hp
Height 2.43m

[Nefaro]

What specific vehicles should we get familiar with?

Leopard 2A5

Okay.  I figured the newer Leos were pretty popular since so many YouTube vids featured people driving them.

Although I thought the plain 'ole Leo 2A4 was far better looking.  The new front turret armor add-ons make it look like a bad facelift.  :))  The price of progress.  ;D

Do I also need to get a bit familiar with the German APC? 

[Asid]

Do I also need to get a bit familiar with the German APC?

Start small. Do the Leo2A5 and then whatever you are interested in. The guys in US Armor use the M1 quite a bit. A lot of the tutorials are generic and do not need to be repeated.

Regards

[Nefaro]

Do I also need to get a bit familiar with the German APC?

Start small. Do the Leo2A5 and then whatever you are interested in. The guys in US Armor use the M1 quite a bit. A lot of the tutorials are generic and do not need to be repeated.

Regards

Sure.  I figured an MBT and an APC for each nationality. 

I'll get some base familiarity with M1A2s and M2s, and the Leo 2A5.

In the future, I also look forward to using some older setups in the 80s & 90s.   8)  That's why I started off with the M1A1.  I figured it will probably just be easier going up from there.  Plus I still remember using it in the original Steal Beasts.

[jomni]

What specific vehicles should we get familiar with?

Leopard 2A5

Okay.  I figured the newer Leos were pretty popular since so many YouTube vids featured people driving them.

Although I thought the plain 'ole Leo 2A4 was far better looking.  The new front turret armor add-ons make it look like a bad facelift.  :))  The price of progress.  ;D

Do I also need to get a bit familiar with the German APC?

I usually play Leo 2A4.  But the downside of this is that the Commander only has an independent periscope.  The A5 has independent thermals as well.

[Asid]

Team v Team today. T62s v T62s with some BRDM-2's for recon....The Red line shows enemy projectile path... Ouch! Enjoy

I see you (BRDM-2)


One track mind


Side profile please


That bridge...sigh


Who you staring at?


Behind you


Oh and in front of you!


Photo Finish


A Bridge to far?


Hit again!