WitE Question and Answer Thread

[JudgeDredd]

yes there is. also hovering over the hex shows the fort level.

[W8taminute]

Thanks for the tips Judge.  I noticed that those grouping attacks all are deliberate.  I was wondering if it was possible to do a group hasty attack but I guess not. 

The way I determine how strong an enemy hex is mostly based on previous hasty attacks against it.  I compare several factors.  How many men, guns, and vehicles do I have compared to how many they have.  Then I look at the enemy numbers printed on the unit itself.  I know the first number represents the units attack and the second number it's defense.  This is for the Russian units.  I'm not sure if you are playing as the Russians what numbers you would see on the German units. 

There are so many other factors to consider as well.  For example morale and experience must have some influence from what I notice.  Playing as the axis I notice that the Italian units are worthless on the defense and just ok on the attack while the Hungarians and Rumanians are slightly better troops. 

I really do think that you can't just look at numbers on a chit and pick a bunch of units that will total 3 or 4 to 1 on an odds table.  It's mostly about how many men vs how many men and how trained and motivated your men are vs theirs.  I haven't even talked about terrain influence either but you have to consider that as well. 

My overall land combat strategy is to conduct a series of small probing attacks to get a feel for what I'm dealing with.  I look at the size of the unit I'm about to attack.  If it is a brigade level unit and I've got a division attacking it I go for the deliberate attack.  If I have two infantry divisions vs an enemy infantry division plus a tank brigade I check to make sure my attacking units have plenty of guns with them before attacking.  In cardboard wargames you look at numbers, add modifiers to the dice roll, then look up the results on a table.  Great fun if you're a mathematician and enjoy working with numbers.  But this is the first computer wargame that actually makes you look beyond the numbers.  Since every man is kept track of in any given unit you have a lot more to consider than just comparing numbers.  I need to see if my unit in question is up to full strength or not.  Are the men tired?  What is left in the unit?  Do we just have a few rifle squads and some bicycle scouts or do I have 75% of the rifle squads the unit should have plus all the support equipment. 

This is why I called this game beautiful in my original post.   O0

Now that I know about group attacks I'll be unstoppable.  ;D

[JudgeDredd]

You would see the same numbers because when looking at your units you see attack and movement values. When you look at the enemy units you see attack and defense.

And thank you...that's what I keep forgetting...that enemy units show attack and defence. Also I think iirc that the horizontal bars between the numbers is the fortification level

[JudgeDredd]

Ok - I'm not playing WitE I'm playing WitW but the question would apply...

WTF are the two bars on the unit icon between the CVs (Combat Values)? I thought they were the fort level, but I'm not sure having seen a shot in the manual where units appear to be on a hex with no fort level and yet they have the 2 horizontal bars and I've seen units with 2 horizontal bars sitting on a level one fort...

And one other thing. Something I NEVER remember is scale which is why I'm often getting my arse kicked. I seem to be sending a battalion against a division etc. Does anyone know of a handy site that shows very clearly the hierarchy of WWII units so I know and can access when required? All I see is 4 crosses, 3 crosses 2 crosses etc....and I have known these in the past, but can't seem to retain the info.

Thanks

[JudgeDredd]

Looking at the player guide, the two bars may just be and indicator to inform you it's showing the combat and defence values??

[JudgeDredd]

Nevermind about the unit size - Appendix A in the main manual (I hadn't got there yet!) has the list 

[spelk]

And one other thing. Something I NEVER remember is scale which is why I'm often getting my arse kicked. I seem to be sending a battalion against a division etc. Does anyone know of a handy site that shows very clearly the hierarchy of WWII units so I know and can access when required? All I see is 4 crosses, 3 crosses 2 crosses etc....and I have known these in the past, but can't seem to retain the info.

Check this out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Military_Symbols_for_Land_Based_Systems

Right at the bottom of the page, is the Unit sizes table.

[spelk]

WTF are the two bars on the unit icon between the CVs (Combat Values)? I thought they were the fort level, but I'm not sure having seen a shot in the manual where units appear to be on a hex with no fort level and yet they have the 2 horizontal bars and I've seen units with 2 horizontal bars sitting on a level one fort...

Its been a while since I've dabbled in WitW, but if I'm reading you correctly, I think this thread will answer your horizontal bars question

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2648552&mpage=1&key=&#2649506

"Numbers below are Attack value - Move points. If you see 23=45 that Attack and defence value. "

Attack - Move

or

Attack = Defence

[JudgeDredd]

^ yep - what I eventually thought - thanks.

[JudgeDredd]

And one other thing. Something I NEVER remember is scale which is why I'm often getting my arse kicked. I seem to be sending a battalion against a division etc. Does anyone know of a handy site that shows very clearly the hierarchy of WWII units so I know and can access when required? All I see is 4 crosses, 3 crosses 2 crosses etc....and I have known these in the past, but can't seem to retain the info.

Check this out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Military_Symbols_for_Land_Based_Systems

Right at the bottom of the page, is the Unit sizes table.

Great link - thank you! Bookmarked.  O0