Games that require a good plan and a big cup of tea

[Sir Slash]

I never drink when I game lest I become too 'chummy' with the enemies and try to give them all a 'great, big  :-*' on the screen.

[glen55]

I don't play games that require tea.  ::)

Nothing has ever engaged my planning glands like the original Combat Mission. I would walk the whole battlefield, find spots where individual tanks could go hull-down with a good view, set up ambushes, designate units as decoys, the whole nine yards.

That listed until I figured out the AI and realized none of that was actually necessary.  :'(

[Phantom]

Second Decisive Campaigns, and also most AGEOD games - replaying Birth of America 2 at present, you can really get stuck into the campaign games and I have often fallen asleep pondering my next move.

[Ersatz Yorck]

Second Decisive Campaigns, and also most AGEOD games - replaying Birth of America 2 at present, you can really get stuck into the campaign games and I have often fallen asleep pondering my next move.

Falling asleep at the computer does not sound like an endorsement for a game.

[Dimitris]

FPC-RS, most definitely. If it was any more brainy they'd have to bundle PhD diplomas in the box.

[Capn Darwin]

FPC-RS, most definitely. If it was any more brainy they'd have to bundle PhD diplomas in the box.

I think that's a good thing, right? 

[Dimitris]

Most definitely O0

[Apocalypse 31]

already mentioned Flashpoint Campaigns might fit the bill.

I don't find micromanaging platoons during Brigade operations to be that enjoyable or something I'd consider to fit the bill of the thread. Just my personal opinion. I've always found FCRS to be a hassle, and thus it has bounced to and from my hard drive multiple times. 

[Beowulf]

already mentioned Flashpoint Campaigns might fit the bill.

I don't find micromanaging platoons during Brigade operations to be that enjoyable or something I'd consider to fit the bill of the thread. Just my personal opinion. I've always found FCRS to be a hassle, and thus it has bounced to and from my hard drive multiple times.

That is a valid point and one of the major drawbacks of FCRS for me as well. It is especially at odds with the limited orders setting. If I want a company to defend a city, I don't want to place each and every platoon and supporting unit individually, it's the job for the company commander. Sadly, there are only few games in which you can reliably relegate duties to your subordinates - Command Ops, Histwar from what I played (and mentioned in this thread), and I belive Scourge of War series might fit that description as well.

Other than that I think that FC:RS definitely fits the bill (and it is just my personal opinion), at least the way I play it. I spend significant amount of time planning my moves and devising contingencies before the firs turn. Hell, it's the only wargame for which I use a pencil and printed maps to draw  :-[
And there are not that many counters to move, even in the largest scenarios, in comparison to some strategy giants like Gary Grisby's games or Decisive Campaigns series.

[Capn Darwin]

I hear what you guys are saying. The big problem is no existing AI(using that term loosely too) would do a good job of "defend the city" in most situations. There are too many variables layout, terrain, cover, fields of fire, weapons, and attacker threats to do the job. You might get a decent solution every once in a while, but my guess is that you would spend more time yelling at the "dumb" AI and wishing you could control the sub-units. I like Command Ops, but even it is limited with the above issues. I think it works out okay because both sides have the same limitations in terms of subordinate AI command.

This point does raise some interesting questions that I will have to pass along to the team and see what we may be able to do in the future. 

[Toonces]

I wouldn't have put Scourge of War on this list at first glance.  However, having played a few sandbox Army vs. Army matches now, you better have a clear head an a few hours to duke it out.  It's a bit of a brain burner.  Especially using couriers only...like herding cats.