WarPlan -- new game announced from Matrix Games

[Ian C]

Is there a setting for Fog of War? So far what I've seen from screenshots is that all units are visible at all times. Correct?

They are present on map but unidentifiable if the recon levels are low in their hex and are displayed as 'unknown units'. Same for air units. Enemy units are identifiable only if recon levels in their hex is high.  Enemy naval units are never displayed unless detected.

[Rayfer]

On the production screen, the 'reinf/upgrade' section with the upright soldier figure with the 100 number, which is adjustable up or down....I'm not clear on what raising or lowering that number actually does? Thanks... ???

[-budd-]

On the production screen, the 'reinf/upgrade' section with the upright soldier figure with the 100 number, which is adjustable up or down....I'm not clear on what raising or lowering that number actually does? Thanks... ???

I believe it sets the limit on what to spend on reinf/upgrade per turn.

[Ian C]

On the production screen, the 'reinf/upgrade' section with the upright soldier figure with the 100 number, which is adjustable up or down....I'm not clear on what raising or lowering that number actually does? Thanks... ???

Budd is correct.

If you set it to zero, no production points are spent on upgrades and reinforcements. You can also set it to the max, in which case all production stops and you get to concentrate on massively reinforcing your units.

[W8taminute]

On the production screen, the 'reinf/upgrade' section with the upright soldier figure with the 100 number, which is adjustable up or down....I'm not clear on what raising or lowering that number actually does? Thanks... ???

Budd is correct.

If you set it to zero, no production points are spent on upgrades and reinforcements. You can also set it to the max, in which case all production stops and you get to concentrate on massively reinforcing your units.

I can confirm that as well.  In my 1939 campaign as the allies Britain's production stockpile grew at a snails pace because most of their production points went into building up all of their little undermanned units to full strength.  Once that happened the monthly stockpile grew at a much faster pace.  I had reinforcements set to 100 the whole time.

[Rayfer]

On the production screen, the 'reinf/upgrade' section with the upright soldier figure with the 100 number, which is adjustable up or down....I'm not clear on what raising or lowering that number actually does? Thanks... ???

Budd is correct.

If you set it to zero, no production points are spent on upgrades and reinforcements. You can also set it to the max, in which case all production stops and you get to concentrate on massively reinforcing your units.

I can confirm that as well.  In my 1939 campaign as the allies Britain's production stockpile grew at a snails pace because most of their production points went into building up all of their little undermanned units to full strength.  Once that happened the monthly stockpile grew at a much faster pace.  I had reinforcements set to 100 the whole time.

Thanks all....this makes it clear.

[MOS:96B2P]

I think the supply truck is one of the most valuable units in this game. ;D   Some thought must be given to supplies / logistics.  And bad weather has a very noticeable effect on operations (as it should).  It also seems the Soviets are destroying the logistical network as my panzers advance.  Because of this scorched earth policy I've had to airdrop supplies to my lead panzer corps a few times.  And winter is coming ............  Interesting game.     

[Ian C]

I think the supply truck is one of the most valuable units in this game. ;D   Some thought must be given to supplies / logistics.  And bad weather has a very noticeable effect on operations (as it should).  It also seems the Soviets are destroying the logistical network as my panzers advance.  Because of this scorched earth policy I've had to airdrop supplies to my lead panzer corps a few times.  And winter is coming ............  Interesting game.   

I completely agree. Since all units are supplied equally with the option to prioritize specific units if desired, I thought - why bother with supply trucks? In fact, as you point out, they are the most valuable units in the game.
Clicking on a unit's supply truck icon expends 1+ trucks from your pool (which you have to build) and as you expend them they increase your supply and increase effectiveness of the unit.

It's easy to overlook because other games don't model supply this deep, but if you extend your units too far you are in serious trouble -even if you think that because units are adjacent to friendly units they are ok for supply - they are not. It takes time to build supply chains in controlled hexes. Using the 'S' key to see supply coverage on map is vital.
I recent began Barbarossa and ran into difficulty as I got deeper into Russia and the October weather set in. Partisan activity, unavailability of air strikes due to heavy rains and long supply chains in new controlled territory have begun to slow me down. 

The key to supply is:

- ALWAYS use the 'S' key to see if you are over-extended and check supply each turn.
- Have an HQ unit within 6 hexes of surrounding units. (Also if you click on a supply truck on an HQ it will automatically supply any units within 1 hex of it and use the appropriate amount of trucks).
- Expend supply trucks for key units. They will increase unit's effectiveness (even over 100%).
- Prioritize specific front-line and rear-area units for supply / reinforcement with the green cross button
- Air lift supply for emergencies. This saved my ass in Russia when one of my Panzer Corps went too deep before I got to grips with how supply works.
- Oilers can supply naval units at sea without the need for them to return to port.

Supply Trucks, Air Transports and Oilers are found under the Build tab / Support.

[Ian C]

Blizzards, over-extended supply chains and heavy rain has literally stopped my Barbarossa offensive in its tracks. I'm impressed. Not sure I've seen this in any other comparable strategic game.

[MOS:96B2P]

I think the supply truck is one of the most valuable units in this game. ;D   Some thought must be given to supplies / logistics.  And bad weather has a very noticeable effect on operations (as it should).  It also seems the Soviets are destroying the logistical network as my panzers advance.  Because of this scorched earth policy I've had to airdrop supplies to my lead panzer corps a few times.  And winter is coming ............  Interesting game.   

I completely agree. Since all units are supplied equally with the option to prioritize specific units if desired, I thought - why bother with supply trucks? In fact, as you point out, they are the most valuable units in the game.
Clicking on a unit's supply truck icon expends 1+ trucks from your pool (which you have to build) and as you expend them they increase your supply and increase effectiveness of the unit.

It's easy to overlook because other games don't model supply this deep, but if you extend your units too far you are in serious trouble -even if you think that because units are adjacent to friendly units they are ok for supply - they are not. It takes time to build supply chains in controlled hexes. Using the 'S' key to see supply coverage on map is vital.
I recent began Barbarossa and ran into difficulty as I got deeper into Russia and the October weather set in. Partisan activity, unavailability of air strikes due to heavy rains and long supply chains in new controlled territory have begun to slow me down. 

The key to supply is:

- ALWAYS use the 'S' key to see if you are over-extended and check supply each turn.
- Have an HQ unit within 6 hexes of surrounding units. (Also if you click on a supply truck on an HQ it will automatically supply any units within 1 hex of it and use the appropriate amount of trucks).
- Expend supply trucks for key units. They will increase unit's effectiveness (even over 100%).
- Prioritize specific front-line and rear-area units for supply / reinforcement with the green cross button
- Air lift supply for emergencies. This saved my ass in Russia when one of my Panzer Corps went too deep before I got to grips with how supply works.
- Oilers can supply naval units at sea without the need for them to return to port.

Supply Trucks, Air Transports and Oilers are found under the Build tab / Support.

I learned the supply truck lesson the hard way in Poland and France.  It probably would have been fatal not to understand supply trucks prior to entering the Soviet Union.  My Soviet Union operation may fail anyways ......... I'm not going to reach the Baku oil fields before winter.  I think the biggest lesson/surprise of my Soviet invasion so far has been the scorched earth policy.  Poland and France did not have scorched earth policies so I did not appreciate the extra logistic problems this would cause.  To complicate matters a few Soviet units broke out of an encirclement and once again tore up my Main Supply Route (MSR) on their way back to Soviet controlled territory.  I've been able to keep the partisans under control so far ........but again winter is coming.  After the rain turns to snow I'll probably dig in a defensive line behind some rivers and repair/reinforce in preparation for a Spring offensive. 

I haven't paid much attention to the naval part of the game yet.  However people seem to approve of how the game handles naval matters.  This is very good considering Alvaro has begun work on a pacific theater of operations.       

[Ian C]

I learned the supply truck lesson the hard way in Poland and France.  It probably would have been fatal not to understand supply trucks prior to entering the Soviet Union.  My Soviet Union operation may fail anyways ......... I'm not going to reach the Baku oil fields before winter.  I think the biggest lesson/surprise of my Soviet invasion so far has been the scorched earth policy.  Poland and France did not have scorched earth policies so I did not appreciate the extra logistic problems this would cause.  To complicate matters a few Soviet units broke out of an encirclement and once again tore up my Main Supply Route (MSR) on their way back to Soviet controlled territory.  I've been able to keep the partisans under control so far ........but again winter is coming.  After the rain turns to snow I'll probably dig in a defensive line behind some rivers and repair/reinforce in preparation for a Spring offensive. 

I haven't paid much attention to the naval part of the game yet.  However people seem to approve of how the game handles naval matters.  This is very good considering Alvaro has begun work on a pacific theater of operations.       

I think this game is in line to become the best ETO strategic game out there. I'm finding it challenging, thought-provoking and thrilling. Weather and supply is handled really well and with great strategic impact. Very impressed with the realism at the strategic level and the planning you have to put into thinking ahead for your builds and taking weather and supply into account for your operations.

[W8taminute]

I'm in the month of May and it is 1941 in my allies 1939 campaign.  This game is really fun and does have that 'just one more turn' feel to it. 

WW2 is not progressing historically however and this is a good thing.  Here's what has happened so far:

1. Germany did not wait until April 1940 before invading Denmark and Norway.  Instead immediately after the fall of Poland and before winter 1939-1940 set in they invaded both countries and easily took them.  Britain and France (me) could not spare any land units to send to aid Scandinavia because we barely had enough forces to defend France.

2. Germany declared war on the Netherlands in early 1940 and conquered them uncontested by me.

3. Germany declared war on Belgium and Luxembourg in early May 1940.  The battle of France also begins.  France falls in August of 1940 creating Vichy France, Syria, and North Africa.  One funny note: Italy declared war on the allies when Paris fell.  The next turn I was able to recapture Paris.  Not enough of France was occupied by Germany so France did not immediately surrender after the initial fall of Paris.  As France I was able to capture Turin and one resource hex next to the city.  For some reason Italy offered negotiations to surrender which I gladly accepted.  But then Italy became part of Germany and ceased to exist. 

4. Germany declares war on Vichy France in September of 1940.  Vichy North Africa and Syria join the allies.  France is completely occupied by early October 1940. 

5. Germany declares war on Spain in spring of 1941!!  Since Italy was knocked out of the war there never was a campaign in North Africa.  England and Canada send forces to aid Spain with bulk of the troops coming from Egypt.  It is June 1941 and operation Barbarossa has not started.  Germany and Russia are still at peace.  Finland, Rumania, and Hungary have joined the Axis but are not at war with anyone.  Yugoslavia is not pro Ally but not in the Axis camp either. 

That's what has happened so far.  Not exactly historical but really fun non the less.  I'm glad the game can be random like this and not follow scripted history.  The general flow of historical events in my game are plausible and believable.   O0

[MOS:96B2P]

I'm in the month of May and it is 1941 in my allies 1939 campaign.  This game is really fun and does have that 'just one more turn' feel to it. 

WW2 is not progressing historically however and this is a good thing.  Here's what has happened so far:

1. Germany did not wait until April 1940 before invading Denmark and Norway.  Instead immediately after the fall of Poland and before winter 1939-1940 set in they invaded both countries and easily took them.  Britain and France (me) could not spare any land units to send to aid Scandinavia because we barely had enough forces to defend France.

2. Germany declared war on the Netherlands in early 1940 and conquered them uncontested by me.

3. Germany declared war on Belgium and Luxembourg in early May 1940.  The battle of France also begins.  France falls in August of 1940 creating Vichy France, Syria, and North Africa.  One funny note: Italy declared war on the allies when Paris fell.  The next turn I was able to recapture Paris.  Not enough of France was occupied by Germany so France did not immediately surrender after the initial fall of Paris.  As France I was able to capture Turin and one resource hex next to the city.  For some reason Italy offered negotiations to surrender which I gladly accepted.  But then Italy became part of Germany and ceased to exist. 

4. Germany declares war on Vichy France in September of 1940.  Vichy North Africa and Syria join the allies.  France is completely occupied by early October 1940. 

5. Germany declares war on Spain in spring of 1941!!  Since Italy was knocked out of the war there never was a campaign in North Africa.  England and Canada send forces to aid Spain with bulk of the troops coming from Egypt.  It is June 1941 and operation Barbarossa has not started.  Germany and Russia are still at peace.  Finland, Rumania, and Hungary have joined the Axis but are not at war with anyone.  Yugoslavia is not pro Ally but not in the Axis camp either. 

That's what has happened so far.  Not exactly historical but really fun non the less.  I'm glad the game can be random like this and not follow scripted history.  The general flow of historical events in my game are plausible and believable.   O0

Interesting stuff.  I didn't know the AI would be able to make so many non-historical decisions.  It seems like it is reacting to what the player does (or does not do) instead of following a strict historical based script.  As long as the actions are plausible/believable I think this is a good thing and adds re-playability to the game.   
 

[Geezer]

Italy surrendering like that sounds like a bug.  You might want to report it in the Matrix forums.

[W8taminute]

Italy surrendering like that sounds like a bug.  You might want to report it in the Matrix forums.

I might just do that.