Andre Bolkonsky

Exactly. There were several questions designed to be as vague as possible, and some ridiculously precise. I doubt anyone takes that test without making an educated guess here and there. Which tells you I got at least one question wrong, and blame the test. 'nuff said.

OK, I am now told these ARE the droids you seek. Gentlemen; allow me to introduce you to the Endgame: After the Last Battle, when the sabers are handed over and the peace treaty signed -- win or lose -- you are told your history after the war is done. This is calculated based on your entire performance throughout the Campaign. So, if you lose, and are a diehard Confederate like Watkins (not that I think Watkins loses a lot of games, but for example . . . ), you might be a Rebel hunted by the Federals. You may be forced to take refuge with a Cherokee Chief named Lone Waddi, and seek your way down to Texas. Perhaps you'll meet a wagon load of Jayhawkers from Kansas; and stare down a war chief named Ten Bears. Is this one possible ending of the game? I reckon so. If you win, you might be elected President. Or Senator. Perhaps Governor. Mayor of a Town is not the worst possible fate. Maybe you'll own a Plantation, or a Factory. Or become Superintendent of West Point. Koro wants to own the Lego factory. Mercanto wants to Carpetbag a couple of small distelleries in Tennessee. Kelly is hoping to be mayor of a town in France; but if he goes home he is afraid Javert will finally find him. And I have no doubt The Soldier will stay in the army. Forever. Lots of options. Fitting, considering the incredible number of options and difficulties you'll have faced bringing this terrible conflict to its final conclusion.

These are not the droids you seek.

I just found the feature where you can see the history of each and every unit throughout the progression of the war. Had never seen that before. Very nice easter egg you left hding in the bushes, Dartis.

I beg to differ. Following the Chickamauga campaign in one play through, I did not hold one of the ridges early in the game, and while I 'won' I did not get the 'decisive victory' screen although the rewards seemed to be the same. So it is a gradation thing. regarding the other, these are not the droids you seek.

Actually, they are part of the overall victory scoring. At Chickamauga, any points not controlled at the end of a phase will count against your total point at the end of the game. perhaps yeilding a partil rather than total victory. And, those points become a factor again at the end of the game when totalling up your final score.

Tactics and 'Gamey' are synonymous. We prefer the former, not the latter. Personally, I refuse to attack head on into a reinforced position. Frequently, a simple demonstration and a flank march are preferable to a full frontal assault. John Bell Hood might disagree, Stonewall will not. But what do you mean by 'anomoly' Good luck, Texas Signed, Houston

Weed and hookers? Not my first choice, but everyone should visit Amsterdam once. Still, better than watching Canadians die in 'Dieppe'. (Actually, Dieppe was a cover for an SOE insertion of strategic spec ops toopers and equipment to the French Underground, and stealing German radar. Intrepid insisted they call it a failure to cover up the fact it was an enormous success. But, Canadians, eh? )

To quote Teenage Negasonic Warhead; 'you've really got me in a box here'.

YEW LONGBOWS FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!! The stealth factor on my skirmishers is now at 100!

Well, I can trace my paternal ancestry to Robert the Bruce's Sheild Bearer; and my elite brigade is invariable the Black Watch. You think I'm going to object to Scots anything? Adding a bit of Scotland to Ireland is the only thing that keeps those people from killing themselves anyway.

I feel like Richard Sharpe. Do I get a bad-ass Irish Sergeant, a curassier's sword, and a fine optical telescope as well?

The Union has art? Who knew.

Have Stonewall Jackson roll the flank. What? Too soon?

John Hunt Morgan reviewing his cavalry in Kentucky before beginning the deepest raid into Union territory of the war. This picture does not do justice to the artists work, but it's damned impressive up close. None of the uniforms are regulation, no two men are armed the same; the only consistency in garb is the iron discipline of the men and the pride in their bearing that shows even as they hold their horses. Band of brothers, company of heroes. Those who do not fight with us on St. Crispin's day will consider themselves accursed. Note the absolute lack of medals and heraldry: the greatest honor of the Confederate Army was to be mentioned in dispatches.

Whistling loudly, i exit stage left . . . . . . I have actually played the Fixed Forces option through several battles to see the difference. Even then, it's no cake walk. Nick's AI is still brutal.

Fair enough. I was making a generalization, and stand corrected. Besides, I'm going to tell YOU how the percentages play out in this game? .

I believe this is a direct quote from a Continental soldier serving under George Washington as the 'Rebels' lit their night fires brightly then made a forced night march to seize Princeton under the nose of the British.

First off, glad you enjoy the game. Second, yes, the enemy will always be larger and better equipped than you. That will never change. This is by design to offer the gamer a quality challenge with each passing battle. The term for this is 'scaling'; you'll hear it again. However, when you start the campaign there is an option beneath Colonel rank to 'Fix Enemy Strength'. This will curtail scaling and give the player a smaller, less well equipped enemy in each battle. The 'Fix Enemy Strength' option is perfect for players who are learning. The AI is unchanged, it is only manpower points and weapon quality that are affected. It is still very challenging. It makes almost no difference in the beginning. You won't see a major difference till Shiloh; thereafter, one decisive victory will give you an almost permanent manpower advantage. Therefore, it's also great for grognards who want to enjoy an adult beverage or two while displaying their military genius in their off hours and maybe only have time to log on now and again.

I've spent as much time playing the early campaign as anyone. I kept replaying through Shiloh with each patch to get a feel for how new players would react to tactical changes to the AI. It is rather amazing how well it is balanced out now. There were periods it was no challenge at all, then for a while it was virtually impossible. Today? There is always room for improvement, but the enhancements have been dramatic and overwhelmingly positive. .

Good question. It really depends on what you like. I like small battles, and I like defense. Put too many units on too big a board and micro becomes irrelevant. I quickly add, many friends love nothing more than to Urrah! five full corps of infantry to victory; so I know I'm not in the majority here. Personally, my favorite battles are fighting withdrawals. Fall back to a position, coil, and strike back. Like a fencer doing a riposte, you parry and thrust. God forbid I get a chance to dig in and wait for you. Layered defense, tricks and traps, fire sacks and kill zones are my bread and butter. Malvern Hill, from the Union side, allows me all kinds of chances to allow my Grand Batteries to stripe up and draw blood. To me, it is the most fun. And for worst battle phase: the Federal assault on Marye's Heights in Fredericksburg. Seriously, I'll stock the Fredericksburg town garrison with bottom feeder raw recruits carrying pikes if I could. Bury them as deep in the cover and I can and walk away from the computer till it finishes running and let them just take the artillery shelling. I'm not sending men to certain death when a simple demonstration of low grade cannon fodder will keep the defenders occupied while the maneuver corps takes Telegraph Road and rolls their flank. Ten to one: playing the Confederate campaign, my favorite battle will be Stonewall and Old Pete playing Hammer and Anvil at Fredericksburg; and my least will be the assault on Malvern Hill. Pretty damned impressive this one game can recreate so many different military situations; a bit of something for everyone!

You have seen Dartis' avatar, and Dark is a surprise?

Yes. It doesn't the change the point we're making.

Spot on. Dartis uses very particular language in these scripts that people might not pick up on at first glance, sometimes you have to read something twice to completely understand it. But he is invariably historically accurate in his terminology, and always endeavors to keep an active verb tense to keep the gamer immersed in the experience. IMHO, the gamer will get a better education rising to the language of the briefing.

I'll disagree with your complete disregard to the briefings; but would be more than happy to help build a spread sheet with the battles, objectives, and timer details mapped out completely.