Levels of Tactical Proficiency: The Beginner Wargamer and Terrain, Part 1 - Combat Mission Battle for Normandy

This is is going to be a series of three blog entries. The main idea is to make an educated guess of what the game play of three war gamers (one beginner, one intermediate and one expert) would look like for the same scenario. The focus will be the use of terrain and depending on the reception I can expand it to other aspects of tactical proficiency. I have chosen just three levels but I am sure there are more in between and that what I will show for both the low and high end of the scale may be the subject of debate.

The current modules of Combat Mission are the mecca of tactical war gaming.  Despite their limited capability in terms of forces and map sizes and some other minor peeves gamers may have out there, the series has become a genre in itself. Most importantly, the use of real life tactics is the bread and butter of gameplay.

I am going to use a very tiny stock scenario from the Combat Mission Battles for Normandy. This scenario features a platoon sized US infantry team supported by a mortar tube. Their mission is to secure a ford. Resistance is light and the terrain is close bocage countryside. Spoilers ahead!

DCS World Gets an Update and a New (Beta) Chopper

Both and update for DCS World and the DCS: UH-1H Huey have been released a few days ago.

In view of the usual servers' clogging immediately after release of anything, I procrastinated a couple of days until today and then treated myself to this fine update and new module.

Command and (Out of) Control: HPS Sims' Ancient Warfare Series

Something different today, folks. Not only hexes and turns, but also a period of warfare I haven't visited in years. 

I heard a lot about the Ancient Warfare series from HPS Simulations, but never actually had enough encouragement to try it. My friend Javier, who refuses to read my blog (will do when you post something about ancient or medieval warfare, he says), has always insisted that I should try it.

So here I am, liking this engine a lot, and disliking Javier's repeated "told you so!" grin.

Soviet Squad Tactics in WWII: Of Guides and Good Shots (Iron Front Liberation)

The basic squad tactics do not differ that much among the major powers that fought in WWII. Achieve fire superiority, fix/suppress and assault (preferably in the flanks of the enemy). However, training, weapons and just plain cultural differences sometimes are interesting details to explore.

DCS World, Combined Arms - (Almost) New Stuff I Really Like in the Editor

The wait for the new version V1.2.4 and the DCS UH-1H Huey is taking longer than most fans have thought. Oh, well. Nonetheless these are two things in the editor that were added more or less recently and that I love in the current version.

Number one: AI- controlled helicopters can now land in places other than airbases ramps and runways. This is great to simulate helo insertions.

Hasty Defense at the Fulda Gap- Steel Beasts ProPE AAR - Part 5 and Final: Barely Winning at Attrition, Badly Losing at Maneuver

This is the final part of the AAR I re-took on Saturday. In a textbook case of "overstaying at a battle position", the tank platoons are flanked by remnants of the Soviet armored thrust. Time to move out!

Tanks of the 2nd. Platoon (background) successfully engage some T-72s that made it through the central avenue of approach of our sector.

Hasty Defense at the Fulda Gap- Steel Beasts ProPE AAR - Part 4: Main Battle Tanks Enter the Fray

This is a continuation of my overdue AAR on this fantastic scenario. The Cavalry troopers did their job, but paid a high price in casualties. A flight of enemy attack helicopters forced the M3A2s to move too much around their fall back positions ... Never a good thing.

The battle was still young and the confidence on the M1A1s Abrams was high. The tankers of First and Second platoons sat tight in their battle positions were with their sights on EA Pirc.

ArmA 3 Alpha - The Rescue of Agent Vidales - Mission Available

Better done than perfect, they say. You can grab the mission from this link.

The mission doesn't include helicopter transport as shown in this picture. I am showing it here because it just looks great.

The mission should be playable both multiplayer and single-player. You and your team start in two assault boats off the coast of Agia Marina.

ArmA 3 - The Rescue of Agent Vidales

This is my first serious attempt to mission editing on the ArmA series. What I mean serious is having a briefing, tasks and an end triggered by accomplishing one of those tasks. Nothing cinematic in the introduction and the ending (no cutscenes), but it was quite a journey and I enjoyed it.

I had to give up on the divers as the special forces conducting this raid. Their organic weapons are apparently from Airsoft and I couldn't figure out how to change their weaponry (always missing something).

ArmA 3 Alpha Lite - Who Wants a Free Key?

There are a free keys available from a reader of the blog and myself. All you need to do is email us and provide your e-mail or Steam user name. If you are not a Steam member yet, you can create a free account here.

Limited availability!

freekeys at aa-vcp dot com
realandsimulatedwars at gmail dot com

Update: we ran out of keys. Thanks James and Johan for helping out with theirs.

What is ArmA 3 Alpha Lite?
From Bohemia Interactive's website:
Arma 3 Alpha Lite is similar to the regular Arma 3 Alpha in terms of content. However, modding and multiplayer are not supported. People can access Arma 3 Alpha Lite for free, but will require an ‘invite’ to do so. These invites can be obtained via people who have purchased the regular Arma 3 Alpha. They will also be randomly dispersed via our social channels and selected media outlets.

Cheers,