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screenshot [SP] [RT] Winter Storm (v2) by Ritalingamer 1 Recommended by:Kampfgruppe Added on September 19th, 2013 Scenario start date: December 12th, 1942

Description:

V .2 Changelog

  • Changed all units in the kessel, except for motorized/armored divisions, from 1 turn out of supply to "in supply," so the countdown to being completely out of supply is one turn slower.
  • Weakened the Axis armored units in ArmeeGroup Hoth - now five steps instead of six and veterans instead of elite.
  • Infantry units north of the Don start entrenched.
  • Axis player now has armored and infantry steps in the force pool starting on turn 2.
  • Deleted 297th ID and one Soviet Corps, moved up 64th Army 1st Corps.
  • Added an objective where the 297th ID used to be. This will symbolize a more complete "road" into the kessel.
  • Added a Romanian division to signify more of the Romanian 7th Corps.
  • Removed the objectives in Stalingrad proper, as the AI has been ignoring these.
  • Added time limits to objectives.
  • Reduced turn count to six, changed decisive victory to five turns.
  • Edited Stalingrad "active area" AI hint to allow the Soviet AI to cross rivers to get there.

I've playtested it and it's more challenging, but still doable.

Please provide feedback and let me know how many turns it took you to win (or not).


Here is my humble start at creating a scenario for the December '42 operation to relieve Stalingrad.

The balancing isn't where I want it yet, so please give me feedback on the following issues:
1) The scenario should be a struggle for the Germans (after all, they did fail to relieve the pocket), but not impossible. Currently it's almost a walk.

2) Is the scenario too long? Should I cut back the number of turns?

3) Historically, there was a Soviet attack west of the river that the Germans only threw back with the arrival of a new Panzer Division. However, I can't get the Soviets to make more than a few minor counter attacks that don't do anything to upset the balance in the critical theater east of the river.
Should I a) Add an Axis objective on the west side of the Don
b) Just exclude the north/west side of the Don from the scenario
or c) Implement some AI hints to make the Soviets attack more aggressively west of the Don?

4) Currently I give the Axis player 3 aerial supply points per turn, giving them enough capacity to keep nearly half of the units in the Kessel supplied. I like the way the 6th Army gets crunched up as they run out of supply, but what do you think? Is it a fun dynamic?

5) I can't get the Soviets to attack the two Axis objectives within the Kessel - is there a way I can make them do that better? Am I wrong to give the Axis control of those two points at the start? I wanted to simulate Hitler's foolish refusal to abandon Stalingrad, but I don't think it's working out that way in terms of gameplay.

6) I'm not sure how to use the weather engine, so any input on that to make it appopriately miserable for our little grenadiers would be appreciated.

My priority is fun over historical realism, but if you have any corrections to my OOB or unit dispositions, I'm happy to hear your suggestions.

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Comments:

  • This is fun and great first design too. The urgency to relieve the pocket is real and great units will be saved if you can do it. You should design more scenarios because you have talent. Thank you.

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