DLC 42 #01 Vitebsk

[Happycat]

The first map. I was supprise how hard it was:) A lot of enemy units my Pz III and Pz IV are not strong enough. But Stuka is good:) Rumunian soldiers are not so good. What a pity that you cannot upgrade captured unit:( Is it possible that I have captured T34/40 but second sign was T34/41(r) it means that has the same attack, defend, ammo etc. as the real T34/41

Bugs: During I thought it was 13turn on left side enemy got one fighter and one tac.bomber, they were there for maybe 2turns but they didn spent any fuel:/ they were not on the airfield.

How would you upgrade a captured unit? I don't think the Russians would send you the newer model

I think the game design needs to strike a good balance between playability, fun and realism. Being able to upgrade captured tanks or artillery would be quite unrealistic.

As for the Romanians, historically they and the Hungarians were the weak link in the chain on the eastern front. You probably know that when the Soviet counterattack was launched in December of 1942, they chose to strike the portion of the front held by those somewhat reluctant German allies. One wonders what might have happened if that portion of the front line west of Stalingrad had been held by German units instead.

[kashor73]

Imported my core from the previous 3 campaigns.

Still playing on colonel, while I should probably increase the level, to compare difficulty I'm going to stay with the same settings.


Prestige after upgrades/reinforcing. 14,019

DV turn 13.

This felt like a more mobile version of the previous Demyansk pocket scenario, with troops spread out guarding the railroad. 3-5 battles going on at any one time made for a lot of fun. Armoured train was very useful.

Several units damaged heavily in the battle, especially in attacks from the east, but no core units destroyed in the end.

T34/41 captured during the battle.

[monkspider]

Vitebsk Redus
starting 4000
After upgrades n/a
Ending prestige 1400
Losses 3x Panzer IVs
DV on turn 15

I am now playing a campaign on general level with the non-imported core. This battle although difficult before is absolutely brutal with a non-imported core. I am glad to see that the general weakness of this core is going to be addressed. Also, this is the one scenario that I would actually advocate for a general reduction of the difficulty on, especially for being the very first level.I did manage to pull out a DV this time though, being able to get the first four transports safely delivered. I am looking forward to what should be an interesting challenge to try to build up this core enough to be able to survive the Stalingrad levels. Wish me luck.

[Happycat]

Vitebsk Redus
starting 4000
After upgrades n/a
Ending prestige 1400
Losses 3x Panzer IVs
DV on turn 15

I am now playing a campaign on general level with the non-imported core. This battle although difficult before is absolutely brutal with a non-imported core. I am glad to see that the general weakness of this core is going to be addressed. Also, this is the one scenario that I would actually advocate for a general reduction of the difficulty on, especially for being the very first level.I did manage to pull out a DV this time though, being able to get the first four transports safely delivered. I am looking forward to what should be an interesting challenge to try to build up this core enough to be able to survive the Stalingrad levels. Wish me luck.

Good luck, you will need it I think

[BriteLite]

Colonel difficulty with assigned core units. Reading comments from other testers I used a zone with units defending general areas. The Russians have the element of surprise keeping my units almost constantly on the move to counter suddenly appearing enemy formations. While the enemy infantry is usually easy to deal with the Russian armor lives up to its reputation as a tough capable opponent. Enemy air lacks top notch planes but is capable of dealing a deadly blow in conjunction with ground units and is persistent.

DV Turn 14
No core units lost
Captured 1xT34/41

[fenglicao]

First, very much honored to be able to beta test this wonderful DLC. Many thanks.

Sorry just got time around to start playing this DLC. Chose the Rommel difficulty as I like to micro-manage prestige. Since most fellow testers imported their DLC41 cores, I decided to not to. I'm generally happy with the starting units I'm given, except the Infantry. They are a bit too heavy and expensive. I like to use Mountain and Para a lot in past camaigns. So I wonder if we can change a Granadier and a Pioneer to a Mountain and a Para, to have the starting 5 core infantry to represent 5 types.

So I started the turn and must say I got really pleasantly surprised. I got seriously in trouble after some turns when I left my defensive positions to scout the map. Quickly lost 3 cores that I felt so stupid and couldn't continue and had to restart. I don't feel right about restarting but at Rommel difficulty, I can't go on after so many cores lost. So the second time around I made sure to pull every trick I had and stayed in absolutely best defensive positions. The AI seemed to have endless prestige and kept hitting me with KV-1Cs. I was able to achieve DV in 17 turns since having 4 convoys going through was not that difficult. I could have done it earlier but I normally like to play to the last turn to maximize prestige and experience, except this one when I soon realized the more I waited the more strength I would lose and decided to just sent the last convoy through and get the hell out of here.

This must be one of the toughest scenarios I've ever played. Give me a lot of thrills and fear (of losing cores on the enemy turn) at times. Really enjoyed it. Thanks.

Many fellow testers have provided excellent feedbacks so I won't repeat them here. The one I agree with most is to have the deployment map show same weather/ground as the 1st turn. My own feedback would be the starting Infantry units.

[fenglicao]

Difficulty: Rommel
Core: Not imported
Result: DV on turn 17 (on 2nd try)
Remaining prestige: 1500 (no green replacement, very little Elite replacement as long as unit can survive the scenario)
Loss: No core lost, though many were down to 3, 4 strength (2nd try, at least 3 core were lost during 1st try)
Misc: 1. May need to reduce the difficulty for being the 1st scenario, esp. for those who do not import a core, or make the starting core stronger?
2. Deployment map may show 1st turn ground?
3. In the starting core units, may change 1 Grenadier and 1 Pioneer to 1 Mountain and 1 Para, for players of different tastes?

[karlto]

I've just managed to catch up to the beta releases (got in the beta program for '41, but started playing on '39 and wanted to step through everything in sequence. The DLC is overall very enjoyable, extends the Panzer General-style gameplay significantly and offers a much fresher experience compared to the stock campaign.

My style of play is a bit in between the two extremes (micro-manage/never lose units - never save), at least for the DLC, which to me seems to tough for the latter style of play (which I enjoyed very much on the stock campaign).

Just finished the first '42 scenario, importing my core from '41. Pretty unique scenario, I liked it a lot. A nice break from some of the other scenarios. I must confess to starting to hate KVs, something I expect I share with the real German troops that fought them. With the IVF2s it is at least possible to wear them down faster.

The only thing I would echo so far is the comment about the snow color scheme being very distracting. This is especially noticable when you have multiple winter scenarios in a row. A more muted color scheme would be very much appreciated, at least as an option.

[Adean]

The first map. I was supprise how hard it was:) A lot of enemy units my Pz III and Pz IV are not strong enough. But Stuka is good:) Rumunian soldiers are not so good. What a pity that you cannot upgrade captured unit:( Is it possible that I have captured T34/40 but second sign was T34/41(r) it means that has the same attack, defend, ammo etc. as the real T34/41

Bugs: During I thought it was 13turn on left side enemy got one fighter and one tac.bomber, they were there for maybe 2turns but they didn spent any fuel:/ they were not on the airfield.

How would you upgrade a captured unit? I don't think the Russians would send you the newer model

I think the game design needs to strike a good balance between playability, fun and realism. Being able to upgrade captured tanks or artillery would be quite unrealistic.

As for the Romanians, historically they and the Hungarians were the weak link in the chain on the eastern front. You probably know that when the Soviet counterattack was launched in December of 1942, they chose to strike the portion of the front held by those somewhat reluctant German allies. One wonders what might have happened if that portion of the front line west of Stalingrad had been held by German units instead.

Why not from captured another enemy unit? I think that it is possible no? I know that Romanians and Hungarins were weak, from Italian only the SF and Alpiny unit was good.

[BriteLite]

Mission: Vitebsk
Difficulty: Colonel
Starting Prestige: 4000
Purchases: 3, Panzer IvF2, Gebirgjager Inf with 251-1, 150 mm Arty with 251-1

If Vitebsk is any indication of the direction the devs are going on the Ost front Ivan is going to be tough to handle and rightfully so.

Colonel difficulty with assigned core units. Reading comments from other testers I used a zone defense with units defending general areas. The Russians have the element of surprise(start initiative) keeping my units constantly on the move to counter suddenly appearing enemy formations. While the enemy infantry is usually easy to deal with the Russian armor lives up to it's reputation as a tough capable opponent especially the KV’s. Enemy air lacks top notch planes but is capable of dealing a deadly blow in conjunction with ground units.

Interesting concept mission. Lots of action versus a determined foe. Very enjoyable.

No errors encountered although I was unable to save the game after completion despite numerous efforsts.

Decisive Victory on Game Turn 15
Ending Prestige: 420
Losses: 1 Aux Infantry

Note: I have played through DLC 42 several times on various difficulties. Now I will take my time hoping to result in my best effort. Also many have posted their thoughts to make the DLC harder. Personally I find the difficulty just about right.

[kjeld111]

Hi everyone, happy new year, and sorry for the late testing, was a pretty hectic month of december.

Vitebsk, colonel (default) level, using my imported 41 beta core (ie 41 default core played through the 41 campaign on the beta, I think I described it in the appropriate thread)

Frankly, for a starter scenario, my first reaction was : wow ! One of the most enjoyable scenarios of all of the DLCs. After 30+ DLCs scenarios, I am amazed that you guys can always find new map design ideas to keep things fresh. Very, very original map ! Managing to keep the integrity of the railway against multiple enemies coming from both sides, while cleaning up partisans (and taking the time to take the few enemies cities) is both challenging and interesting.
The only thing I could list as a negative (maybe ?) in this scenario, is that we are used to relatively easy starter battles, to ease into each DLC with a rather linear difficulty progression. This one is quite though, even more so when you enter it without knowing what to expect (as it is, as already stated, a very unique and non traditional map). But it is not really much of a complaint - I assume most if not all of the people playing this DLC would be pretty experienced at this point (starting from 39 ...).
Managed a DV with no losses (ahem, at least no core losses, can't really speak for the auxiliaries ), but this one make me sweat a lot, with several close calls and a lot of time spent pondering my next moves at the start of each turn, especially as I got a bit reckless during the first few turns, not expecting that level of enemy offensive. You need to have your forces pretty much spread out, and move them quickly to react to different waves coming from different sides.
A great, challenging, well designed and enjoyable scenario overall.

[pickle]

I re-started the campaign using the two new builds (general level-imported core). If anything, this one got a little tougher in my opinion. The attack on the west side of the salient was stronger, the AI reaction/activation of units was more timely creating challenges in multiple locations on the map and there was no easy romp to secure objective hexes as multiple Russian units came out of nowhere to maul exposed units. A nice re-balance for my part.

[fginfo]

Great job for this DLC, I have been enjoying it so far and have been more enthralled than the previous dlc.

Playing on Colonel, though having some experience with the game, I find this scenario a challenge with the supplied core (I did not import). Though, I did get a DV, it was not without losing a few feathers. Though, I would say, that with this DLC, one has to get used to this.

Overall, an enjoyable scenario with lots going on. The air fight also keeps things interesting with fighters needing to cover lots of ground.

[dragos]

The scenario can be won with DV without holding the objectives or defending the railroad line. Simply disembark the trains as they appear and embark them on the nearby airfield, and fly them south of the river. The only worry this way is the enemy airforce which shouldn't present any problems.

[dragos]

I understood that no more patches will be done for the DLCs, so a future fan made patch must make sure that for the Vitebsk scenario there are no air transports available

[Kerensky]

What's wrong with that? Using trains to move escort units is certainly a suggested method, but there's no reason it has to be the only one. Air transport, or even disembarking and walking them on foot/by truck is completely acceptable.

[dragos]

What's wrong with that? Using trains to move escort units is certainly a suggested method, but there's no reason it has to be the only one. Air transport, or even disembarking and walking them on foot/by truck is completely acceptable.

But the scenario becomes very easy because you can abandon all positions and keep all your forces intact. The scenario then makes no sense, since you are supposed to struggle to keep the railroad open.

[Kerensky]

A suitable reward for someone who out thinks a problems rather than blindly following orders and attempting to overcome it through brute force.

Of course bypassing the scenario in such a way has its own penalties, not retrieving captured equipment and avoiding combat which is important to gaining unit experience and leaders. Suffice to say, even if we get around to adjusting DLC in the future, perhaps as a package deal, this was intentional and won't be changed.

[SSLConf_gmartinz]

Finally! I cannot tell you how many times I began this scenario and just abandoned it in frustration. I lost 6 (or was it 7) core units. Oh, the humanity. But finally got a DV when it dawned on me that 1) the transports cannot get from their jumping off point to the bottom of the map in one move, and 2) the AI is not as aggressive towards the transports as it should be. In the end, I needed the artillery to form a shield on the east side of the railroad on the southern part of the map. They took a hit, but the AI spent its time beating up on them, leaving my final transport to make it home safely on turn 14. But what a bloodbath.

[Longasc]

Congratulations!