Total World War: December 1941 (BETA) 2.8.0.5

[wirkey]

@redrum @LovePlayingAAA the first strike against tanks was reduced from 2 to 1, not exactly sure about the normal defensive roll. But with the first strike in every round of combat I think the ATs got even stronger.
Just building ATs with Russia is a poor strategy imo. If I see that with Germany I would go heavy on artillery, which is cheaper anyway and with a good logistic infrastructure can be on the frontline really quick. And with a lot of ATs the Russian army isn't in a position to make big counterattacks which the Axis can use to circumvent the strongholds and win against Russia on economics.

[Hepps]

@LovePlayingAAA @wirkey I very much agree with @wirkey . The AT were extremely OP in the previous version. While their immediate combat effectiveness has been reduced it makes them far more a situational unit now, where they were a significant mainstay unit when dropped in numbers in Urban Centers. Now they may be an opportunity buy and if you pursue the Anti Tank technologies they have the potential to be highly effective.

I agree that their role has been changed... but for the better in my opinion. Bear in mind that with the other accumulated changes within the game (including, but not limited to +4 new Infantry for Russia @ game start) I am seeing a very strong Russia. In several of my numerous games Russia puts up stiff defenses and also I have seen them on the offensive.

The changes may very well necessitate you to re-evaluate your strategies... I know it has mine. If you are finding your efforts being thwarted repeatedly... then feel free to post game saves here so I can review to examine what transpired and see if it is something I need to consider for future changes.

[LovePlayingAAA]

@wirkey & @redrum thats true, many thanks for the advices made here!

[Gully]

I consider AAgun and ATgun late-game specialist units. Extremely efficient for exactly one job, bad for everything else. You need techs to make them viable.

Consider a late-game situation. You produce four AAguns for 16 PUs. Before combat, they kill a fighter for 11. That means, you essentially paid 5 PUs to add four hitpoints and 12 firepower (or more on good terrain) to your army. How crazy is that? If you can afford to lose only inf in the first round, they kill another fighter. Insane value. ATguns are not as extreme, but still very high value, better than inf.

Here's the downside. They don't attack. Congratulations, you just built a fence around Moscow but lost all the important Barracks around Moscow. An important part of Defence is, make sure the enemy doesn't survive next to your army. And other techs (Production, Fighter-Range) are more urgent. That's why I consider too many AAguns or ATguns a newbietrap.

[redrum]

With the development of the new unit icons added with conditions feature, here is some initial thoughts on how TWW is looking to take advantage to add icons to various units when the appropriate techs are researched: https://forums.triplea-game.org/topic/882/unit-icons-added-by-conditions/15

[redrum]

Also a new feature to specify small map properties so the visualization can be much improved in the near future: https://forums.triplea-game.org/topic/887/mini-me-map-options

Sample of what can be done:

Original:

[Gully]

Alright, my two TWW games have ended. Who's in for another one?

[redrum]

@gully Depends if you are ready to lose this time?

[Hepps]

@redrum LOL! Only a Texan struts around twirling his guns like that.

[Gully]

@redrum totally ready to lose!

[redrum]

@gully Now that's the attitude I like to see. Good to start one up whenever you are. Easiest thing is either message me here on the forum or start a PBF thread with your preferred settings and which side you'd like to play.

@hepps I just like to give my opponents the up front realization of their inevitable destiny. Tends to help minimize the crying and rage quitting. Also are you sure that is a gun and not something else

[Hepps]

@redrum What is the old saying.... "Pride cometh before the fall".

[redrum]

@hepps Seem to hear that all the time, still waiting for the fall

[prastle]

@redrum gigglez

[Hepps]

So with lots of juicy stuff going on I am working on a slight upgrade for TWW to utilize and showcase some of the new features...

In the next week or so we should have a new version that will be mostly aesthetic touches.

It will include

1. Icons on units to identify tech upgrades. (You can see Germany has SW and Imp. AT Guns)

2. A much improved mini map that is far more useful to gameplay. (individual unit locations are much easier to see)

3. Territory extension bars that go left instead of right for problematic territories. (Still in the works... but territories like Western Egypt will extend away from Cairo, and Malta's overflow will go the opposite direction)

4. Unit stack numbers with outlines for better clarity. (Huge improvement already in the latest pre-release)

Here's a taste of some of the improvements...

[prastle]

@hepps you said it was just a test organism?

[beelee]

@hepps great idea on moving the overstacks different directions. :thumbs_up:

[Hepps]

After testing with the icons I am changing it slightly to better distinguish different techs to different unit categories...

[prastle]

@hepps all the helen kellers will be happy

[Hepps]

@prastle I'll make the next one in braille just for you!