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TGIF 2017: scenario list, discussion, and house rules


Volcano

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INTENT:

We are trying something new this year and we put all the "battle tested" scenarios into a list, and then randomly shuffled that list to create a TGIF play list. We are going down that list in order, choosing the next scenario to play from it rather than picking on a whim.

Rather than post the list here (because the list can/will change throughout the year), a post will be created here before each Friday mentioning the scenario that will be played. You can then download the scenario and decide if you want to CO (post here if you want to take it), otherwise whoever volunteers on Friday will be the CO.

CO GUIDELINES:

Basic guidelines as to who can volunteer as CO from week to week. The intent is solely to afford everyone the opportunity to CO:

 

  • No one may volunteer to be a CO back-to-back TGIFs. That is, if Mr. X volunteers to CO this week, he cannot volunteer to CO next week, but he can volunteer the week after that (every other TGIF). EXCEPTION: if a scenario requires more than two COs (i.e. because it has more than two sides) then there is no restriction on volunteering back-to-back with the previous TGIF.
  • If no one volunteers to be the CO, then anyone can CO at the time of the event. So, in the example above, Mr. X can CO again that next TGIF if no one volunteers during the week.

 

TGIF HOUSE RULES:

There will always be bugs in software and Steel Beasts is no exception. More-so, functionality that exists in the Pro version which has carried over into Pro PE often creates unforeseen situations which allow for abuse and unrealistic behavior. To counter this, there are "TGIF HOUSE RULES" which are basically a set of ethical rules to allow "fair and realistic play" to keep scenarios from bogging down into the morass of shame. The House Rules are as follows (and the list may grow over time):

 

  1. DO NOT adjust the number of rounds per tube when calling off-map artillery strikes, because they currently have unlimited ammunition so it creates ridiculous situations. (Using number of rounds per tube with on-map artillery is fine because they are delivered differently and have finite ammunition.) If you want a long off-map artillery strike, just keep repeating it.   //no longer necessary, now all off-map artillery barrages are capped at a 2 minute max duration.
  2. DO NOT adjust the duration when calling off-map artillery strikes -- for the same reason as rule #1. Also, like rule #1, setting the duration for on-map artillery strikes is OK. If you want a long off-map artillery strike, just keep repeating it.   //no longer necessary, now all off-map artillery barrages are capped at a 2 minute max duration.
  3. DO NOT use support vehicles (supply vehicles, bridge layers, maintenance vehicles) for reconnaissance.
  4. DO NOT intensely study the enemy's side in the scenario in the Mission Editor. You can open it and look at both sides, but do not touch anything or evaluate the reinforcement criteria, events, conditions, routes and waypoints. Looking at the enemy side to get an idea of what they have is acceptable, especially since you have to do this to figure out which side to CO anyway.
  5. DO NOT use helicopters with the intent of causing a distraction for the AI. Everyone knows when this is happening, like when empty transport helicopters repeatedly return to "buzz" (fly over) enemy units at top speed again and again. Flying in on troop insertions and back out again is acceptable, as is engaging targets from a battleposition.
  6. DO NOT hover helicopters at maximum ("Normal") height in battle positions, to use as an ATGM platform or to act as a recon satellite or an AI distraction. This is unrealistic at the moment since the Scenario Designer currently has no way to restrict/limit/cap flight height because he may want to represent certain types of conflicts where long range air defense and air superiority fighters exist. At such time, if ever, that the Scenario Designer can specify a maximum flight height, then we can remove this house rule.

 

NOTE: Failure to abide by the house rules will result in drastic measures by the TGIF coordinators, such as not posting the scenarios in advance, removing features from scenarios (like artillery and aircraft), or in the case of repeated violations, banning certain users from CO'ing, or from participating in TGIF. Also, the CO should strive to have all users on his side play within the guidelines of the house rules - since bad behavior of the side reflects badly on the CO.

 

DISCUSSION:

*AFTER* the scenario is played, feel free to post constructive criticism about the scenario here, so that it can be improved. All constructive criticism will be taken into account, but pissing and moaning will be ignored.

Constructive criticism = complaints with specific suggestions

Pissing and moaning = complaints with no specific suggestions

 

DISCLAIMER:

Keep in mind that:

 

  • The scenario may change at the last minute depending on TGIF turnout.
  • Any plan file that you may create may be rendered invalid by last minute adjustments to the scenario (if you are going to CO, it is better to save a plan AND take a screen shot of the plan as backup).
  • Sometimes the TGIF scenario listing may not get updated due to real world situations.
  • This TGIF scenario listing will continue until we point in time that it is deemed "too much trouble", which is the moment in which we determine that no one new is CO'ing, or the situation is no different than before, or that the matches are becoming unfair (due to both sides studying the enemy situation in advance).
  • If this TGIF scenario listing turns into a mud flinging contest, because someone was sour about losing or in order to insult a scenario designer then posting the scenario early will end.
  • The scenarios that appear in this listing are either new, classics, or at least played frequently and deemed "balanced". If you have a scenario that you think should be added to the play list then PM or create a post here about it.
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13 JAN scenario:

 

REFORGER '85 v.09 (cap zones)

 

This is a brand new scenario from the community. M1A1 vs. Leopard 2A4.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

  • There will be a draft.

NOTES:

  • Avoid studying the enemy's side; only gather intel from the briefing and exposed enemy unit icons (enemy intel), and briefly looking over both sides to figure out which one you want to CO. Anything beyond that ruins the fog of war element.
  • To avoid passwords, open the scenario in Network Session as HOST and choose the side you want to play and go to planning phase. You may briefly look at both sides like this to see which side you want to play or CO on. As CO, once you choose a side, go to that side and create your plan.
  • Remember to play within the TGIF House Rules and SB.com community rules.

 

 

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1 hour ago, sparty said:

I'm going to give tonight a go...my first TGIF...be gentle...lol

 

Welcome!  You picked a good mission for your first one.  I designed it so that individual players would need to control only 1-2 vehicles at a given time.  In many other TGIF missions, players are saddled with a significantly larger number of vehicles.

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2 hours ago, jumo213 said:

Good to have you with is sparky!

don't worry, you end up running a tank maybe two and if we lose its all your fault 0_o

 

I would expect nothing less and look forward to the downfall of our way of life. lol

 

Since it's my first go, if I show up in TS maybe 40 minutes early will someone be there to ensure I can get connected to a server?  I am comfortable with networking and dealing with my firewall, but certainly don't want to be a drag.

Edited by sparty
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Since version 3.0 (?), there is no longer a need for port-forwarding by clients.  That seemed to be the source of most of the connection problems.

 

Anyway, there are usually people in the TS channel at least 15 minutes before the start (*cough*) time.

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3 hours ago, MDF said:

Since version 3.0 (?), there is no longer a need for port-forwarding by clients.  That seemed to be the source of most of the connection problems.

 

Anyway, there are usually people in the TS channel at least 15 minutes before the start (*cough*) time.

 

lol.  Good deal, then I think I'm ready.  Finally tracked down and solved my button binding issue so I don't have to rely on an awkward keyboard hand position any longer.

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Thanks for the fun introduction and tips.  Got smoked quickly and then stuck around for another hour or so and watched before logging out.  I clearly need a lot more single player practice before I'll be remotely useful in one of these... maybe another time! :)

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1 hour ago, sparty said:

Thanks for the fun introduction and tips.  Got smoked quickly and then stuck around for another hour or so and watched before logging out.  I clearly need a lot more single player practice before I'll be remotely useful in one of these... maybe another time! :)

Not really . more you play online the faster you will learn :)

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8 hours ago, sparty said:

Got smoked quickly and then stuck around for another hour or so and watched before logging out

Thanks for joining sparty. Its worth mentioning in case youre not aware; you can be 'given' more units during a Multiplayer scenario, just let it be known that you have nothing and youll either get some units, or you may be able to jump into a vehicle with someone else if theres a shortage.

 Cheers

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10 hours ago, sparty said:

Thanks for the fun introduction and tips.  Got smoked quickly and then stuck around for another hour or so and watched before logging out.  I clearly need a lot more single player practice before I'll be remotely useful in one of these... maybe another time! :)

 

 

Best way to learn is by doing.  By that I mean play more multiplayer.  I am sure it was difficult, at first, for most of us but playing often with others helps quicken the learning curve.

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5 hours ago, Zaphod said:

We have 1Cad training sessions on Wednesday 8 pm NY time 
You don't need an invitation

I'll definitely have to check that out.  I'm a PIO so I often don't have control of my schedule (things happen) which makes it hard to commit.  


Where can I find more info the training sessions?

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15 hours ago, sparty said:

Thanks for the fun introduction and tips.  Got smoked quickly and then stuck around for another hour or so and watched before logging out.  I clearly need a lot more single player practice before I'll be remotely useful in one of these... maybe another time! :)

 

Wait....what?!?!  You should have just asked for another vehicle!  The mission (like just about all TGIF missions) assumes that a player will go through several vehicles over the course of the game.  Don't be shy about asking.

Edited by MDF
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I suspect he was being polite or his request was lost in the mass of teamspeak traffic.

 

The CO was a little overwhelmed with both managing the current battle and handing off reinforcements as they arrived.

 

P.S.: MDF, there's a PM in your IN Box.

Edited by Gibsonm
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6 hours ago, sparty said:

Where can I find more info the training sessions?

 

There are a couple of ways.

 

1. Check out the Steel Beasts Wiki for some virtual units. You can find it here: http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbwiki/index.php?title=Starter_Pack#Virtual_Units 

I'm not sure how up to date all of the info is, but it should give you a good feel for what units are around.

 

2. Check the calendar on this forum. Often, events are recorded there with information about when they take place, who is running them, and where to meet up on Teamspeak.

 

3. Check the Multiplayer Engagement  section of the forum. Events are advertised here often.

 

4. Check out the Steel Beasts Teamspeak. You might find someone who is also looking for a game and be able to run a quick mission with them.

 

5. If all else fails, just ask in the General section of the forum. Someone will be sure to help you out.

 

I hope this gives you a good starting point. I am looking forward to seeing you in game!

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To be  clear, I was offered another vehicle, but politely declined due to the poor outing I had.  We were down to precious few AFVs and I felt like my taking over one of them would have been wasted when in the hands of a more capable commander it would be more effective. Everyone was incredibly nice and helped troubleshoot a few issues I was having.  It was an overall good experience, but I don't want to feel that lost and useless when I join in because I'm competitive like other folks so I want to at least hold my own! :)

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