Starter Pack
Welcome!
So you have taken the big step of buying either a full license or a time limited one, now what?
Things to do before entering the mainstream
Self paced study
Firstly as a general rule, can we suggest doing the complete set of tutorials for a specific vehicle type and get a bit of practice and then move onto the next. So for example all the M1 (or Leo 2) tutorials, rather than a couple of Leo ones and a couple of M1 ones.
Then, moving on to downloading GaryOwen's Camp Hornfelt training missions. These seven missions are M1 centric but give you an understanding of a range of tactical concepts and skills that can be used with any vehicle. (Note that mission one of this series can be daunting for new players, therefore it is recommended that you play through missions two and three first, then come back to mission one.)
Mirzayev has done some YouTube videos as a "walk through" of the various missions (just be aware that he has modified them to have M1A2 SEP vehicles as opposed to M1A1 (HA), so your results might vary compared to the videos). His publishing sequence:
Mission 2 "Destroy an Inferior Force": https://youtu.be/LcH0ulWgOuA
Mission 3 "Attack by Fire": https://youtu.be/haw7gAVk1Q4
Mission 4 "Support by Fire": https://youtu.be/Vb8QH_b5mZE
Mission 5 "Assault": https://youtu.be/fCxdq2l-WQ8 Link to updated scenario: https://www.steelbeasts.com/files/file/1550-camp-hornfelt-5-assault/
Mission 1 "Tactical Movement": https://youtu.be/5maG9pn1dso
Also be sure to look in the Steel Beasts Docs folder on your hard drive for the tutorial PDFs. Those are good reading.
You will also find there (look for "Specialist Tutorial.pdf" in the "docs" folder) a set of guides that has written covering topics like breaching obstacles, using the missile teams, and conducting helicopter insertions that are also highly recommended.
A 3.028 compliant version can be found at Primer Bundle 3.023 version 1_0
There is now also a section of the Forum devoted to Tutorials: Tutorials and How Tos which is well worth a look.
There's also a good scenario called, Tanks! Again by MDF, that is great for practice. It's you alone with 9 other enemy tanks roaming the map looking for you. It's great for reinforcing the lessons about staying in the low ground, tank positioning, etc. The first time you get all 9 will be truly satisfying, plus you can edit the scenario and change the tank to whichever one you want.
Another good source of information is the Steel Beasts Wiki.
Help is at hand - Resources
If you have question may I humbly suggest that you:
1. Read the Manual. It is located in the Steel Beasts Docs folder on your hard drive
2. If you are still struggling, by all means visit the forum but try the search tool first (the one below the "STEELBEASTS.COM FORUM" label, on the line including User CP, FAQ, Members List, Awards, Calendar, New Posts, Search, Quick Links, Log Out with the triangle beside it). I know we live in a period of instant gratification but as one who tries to answer such queries it does become frustrating writing almost identical responses to almost identical questions asked a week or two prior.
Extension Studies
Lastly when you are feeling up to it, we'd recommend Toyguy's series of 11 YouTube videos on scenario creation: Toyguy's YouTube series
Interacting with the broader community - Toe in the Water
The first section should give you the fundamental foundation skills, then its usually a good idea to come along to a Virtual Unit (VU) that has its meetings in a Time Zone convenient to you (details lower down) and start to consolidate them (there is nothing like gaining experience "on the job"). To the best of my knowledge, all are welcoming of new people and want to encourage you, after all everyone was a "newby" once.
If you do want to participate with a VU you'll need:
1. A Headset with Microphone
2. A copy of TeamSpeak
WTF is TeamSpeak?
TeamSpeak is the default communication tool used in multi player Steel Beasts sessions. Whilst Steel Beasts does have an inbuilt text "chat" feature, TeamSpeak provides a lot more power and flexibility.
More details on TeamSpeak can be found here.
Details on how to connect to TeamSpeak can be found here. Note the IP address remains 216.22.24.158, but the port is now 9987 (different to the screenshot in the link).
How do I join in?
Steel Beasts varies from some other network games/simulations in the market in that is does not have servers running 24/7 that you just log onto and away you go.
Steel Beasts multi player events tend to be publicised on the forum prior to the event. Events advertised here.
Usually these events offer a Roster / Staff List / Similar name where you can record your expression of interest / desire to man a particular vehicle / unit as well as a date / time the event will be held.
Then, on the day, the process becomes:
1. Be at your computer approx 15 mins prior to mission start (the thread may specify a longer period).
2. Start TeamSpeak so you can communicate with the other players. Usually the default SB channels are what you use, sometimes you'll need to still use TeamSpeak but connect to a different server.
3. Start Steel Beasts (you will need the same version as everyone else - the current "default" is 4.259, 64Bit).
4. Select "Network Session".
5. Leave the "Act as" part as Client.
6. Type (or copy and paste) the IP address from the relevant thread or from the text box in TeamSpeak.
7. Adjust the entry in the Call sign box if you wish.
8. Click on "Go"
9. Select the relevant server from the list on the left hand side of the next screen (there is usually just one) and click on "Join".
You'll now be in the Assembly Area
10. If you don't already have the scenario, you'll be prompted to download it.
11. Review the vehicles / positions on offer in the list on the left hand side.
12. Click on a unit (usually as the Commander, but if multi crewing pick a different position - also usually say "yes" to allow others to enter the vehicle). Try to avoid "Observer" as it will limit what you can do.
If its the type of event where potential players indicate where they'd like to play in a post here then pick the slot you nominated for or if you hadn't wait until the people who have "booked" turn up and then ask the CO where they'd like you to go.
13. Indicate that you are "Ready"
14. Wait. The person commanding your side will probably then give you a brief, etc.
Is there anybody out there?
As mentioned earlier, Steel Beasts does not have a standing 24/7/365 server construct like other games/simulations you maybe familiar with. Multi player activities are achieved by someone "hosting" a scenario at a specific time/date and publicising their IP address.
The community is varied in nature. There are people who play for the tactical challenge and there are those who just want to blow stuff up as entertainment/stress relief. Some are members of VUs and some aren't.
VUs often run scenarios as part of their meeting programme. Those scenarios can be "open to all" or restricted to "members only" (usually you'll know from the respective post on the forum). At other times VUs will run major events for the entire community (e.g. LNoT or Rolling Thunder detailed below). There are also scenarios run that are not run by a specific VU and are open to all (e.g. TGIF detailed below).
From this range of options you should hopefully find something that suits your tastes at a time convenient to you.
Speaking of VU's / Regular Gaming sessions, there are quite a few to choose from.
Virtual Units
These tend to come and go as they rely on the internal membership to maintain interest / keep them going.
There is a list here: http://www.steelbeasts.com/online_play.html/
To my knowledge the following is a more current list. I've included their known meeting times at the end of each in terms of hours ahead/behind Greenwich Mean Time with a link to tell you a local equivalent time:
1st Canadian Armoured Division - Canada (East Coast)
Fellow Canadian members of the SB who enjoy playing and training together. Other Nationalities are welcome also. We offer training in gunnery and taticts on the Leopard series and the LAVIII, but have done training on other AFV's for knowledge to operate current AFV's in SB Pro for online sessions.
Meet currently on Sunday at TGIF-2 hrs. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
3er Regimiento Tizona (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
http://www.regimientotizona.es/index.php/
Brief description from the 3er Regimiento Tizona crew.
Meet on XXXday at YYYY Zulu/GMT/UTC + ???.
BG ANZAC - Australia/New Zealand
Sample Multi Player session Sample Training session
Battle Group ANZAC (BG ANZAC) is a VU founded in 2012 whose primary, though not exclusive, focus is on the Australian Army‘s Armoured and Mechanised Units and equipment. The unit is a member of the global community that participates in modern armoured warfare simulations using the Steel Beasts Pro PE simulation software. BG ANZAC is comprised primarily of like-minded Australians and New Zealanders who welcome anyone with similar interests in armoured warfare.
Whilst based in Australia, the group is open to all and we have regular attendees from North America, Europe, the UK and SE Asia.
The group meets at least once a week and participates in all major Steel Beasts community events.
We meet every Thursday night (Australian Time) at 7:00pm Sydney time. Zulu/GMT/UTC + 10. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
Some of the group are serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and are not allowed to make "public comment" about topics without clearance. In addition it is illegal in Australia to record someone without permission (or a Warrant). As a result you are not able to either record or stream sessions without asking permission first.
Dogs of War (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
Dogs of War is a primarily cooperative combined arms simulation VU using Steel Beasts Pro PE. We try to incorporate real world tactics and standard operating procedures, however we balance it with a relaxed and fun environment. We are comprised of members from different countries and regions around the world so we are not area specific. We currently have a standing Mission time of Sunday’s at 20:00GMT Sat, 20:00GMT. We plan to provide training sessions around 18:00 before the mission starts. You can almost always find one or many of us on-line throughout the week to play an assortment of missions. The players are off all backgrounds; Retired military, serving military and hobbyists/enthusiasts.
ALL WELCOME
Website: www.DogsofWarVu.com, Forum: http://dogsofwarvu.com/forum/ and TeamSpeak: 104.153.105.2:35200 Regular missions - D.O.W every Saturday 20:00 GMT - Dog's of war VU members only, T.A.N.K.S every Sunday 20:00 GMT - ALL WELCOME
Kanium.eu - an open community.
Kanium are mostly COOP with either AI or 1 or 2 players as Opfor on Sundays and they try to have 1 man in each vehicle sometimes 2 Practice or game once or twice a week. Membership not required. They have welcomed members from UK, Scandinavia Germany, Netherlands, Canada, US and even Australia & NZ Single player or groups, just need one English speaking member for Teamspeak.
For additional information
TS: teamspeak3.i3d.net:10077 (no pw) - or make forum account on SB.com or index.php and pm “Major Duck” or “swordsmandk”
National Armor Training Center - US (East Coast) (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
http://????
Brief description from the NATC crew.
Not a VU but more a grouping of people with similar principles (generally the same principles are outlined at the BG ANZAC and other sites too).
They meet on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7:00PM EST/EDT is the join up time, 7:30 PM EST/EDT is the jump off time. Zulu/GMT/UTC -5/-4 Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
OPFOR - US (East Coast) (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
http://????
They are a group of war gamers and friends. They play because we have an interest in the military, military history and/or military art and/or science. They try to play in a reasonable fashion. The members are a mature group with a sense of humor (often times warped). They play with Eastern and Western equipment.
Currently accepting applications and guests. Send TankHunter a PM on steelbeasts.com if interested. Please check the OPFOR TeamSpeak channel for details and updates.
Playing Times:
Random Night: Saturdays, 3:30PM EST is the join up time. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
OPFOR RusFed and Soviet Night: Sundays, 3:30PM EST is the join up time, 4pm EST is the jump off time. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
Panzerbataillon 911 - European
What they do:
PzBtl911(v) YouTube channel D u k e's YouTube channel Falli's(911) YouTube channel
Their war diary: Kriegstagebuch
TeamSpeak details: IP: steelbeasts.org PW: kettenpolster
If someone wants to meet us PM to: D u k e, or Falli, or Eisenschwein, or Erazor
Meeting time: 18:00 Zulu/GMT/UTC on their TeamSpeak Server, 99% of the time there is someone there. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
UK Armour (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
Update: Recommencing Sunday 27 September, 2015. Assembly time will be 18:00 GMT (currently 19:00 British Summer Time). When their clocks go back one hour in October, they will move to 19:00 GMT.
Please note that 19:00 is the assembly time; game start time will be no later than 19:30. Initially, scenarios will be decided during that half hour period, depending on numbers.
They have moved the assembly time forward from the previous 20:00 in an attempt to attract players from Western Europe in the GMT+1/2/3 time zones for whom 20:00 often resulted in an uncomfortably late finish for a Sunday night. But of course, they are happy to see anyone from anywhere in the world for whom that time slot is practical.
UKA is no longer a 'membership' V.U. All are welcome to drop in. Newbies are particularly welcome and will be treated considerately and not 'dropped in the deep end'. Every effort will be make to provide personalised training sessions at other times if requested.
United Operations (Still around? - Information maybe dated)
http://forums.unitedoperations.net/index.php/forum/193-steel-beasts/
This group is on an Operational Pause at the moment but there is still chat at the forum link above.
- This is from my knowledge of the current situation. There are other VU's who explicitly asked not to be listed. If there is someone else, you were not omitted on purpose. Please just edit the Wiki and add you details or PM me (gibsonm).
Regular Events
Apart from the VU meetings above there are regular or periodic events which are not the exclusive domain of one VU. These include:
"TGIF" (Thank God its Friday) - US (Central time)
http://www.steelbeasts.com/sbwiki/index.php?title=TGIF
Every "Friday" (time zone dependent). It starts at 9:00pm CST/CDT or Zulu/GMT/UTC -6/-5. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
Long Night of Tanks run by Panzerbataillon 911 usually several hours of back to back missions. Equivalent "local" start time
Next one Scheduled for 1800Z on 03 OCT 15 Equivalent "local" start time
Vowopanz run by Panzerbataillon 911 usually every second Friday at 1945 Zulu/GMT/UTC. Equivalent "local" start time - ignore the date.
Rolling Thunder run by BG ANZAC usually several hours of back to back missions, alternating between a European and and Australasian feel.
Next one Scheduled for Jun 2017.
- This is just from my knowledge. If there is some other event, you were not omitted on purpose. Please just edit the Wiki and add you details or PM me (gibsonm).