Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)
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New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
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Author:  dragoon [ Sun Jun 30, 2013 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
So I've read all the manuals. Obviously after many hours of play we find features in the HPS titles not well described in the user manuals (or perhaps over looked). This is not a criticism. It is just the way software documentation "is".

To that regard, I've come across several "cool" features in HPS titles that I'd like to share. Almost certainly many of you grognards already know all these, but there are noobs who will benefit. So here is my list of features I've found that might not be commonly known. And PLEASE if you have additional ones, please add to this subject post by reply.

1. A square may be converted to a column by pressing the "Change Line/Column" button, whereas it may be converted to a line by pressing the "Change Extended Line" or "Square" button. This is useful if you want to change to line and move; pressing the wrong button and having to again change to a new formation leaves the infantry without movement points remaining.

2. A mounted dragoon may be dismounted by pressing the "Change Line/Column" button, and remounted by the same button. I've not yet figured out how to fire dismounted dragoon; if they can't fire while dismounted what is the use for dismounting them? When I use the CTRL key to fire the program says "Unit is not capable of firing".

3. Selecting a Leader and pressing "K" shows you his command radius. By doing this for a divisional commander with "Star" button on in 2D view mode you can see whether all the commanders below this Leader are within C&C. Useful before you press that "Next Turn" button.

4. YOURS HERE ...


On the other hand there are some things I'd like to see changed.

1. A 600 man battalion deploys a 100 man skirmisher. After several hours of combat the 500 man battalion (without the skirm coy) is down to 90 men and is at 700 fatigue but for reasons in chaos of combat the skirmisher is relatively unscathed with still near 100 men and nearly no fatigue. Wanting to shore up the 90 man battalion back to nearly 200 by merging the skirm coy back to the battalion gives the fatigue unchanged but more than half the men added were at nearly 0 fatigue. Doesn't seem realistic.

2. In a similar vein to pressing "K" while a Leader is selected, it would be handy to use the same button "K" while a Supply Wagon is selected to see its Supply radius. Just reduces the number of counting.

3. A Skirmisher leash Dialog Box option would be awesome! This would mean a feature something like stated in MOE3 http://nap.phxsim.com/articles/house_rules/moe3.html.

4. Similarly an Embedded melee Dialog Box option would be similarly valueable. Again, this would mean a feature something like stated in MOE3 http://nap.phxsim.com/articles/house_rules/moe3.html.

5. YOURS HERE ...

Regards
Author:  Tony Barrett [ Sun Jun 30, 2013 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
An observation re mounted/dismounted dragoons and firing.

There is an inherent problem with using cavalry as infantry.

I also play American Civil War where cavalry seem to be used as modern day mech inf., i.e. get there quickly and then become foot soldiers.

Problem .... in an exchange of fire situation between dismounted cav and standard infantry where both lose the same number of men - equal losses - BUT - cav losses are still cav VP losses and inf losses are still inf VP losses.

In game terms not a good outcome.
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
My understanding is that Dragoons are armed with only Swords. As such, they are incapable of firing at range.

Maybe it is just me, but I use my Dragoons as the mounted shock troops that they are. It would be a very, very unusual and desperate circumstance were my cavalrymen to fight dismounted, even if they happened to be armed with Carbines as opposed to only Swords.

Dirk's other tips are quite useful, and certainly something that our Trainers should cover in their instruction of our new recruits. That Dirk actually had to 'discover' this on his own does bother me a bit, but that is a matter for the Army Training Staffs to address and handle. All players will never be of equal ability, but my hope would be that all recruits are trained to the best standard available.
Author:  Mike Peccolo [ Wed Jul 03, 2013 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
Vell then, the Frenchies only train how to apply perfume und rouge :wink: They rely upon their fierce reputation to win battle :roll:

I haf yet to see if dismounted cavalry defend as infantry in built up areas or still as cavalry. Also have yet to see if dismounted cavalry moving into woods is disordered. I also don't know if the game still considers dismounted cavalry as a mounted target for artillery fire, (seems that it might still do that looking at my experiences).
Author:  dragoon [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
And another question regarding these technical issues: If I accidentally form all skirmishers/squadrons from its parent battalion/regiment, how do I get back the "parent" unit so that the skirmishers/squadrons may be reformed into parent battalion/regiment?

If unable, that would seem to be a problem with the game system.
Author:  dragoon [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
Oh yea! And by the way, thank you to Al King for the really awesome picture signature. I have just used it for the first time. Thanks Al!!!
Author:  dragoon [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
There is no fault for the present trainers in the French Army. How so? I went through the NWC training academy "Ecole" way back in October/November 1999! My trainer was Barry Maunsell, who was quite good. I played primarily Matrix/Talonsoft until just a few years ago, which explains why I'm a little rusty on the technicals of the HPS games.

It's a complicated story but I've been "on/off" past 14 years (with a different user name etc) which may make finding my records way back then difficult. I've never been big on how many wins, losses, ranks, etc, just more worrying about playing these fun games and enjoying the friendly banter between opponents.

We also ran several informal "playtests" of the NiR Project for the NWC probably in early 2000s. Some of these are still available at nap.phxsim.com/downloads .

I remember in that Ecole class or those playing back then: Mark Eason, Zbyszek Pietras, Jeff Bardon, and Dominik Derwinski.

Anyways, just some reminiscing.
Author:  John Corbin [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
The french Ecole is "The Premier" training institution in the NWC.

Dragoon.. Thanks for mentioning 2 of the more famous LGA officers, Mark Eason and Barry "Eugene" Maunsell. Two scamps if ever there where any.
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
John Corbin wrote:
The french Ecole is "The Premier" training institution in the NWC.


Hmmm, now I do find myself wondering.... :roll: :roll: :roll:

If that is indeed true, why do the Coalition officers win more battles by percentage than the French officers in our club, and why does the Coalition yet again hold the honors of Army Bragging Rights for their cumulative victories in the MP Division of our last tournament? :? :o :shock:

There are some very talented French officers to be sure, but on the whole, it is the Coalition which has always had the higher victory percentage. My suspicion is that the advanced courses, which I am told, comprise at least half of a French officer's training offered in L'Ecole Militaire pertaining to the tactical application of rouge, the strategic location of perfume pressure points, and the grand tactical color coordination of clothing and accessories on the battlefield might not be as militarily useful as LGA officers are led to believe. :wink: :P :mrgreen:

Such is the Hanoverian perspective...

As for the Club President's perspective, I value every officer who dedicates his time to training, irrespective of the uniform he wears. I also greatly value the officers who dedicate their time to the active leadership and administration of our club. I would not place one above the other. I value them all.
Author:  John Corbin [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
I no longer play games so the LGA wins shoukd increase.

As for "rouge", the only concern we have with that is the rouge on the points of our bayonets and cavalry sabers.
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
I prefer to 'color' my sword myself. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Author:  SLudwig [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
I personally appreciate what Dirk did to make the old NIR Project files available again.... :) There is internal and external things that people do that help advance our Club & hobby along..... 8)
Author:  SLudwig [ Wed Jul 17, 2013 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
Dirk's site:

http://nap.phxsim.com/downloads/

There some good Battleground articles there that some are also available here:

http://nap.phxsim.com/articles/index.html

Love it! :D
Author:  Scott Clawson [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
John Corbin wrote:
I no longer play games so the LGA wins shoukd increase.

As for "rouge", the only concern we have with that is the rouge on the points of our bayonets and cavalry sabers.



John,

Can't believe you said that! Are you not supposed to be an active member and follow the rules set forth?

Per the rules of the AC you are supposed to have at least one game going.

3.1.2 - Army Commander ( AC )

Serves as the leader of an army.

Maintains accurate records of officers in his or her command. This would include things like OBD Points, medals, Ranks and email addresses.

Awarding of medals

Awarding of titles as appropriate to an army.

Maintain a website or arrange to have a web site setup for the army.

Must have at least 1 game going.

Performs regular musters either by himself or via his Corps commanders.


I wonder if the C&C of the Allies has a game going since I never see him around?
Author:  David Stotsenburgh [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New Found (to me) HPS Stuff
Captain Clawson,
i would worry about yourself and let the armies self police their ranks. boy they got your nickname right.
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