Heres A Poser For Ya...

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Ok, its july 1943 in CMBB. Your the Germans. Your at the force selection screen for a 2,000 Pt. meeting engagement. The map is set for Rural, Medium Trees, Medium Hills, No Damage, Clear Weather, Mid Day. There is unrestricted force mix and quality to choose from. Here is my question to you, what is the first unit/group of units you purchase and why?

Alot of us {CM'ers as opposed to just KG'ers} place an inordinate amount of worry over the first selection and stress over it needlessly. While its important not to waste points its not rocket science either. Im curious as to how you guys feel on this subject. :salute[1]:

[KG_Koz]

For a competitive game, I will also spend lots of time initially looking at unit selections and second at initial setup so I do not see this time expenditure as being unnecessary.

There are sooo many different approaches to initial selection. My approach is to have an efficient (points wise) balanced force that can deal with my opponent's likely selections. Before opening the unit selector as German, I will typically look at the Russian options to get a good idea of what I am likely to be facing.

I tend to stress AFV's with superior rarity ratings versus AFVs that I personally prefer but would waste too many points. Similarly, I always try to pick a full battallion that has integral AT assets and mortars. Instead of purchasing individual halftracks, purchase a mechanized squad. Not taking this approach can waste many points.

Another area where people vary in their approaches is unit quality. I tend to use reg units versus vets or elite. Many would disagree with this approach, but it has worked for me.

In my opinion, selection of a very specialized force in a QB ME is very dangerous as you may discover that your selections are not very applicable for the given map. You should definitely have an agreement with your opponent that allows for one map reshuffle per side with no questions asked.

In terms of having fun, this level of effort is definitely not necessary. In fact, some of the most enjoyable games i've played are QBs where the computer picks everything. Not great for ladder games but it generates a feeling of desperation when you realize that the force selections are inappropriate for the tasks at hand and you try to make do.

Jim

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Interesting points Koz. I guess thats why your up on the roof of SZO's ladder and im just beginning my first game, lol.

To me its a no brainer and very simple. The first thing i buy is a 81mm Mortar Spotter. I never leave home without one.

Your mentioning of a "No questions asked reshuffle" is interesting. It definitly would of helped me out in the King of KG Tourney when on about the 5th or 6th turn i just said "i quit" to Franky in our 2nd game because i he had 95% of a battalion of Infantry pinned down in what i liked to call the "Open Bowl of Death". No cover for me, except a little bit of rocks and a tiny patch of scattered trees on the left and that was about it. He couldnt see in and i couldnt move out. The company i tried moving out at the opening bell got caught out in the open and shredded to pieces. LOL. Amazingly thats the first time thats ever happened to me. The screwed up map thingy that is.

[KG_Kharkov]

What Koz is trying to say is that he bought 2 platoons of Stug IIIGs, a battalion of those regular German troopers, a 105mm mortar spotter, and some odds and ends.

He then proceeds to kick @ss and complain about possibly losing the entire game.

I pick the exact same troop mix and get my butt kicked by Koz.