All this scripted behavior in the scenarios is leaving me confused

[MarkT]

This is an interesting situation that was an evolution in design and testing.
Originally, the scenario was intended to have all of Buford's command (-Merrit) to defend against Heth. After research, Heth only commited 2 brigades, (Archer and Davis).
So now we have a fairly even fight (two Brigades on each side) The problem is, The cavary is much better. This led to a quick rout of the rebel units. :dry: Sooo..., I inserted two variants. One being the addition of Pettigrew and/or Borckenbrough's brigades and Devin's withdrawal to cover the northern flank.

I could have removed Devin from Buford's command and just had him withdraw, but if certain conditions arrise, Gamble can be overwelmwed. So, you can (with difficulty) recall Devin's brigade (or part of it), when needed.

As far as cavalry not fighting... well the federal cavalry at that time did not want to get into a knock down drag out fight with the infantry. That was not their job.

MarkT

[Amish John]

DrMike and MarkT,

Thanks for your suggestions and insight on the scenario design. Always appreciated. I'll experiment with TC'ing Devin. The background info on the scenario design is good to have and helps appreciate what is happening as the scenario unfolds. A little writeup like this on each of the scenarios would be nice (or does it already exist).

[MarkT]

I was thinking the same thing. (great minds)

[Janh]

MarkT wrote:

This is an interesting situation that was an evolution in design and testing.
Originally, the scenario was intended to have all of Buford's command (-Merrit) to defend against Heth. After research, Heth only commited 2 brigades, (Archer and Davis).
So now we have a fairly even fight (two Brigades on each side) The problem is, The cavary is much better. This led to a quick rout of the rebel units. :dry: Sooo..., I inserted two variants. One being the addition of Pettigrew and/or Borckenbrough's brigades and Devin's withdrawal to cover the northern flank.

I could have removed Devin from Buford's command and just had him withdraw, but if certain conditions arrise, Gamble can be overwelmwed. So, you can (with difficulty) recall Devin's brigade (or part of it), when needed.

As far as cavalry not fighting... well the federal cavalry at that time did not want to get into a knock down drag out fight with the infantry. That was not their job.

MarkT

That's probably because a typical player will employ CAV the same way as his infantry. Similar to how some gamers keep artillery permanently in action. Historically CAV was like arty "a gem", and well guarded. Definitely only occasionally used en masse to stop infantry in a close range direct engagement. If players would play the more cautious with CAV and allow arty ample of idle times between usage, that would be much more historic.

But one question to Norb: If I recall correctly from scripting TC2M scenarios, if when TC'ed a unit will still be affected by scripted orders. Would you consider in the next patch to change that, and only a specific "scripts" override TC'ed units, while otherwise units under player control shouldn't follow scenario scripting anymore?

[Boyd]

MarkT wrote:

The problem is, The cavary is much better. This led to a quick rout of the rebel units.
MarkT

A fix to this problem is to not let the whole union cavalry regt particpate in the fight. During battle about 20-25% of the troopers had to stay behind the lines out of the fight to hold the horses. So when a 400 man cav regt dismounts to fight in actuality only about 300 will be firing their carbines. Should be an easy code change I'd think.

thx. Great game!

Boyd