A few questions from a new player

[Iorwerth]

Just got my activation key and really looking forward to getting to grips with what looks like a class game!

I want to get going off the right foot, so to speak, so have a few questions:

1. Mods: Should I download any of the mods? If so, which ones? If I want to play MP, does everyone have to have the same mods loaded up?

2. Is there a good order to play the scenarios in? Should I just start at the earliest one and work my way up from there?

3. I have noticed from other threads that the courier system seems to take some getting used to. Should I not bother with it at first?

4. What difficulty level should I start with? I don't mind losing games, as I figure I will probnably learn quicker that way, but nor do I want to continually be spanked! I have some experience with Total War, which I guess is slightly similiar in operation to SoWG, even if not in historical accuracy.

5. Out of interest, is there a campaign game, where results of one scenario effect the next, or is each scenario a thing unto itself?

Will undoubtably have other questions, but will leave it there for now

[Garnier]

There's a pretty big MP group here:
http://www.sowmp.com/gcm/home/newplayer

1. We use an automatic updater that ensures everyone has the same mods to the extent that that's necessary.

5. That mod also has a singleplayer "campaign" where each battle affects the next. There's no strategic aspect beyond limited organizing of your division. It's just a series of battles where you command the same troops every time.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

You can't get anything better for MP than Garnier's work. He's a genius at this sort of thing, and the MP community wouldn't be where it is today if it wasn't for him.

Ooops: Oh, and for the folks who play MP of course. :blink:

[Iorwerth]

Thanks. I have joined that site and downloaded as told, but some strange things happened when i did so! It keep on asking me whether I wanted to put files into archive, which I answered yes to, for want of knowing what else to do. In addition the winrar diagnostic program says there was 1120 errors. I presume this is not good!?!

It did take me to the register page and I did create a Union and Confederate Commander.

Should I try running the GCM.exe again?

Edit: when I launch SoWG and look in the mod section, there is a big list of GCM mods, so hopefully they are all there. Can I check if they are working in single-player mode?

[Hancock the Superb]

Download teamspeak and join the server we use (you can click join this server on the webpage teamspeak viewer). Someone will be there to help you.

Bear in mind, there is more to SOW than just GCM. There is also a HITS and Couriers MP group. The single player game is fantastic. Play all the tutorials, then you can choose to play sandbox games or scenarios. All of it is fun.

[Garnier]

@Iowerth

It sounds like you're all set.

You can see your troops here:
http://www.sowmp.com/gcm/divisions/division/3195
http://www.sowmp.com/gcm/divisions/division/3196

Not sure what the rar thing was about, you might have accidentally clicked something on winrar. All you needed to do was extract the stuff from the zip, which you apparently did since the rest worked.

[Iorwerth]

Thanks for the replies so far. I reckon I better get a grip of the game before I go multiplayer!

Another couple of questions:

1. I find it quite difficult to read the map and find my objectives. I end up putting it on pause and searching around for a while (sometimes a long while!). Is there a quick and easy way of finding them?

2. Is there a place where I can download the map and print it out?

3. When my troops go into a wood I find it hard to see them. What are good settings to avoid this? Are there any settings that I should be toggling on or off for ease of game play?

Sorry if these questions are all a bit obvious, but I am just beginning to play and get my head around it all. At the moment, a brigade level battle is all I can handle!

[Garnier]

1. If you look at the map, objectives should appear as stars.

3. Press the T key a few times while playing.

[Saddletank]

Hi lorwerth.

I'm sure you'll have a blast with the GCM group, they fight some monstrous, epic battles.

However if you would like to try something very different (and you'll hardly beleive its the same game, the experience is so much different) you're welcome to stop by at our HITS and couriers group and see if that appeals to you.

http://www.norbsoftdev.net/forum/mp-for ... iers-games

As well as the pre-written scenarios we are playing now which are proving popular, we have a 'proper' campaign running with a map and limited forces.

We use only one mod, MTGs CouriersAndMaps mod. The current version is 1.4025.

[Iorwerth]

One of the things that first attracted me to get the game was the idea of hits and couriers, so would be interested in giving it a go, once I am more comfortable with how to play the game. So thanks for the info!