I just completed the "Two Crucial Days at DIME Beach" H2H-approved scenario for Sicily 43. I was playing Axis forces against RLWxx.
Just want to mention this is one of the most contested scenarios I’ve played. Wow ! I found it well-balanced and entertaining. As Axis you have strong, but limited forces to deal with the landings and the choice you made regarding their areas of deployment is critical. The Axis does not have to push back the US into the Mediterranean to win, but you have to contain them and hold on to a couple of important objectives which is not easy because the US launch ashore with 2 full divisions.
This is a well-done H2H scenario. Thumbs up !
Well, Darran, it just goes to show that one man's treasure is another man's trash. :stir:
Czar, in case you're wondering what I'm talking about, I played this scenario with Darran (it's designer) twice and I found the situation contrived and implausible. A nail biter in terms of results and the scores the game will produce to be certain, but the "story" and the "mission" and the "history" that it was trying to portray I found wanting. Darran will be thrilled to know you liked it though. :)
I'm not too familiar with the actual history of the Sicily invasion so I can't comment on the storyline.
I was happy that the scenario was ending at 20 turns however, because I had been too ambitious with the Hermann Goering troops and my units were utterly exhausted and spent. It ended in a draw, but I could not have hold on much longer on some objectives if it would have continued for a few more turns.
The scenario can be played 20 times and I'd wager you'd be hard pressed to get 2 victories out of those 20 games. Barring a real imbalance in ability between the two players, that game is as finely balanced "point wise" as you're likely to see. For that reason it would make a great Tourney scenario where a group of players scores would be separated by a handful of points, very exciting. I just think the personality of it is confused. Is it a German attack mission or an American attack mission? It appears to be one thing and set up as another, and there's reasons why that would seem that way. Anyway...
... Darran an I have had many conversations on this scenario. We even have tentative plans to try and tweak it this winter. So I'm not looking to start a long debate here on his hard work. I just got a chuckle when I saw your post and had to say something to Darran, who I'm sure will appreciate the joke.
I understand what you mean by the personality of the scenario. Indeed, it is not that clear who is doing what, or should be doing what. However, that's fine with me. It just made it more wide-open.
I am of the opinion that as long as forces are balanced, we do not need to always have clear-cut scenario categories such as Meeting Engagement, Axis Attack vs. Allied Defense, etc. In real life, the notorious fog of war and battlefield uncertainty makes such categorization doubtful in some cases anyway.
The bottom line in this scenario (as I perceived it) is that the Allies were landing in Sicily and that as the Axis commander, I had to do something about it. What I should be doing (aiming straight for the beaches, slowing the progression inland, etc) was entirely up to my judgment and this is where the scenario can become quite wild depending on the choices the players make.
In my case I had the intention of taking back Gela and pushing back the Big Red One on the beach east of Gela, while being on the defensive everywhere else. That plan nearly cost me the game when the Italian Livorno division that I committed entirely into Gela got surrounded and cut off half way into the game when they were just about to secure the objective. It was a long agony for them in the streets of Gela...
Meanwhile KG Rechts successfully captured the airfield and Piano Lupo bunker but then stalled on its way to the beach in front of determined resistance by the Big Red One and even counterattacks in the last turns (I lost Piano Lupo as a result).
And KG Links got scattered too long in the countryside trying to round up those pesky U.S. paratroopers who kept wandering everywhere and seizing some of the other objectives...
So Darran, I guess the debate will continue on your scenario but be assured that at least 2 people had a blast playing this one ;)
Well i am glad you enjoyed it!! :)
Indeed i make no secret about the fact that history often takes a back seat in my H2H scenarios
if it gets in the way of a fine balanced game, to that end the scenario might be better described as a "semi historical" scenario.
You will find all the H2H scenarios a very good play, some might not be as well balanced (and Paul makes a good point about the two players abilities) but there are no "dogs" in the list of that i am sure!
As for Paul's comments on my "masterpiece" i have no issue with any constructive criticism of any of my work and i fully intend to use Paul's help to try to find a formula to create a more historical yet balanced version of this scenario when i have more free time in the winter. :)