playing with fog of war on...gutsy..advantage goes to the defenders in that situation. Remember, the scenarios are balanced around units being known to both sides. And I love seeing you playing with the Fire rules....and thats an armored car not a halftrack =). A Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd.Kfz.) 231. Equipped with 20mm and MG34s=) Other than that, great playthru! Yeah the Spotting rules are a bit wonky..one of the biggest things people have to learn. I would suggest going over the Spotting rules...I hate making spotting rolls..I usually always fail..but there are a couple other ways to Spot a hex. SOOOOOO lucky on that last ordance shot from the Armored car to break all those Soviets in the hex! What did you think of the victory conditions with the variable VP locations and removing one in the game?
Aha! That armored car clarification clears up a lot! I actually looked it up and found a video on the 251, which is a half track version perhaps, using the same model? So I assumed the 231 was just an earlier version of the 251 half track. That would explain the gun and the lack of transport ability. Thanks! I have become study. I still have a lot to learn about vehicles, too. I think I wasted a lot of firepower in the mid-game using assault fire instead of direct fire. We'll get there. :) I thought having the vehicle next to the house would spot the units inside it, but there must be some subtleties to that rule that I have yet to learn. I'll re-read the spotting rules, yes. And yes, we were totally lucky on that very last shot from the armored car, we had no other way to pull off the win in time, I think. We'll take lucky for the win! Thanks for stopping in!
@@ZillaBlitz an unbuttoned vehicle can spot adjacent hexes...not buttoned ones....I think...been a while since I refreshed the vehicle spotting rules in my mind =)
@@Steelwhip2001 That makes sense and I believe you're correct. I think when I looked at the adjacent armored car the hatch was closed, so that would explain the lack of spotting. Thanks! :)
I can't believe you ordered your men into a fire! And I can't believe they went in! And then that they managed to make it out! ;-p You managed one unit morale check and one auto-halftrack morale check, but yeah, kinda bad showing for them. BUT, they knew their commander was just gonna order them into fires and such, so they were just being smart! ;-)
The first time you play one of these scenarios, with the fog of war on, is a real treat. Really forces you to react and make decisions with imperfect information, which is just tons of fun. Replays are fun too, and the AI will position units in different places sometimes, so you're never quite sure what will happen, but yeah, the first time is a rush. :)
In the rally phase you can pick up enemy support weapons up as well as combine half squads and swap support weapons between your units...and possibly some other things that escape me at the moment
This is all great to know, I tend to just Continue after the rally checks, but I should get in the habit of picking up enemy weapons and rearranging things instead of just doing that. Thanks! And I'll check out the Hit & Run attacks thing. I wasn't aware of that yet. :)
Thanks for an interesting game play. I noticed in your summary of Russian casualties and equipment destroyed that there was an AT rifle. Maybe that is what "shook" the half-track instead of a machine gun at the building. I have not played this game so I don't know the difference in weapon effects.
Ah, yes, I actually knew that, but I probably could have used that better in this scenario. Thanks. Does that also apply to rally checks for vehicles? Like, if I backed up our halftrack into the wheat field, would that have given us the -2 DRM?
Overrun is OP. If you have the choice of shooting or overrunning, overrun. Yeah, sometimes the target survives and can close assault back, but not that often Melee ATG's cuz they can't kill back in melee and cant shoot if locked in melee.
Thanks for stopping in. :) I'm really enjoying the system, and it was fun to get started learning how to use vehicles in this one. I feel like that adds a whole new layer of engagement to the game. :)
I'd recommend getting the core game and one DLC when it's on sale to give it a try to see if you like it. But yes, if you like Second Front, I think you'll enjoy this as well. Figuring out the rules beyond the tutorials can be a bit of trial and error, but if you are patient the game gives you a lot of information that you can figure out over time. I also think it helps to have the paper rules (version 5.1 is what I have). It makes for good reading, and there seems to be 100% overlap between the systems, with the obvious exceptions of things like Fog of War.
@@ZillaBlitz Yes, I got the core game, gonna' work on that, then see about one of the DLC (I also like paper rule books, somehow easier than scrolling). Btw, I started board wargaming back in the early '70s, Avalon Hill, etc... 99% time now I game on computer; not enough space to keep a map set up and safe from our cat!.
Nice! The core game is fairly limited (no vehicles I think) but it's great for learning how the system works, and the included scenarios are fun. The rulebook is available separately, I think, from the website. I do like paper for this game, too, although being able to digitally search for specific rules would be helpful. :)
Is this what the Germans were confronted with in real battles? Enjoyed the play through, loved the noise of the bikes & how quick they moved. Looks a really enjoyable game, I would spend far too much time playing this, another reason I avoid PC games these days. Oh too be younger.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, coyi. It's definitely easy to spend a lot of time playing it, but I do find that the scenario length nice for short sessions too.
Really enjoyed watching that,thanks for sharing,your comments about the bad dice rolls,are more restrained than some of mine😂,have you tried Valor and Victory or Tigers on the Hunt ?
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed this! I keep my real reactions to the dice rolls off camera. ... Just kidding. :) I haven't tried those two games yet. It looks like Tigers on the Hunt never made it to Steam? And the development has stopped? V&V's reviews have kept me from pulling the trigger so far. Have you played them yet?
Played both of them,there was a couple of Dlcs for tigers but never got them,for some reason just couldn't get into it all,V and V seems a simpler and quicker take on the lock n load stuff,l do like it,but if l could only play the one,lock n load would be it,plus it has a lot more Dlcs and much wider time period.
Interesting, thanks for the input. I think I'll hold off on taking a look at those for the time being. I've got a number of games I want to take a look at. So many games so little time. :)
The game mechanics are pretty faithful to LNLT, as opposed to Tigers on the Hunt or Second Front which approximate Squad Leader, so you can follow the digital game in the rulebook. The rulebooks are by module. There is no paper vs digital versions of the rulebooks. If your intent for the digital version is to learn the tabletop version, then, yes, I think that the digital version is a good way to help learn the rules. On the other hand, not every action in the game is referenced to the rules, so you may have to search a bit to find a game mechanic in the rules.
I'm doing the same thing now (learning the board version while playing this), and I think it definitely helps a lot in many ways, and not much in other ways. It helps in showing you how things work, which is great, but because the program does a lot of the number crunching for you, it really doesn't help you to execute things like Direct Fire, or checking LOS, or calculating melee combat, etc. All that you're still going to have to figure out on your own. But on the whole, I'm finding it very helpful to be doing both things at the same time. I am also finding it very helpful to have the 5.1 rulebook available for the digital version of the game. The rules overlap is pretty much 100%, and so you can read the tabletop rules to understand how the mechanic works in the digital version. Side note: I'm going to start a "learn together" video series for the tabletop version soon, probably this month.
I mean, there SHOULD be trucks! (Since there are half-tracks, which is just as good for a mudrunner comparison.) Probably Zilla not understanding it, but a halftrack SHOULD be able to transport units--that was their job! So not sure how he could have gotten the leader into it instead of leaving it on the ground. (Which then might make a "remove troop from motorcycle and put in halftrack" strategy, to get him an nice armored movement up the board before unloading to attack/melee.)
I haven't seen trucks yet, but I'd have to think they are in one of the modules. But I've only played about 1% of everything that is available. :) I was looking for a way to load the leader onto the halftrack, but I didn't see one, and the halftrack didn't seem to have the PPO (I think?) symbol on it that allows you to add passengers. I'll have to explore that more, another thing for me to learn. Still very much a beginner. :)
I think that would make an amazing game, tbh. I was thinking about that when I was playing that simulation game about rebuilding Europe after WW2. I think it came up in the comments on those videos too.
playing with fog of war on...gutsy..advantage goes to the defenders in that situation. Remember, the scenarios are balanced around units being known to both sides. And I love seeing you playing with the Fire rules....and thats an armored car not a halftrack =). A Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd.Kfz.) 231. Equipped with 20mm and MG34s=) Other than that, great playthru! Yeah the Spotting rules are a bit wonky..one of the biggest things people have to learn. I would suggest going over the Spotting rules...I hate making spotting rolls..I usually always fail..but there are a couple other ways to Spot a hex. SOOOOOO lucky on that last ordance shot from the Armored car to break all those Soviets in the hex! What did you think of the victory conditions with the variable VP locations and removing one in the game?
Aha! That armored car clarification clears up a lot! I actually looked it up and found a video on the 251, which is a half track version perhaps, using the same model? So I assumed the 231 was just an earlier version of the 251 half track. That would explain the gun and the lack of transport ability. Thanks! I have become study. I still have a lot to learn about vehicles, too. I think I wasted a lot of firepower in the mid-game using assault fire instead of direct fire. We'll get there. :)
I thought having the vehicle next to the house would spot the units inside it, but there must be some subtleties to that rule that I have yet to learn. I'll re-read the spotting rules, yes.
And yes, we were totally lucky on that very last shot from the armored car, we had no other way to pull off the win in time, I think. We'll take lucky for the win! Thanks for stopping in!
@@ZillaBlitz an unbuttoned vehicle can spot adjacent hexes...not buttoned ones....I think...been a while since I refreshed the vehicle spotting rules in my mind =)
@@Steelwhip2001 That makes sense and I believe you're correct. I think when I looked at the adjacent armored car the hatch was closed, so that would explain the lack of spotting. Thanks! :)
I can't believe you ordered your men into a fire! And I can't believe they went in! And then that they managed to make it out! ;-p
You managed one unit morale check and one auto-halftrack morale check, but yeah, kinda bad showing for them. BUT, they knew their commander was just gonna order them into fires and such, so they were just being smart! ;-)
This was our first fight together. Once they get used to my leadership, they will never break and always obey. (The few survivors will, anyway.) ;)
Actually fun to watch this, like a real first-time battle!
The first time you play one of these scenarios, with the fog of war on, is a real treat. Really forces you to react and make decisions with imperfect information, which is just tons of fun. Replays are fun too, and the AI will position units in different places sometimes, so you're never quite sure what will happen, but yeah, the first time is a rush. :)
In the rally phase you can pick up enemy support weapons up as well as combine half squads and swap support weapons between your units...and possibly some other things that escape me at the moment
Also with motorcycles I think you can do hit and run attacks. I think that involves moving, firing and then moving again, with a penalty
This is all great to know, I tend to just Continue after the rally checks, but I should get in the habit of picking up enemy weapons and rearranging things instead of just doing that. Thanks! And I'll check out the Hit & Run attacks thing. I wasn't aware of that yet. :)
Thanks for an interesting game play. I noticed in your summary of Russian casualties and equipment destroyed that there was an AT rifle. Maybe that is what "shook" the half-track instead of a machine gun at the building. I have not played this game so I don't know the difference in weapon effects.
Ah, nice catch! I didn't spot that. I think small arms fire can "shake" armor crews as well, but yeah, I want to re-read those rules. :)
Rally checks get a drm bonus if they are in positive tm terrain
Ah, yes, I actually knew that, but I probably could have used that better in this scenario. Thanks. Does that also apply to rally checks for vehicles? Like, if I backed up our halftrack into the wheat field, would that have given us the -2 DRM?
@@ZillaBlitz yes they do
Thanks! I have become smarter. :)
Overrun is OP. If you have the choice of shooting or overrunning, overrun. Yeah, sometimes the target survives and can close assault back, but not that often
Melee ATG's cuz they can't kill back in melee and cant shoot if locked in melee.
This is great to know, added to my handy dandy notebook. Thanks!
Thanks, I think I'm gonna' pick this game up.
Thanks for stopping in. :) I'm really enjoying the system, and it was fun to get started learning how to use vehicles in this one. I feel like that adds a whole new layer of engagement to the game. :)
@@ZillaBlitz I've purchased Second Front not long ago, but this game looks like it is quicker to get into, also prices are quite good. :D
I'd recommend getting the core game and one DLC when it's on sale to give it a try to see if you like it. But yes, if you like Second Front, I think you'll enjoy this as well. Figuring out the rules beyond the tutorials can be a bit of trial and error, but if you are patient the game gives you a lot of information that you can figure out over time. I also think it helps to have the paper rules (version 5.1 is what I have). It makes for good reading, and there seems to be 100% overlap between the systems, with the obvious exceptions of things like Fog of War.
@@ZillaBlitz Yes, I got the core game, gonna' work on that, then see about one of the DLC (I also like paper rule books, somehow easier than scrolling). Btw, I started board wargaming back in the early '70s, Avalon Hill, etc... 99% time now I game on computer; not enough space to keep a map set up and safe from our cat!.
Nice! The core game is fairly limited (no vehicles I think) but it's great for learning how the system works, and the included scenarios are fun. The rulebook is available separately, I think, from the website. I do like paper for this game, too, although being able to digitally search for specific rules would be helpful. :)
Is this what the Germans were confronted with in real battles? Enjoyed the play through, loved the noise of the bikes & how quick they moved. Looks a really enjoyable game, I would spend far too much time playing this, another reason I avoid PC games these days. Oh too be younger.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, coyi. It's definitely easy to spend a lot of time playing it, but I do find that the scenario length nice for short sessions too.
Really enjoyed watching that,thanks for sharing,your comments about the bad dice rolls,are more restrained than some of mine😂,have you tried Valor and Victory or Tigers on the Hunt ?
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed this!
I keep my real reactions to the dice rolls off camera. ... Just kidding. :)
I haven't tried those two games yet. It looks like Tigers on the Hunt never made it to Steam? And the development has stopped? V&V's reviews have kept me from pulling the trigger so far. Have you played them yet?
Played both of them,there was a couple of Dlcs for tigers but never got them,for some reason just couldn't get into it all,V and V seems a simpler and quicker take on the lock n load stuff,l do like it,but if l could only play the one,lock n load would be it,plus it has a lot more Dlcs and much wider time period.
Interesting, thanks for the input. I think I'll hold off on taking a look at those for the time being. I've got a number of games I want to take a look at. So many games so little time. :)
@@ZillaBlitz know what you mean,I think that's a common problem for most gamers
Is the digital version a good way to learn the board version? I own the latter but haven't played it yet.
The game mechanics are pretty faithful to LNLT, as opposed to Tigers on the Hunt or Second Front which approximate Squad Leader, so you can follow the digital game in the rulebook. The rulebooks are by module. There is no paper vs digital versions of the rulebooks.
If your intent for the digital version is to learn the tabletop version, then, yes, I think that the digital version is a good way to help learn the rules. On the other hand, not every action in the game is referenced to the rules, so you may have to search a bit to find a game mechanic in the rules.
@@thommygunner7008 Very helpful reply. Thank you.
I'm doing the same thing now (learning the board version while playing this), and I think it definitely helps a lot in many ways, and not much in other ways. It helps in showing you how things work, which is great, but because the program does a lot of the number crunching for you, it really doesn't help you to execute things like Direct Fire, or checking LOS, or calculating melee combat, etc. All that you're still going to have to figure out on your own. But on the whole, I'm finding it very helpful to be doing both things at the same time. I am also finding it very helpful to have the 5.1 rulebook available for the digital version of the game. The rules overlap is pretty much 100%, and so you can read the tabletop rules to understand how the mechanic works in the digital version.
Side note: I'm going to start a "learn together" video series for the tabletop version soon, probably this month.
Nice job!
Thanks! This was a fun one. :)
Do they have trucks in the game? Because that could be a nice synergy for the channel :D.
I mean, there SHOULD be trucks! (Since there are half-tracks, which is just as good for a mudrunner comparison.)
Probably Zilla not understanding it, but a halftrack SHOULD be able to transport units--that was their job! So not sure how he could have gotten the leader into it instead of leaving it on the ground. (Which then might make a "remove troop from motorcycle and put in halftrack" strategy, to get him an nice armored movement up the board before unloading to attack/melee.)
I haven't seen trucks yet, but I'd have to think they are in one of the modules. But I've only played about 1% of everything that is available. :)
I was looking for a way to load the leader onto the halftrack, but I didn't see one, and the halftrack didn't seem to have the PPO (I think?) symbol on it that allows you to add passengers. I'll have to explore that more, another thing for me to learn. Still very much a beginner. :)
@@ZillaBlitz Does make you think driving a supply truck in a warzone would make a compelling simulator.
I think that would make an amazing game, tbh. I was thinking about that when I was playing that simulation game about rebuilding Europe after WW2. I think it came up in the comments on those videos too.