JSF

Freek, Ralf, This is one of those 'features' that has hidden uses. If A and B are hostile and vice versa and C is friendly to A and B and vice versa, then A and B still see each other as hostile, but do share through C, course, speed, mission name etc. Interestingly, they cannot fire upon each other. Now suppose C is has only one unit, and it is destroyed after a while by a side D, then A and B lose contact are are free to fire on each other. Ive used this very often to either delay hostilities, or even to ensure that two sides played by AI dont fire on each other but only on the player side. Freek This is a very creative way to use this issue for creating challenging situations, indeed. Regarding Steve´s situation, we need his scenario in order to check the postures I think. Regarding the one I got for testing, the 'feature' is simply an unwelcome bug: You open the game playing one side and instantly have a god´s view on all hostile units. Even if this posture issue would be the cause - then the friendly third party only should give away the info it can gather- correct? But if you see anything hostile on the whole map - annoying. Regards, Ralf

Steve, please post the scenario so we can check it.

Dale, Interesting, I´ll check the scenario I got for testing under this aspect. It doesn´t make sense, anyway, though: - if a side is hostile to another, there must not be the possibility to see the other´s data - how can a side be friendly towards two sides hostile to another? Neutral would be the utmost I think. Regards, Ralf

Brad, fascinating article. Thx for the link.

Steve, H3 up to 3.6.3 and H3 ANW 3.7 onwards are at first glance nearly identical. It is still the same user interface known from H2 back to 1994. No development regarding this aspect. The latest ANW version is the HUE ANW = 3.10.1. Compared to 3.6.3, the last version of the old production line, it has some fascinating and unique features: - ship-to-ship underway replenishment - boarding of hostile ships - takeover of hostile land facilities - chained missions These are really nice features. The problem with ANW 3.7 onwards is that there are many bugs or weird behaviours in it. While 3.6.3 has only a few minor bugs and a really tough AI, ANW / HUE 3.10.1 has definitely more bugs and sometimes behaves really weird and annoying. In many situations, the ANW AI acts less aggressive and sometimes outright dumb. I play Harpoon for 20 years now and I think I know what I´m talking about. You will find similiar statements by other experienced players even if we might strongly disagree on other issues, especially when it comes to databases. Especially the ANW scenario editor has some strange issues, one rather new one seems to be the one you suffered from. That´s a reason why several scenario writers only use the 3.6. scenario editor afaik. Hope this helps, Ralf

Something I forgot: Which database are you using? Please specify exactly; especially when talking with the developers at Matrix/AGSI.

Steven, you´re talking about HUE ANW 3.10.1 and its scenario editor? I´ve stumbled over this one, too, when I tested a friend´s new scenario. Looks like a scenario editor bug. Best bet would be to directly contact AGSI = Don Gilman via the official Matrix forum. If you want to stay clear of annyoing issues like these, use the 3.6.3 version included in the bundle. This is the legendary last version before ANW (versions 3.7 upwards) which is free of game stopping bugs like this. Don´t like to point that out, but it´s experience proven. Regards, Ralf

Mark, if I now play logistics on as intended, all aircraft have unlimited loadouts. That means that on one side the issue with no loadouts available is solved. But, on the other hand, it is like playing with logistics off: no limits. Did you enter an ammo dump and set up all values to maximum? Or (i´m not sure about this) does adding an ammo dump to an installation (which I never use) automatically lead to this unrealistic situation? Anyway, surely not what you intended (?)

Hi Don, yes, this is possible: assign some ac to a formation, CAP mission. Start. Watch them in the formation window flying their patrol zone as you defined. Now, if a hostile ac closes, just click on it. Hit the intercept button. You see that those units flying formation patrol are available for intercept. Check the box in front of them. They should break formation and attack. Regards, Ralf

Mark, I met Darren a week ago on Facebook. He was working on scenarios and an updated db. He was close to release. So let´s hope the next update will come sossoon. Regards, Ralf

Mark, no problem...and another one of H2s/H3s/ANWs finesses: klick on the ammo dump. Then hit the logistics button. A window pops up - you are in the ammo dump. Now click on the unit you are interested and edit the number. No problem! Regards, Ralf

Mark, Ralf, You may have to go looking for them... As for the ammo dump...I did not turn on aircraft logistics for this scenario. (It's a short scenario so I figure whatever the Canadians need is there.) I used the generic airfields; am I correct that to add an ammo dump I would simply add one near the airfield, attach it to the group, and it's taken care of? Or do I have to do something else and/or more than that? Thanks. Also, do I need to add an ammo dump for the AI side if I use aircraft logistics? As for the ammo dump...how much is appropriate? What is the usual amount of ordinance one would expect at a base? Five sorties worth? More? Less? Thanks. Mark Yes, obviously I have to do some search As to aircraft logistics: Ok, understood. So I play it ac logistics off. For the release version: the players should know that since most players are used to play with ac logistics on. This si far more realistisc and one of the advantages ANW has compared to HC. As to the airfield: I newer use generic airfields. I always build bases, starting with a C3I Comm Center. Then the runway(s), the hangars, fuel depots and at least one ammo dump. Guarded by radar and SAMs. Thus I don´t know if and how to add an ammo dump to a generic base/airfield. Doesn´t make sense anyway IMHO. Use ANWs micromanagement facilities, build realistic bases As to the ordnance per base/airfield: Depends on the scenario context. If you model a side cut off its supplies and been on the defensive for a long time, you wouldn´t give this side much ordnance. But you could create an UnRep mission to it. An Example. my scen "The Trap". The carrier has not many missiles left for its aircraft, but an UnRep convoy is underway. On the other side you could model a side well prepared to long planned attack. Here you will assign enough ordnance for all sorties necessary. Regards, Ralf

Mark, 12 hours of game time gone and nothing has happened so far. Maybe the enemy has no eyes to detect my units?

Hi Buddha, I just got ANW as part of the Ultimate Package after playing Harpoon Classic since the days of DOS. I'm still getting used to the game play, and I can see why so many players prefer one over the other. ANW is definitely going to take time to master playing, but right off I'd say that the Mission function is priceless. Many times I'd have found uses for that feature in the Classic version. Buddha Yes, the Mission editor is one of H2/H3/ANW´s most valuable assets. This one is really mighty. Regards, Ralf

Hi Mark, ok, just started it. First impressions: - windows are arranged neatly, good - There is no loadout for the CF-18 Hornets available = intended? I usually play all scens with aircraft logistics enabled. That´s what most H3 / ANW players do. This means, that the scenario designer has to add ordnance to an ammo dump (or to use a pre-filled ammo dump)which is in return part of a base where ac are stationed. If there is no ammo dump, the ac have no or almost no loadouts available if aircraft logistics is on. - Is the sub intentionally at periscope depth? Just a hint. If you don´t change that in the scenario editor it´ll always start at periscope depth. Regards, Ralf

Mark, one hint for scenario writing with H3 ANW: create a tactical map and open a few windows. This is nice for the player when he starts the scenario for the first time. Attached a screenshot which si rather typical for the windows arrangement in H2/H3/H3 ANW. Regards, Ralf

Ok, it is HUD 3 V 1.5.0 - the HUE release version. Played through it. And lost. Since the player is not allowed to shoot first, my TF got a first pounding by hostile/Chilean fighter bombers, but only minor damage on one ship. Proceeding towards the area mentioned in the orders, I next got first one, then a second skunk contact. Both in my PIM. I launched a Seahawk and vectored it towards the two ships. Both were Chilean warships. Thus I openend fire with Harpoons. I sunk one and heavily damaged the other one. Then I switched course Westward for a while in order to avoid more air attacks. After that back to the Northen area, again. I managed it to close until approx. 100 miles to the target zone - then: Game over, lost. The summary showed that I not only failed to reached the promised land in time. I had a second goal: to destroy TWO hostile ships - and sunk only one. Interesting scenario, full of micromanagement.

Hi Mark, HUD 3 V 1.5.0 or another version? Regards, Ralf

Tony, fascinating insights. Thanks for starting this really intellectual thread. I´m in the Harpoon world since 1991 and I, too, still search the perfect Harpoon. Currently, I´d say that GCB2 is really good and worth a try. I agree that the guys at warfare sims are creating the ultimate naval/air warfare sim. These are pros and really dedicated. I, too, still love HC. It is fun, pure fun. "Easy to learn, hard to master." That´s it. And I still love H3, too. reason are its far superior micromanagement possibilities. So we can be happy with what we have, try GCB2 and look forward to Red Pill.

Hi Mark, how is your scenario doing? Are you making progess? Regards, Ralf

On my way for a second run. This one is full of details, extremely fine tuned.

But you get a lot of micromanagement possibilities in return. It´s a matter of taste, as so often in life.

Hi Dale, ok, gave it a try. Played the RN side. I was not so sure what my mission is and how to do anything really useful as long as the Libyans remained peaceful. Out of nothing a missile barrage came in, damaging the Cumberland. Then I returned fire on agroup of hostile vessels SW to my position. The USS Shoup was attacked, too. Eventually it sunk. Some minutes later the HMS Cumberland got more hints and sunk, too. Maybe there are too many playable sides with too scarce ressources in this scenario. I found no real way to structurize and play this one.

Mark, Yes, it takes time since H3 differs in many aspects from HC. That´s the way I know and how I do it. Once you have grouped them, assigned stations, you cannot reposition the units within. When you´ve expelled and re-added the unit, please check if the other unit´s station are still assigned properly. If you´ve set up a plotted course for a unit or group, it will follow this course. And If you´ve set up a speed for an AI controlled plotted mission for a unit or group, it should going with that speed on its course. Regards, Ralf