Basic Strategies to start with

Hey,

as I've recently started playing this game again, I'm not really aware of much strategies. I mostly focus on playing as Soviet right now.
I've done one game yesterday, and it was pretty long (atleast it felt that way), and I sort of tried to use alot of hotkeys so I could switch between everything alot quicker, but it felt like I had huge problems to deploy armored vehicles quickly, and I only used conscripts, as I had not enough MP to use Strelkies.

As for the specific replay, I played against the Wehrmacht, Normal AI Opponent. (I somehow can't join the majority of MP Games so I'm unable to play in MP, even though I got the original version, might be a problem with ports or something)
-Replay removed-


And yes, the name is weird because I didn't really save it properly.

I'd love to get any sort of advice once you watched the replay, but please remember I'm still horrible at his game even though I've played other RTS before.

Last edited May 16, 2012 at 6:54 AM by CER10TY

don't worry if you don't get much advice soon, the EF community is a bit occupied with the recently started tournament. however, as soon as this thing gets on its feet, you may receive more replies.

Speaking of basic strategies, I tried something new (for me at least) the other day: forming platoons. I set up, say, three hotkeys each containing three rifle squads, and a fourth containing a couple of mortars. Then fighting with those as a single group. This is opposed to my usual mix-and-match of units in an attempt to counter whatever enemy I hit. I am curious as to whether anyone else has used or is using such a tactic. It is kind of expensive at the start, but seems to provide lots of firepower AND remain organized.

I always use groups (CTRL+1, etc) or platoons i call them mobs, but mob usually has leader but that is diff story.
Yes it helps a lot and you easy keep them organized, sometimes u put 2 x engy in one group just for repairs etc :).
For example you can flank with group 1 and attack from front with group 2 easy to kill medium and heavy vehicles :P, but am not expert, they will probably tell you more.

Control groups are good ways to keep track of your bearings but for me personally they dont help much becuase in the middle of fighting things get so hectic I dont have time to click numbers :P. I prefer highlighting all of them and from there, click the icons for each unit and order them around.

I can watch the replay but later :P. BTW do you any form of cheat or use pause? Just wondering ;)

I have the same problem with control groups. When I need to concentrate on combat I find it better to have as few control groups a possible.

edit: do you have a way to wean oneself off using the damn pause button?

@Otto: Who are you asking ????

Last game I played I only used 4 ctrl groups. 1-3 were 3 rifle squads each, 4 started out as 2 mortars, then moved up to a pair of Shermans. I never use pause for game-related things. If I get hungry or gotta use the bathroom, sure, but never for in-game reasons. Otto, my suggestion would be to play on a slightly lower difficulty, or with friendlies, (some way to lessen the workload) and just dont press pause. think on the fly, and when in doubt, retreat.

agreed. if youre using pause too much, play lower difficulty comps. or just play with actual people against comps, therefore stopping pausing, but having friends to help cover you when you need help.

gracias mi amigos

You know a good way to stop a pausing habit? Don't use it at all (even if you are losing and getting your ass whooped). Better to lose and learn then pause and barly win IMO. And if you can't manage that then disable the pause button or set it to something so obscure and weird you'd do yourself more harm than good figuring out what to click.

But in all seriousness the answer IMO is not to lower difficulty. You must push yourself to get better. Put yourself in conditions that you might not easily win (like a 50/50 you'll lose). When I was playing COH someone told me there was a pause button but I couldn't find it. I spent like a good two minutes clicking random things to try and pause. So I ended up not using it at all and simply improved my skill to the point a didn't even need a pause button, even if I knew what key it was (and for the record I still don't XD)

You know, even though I always play against AI for the past six years, I never now where is this pause button located...
So, where is it? ???

non USA keyboards IDK.

I have a labtop so IDK where my pause key is XD

About CTRL-grouping, here is my way:
Early: 5 - your first inf squad, 6 - all your engineers, 4 - 2nd inf squad, 7 - 1st support squad, 8- 2nd support squad, 3 - 3rd inf squad, 1 - 1st vehicle, 2 - 2nd vehicle
Late: 5 - main inf squads, 4 - 1st flanking groups, 3 - 2nd flanking groups or 3rd vehicle, 9 - first arty, 0 - second arty (6, 7 and 8 stay the same)
Number 5 for inf because it's in middle of the keyboard from there go left for more attack and right for more support
Vehicles are precious things in CoH, number 1 2 3 easy to know and on corner left of the keyboard, most easy to use them.
Hope it helps.
And hey what if I push that pause button? What will happen? Never use it before.

I sort of use my Starcraft 2 Hotkey setup.

1 - Main Army
2 - small group
3 - small group
4 - HQ
5 - Barracks
6 - Factory

etc etc, and it works really well. I have no problem to use hotkeys in the heat of battle, but CoH is extremely different than Starcraft 2 so it's not like you have 1 big main army anytime.
I never used the pause button lol, I usually just quit once I lost everything when playing against AI, old Starcraft Habit.

The HQ and tier buildings are automatically mapped to F1, F2 etc.

0 and counting down are my artillery groups.
1, 2 are infantry groups
3 is Snipers or LTs

Yeah whenever you have something like a 105 howitzer or a Stuka you should put it in its own special control group. Especially during a battle. You don't want to have to look for it.

GodlikeDennis wrote:
The HQ and tier buildings are automatically mapped to F1, F2 etc.

0 and counting down are my artillery groups.
1, 2 are infantry groups
3 is Snipers or LTs

Can you mark special location keys? Such as, if I'd press F5 I'd hop directly to base and such?
And, does CoH have action messages which you can hop to? For example, if an enemy tank engages my infantry in the middle of the map, a warning would pop up (it does actually), and I could just press Spacebar and hop to it instantly. That allows me to quickly respond to things aswell.

I think double tapping any of the building buttons (F buttons) will send you back to base but I'm not sure. Personally I don't even use hotkeys except for reinforce, retreat and control groups. Very rarely nades, but only to hide the squad member throwing.

GodlikeDennis wrote:
The HQ and tier buildings are automatically mapped to F1, F2 etc.

0 and counting down are my artillery groups.
1, 2 are infantry groups
3 is Snipers or LTs

• i use: 9,8,7 for indirect fire weapons


• 0 for snipers


• 4 for builders


• 6 for vehicle trans port

QuoteAnd, does CoH have action messages which you can hop to? For example, if an enemy tank engages my infantry in the middle of the map, a warning would pop up (it does actually), and I could just press Spacebar and hop to it instantly. That allows me to quickly respond to things aswell.

pressing on the message shields on the left hand side of battle GUI centers you on the action the message refers to

Last edited May 15, 2012 at 3:42 PM by Otto Halfhand

About your replay. Can you please upload it a different way (zipped folder or diff website thats easy to use) cause IDK how to access it.

@Cat Fishy
Click on link he provided, then just click on text/link between text Download and <391.53 KB|, 5 stars are below Download text, you will find it :).

thx jojo :P. Ill watch it soon

Edit: is this a EF or vCOH replay? cause its not working for me :P

Last edited May 16, 2012 at 12:41 AM by Cat Fishy

Forget the replay, it isn't eve na proper one, lol.
I'll upload a proper replay once I get home.

Hello,

the original question remains: Is there an basic strategy guide for EF?

I started to play multiplayer with my friend, and always the one playing with russians lose against wehrmacht...
...main problem is that mg42's tear sovjets in parts. Soviets lack mobile mg when germans got their mg very early.

Get a support barracks and get out some snipers.  And don't blob instead flank and toss molotovs on MGs.  Use conscripts as bait to keep the MG busy (their primary role is to absorb damage) and your stronger forces that kill faster (command squad,Strelky, guards) to flank and destroy.

Last edited November 15, 2012 at 1:05 AM by 132

There is no official strategy guide. Like the original COH its more DIY and learn on the job. But feel free to ask us anything :). Or play a game with us

Komrad wrote:
Hello,

the original question remains: Is there an basic strategy guide for EF?

I started to play multiplayer with my friend, and always the one playing with russians lose against wehrmacht...
...main problem is that mg42's tear sovjets in parts. Soviets lack mobile mg when germans got their mg very early.

MG42 is easy to bypass. Snipers can take them out or use 2 Conscript Squads as bait as another flanks and throws the molotov. Once you get strelky and a better CS, MGs will be quite easier. RBS, Sturmovie and Guards can tackle the MGs with ease.

Wekwekboris wrote:

Komrad wrote:
Hello,

the original question remains: Is there an basic strategy guide for EF?

I started to play multiplayer with my friend, and always the one playing with russians lose against wehrmacht...
...main problem is that mg42's tear sovjets in parts. Soviets lack mobile mg when germans got their mg very early.

MG42 is easy to bypass. Snipers can take them out or use 2 Conscript Squads as bait as another flanks and throws the molotov. Once you get strelky and a better CS, MGs will be quite easier. RBS, Sturmovie and Guards can tackle the MGs with ease.

not to mention the mortars, i normally rush out acouple 107mm mortars, to support all movments.

Oh ...DEATH. If only it were so easy to "rush out 107mm mortars". There is much to be said for an early 80mm mortar to counter Axis MGs. I find an SSB start with Mortar/ATG support is a valuable way to set up a Strelky SPAM. Back Tech to T1 and go for RBS with SMGs. The fire_up ability of RBS Stelky is not to be sneezed at. These squads and ability are equally good at dealing with snipers and MGs. and you have the ability to pop out an ATG when it becomes necessary.

if you go about it right you can actually get 107mm very early, for eg. i play with high res.
and before ive even left my base i have 3 ingenery and built barracks, armory and support armory. you just have to buy heavy mortars from the armory then make mortars and at's available for use ^-^

bam, heavy offensive push's are easy :P

Someone pimp slap him for even mentioning high res.  ;D

Try something more feasible, there's always tactics involved flanking, avoid them completely, or have a sniper handy like it has been said before. Alternately, go for more exotic builds the enemy might not expect, getting a couple of sturgineers, as I like to call them, (which would hit the field in almost the same time you'd need to get a 107mm out, but what have you.)

The same problem still remains: Soviet lack for early suppression weapon.

I have a problems at the early stage, when points are being captured - I almost everytime lose early infantryfights.
Soviets also consume LOT of fuel, which can not be acquired without capturing lots of strategic points. Early.

Komrad wrote:
The same problem still remains: Soviet lack for early suppression weapon.

I have a problems at the early stage, when points are being captured - I almost everytime lose early infantryfights.
Soviets also consume LOT of fuel, which can not be acquired without capturing lots of strategic points. Early.

The DP-28 has a suppression capability and the MG nest price has been significantly reduced.

Soviets don't need a pinning unit, it's not how their dynamic gameplay style is focused.

I lobby for the Maxim all the time. Bishop tells me it is a problem with making a model that works. If you are a modeler and want to tackle this contact Blackbishop. I have my fingers crossed but will not hold my breath.

Cranial is correct about the MG pit being a good value. It does however consume fuel. And it is limited to its placement location. And it is easily flanked. These are what we have to work with. I wouldn't call it dynamic however.The DP-28 may provide suppression but it too requires fuel and muni. Forget the CT_doctrinal stuff. We are talking basic game here.

If you find it necessary to have an MG. drop a Molotov on them and kill the squad. Undamaged MGs seem to drop in this case. Captured MGs are buggy for some reason. Lots of different quirky behavior. Put them in a building or OP.

Soviets may not need a pinning unit. Soviets may not need an Armored Car or a Scout Car. I think these squads would make the Sovs Dynamic.

In early firefights engage pios from a distance. I would say the same for Volks/MP40 but I understand the MP40 has rifle range(?). Don't be afraid to give up ground. and If you are playing vs AI when the enemy finishes capping it generally withdraws to a distance. play cat and mouse and it will go away.

The fuel problem is really no different from Wehr. All factions have a reasonably balance fuel cost relative to Teching. I suggest you OP a Medium Muni point and a Fuel Point, (even a Low FP if it need not be defended. PROTECT Your OPs.

Cranialwizard wrote:
The DP-28 has a suppression capability and the MG nest price has been significantly reduced.

DPs aren't really early weapons and why would u guys (balancers) lower the price of an MG if u dislike static game play ???

I wouldn't say that favours static gameplay more than just making the MG viable. Previously it had an absurdly high cost for the worst MG in the game. All units in the faction should be viable. We don't just balance the stuff we like. Sometimes, MG emplacements are necessary.

Soviets don't use many suppressing units but have more ways of countering suppression than any other faction. This is your tradeoff.

GodlikeDennis wrote:
I wouldn't say that favours static gameplay more than just making the MG viable. Previously it had an absurdly high cost for the worst MG in the game. All units in the faction should be viable. We don't just balance the stuff we like. Sometimes, MG emplacements are necessary.

Soviets don't use many suppressing units but have more ways of countering suppression than any other faction. This is your tradeoff.

This is also true. Think of the possibilities available to the Soviets to nullify suppression units.

What Dennis says about balancing: Of course we don't JUST balance the stuff WE like, we have to give the everyone a chance of course. Since the MG is in the faction, was way overpriced and pretty terrible, we decided to lower it and make it more on-par with other faction's MG nest.

personally i find the mg nests usefull, because you can advance to a certain point and place a line of mg's so when you push forward and should the enemie force you to route. they cant easilly counterattack.

MG pits are a useful suppression squad. With proper support or Defencing they can reduce the amount of Micro required in game. I view it as an Anti-Dynamic, (in the same relation as Hero/Antihero, not undynamic/camping).

It is often said in this Forum that the Soviets don't need this or that Role or Ability. While it is true that a faction doesn't need every Ability, (tactical) It needs every Role, (strategic). Suppression is an Ability. A Suppressing Squad is a Role. Over time I this this distinction has become blurred for the Soviet Faction.

In earlier versions of this Mod the Sovs had two suppressing squads, Conscripts and T90! Conscripts regularly did ungodly amounts of supression on axis troops -particularly PGs. I think this was an Unintended Consequence that has been appropriately Nerfed.

In the case of T90 suppression was OP and Nerfed. In the process the Role was lost. A highly mobile Suppressing squad was too OP. All the Folderol about Soviets not needing a proper Suppression Squad is bunk. The Dev Team and Balancers have not quite gotten the proper mix yet. I am sure ultimately they will.

One new development in 1.7 is a suppression Ability that I particularly like. The VPGS stun grenade was developed to give Strelky an AT capability. It suppresses, (slows) vehicles. It is unclear whether this ability does damage or not. It does allow Strelky to slow the axis down so that another AT shot may be made or set up. Don't change this to "damage only". PLEASE.

DP28 Degtyaryov is definetly NOT an early game weapon. As it shoudl be with some partisans!
Neither MG nest is offensive weapon. I normally run out munition when I play wehrmacht, but with soviets EVERYTHING costs fuel, but munition almost useless.

Oh, yes, true soviets had MG's. First ancient maxims, then Gorynows.
SG43 Stankovyi Goryunova would really be good addition, just it's primitive sound is heroic  ;D

Soviets "have more ways of countering suppression than any other faction". How is that?! I've newer won just by executing straefnie troops...

A properly timed suppression break can let you ignore a prepared defensive position and just sweep over the enemies using mass conscripts to absorb damage with PPSh Strelky or the CS to deal damage. Not to mention in one such doctrine you get dual flamers which are death.

+1 dennis. If you like to play an infantry game FTML in Urban is great fun. How would you suggest using NOSB in Propaganda though?

NOSB is amazing if used at the same time as DP-28 Stand Ground because the movement modifier is already in place. However, the best use is on conscripts because their losses are very cheap and you can let them do some significant damage which they wouldn't normally do. It's also very useful to use it if you manage to get past an enemy MG and you can pop NOSB while behind the lines. This is risky if your forces are weaker and you could lose squads due to slow movement but you can also deal a devastating blow. If you need to, you can also use NOSB on a few squads fighting an MG front on. They should defeat it.

The easiest and most logical choice is to use NOSB on whatever is defending your OBR cannon when the enemy tries to rush it. A well placed OBR is not something you want to lose to an enemy push.