Let's Play Steel Panthers Main Battle Tank: interactive version! - Games

[IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/cover.jpg[/IMG] [b]What's this game all about?[/b] [release]Steel Panthers is a series of IGOUGO turn-based hex strategy games originally started as a WW2 DOS game by SSI back in 1995 and had a number of sequels. After Ubisoft absorbed SSI, several groups obtained the Steel Panthers code and made successor games including this, Steel Panthers World at War, and Steel Panthers WW2. Basically, you command a battalion-sized military force and crush the enemy! While the game is dated, WinSPMBT is a highly realistic strategy game and you have to apply basic military tactics to defeat the enemy. Suppression, artillery fires, line of sight, terrain, armor penetration, fire discipline, and command links all play a role in gameplay. Compared to more recent and hardcore wargames like Combat Mission, Steel Panthers is actually fairly easy to learn. The game also offers a very wide selection of units to choose from. For example, here are the choices you have for a Soviet tank platoon in 1989: [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/winspmbt_001.png[/IMG] This is just only a small part of the 1980s Soviet war machine. The developers have also done lots of detailed unit work for the other major countries. Along with realism and intricate detail, Steel Panthers MBT depicts nearly every single nation with a significant military force. Want to do Sweden vs. Finland? Maybe Rhodesia vs. Somalia? You can create countless scenarios with the battle generator. This is one of the reasons why I love the game; you can play out all the what-if scenarios you have in your imagination. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/winspmbt_002.png[/IMG][/release] [b]Game Modes[/b] [release][b]Scenario Mode[/b]: This is your standard bread-and-butter single player mission mode. Scenarios include everything from post-WWII communist insurgents, to the Cold War meat of game, and ending up in the various ultramodern low-intensity conflicts set in former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In the most recent version of the game there are 243 different scenarios. Some of the scenarios are also designed to be played multiplayer as well. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/winspmbt_003.png[/IMG] [b]Campaign Mode[/b]: Here you play out a series of missions often with a predetermined core force. How well (or badly) you do along with how beat up your unit becomes in the battles can influence the next mission and many of the campaigns have branching mission paths. There is also random campaign mode, but I have never used it. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/winspmbt_004.png[/IMG] [b]Random battle Mode (see the second screen above)[/b]: This is the mode similar to the Total War series' quick battle option. The player dictates all the battle parameters on a custom or premade map, then purchases his force within the points limit. If we do interactive PBEM this is the best game mode due to its customization.[/release] [b]How will this interactive LP all work out?[/b] [release]Well, we've got a few choices here: [list][*][b]Co-op mode[/b]: We shall vote on a scenario, battle or campaign to play as against the AI. After the decision has been made and the said battle has been introduced, players will choose what formation (platoon or company) they would like to assume command of. Players then will post orders for the playmaster to carry out. I or another person will act as the playmaster responsible for translating the orders into the game and for posting the results of our turn and the enemy's turn. For example, a guy in command of a tank company could post: [i]I will have my T-64s advance to the crest of the hill to provide overwatch for Tac Error's advancing BMP motor rifle company. If I encounter any unexpected enemies along the way, I will order two of my platoons to halt and return fire while the platoon on the rightmost flank will advance, turn on the enemy's flank and assault. I also want artillery fire on suspected enemy positions at the foot of the hill.[/i] Tank platoon example: [i]My Leopard 1 platoon will advance to the first bend of the main road. If enemy resistance is encountered one tank will return fire and suppress while the other two tanks deploy into line formation and advance, firing 1 shot from the main gun at the most dangerous enemy target as they move.[/i] A map will be provided to assist players in making orders. After the playmaster's reports, players may write new orders. Rinse and repeat until the battle concludes.[/list] [list][*][b]PBEM Mode[/b]: This one is going to be a little hard to do, but may be more entertaining. Basically, we follow the format of the co-op, but one player will take the place of the AI. However, that opposing player is not allowed to look at this thread for the duration of the battle for balance purposes and I'd prefer a newcomer to counter the possible lack of....coordination due to all the different players on the first side.[/list][/release] [b]Sounds great, where can I get the game?[/b] [release]Link to download WinSPMBT. Remember to install all of the patches in order: [url]http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Camo_Workshop/MBT/MBT_page.html[/url][/release] [b]Now what?[/b] [release]Even if you are planning on participating as a LP order-giver, [b]I highly recommend giving the tutorial section of the game manual a read-over[/b] which is found in the startup screen under the "help" tab. Alternatively you can download a PDF. The tutorial starts on page 214, or just click on the tutorial link in the index. [url]http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10112&d=1273771510[/url] If you’ve got any questions, then please ask![/release] [b]But I don't know anything about military tactics![/b] [release]No problem! Assuming you've read the tutorial part of the manual, this short read from a 1982 US Army field manual should help you out. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/winspmbt_guide.jpg[/IMG] For a good, non-stereotyped view on Soviet tactics, read the OPFOR Battle Book and this monograph by Lester W. Grau: [url=http://elearndesign.org/tlacbeta/ikmeC105_norm1/15/xmedia/ST_100-7.pdf][b]OPFOR Battle Book[/b][/url] [url=http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA231789&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf][b]Soviet Non-Linear Combat[/b][/url][/release] [b]Screens[/b] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen1.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen2.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen3.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen4.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen5.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen7.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen9.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen11.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen12.gif[/IMG]

USA vs North korea

Its world of tanks on steroids.

Let's do a Vietnam campaign, a air cavalry company.

I thought I was the only one who liked this game. Too bad I suck shit at it.

[QUOTE=Mcfuret;27677688]USA vs North korea[/QUOTE]I had a custom campaign doing that, ended up getting raped because the M1A1 tanks were decimating me left and right.

[QUOTE=blazingfly;27678167]Its world of tanks on steroids.[/QUOTE] [img]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/screen5.gif[/img] [img]http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/groups/1/3/2074/thumb_620x2000/IS-7.png[/img] totally man

[QUOTE=Zocom;27679004]Let's do a Vietnam campaign, a air cavalry company.[/QUOTE] Three votes for a Vietnam campaign. Any other suggestions? Two votes for a minor NATO power vs. minor Warsaw Pact nation. Four votes for the Vietnam campaign now.

An Eastern Bloc country (preferably one of the less military prominent ones; definitley not the Soviet Union) vs. a NATO country (also preferably a less prominent one.)

Alright, I'll post these whenever the main LP isn't active. Just me going through some scenarios and to keep the thread flowing. [b]Issue in Doubt - Turn 1 - US Army[/b] In this mission, set somewhere in Central Germany, we will be in command of a American mechanized infantry battalion task force, tasked with capturing the village of Heustreu before the East Germans do and defending it from any further Warsaw Pact reinforcements. These East Germans are nothing like the Soviets and are equipped with the shittiest in export equipment, but there's a lot of them and we should expect at least two battalions up to a regiment of motorized rifleman reinforced with tanks. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_01.png[/IMG] This patch of German countryside is quite different from the open fields of the Fulda Gap. The heavy forest cover and the urban center will prevent the effective use of long-range weapons, but it'll be a good idea to cover the central road with anti-tank missiles. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_02.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_03.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_04.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_05.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_06.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_07.png[/IMG] This is our unit roster. Our entire component of mechanized infantry is mounted on M113s. They'll give our troops some protection against shell fragments and small arms, but anything larger than a .50 machine gun is death to them. We've also got an entire company of M150 tank destroyers which will make mincemeat of any Warsaw Pact tank short of a T-72B or a T-80. Our battery of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M30_mortar]M30 mortars[/url] mounted on M113s will give us the ability to pin down any dismounted troops as well. Finally, our divisional HQ has been kind enough to provide us with two platoons of armored cavalry. As you can see we won't get tanks until turn 12, which if everything goes to plan will be our principal counterattack force once they arrive. They are the original M1s with the classic M68 105 mm rifled gun, but we shouldn't expect any Soviet armor and the armor-piercing rounds the M68 fires will go through any East German tank. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_13.png[/IMG] For immediate support we have been provided with a flight of F-15E Strike Eagles. Each plane carries eight laser-guided Paveways, but we should save them for high value targets. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_08.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_09.png[/IMG] Our forces are still in road march formation, with the exception of our armored cav. With M3 Bradleys these guys pack a real punch against any mechanized target, but will die if they go against a force larger than two tanks. I will use my cavalry in a role similar to the Soviet concepts of the forward detachment and advance guard; they will seize the victory hexes in Heustreu, defeat any East German reconnaissance elements and hold the objectives until the mechanized infantry can arrive and deploy. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_10.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_11.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_12.png[/IMG] Meanwhile I proceed to move my mech infantry to contact in march formation. I am keeping two platoons of my tank destroyers in reserve while I have the southmost platoon of them to accompany to the M113s and take the southern victory points. I'm eager to see if the East Germans will follow something resembling Soviet doctrine or just do a mindless Zerg rush.

[QUOTE=hurts;27679873]An Eastern Bloc country (preferably one of the less military prominent ones; definitley not the Soviet Union) vs. a NATO country (also preferably a less prominent one.)[/QUOTE] Poland vs. Denmark go [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] Okay

[QUOTE=Mcfuret;27677688]USA vs North korea[/QUOTE] usa wins because north korea has a fucking pile of shit of an army

[QUOTE=ZombieWaffle;27680218]usa wins because north korea has a fucking pile of shit of an army[/QUOTE]The only real good weapon in their arsenal is the Pokpung-ho MBT, these fuckers can take on anything and still not give a flying fuck.

[QUOTE=kamikaze470;27680656]The only real good weapon in their arsenal is the Pokpung-ho MBT, these fuckers can take on anything and still not give a flying fuck.[/QUOTE] Once the Camo Workshop corrects the NK OOB for 5.5 or 6.0, it's gonna be nerfed to hell. Anyways, still taking on votes for the LP.

I just hope they don't nerf it too much so it's not steel cannon fodder or something. When does the newer patch come out anyway? Also I vouch for the Vietnamese campaign LP by the way.

[b]Issue in Doubt - Turn 1 - East Germany[/b] [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_14.png[/IMG] One of my cavalry fighting vehicles spots a BMP rolling down the main road and opens fire with its chain gun, but at that range the gunner misses entirely. Before Desert Storm, Bradleys weren't equipped with any sort of laser range finders, which means that the gunner had to use the stadia optics to measure the range. Whether this is part of the enemy's reconnaissance force or a forward force I don't know at this point. [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=kamikaze470;27680908]I just hope they don't nerf it too much so it's not steel cannon fodder or something. When does the newer patch come out anyway? Also I vouch for the Vietnamese campaign LP by the way.[/QUOTE] Around March-April. Those Camo Workshop guys pump out patches yearly.

[QUOTE=fskman;27680134]Poland vs. Denmark go [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] Okay[/QUOTE] Poland actually had a fairly decent military. They still do. [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Tac Error;27680960][b]Issue in Doubt - Turn 1 - East Germany[/b] [img_thumb]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/issue_in_doubt_14.png[/img_thumb] One of my cavalry fighting vehicles spots a BMP rolling down the main road and opens fire with its chain gun, but at that range the gunner misses entirely. Before Desert Storm, Bradleys weren't equipped with any sort of laser range finders, which means that the gunner had to use the stadia optics to measure the range. Whether this is part of the enemy's reconnaissance force or an forward force I don't know at this point. [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] Around March-April. Those Camo Workshop guys pump out patches yearly.[/QUOTE] BMP-1 or 2?

I came into this thread thinking it was going to be about the awesome glam metal band

[QUOTE=hurts;27681115]Poland actually had a fairly decent military. They still do.[/quote] Interesting fact: Before Communism fell in Poland there were actually plans for the LWP to be equipped with modern T-80 tanks. [quote]BMP-1 or 2?[/QUOTE] Screen says it all.

I tried playing this game before but I sucked dick. Also do Israel vs Iran.

[QUOTE=Tac Error;27681264]Interesting fact: Before Communism fell in Poland there were actually plans for the LWP to be equipped with modern T-80 tanks. Screen says it all.[/QUOTE] Whoops, missed that.

Alright, here's what we have so far: [b]Four[/b] votes for the Vietnam campaign. [b]Two[/b] votes for a minor NATO power vs. minor Warsaw Pact nation campaign. [b]One[/b] vote for an Iran vs. Israel scenario or campaign. [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] Also, voting ends at 10PM Pacific, then I'll prepare the most popular option.

[QUOTE=Taepodong-2;27681446]I tried playing this game before but I sucked dick. Also do Israel vs Iran.[/QUOTE]I learned how to play by just doing random shit. :v:

[QUOTE=kamikaze470;27682336]I learned how to play by just doing random shit. :v:[/QUOTE] My first time I accidentally sent my apaches right into some Shilkas. Whoops.

[QUOTE=hurts;27682707]My first time I accidentally sent my apaches right into some Shilkas. Whoops.[/QUOTE] "Excellent" helicopter doesn't mean "invincible" helicopter. :v: Ironically the Apache was designed to withstand hits (albeit just single hits) from 23 mm anti-aircraft shells.

[QUOTE=hurts;27682707]My first time I accidentally sent my apaches right into some Shilkas. Whoops.[/QUOTE]Oh man you made my day, thanks.

[QUOTE=Tac Error;27682849]"Excellent" helicopter doesn't mean "invincible" helicopter. :v: Ironically the Apache was designed to withstand hits (albeit just single hits) from 23 mm anti-aircraft shells.[/QUOTE] I think a couple dozen from three at once would do it in, though. It certainly did mine.

While there's still 2 hours left, it looks like we're going to do the Vietnam campaign. [IMG]http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/FISTltsniper/campaign_001.png[/IMG] This is what the custom campaign screen looks like. First we need to decide on the start and end date, number of battles we're going to fight, and the size of the map (changed in the preferences screen). [editline]26th January 2011[/editline] And we need to decide on a points limit. As a reference, a 1968 US Army airmobile company costs 1010 points.

Nov 1955 to April 1975 35 Battles 50 x 80 Map size

[QUOTE=Zocom;27683598]Nov 1955 to April 1975 35 Battles 50 x 80 Map size[/QUOTE] Err Did you mean 1965?