Planning bonus

[TheOstwind]

Am I the only one who isn't fond of using the planning system? I understand its use in the game, but I prefer to micro, but forgoing the planning bonuses seem to be a very large game penality. I like to micromanage armies, and the planning bonus seems too overwhelming to be fun. I like a challenge, not an easy game. Are others in this boat?

[Ryan]

If I'm controlling a small army I micro. Controlling your units yourself is just more effective even without the planning bonus. If I have a large army then I use the planning bonus but still manually control divisions throughout the process to make sure I don't have holes in the lines. I also use speedy divisions to encircle the enemy. In addition, I'll have troops go around rivers and other unfavorable assualt points.

[GoldenTalon]

Sure but that's the way it is ATM. There's some trick to setting up the plans then deleting or something and manually controlling the units but the bonus then decays quickly.

[spike2071]

Micro all the way. Unless I completely overwhelm the enemy (e.g. - Germany vs Yugoslavia), then I'll let the Generals do the work while I supervise.

As GoldenTalon said, you can set up the plan and then delete it right before you attack. The bonus decays 8x faster, though. Good for that initial push if you can handle the AI placing your troops (I usually can't).

[TheOstwind]

I feel that the bonus is too strong, both in terms of realism and in gameplay. Planning ahead shouldn't make your army 50% more effective. Planning is MY job, as a player. In a game of minor detailed management, 50% seems like a whopper of a bonus, drowning out most of the subtleties of the game. I don't want to use the bonus - I prefer to micro. But if I don't use the bonus I will be up against enemies who use it to powerful effect.

Thanks for all your input. Anybody know if theres plans to change it?

[Ryan]

The bonus makes sense to me. The planning involves scoping out the enemy positions instead of just pushing ahead without knowing the enemy. Where are they weakest? What type of weapons do they have? Your generals are collecting all this information, so they know where to position their attack on the battlefield. It is just all abstracted out. Knowing your enemy makes all the difference in the world.

The player's job is strategic. The generals take care of the tactical stuff.