PP and decisions

[Motör]

What is happening when i dt take a decision. Is my staff making one?

I always loose my pp`s so fast. Early in the game i simply run out of PP`s so i cant make any decisions.

[plugger]

Hi Motor,

The PP system is designed so that you are always running short. You're in command and there is a limit to what you can do and it's intended that you have to delegate decisions to your subordinates.

If you don't choose an option for a decision it's delegated to your Chief of Staff who will automatically choose the last available, default, option which is generally a 'do nothing' one.

Your chief of staff can also affect the decision if it involves a random roll. Some chief's are on the ball and other's are out to lunch.

You can read more about it in the manual, p86 onwards.

Cheers,
Cameron (designer)

[Motör]

Thank you. Still the best emotional simulation of the barbarossa campaign.

[Ian.K]

There is a PP button which gives free PP points...I use it all the time.

[mark41974]

Originally posted by Ian.K:

There is a PP button which gives free PP points...I use it all the time.

but you shouldnt, this system is sooooo broke imo, 13 PP to update the rail focos? and no mater what choice you make one guy gets more upset than the other guy in the choice? point being its to extreem. I love the concept but each reaction is over emphisised for how much of a limited resource or the made up PP. I mean their is a negitive ramification for your choice and you need to spend clout to make it? like my ramblings probly sound to many right now the system is double redundant

[Jmac]

@ Ian & Mark

The PP system is an amazingly realistic one and its designed extremely well. This is not Panzer corps/general. You are not simply pushing units and no interpersonal relationships between army commanders. Just like in families & jobs people feel differently about you.
The bosses or subordinates and family we like we give special treatment to..(bonuses) the ones we don't like we have a negative attitude. Cameron has done an amazing job on the balance for the FULL GAME and all the choices. Did you know Von Kluge was not a fan of guderian? Did you know Guderian thought Rommels plan for panzers on the atlantic wall was not a good one?

My point is Commanders Above and below have opinions and managing them is a BIG part Of the German game. As Cameron says, there isn't supposed to be enough PP for EVERYTHING. Yet honestly if you play the game and understand managing relationships is part of the game, you make better choices. Sometimes the best choice is the one that balances the relationship.

I don't ever delegate a single choice in the game, I also don't waste PP on some luxury choices, Here is my advice, make all ur own choices, when it comes to chief of stall choices do the ones that cost no pp so you aren't wasting it and Von B is the least important to keep happy.

YOU absolutely must keep Gerke happy and your 3 army group commanders. Everyone else you can take the pp hit on if you need to. If gerke doesn't like you, your game is over.

Ps I am still basically undefeated in MP and I've added another 4 victims to my tally in MP this past week with another game going i'm 90% sure i'll win. So I know what I am talking about when it comes to playing both sides and having perspective of the entire game vs computer and humans.

[mark41974]

thanks for the advice, still think its a double hit when using PP for every choice to include to move airfields forward.... but to each their own. like I have said in another post i just belive it could have been done better so you dont have to make no decisions to keep the right people happy. to pay to play of it is kinda bad. Amazing realistic may be an overstatment, you can have a relationonship portion as well as time managment, syestem that didnt have you chosing not to do simple things like move your supply forward. Espesialy the choices that are short or long term payoffs for long or short term hits, your already paying why does it cost me PP as well? and despite how bad any of these relationship got nobody was making chocies to throw the war... except maybe Donitz.

[Jmac]

@ Mark
Dude seriously you sound like a cry baby because you suck at pp management.
I'll give you one example since you at least do try and play wargames.

If I was your manager at work, I would give you smart goals (specific measureable attainable realistic and time bound) that were not actually realistic (kinda like hitlers lofty plans on the eastern front) and i'd coach you out, making it possible to replace you with a true believer.
The PP system does an excellent job I am sorry you are bad at it, thats not the systems fault

Moving FSB and Airbases are not always a good idea the first turn that its possible. It depends on the situation on the ground and how much rail line is built. Did you ever notice the correlation? Likely you didn't. I'll be the germans, you can be the russians, you can shoot whoever you want and dont have to worry about who likes you.

I'll be either side tho , I just want to crush your soul and destroy your units. Come to MP and play me.

[mark41974]

sounds good, ill meet you on MP. though to be honest I hardly have the time for it and may be a long wait. check my library again. then tell me about try to play wargames. Ive been playing the Russian front since... IDK Avalon Hill Panzer Blitz, ASL, and by chance a little known game called The Russian Front. Though I do like the Decisive Campaign series and have yet to get the gumtion to use my copy of Grisbys Eastern Front (Talked Myself out of it really and played Barbarosa when i reilzed if i didnt win by 41 I was playing catchup) though I did play the old SSI game likely also made by Grizby. As I stated you probly have a beter grasp on this game system but hey I love a challenge so lets go. I should be free this comming weekend to start shoot me a PM becuse i honestly have no idea how do MP on this thing.

[Jmac]

I beat GG war in the east as germans in like march or april of 42
IN this game as germany I can win against the computer as germany oct 12th, all 3 cities captured. SInce then I just play MP in this and haven't lost as the russians and only lost once as the germans, i screwed myself in that game tho, i never once allowed myself a bad relationship with gerke and in that game i did and it cost me the game. So it is what it is. My perfect record wasted!

[mark41974]

good to know, look forward to the play through.