Disappointed in Brandy Station...

[berto]

I WILL BUY to support Norbsoft. That's all I have to say about that.

+1

[Zeke]

Hmm a bit of a mixed reception - Brandy Station was strategically very important and led (or certainly contributed) to Lee's defeat at Gettysburg so I believe covering the battle is worthwhile - while I concede that the cavalry side of SOWG is maybe not the greatest it has improved considerably. The biggest seller of the game is the new maps which will be released with this and future add on's.

Personally I have always been fascinated with ACW cavalry and the personalities who fought in the cavalry JEB Stuart, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Turner Ashby, John Buford, Hugh Judson Kilpatrick and George A. Custer ...to name a few. I did a cavalry pack for TC2M with Brandy station and several other cavalry engagements and it was one of my most downloaded packs so there is interest out there (The most downloaded was my Vicksburg and Atlanta Campaigns )

Don't forget that the game does need to be looked at commercially by the NDS team and this add on will be a good revenue stream and some of that profit will be used for future expansions - I for one will be buying this

[Braxton Bragg]

Instead of messing around with Cavalry, what about the long promised Jacksons Valley campaign!
It gets bypassed time again, what about the Seven days Campaign.............We need something new a linked Campaign series, with carry overs from one battle to the next.


Braxton Bragg

[garyknowz]

I understand the trepidation of some players. To me, fighting cavalry has been like watching a timid cat go after a rooster. They advance until the opponent turns to face them then skedaddle for the nearest tree. (Please forgive the comparison if it seems strange. I've worked with animal rescue groups for years, and have actually seen this happen. Funny as hell.) Hopefully cavalry will have a little more resolution to go with their bravado.

Question: will the cavalry improvements be implemented as a patch for those who purchased previous titles? Or do they have to purchase Brandy Station to receive these improvements? I'll buy either way (you can always count on that), but others might have reservations.

Anyhow, I know folks are clamoring for another major battle (we all are). Nevertheless, the team recognized needed improvements in how cavalry is represented. Therefore, it seems reasonable to me that they address it before heading into the next major battle. This is especially true as they delve into larger campaign-style battles where small cavalry engagements are frequent. And in the meantime, we get another map, some new scenarios, and an improved arm of the service master.

[Zeke]

I understand the trepidation of some players. To me, fighting cavalry has been like watching a timid cat go after a rooster. They advance until the opponent turns to face them then skedaddle for the nearest tree. (Please forgive the comparison if it seems strange. I've worked with animal rescue groups for years, and have actually seen this happen. Funny as hell.) Hopefully cavalry will have a little more resolution to go with their bravado.

Question: will the cavalry improvements be implemented as a patch for those who purchased previous titles? Or do they have to purchase Brandy Station to receive these improvements? I'll buy either way (you can always count on that), but others might have reservations.

Anyhow, I know folks are clamoring for another major battle (we all are). Nevertheless, the team recognized needed improvements in how cavalry is represented. Therefore, it seems reasonable to me that they address it before heading into the next major battle. This is especially true as they delve into larger campaign-style battles where small cavalry engagements are frequent. And in the meantime, we get another map, some new scenarios, and an improved arm of the service master.

I think the improvements to cavalry were implemented with the last patch of the game (1.6) the guys here are not that cynical as to hold back on what is a playability issue The SOWG guys are nice people and care about their users. The cavalry are certainly not as twitchy as they were when the game was released however there may be refinements in the Brandy Station release though - Oh for a day when we have a Horse holders Mod.... Now that would be cool!!

[Little Powell]

Thats right; the improvements were in the 1.6 beta patch which will also be released by matrix as a standalone patch and also comes with Brandy Station.

OP - Are you still disappointed in Brandy Station? Maybe its time to change the thread title...

[JC Edwards]

So now it's time for Mad One (and Cavalry Guru) to address the minions:

Being the Cavalry guy, I've waited for this one for some time.....and damn happy I did.

Those of you that were/are disappointed; I do not know what to say.....except maybe you need to take some time and learn to use Cavalry!
Yes we all know that by the time of the WBTS, Cavalry were not the "Grognards" of the military as they once were in times past.

BUT! - since the days of TCCWBR/TC2M, one of the premises of this SIM has always been the "What if?" the "change History".... If you know HOW to use Cavalry, it can have a devastating effect.....not just scouting/raiding etc....

Many of you (indeed most that I've seen)) have proven yourselves fine and outstanding Commanders/Tacticians/Strategists in terms of Infantry and even Artillery...... so why do you slack when it comes to Cavalry?
Cavalry were the "tanks" and "air support" of the 19th Century! So learn Gentlemen.....take advantage of your tools of warfare. Yes, for the most part you have to TC the Cavalry for them to do precisely what you want....... which means "micro-managing".

If you can micro-manage your damn Infantry; then you can do it with your damn Cavalry as well!

Really.....if I were ever to have the good fortune to participate in MP and I had Stuart's Cavalry Corps against you Infantry hard-noses......best wrap up your window of denial boys because I'd have YOU wrapped up within 60-75 minutes.

But hey......for those who got Brandy just for the map......please enjoy

kindest regards

The Mad One

[modifish]

I just want to thank Norb and the team for the nudge to explore cavalry more and the improvements made to make it worth it. I purchased BS with this in mind and after playing the first couple scenarios I find it both challenging and visually appealing. I then revisited the ECF scenarios which I haven't played in quite a while and enjoyed them much more than I recall before.

I've never had as much interest in cavalry during the ACW compared to the other arms, and this has led to some ignorance on my part, to it's value and tactical abilities. BS looks like it will have me playing cavalry and also giving impetus to study the historical engagements and tactics much more than I have.

I've been a student of the ACW since I was 12 years old (33 years ago) and there's a lot to digest and weed through to have a viable perception of it in all it's aspects. Who would think a game could become a tool to both learn and also peak curiosity into areas that I have neglected for too long, and entertain at the same time.

Thanks for your hard work, dedication and attention to detail that makes these games more than just games. I wish they would have been around in 1980.

Thanks again

Mike Edwards

[Little Powell]

Thanks Mike, glad you are enjoying Brandy Station and SOW overall. I too became a huge fan of cavalry when researching this expansion. Cavalrymen were the last true warriors of the idealized, romantic era of warfare. But don't let the romance fool you. Even though their primary duties in the Civil War were intelligence gathering, those guys were some of the bravest of the brave. It takes special courage to gallop full speed into a mass of saber wielding men causing the earth to literally tremble. It was said that JEB Stuart did not know the emotion of fear.

Thanks again and I hope everyone enjoys Brandy Station as much as we enjoyed making it.