Basic Strategies to start with

[CER10TY]

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.

[stealthattack1]

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.

[Trooper425]

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.

[jojorabbit]

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 , but am not expert, they will probably tell you more.

[Pac-Fish]

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 . 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 . BTW do you any form of cheat or use pause? Just wondering

[Otto Halfhand]

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?

[Pac-Fish]

@Otto: Who are you asking ?

[Trooper425]

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.

[stealthattack1]

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.

[Otto Halfhand]

gracias mi amigos

[Pac-Fish]

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)

[My Name Is Ante]

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?

[stealthattack1]

non USA keyboards IDK.

[Pac-Fish]

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

[stealthattack1]