Love your content! Helps so much to see the games played in depth and with your commentary around what you’re doing and why. Literally what got my brain connecting to Empire of the Sun.
Got this 2nd edition over 2 years ago and it's been in que/on deck since awaiting its turn. Finally getting to it (Reading rules/watching vids). Big fan of Simonitch's 4x series. East front games in particular so looking fwd to the entire playthrough. TY for a great start... well done.
Like your voice and your conversational approach. This is my first experience with your vids, and I subscribed right away. Wondering why I haven't seen your stuff before now!! I liked how you succinctly explained your Soviet set-up strategy. This provides a nice backdrop to explain what you're about to do next....
In the early stages of the game, the Soviets, rather than attempting a deep drive, should be concentrating on grinding German units down while collecting VPs for the closer cities. What I really liked about this game was how the system forces you, on the defensive, to ATTACK. It's not difficult to inflict DISTRUPTED results on the defender, which basically puts them out of offensive action for the next turn. The game does a good job of simulating the "Ring of Fire" at Kharkov, with mobile forces of both sides plunging into each other, until the German line finally gives out.
Enjoying this, not seen this game before but my kinda game. Your playthroughs are the most thorough out there and have taught me to play Fields of Fire and Operation Dauntless. Keep it up, great work :)
I really appreciate all the time and efforts you put into your videos man. They are top notch! I love them. The detail and explanations help me out a lot in understanding the different games and systems, some I own some I don’t. It really breaks things down exceptionally well and I truly appreciate that. This is the first place I come for games. I love these larger ones too. Would love to see more one day of you have the time, of course whatever you do I’ll watch lol. Ty again!
Best books on post-Kursk battles in the Ukraine: Nipe's "Decision in the Ukraine" for the German point of view and Buttar's "Retribution" for a more Russian-centric point of view.
The Bruttar book is really part of a trilogy of books covering the fighting in the Ukraine during the Soviet Counter offensives. Starting with "On a Knife's edge: The Ukraine Nov 1942 to March 1943". Covering the counter offensive at Stalingrad on Nov 19th, 1942. Then comes "Retribution: Reconquest of the Central Ukraine: 1943 to 1944", covering a lot of the Mius river operations and ends when the Soviet are at the Dnieper river. and finally The Reckoning: Destruction of Army Group South 1944. Which starts with the Korsun pocket and ends with the Germans pushed out of the Ukraine completely. Really is an addictive series.
@@CounterAttack I agree but so far that has not worked out so well after your playthroughs of Waterloo: Napoleon's Last Battle, Next War: Poland and Invasions - Volume I I am week I admit it I may have a problem 😜
@@chrisridley4840 you are not alone. I keep trying to get every one of my games played at least once and its not working out too well. Lately each month I seem to buy a couple games more than the number I get played. falling behind. 😄. It's all good.
@@charleslatora5750 I have WAY TOO MANY GAMES and it is impossible to play them all. So I have decided to part with many and keep the BEST OF THE BEST. IMHO UKRAINE 43 is one of the BEST OF THE BEST and another is BITTER WOODS, either the Designer or Deluxe Editions. NORMANDY 44 and STALIINGRAD 42 are two more KEEPERS! I don't know how many games I have but I am getting ready to sell most of them off.
@@williamdelashmutt1421 I understand. I originally decided to dip my toe into American Civil War and of course I didn't buy just one game I bought five and I didn't buy cheap I went high-end new one and actually six games...😢🤫😃😉🤫 Yeah I need to get rid of some...
Mark Simonitch's games are great. Played Stalingrad 42👍 and Holland 44👍. As soon as I can get my table cleared Ardennes 44 will be going on table. I may try n get Bitter Woods(Compass) done too. Got Ukraine 43. Needs playing. Great vid. Subscribed.
I agree these are great. I started with Holland 44 and really thought it hit the sweet spot of detail and playability. Picked up Stalingrad 42 - the same. I am now all in, having picked up Ardennes 44, Ukraine 43, and pre-ordered Normandy 44, France 40, and Salerno 43.
In the series of attacks east of Kharkov at 45:00 and following, you neglected to double the defense strength of the defender when all attackers are attacking across river hexsides (9.5.1 in the rules), then at 48:45 you suddenly begin taking the rivers into account.
Do you really think that one victory on the battlefield would have made the Swedes masters of Russia? Sweden had not the means to occupy Russia. A victory at Poltava wouldn't change anything in the long run. Peter would have prevailed.
Welcome back. Loved your ASL playthroughs. Beautifully clipped counters as always!. Would be a privilege to watch you play my forthcoming design from Compass Games: The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998. www.bluetanso.com
Oh cool. Congratulations on the game! It looks really interesting (I just watched your intro vid). The board art is indeed very nice. I like how you have evolved COIN too.
At 44:48 you missed a good opportunity for a large column attack. You decided to go for two 1:1 attacks instead of grouping everything to attack the 5-7-4 infantry unit. The 5-4-7 was surrounded and would not be able to retreat. No more 1:1 attacks please. This is not WW1
Ah good call - thanks! Looking at the reinforcements and replacements I was thinking the Soviets can afford to make risky attacks to try to attrit the Germans but you are right - 1:1 odds might be too low to use often.
Nice xmas surprise! Looking forward to more videos. Happy holiday to you and yours.
Good to see you back, haven’t got into this system,don’t know if I will but it’ll be good watching you play through
Good stuff CA - kept wondering what to expect with this game, now I know.
Love your content! Helps so much to see the games played in depth and with your commentary around what you’re doing and why. Literally what got my brain connecting to Empire of the Sun.
Great - that's why I do it!
Got this 2nd edition over 2 years ago and it's been in que/on deck since awaiting its turn. Finally getting to it (Reading rules/watching vids). Big fan of Simonitch's 4x series. East front games in particular so looking fwd to the entire playthrough. TY for a great start... well done.
Like your voice and your conversational approach. This is my first experience with your vids, and I subscribed right away. Wondering why I haven't seen your stuff before now!!
I liked how you succinctly explained your Soviet set-up strategy. This provides a nice backdrop to explain what you're about to do next....
In the early stages of the game, the Soviets, rather than attempting a deep drive, should be concentrating on grinding German units down while collecting VPs for the closer cities. What I really liked about this game was how the system forces you, on the defensive, to ATTACK. It's not difficult to inflict DISTRUPTED results on the defender, which basically puts them out of offensive action for the next turn. The game does a good job of simulating the "Ring of Fire" at Kharkov, with mobile forces of both sides plunging into each other, until the German line finally gives out.
Nice! Really glad you’re doing this one. Awesome stuff
Yet another game on my shelf of shame! Looks great, going to enjoy the play through
Very helpful. I will continue to watch this series.
Enjoying this, not seen this game before but my kinda game. Your playthroughs are the most thorough out there and have taught me to play Fields of Fire and Operation Dauntless. Keep it up, great work :)
They’re essentially a series on my book as well.
I really appreciate all the time and efforts you put into your videos man. They are top notch! I love them. The detail and explanations help me out a lot in understanding the different games and systems, some I own some I don’t. It really breaks things down exceptionally well and I truly appreciate that. This is the first place I come for games. I love these larger ones too. Would love to see more one day of you have the time, of course whatever you do I’ll watch lol. Ty again!
Thanks for the kind words!
Best playthroughs on YT. Thank you.
Oh wow....welcome back!!
Best books on post-Kursk battles in the Ukraine: Nipe's "Decision in the Ukraine" for the German point of view and Buttar's "Retribution" for a more Russian-centric point of view.
Thanks for the reading tips!
The Bruttar book is really part of a trilogy of books covering the fighting in the Ukraine during the Soviet Counter offensives. Starting with "On a Knife's edge: The Ukraine Nov 1942 to March 1943". Covering the counter offensive at Stalingrad on Nov 19th, 1942. Then comes "Retribution: Reconquest of the Central Ukraine: 1943 to 1944", covering a lot of the Mius river operations and ends when the Soviet are at the Dnieper river. and finally The Reckoning: Destruction of Army Group South 1944. Which starts with the Korsun pocket and ends with the Germans pushed out of the Ukraine completely. Really is an addictive series.
hey Mike good to see a new series of playthroughs
I thank you but my wallet does not
You don't HAVE to buy it ha ha!
@@CounterAttack I agree but so far that has not worked out so well after your playthroughs of Waterloo: Napoleon's Last Battle, Next War: Poland and Invasions - Volume I
I am week I admit it
I may have a problem 😜
@@chrisridley4840 you are not alone. I keep trying to get every one of my games played at least once and its not working out too well. Lately each month I seem to buy a couple games more than the number I get played. falling behind. 😄. It's all good.
@@charleslatora5750 I have WAY TOO MANY GAMES and it is impossible to play them all. So I have decided to part with many and keep the BEST OF THE BEST. IMHO UKRAINE 43 is one of the BEST OF THE BEST and another is BITTER WOODS, either the Designer or Deluxe Editions. NORMANDY 44 and STALIINGRAD 42 are two more KEEPERS! I don't know how many games I have but I am getting ready to sell most of them off.
@@williamdelashmutt1421 I understand. I originally decided to dip my toe into American Civil War and of course I didn't buy just one game I bought five and I didn't buy cheap I went high-end new one and actually six games...😢🤫😃😉🤫 Yeah I need to get rid of some...
Mark Simonitch's games are great. Played Stalingrad 42👍 and Holland 44👍. As soon as I can get my table cleared Ardennes 44 will be going on table. I may try n get Bitter Woods(Compass) done too. Got Ukraine 43. Needs playing.
Great vid. Subscribed.
I agree these are great. I started with Holland 44 and really thought it hit the sweet spot of detail and playability. Picked up Stalingrad 42 - the same. I am now all in, having picked up Ardennes 44, Ukraine 43, and pre-ordered Normandy 44, France 40, and Salerno 43.
@@CounterAttack yeah. I need Salerno 43 n France 40
Thanks for the video, Im interested to try this game.
Thanks for another great video, just got Stalingrad 42 and pre-ordered Salerno. Really helps with the rules
There is now an expansion to Stalingrad 42 up on P500.
In the series of attacks east of Kharkov at 45:00 and following, you neglected to double the defense strength of the defender when all attackers are attacking across river hexsides (9.5.1 in the rules), then at 48:45 you suddenly begin taking the rivers into account.
Maybe I'm just a cheater at heart! (thanks for pointing out my mistakes)
OMG!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!! :))))))
Counter Attack returns to the East Front.... grabs popcorn.
Thx from germany for the rules‼💯
Poltava is where Charles XII of Sweden was defeated in his invasion of Russia in 1709. How different things would have been if he had won.
Interesting - I'll have to read up on that. I don't think of Sweden as a nation that invades other countries, which I assume is a more modern view :)
@@CounterAttack Sweden did invade many countries back in the day, around the baltic sea.
Do you really think that one victory on the battlefield would have made the Swedes masters of Russia? Sweden had not the means to occupy Russia. A victory at Poltava wouldn't change anything in the long run. Peter would have prevailed.
Please, I have a question, I'm deploying the soviet army. Artillery, are all the pieces ready to fire? or just three?
All artillery start the game face-up (ready to fire).
(Just by the way, with Kharkov, the first K is silent.... :) )
Interesting. Thanks.
First (2000) Edition?
Second edition. Apparently the second is significantly changed/improved from the first.
Welcome back. Loved your ASL playthroughs. Beautifully clipped counters as always!. Would be a privilege to watch you play my forthcoming design from Compass Games: The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland 1964-1998. www.bluetanso.com
Oh cool. Congratulations on the game! It looks really interesting (I just watched your intro vid). The board art is indeed very nice. I like how you have evolved COIN too.
At 44:48 you missed a good opportunity for a large column attack. You decided to go for two 1:1 attacks instead of grouping everything to attack the 5-7-4 infantry unit. The 5-4-7 was surrounded and would not be able to retreat. No more 1:1 attacks please. This is not WW1
Ah good call - thanks! Looking at the reinforcements and replacements I was thinking the Soviets can afford to make risky attacks to try to attrit the Germans but you are right - 1:1 odds might be too low to use often.