Questions coming from Steel Beasts

[CapnFlint]

I love IL2 GB for flight sims and want to get some WW2 tanking action in, but having played many years of Steel Beasts, I have a few specific questions that I haven't seen really answered anywhere else or in the reviews and videos I've seen. 

 

- Mission Editor - is there a way to generate randomized enemy routes or random unit spawns within a single mission?

- Mission Editor - is there a way to set conditional routes and tactics for AI platoons based on objectives being taken or numbers of tanks in various areas of the map?

- AI Platoon & Company unit control - is it possible to control the routes/tactics of other friendly AI platoons from the commander menus or the map? Or can you only control your platoon?

 

These are a great way to get replayable multiplayer Co-Op vs AI missions, and probably some of the greatest contributing factors to the longevity of SB for me. Thanks!

[LachenKrieg]

Start by downloading the Mission Editor manual from the linked thread:

 

 

To your first point, look up Random switch in the manual.

 

To your second point, there are a number of ways you can do this. Have a look at how a Check zone works for starters.

 

You can control just the tanks in your platoon.

 

[CapnFlint]

Thanks for replying!

350 pages for the manual - nice! Looks quite comprehensive!

 

So If I want to do multiplayer co-op, then I have to have a 1:1 player to platoon match?

Is there any way to switch platoons and give orders to them and jump around?

 

[LachenKrieg]

34 minutes ago, CaptainFlint42 said:

Thanks for replying!

350 pages for the manual - nice! Looks quite comprehensive!

 

So If I want to do multiplayer co-op, then I have to have a 1:1 player to platoon match?

Is there any way to switch platoons and give orders to them and jump around?

 

I think the way multi-player coop works is any tanks that you place in the ME that don't get used by real players spawn in as AI. But I am not 100% sure. Regarding your question about giving commands to the AI tanks in your platoon, I was referring to single player missions. I have never used the command feature to give orders to AI tanks in a multi-player match, so I can't comment on that point exactly.

[SYN_Vander]

Hi, 

 

You can try this for some random mission generation. Your feedback is more than welcome as I'm not very experienced in tank sims:

 

 

[LachenKrieg]

37 minutes ago, SYN_Vander said:

Hi, 

 

You can try this for some random mission generation. Your feedback is more than welcome as I'm not very experienced in tank sims:

 

 

This should really help the OP get around the ME learning curve, thanks for adding it.

 

But going back to what I previously said, I am not in game at the moment but just thinking about it, any tanks you place in the ME as part of a coop mission probably don't spawn in at all if they are not used by a real player. Unless it is possible to assign a tank for "cooperative start", and give it way-point logic in the event it doesn't get used by a real player. I guess you will have to play around with that in the mission editor to see.

 

But if your interest is in using the automated command feature in Tank Crew, then you might find the attached list of commands useful. Using the command feature effectively takes a fair bit of practice IMO, and the need to memorize command sequences is essential in making its use practical. Personally, I find that game play can get a little bogged down if you over use it. What has worked best for me is to allow the other tanks in my platoon to operate on their own, while I give a limited number of specific commands as needed.

 

The other problem I found with using the command feature is the mini-map itself. Currently, we get the same mini-map resolution that pilots get. It is very difficult to keep track of where each tank in your platoon is, and which ones have been tracked, or knocked out. It would be useful if the tanks in my platoon would be labeled on the mini-map in a usable resolution. 

IL2 Tanik Crew Command sequences.pdf.zip

[gunmetalstug]

2 minutes ago, LachenKrieg said:

But going back to what I previously said, I am not in game at the moment but just thinking about it, any tanks you place in the ME as part of a coop mission probably don't spawn in at all if they are not used by a real player.

 

I can confirm that if you don't fill out the tank rosters on both teams, the tanks are filled in by AI. However, I can only confirm this for the official Co-Op server, as I've been having issues with custom Co-Op games.

[LachenKrieg]

2 hours ago, gunmetalstug said:

 

I can confirm that if you don't fill out the tank rosters on both teams, the tanks are filled in by AI. However, I can only confirm this for the official Co-Op server, as I've been having issues with custom Co-Op games.

Yeah thanks, its been so long since I look at that, I wasn't sure if I got it right.

[CapnFlint]

Hi guys

Thanks for the suggestions. Bought TC and getting things setup. 

The command menu seems a bit complicated at first glance, but we'll see how it goes. In SB, it's all a context menu when you click a vehicle on the map, and it is super easy. 

SYN_Vander - I am downloading the easy mission generator. Thanks very much!

 

Also - does anyone have a good link to a getting started type guide - especially  gunsight overviews?

I found the TC gunnery range table but that's about it. 

 

 

[I.JG3_CDRSEABEE]

22 minutes ago, CaptainFlint42 said:

Hi guys

Thanks for the suggestions. Bought TC and getting things setup. 

The command menu seems a bit complicated at first glance, but we'll see how it goes. In SB, it's all a context menu when you click a vehicle on the map, and it is super easy. 

SYN_Vander - I am downloading the easy mission generator. Thanks very much!

 

Also - does anyone have a good link to a getting started type guide - especially  gunsight overviews?

I found the TC gunnery range table but that's about it. 

 

 

There is a Youtube video on the german sights ( not sure about the others but I think there are). There is also a misson you can download from the forum for gunnery practice..Search "Tank firing practice ranges" in these forums.

[LachenKrieg]

2 hours ago, CaptainFlint42 said:

Hi guys

Thanks for the suggestions. Bought TC and getting things setup. 

The command menu seems a bit complicated at first glance, but we'll see how it goes. In SB, it's all a context menu when you click a vehicle on the map, and it is super easy. 

SYN_Vander - I am downloading the easy mission generator. Thanks very much!

 

Also - does anyone have a good link to a getting started type guide - especially  gunsight overviews?

I found the TC gunnery range table but that's about it. 

 

Yeah I can see how that could streamline giving commands, but don't forget to play around with both TC command menus. "Tilde" + Function keys accesses the primary menu, "Tilde" + LMB accesses the secondary menu. I see the secondary menu as a short cut primarily for "move to", and "attack" commands in case you haven't already checked it out yet. 

 

What really helped get me going with the command menu was memorizing what I saw as its most important parts in small bits. I can now hit the Function key sequences I memorized almost as fast as I can use the mouse to click on the screen, which is a requirement if you want to be able to command in a timely manner in response to the rolling thunder of game play your watching from the cupola. You might want to first focus on memorizing just the attack ground targets at will, move straight, fire from short stops, stop and hold, and change formation commands including how to direct those commands at either your crew, your platoon, or a specific tank in your platoon, and then add commands to suit your preferences at your own pace.

As I already mentioned, it would be helpful if we could get more information from the mini-map to coordinate the heavy workload of giving commands in real time to a 4 tank platoon. Simply using 2, 3, and 4 to label the other tanks in your platoon that could also change colors depending on their status, like a Green label = mobile tank with functioning gun, a Yellow label = tracked tank with functioning gun, and another color label to = knocked out/non functioning gun.

 

The biggest problem I found with the secondary menu is in using the "Attack Target" command. It is extremely hard to select the enemy tank you want to target with the mouse if either you or the enemy tank is moving. It would be a big improvement if they could implement some sort of "snap-to-target" system when you click near or on an enemy target. I think this falls into that "works for planes, but not so well for tanks" category. But what is very easy and efficient to use under the secondary menu is the "move to point" command. This is easy to do even while moving. Before you even reach the previous "move to point" command given, you can easily select another "move to point", or "change formation" as needed.

 

There is a fair bit to the command menu, but take your time and enjoy it. I spent hours enjoying it, and working it out for myself.

 

Regarding the gun sights, look in the "Gunner" station notes of the tank in question. Most of the information is there. If you still have questions, I know there are a number of people here willing to help if you post them on the forum.