Out of character thread XVI

[Privateerkev]

One of the decisive actions at Bern actually occurred on the first turn of the cataclysm. If Friedrich Karolinger had kidnapped Hans' double gold Feudal Knights, they would never have reached the city. That would have significantly decreased the power of the charge into the flank of the low-level Lutheran mob on turn 4, probably preventing them from being routed off the field. They also would not have been available to help Hans kill off Hugo and carve through the Zweihanders and Forlorn Hope.

Another game altering variable was simply the turns that Jan and Hugo got on the field. If Jan was one earlier than he was, and Hugo one later than he was, it would have gone different. If Hugo was one earlier than he was, and Jan one later than he was, it would have gone different.

That part was nail biting too. I wanted in the battle so bad the anticipation was palpable. I knew OOC things were going on and had some IC hints as well. The random reserve army mechanic really tossed the whole battle into the air.

[AussieGiant]

*in a very thick japanese english accent*

Ahhh grasshoppers...so many things...so 'w'ittle time to 'w'earn.

We must sink more on this in our next'a wesson!!

Now!! Brack to wrok!!

[Northnovas]

Eisenhower Quote
Plans are nothing; planning is everything.

I see we have a debriefing go on!

"What if, how come, I thought... "

It's good to get this out to prevent post traumatic stress. We don't want to loose any good commanders.

It's interesting to see that the communications are being questioned. It always comes down to the communications and to see what other people perceived in the heat of battle. Of course no two see the same thing and to even read the same feedback and take a course of action different then the other person because of experience, their own perception and their current situation.

What is really neat is the final results and how each individual action brought a unique set of consequences to the avatars involved.

[FactionHeir]

I'm actually glad that GH did exactly what I thought he would do every single turn except the last one (I had thought he would run from the field rather than fight, although I had considered the possibility of him staying to fight as the main possibility)

As PK said, the turns when people entered the field were crucial. If PK had entered one turn earlier, I doubt any loyalists would have died in battle. If he had entered a turn later, Dassel would have escaped.

Regarding the feudal knights, I think it would have been difficult (prove me wrong) to kidnap them. Even if they had been, I think TC would have given me an extra unit pre-battle: I only received 1 DFK pre Bern because I had 19 units in my stack already.

[TinCow]

I don't remember what the odds I had drawn up were anymore, but I do remember that I was going to give Karolinger a die roll to succeed in getting them.

Also, 1 additional raw DFK is far less useful than a full double gold unit of knights charging into a flank.

[FactionHeir]

Fair enough. The main thing about the battle was that my units got +6xp but quite a few already had experience maxed, so overall, Dietrich benefitted from major stat boosts in comparison. Had I gotten a low xp unit, it wouldn't have fared much worse than a double gold: Double gold is 8 xp, normal unit would be 6xp.

Not planning to argue over who is right though as there is no issue to be arguing about :)

[Ramses II CP]

Personally I found it fascinating that both sides were so determined to force the issue as to make the siege become effectively a field battle. Given that even limited communication was possible between the city and Hugo, it appeared to me that Hans was walking the majority of his forces directly into a crushing pincer (And I gather that if the cavalry had obeyed orders things might have gone that way?). As it turned out, though, Dassel's lack of spearmen (And failed orders) was the decisive factor, even moreso than the poor quality and performance of Hugo's men. As usual in MTWII cavalry carries the day, even in a siege! I can't help imagining, however, what those swordsmen would've done to Jan's attack on the walls in the south.

...and if any of that seems like criticism, it is certainly not intended that way. I'm in no position make meaningful second guesses.