Author	t1M0t8yk
Method	Solo
Victor	Germany
Play Date	2020-12-24
Language	English
Scenario	EFDx001

When I discovered all the great Vassal modules for PG recently, I was reminded of a document I found on BGG about a year ago. I was motivated to play many of the Eastern Front Deluxe scenarios in chronological order using Vassal, which has many advantages over the tabletop. I make no promises to play all of EFD. 112 would be an unprecedented undertaking in any game for me.

The BGG document attempts to address a common complaint about EFD, that a plurality and perhaps even a majority of its scenarios are imbalanced. I used the balancing recommendations on my first two solo efforts, scenarios #4 & #2. However, by the time I started #1 I decided to take a different balancing approach.

I set up both sides exactly as indicated in the scenario book. One pro-Soviet rule I used was hidden initial placement, which concealed all the Red Army AT guns and a couple of machine gun platoons. Recorded games on PG-HQ indicate the Germans have a significant advantage, so for balance I envisioned the German CO bucking for a promotion. "I can complete the objective an hour ahead of schedule." This balancing approach has the advantage of making the scenario quicker to play.

The RKKA set up most units in the towns, although there were a few in the forests. AT guns were set up for potential crossfire in the area between the two towns. The German attack proceeded methodically and carefully, first hammering with OBA, followed up with armor HE, then infantry fire at 3 hexes, beyond the range of most of the Soviet infantry. Once the Reds started being disrupted and demoralized the Germans moved in for assaults.

By around turn 8 they were close to completing capture of the first town. I was concerned the pace was too slow for the ambitious Colonel's timetable, so I pushed things a bit harder as they approached the second town. At the start of turn 15 there were still five contested hexes in the second town, but it was a decisive point. On turn 16 only one contested hex remained, which the Germans captured just in time to satisfy the CO. The Reds had caused five German step losses, including two halftrack steps, but that was well below the other RKKA victory threshold.

So my balancing approach yielded a nail-biter finish. I'll definitely keep this approach in mind as I get to more EFD scenarios.