"Tactica" for the US Civil War mod for HoI2 DDA
"Tactica" for the US Civil War mod for HoI2 DDA
So, what about strategy in this mod ?
Well it surely changes regarding your side, even if some realities are common for both the Union and the Confederation.
I) Common realities
1) a "little" territory
In the Vanilla game, you launch campaigns on certain parts of the world. In northern Africa, France, Eastern Europe, French Indochina, Korea, Italie, etc...
In this mod, you can't lose a "campaign". Basically, there is three front : Eastern states, mid-West (Around Missouri) and Far West (West of Missouri and Texas). Losing some ground on one front can make the enemy coming into vital territory really fast.
For example, if you play as the Union, losing some battles in Virginia and Maryland can force you to fight in Pennsylvania, and even New York State ! You can't allow that, because it would mean the Confederation could at least damage, or worse take, your industrial heart, and then your huge IC.
2) Three front, three strategies
As said just before, we may see three fronts in this war : Eastern states, mid west and far west.
About the Eastern states : Those are the most important ones. For both sides, you have here your wealthier and stronger states. You can lose one, sometimes two. You can't lose three states. There, you may have to try to impose a "WWI-like" war to your enemy. Better a strong defense and no movements than losing ground. This is especially true for Virginia, as this state has borders with the economical hearts of both the Union and the Confederation. You will have there the most important and bloodiest battles of the war.
About Mid-west states : this front will come fast, but not right at the begining. Kentucky and Missouri go into the war a few month after the attack on Fort Sumter. This mean you will have to keep troops there, useless for a few month. If you don't, when they come into war, you will see the enemy coming through those states without opposition ! This front is also a little mix between the two others in terms of Strategies. It may also become the most important one. Historically, the Union won by coming through Missouri to cut the Confederation in two, which was the doom of Texas and Western confederate forces. Take this region very seriously. Not as important as the east in term of IC and manpower, but the one who win this region can enter directly into strategical territories.
About Far west territories :
Probably the most frustrating front. At that time, almost nothing there (in term of strategic and economical importance for the war of course). So why sending troops there ?
Well, just think about the idea of seeing California into the Confederation hands, Texas falling under Grant's attacks or CSA troops entering in the Union through Iowa ?
Yeah. Far west can make you win or loose the war like the other two fronts. However, this will be totally different.
First, during the entire war, you can fight for empty territories. Nothing to win in their conquest or defense, except maybe one day the opportunity to launch a major attack where the ennemy don't want you.
Secondly, very few troops compared to the eastern front, for a huge territory. You still have to keep the line on the eastern front, so you won't have a lot of troops to spare there. But you have to.
Third, huge distances. From New Mexico to Montana, from San Diego to Kansas, you have here a larger territory than both the other fronts. A battle for a certain territory can take weeks or month because of those distances.
Fourth, a huge difficulty to send new troops as both sides are far from their military bases.
Desert territories in the game
So huge that you have to be able to concentrate your troops to hold the line AND to spare enough of them to prevent attacks on non-defended territories.
The first lesson here is that in early games, milicias are always better than stronger troops. 3 militias with artillery are better than two cavaleries. Remeber : you have to hold that line ! Going with always the better troops will make you miss the number of men you need to keep that line. I already lost a game with the Union because I tried this strategy of regulars and cavalery to destroy Rebels militias. They outnumbered me, and I saw CSA troops in Pennsylvania. You know that now : this is not good. Ever.
Militias from the mod. You will learn their importance very quickly.
1) USA :
First, you have a clear advantage over the CSA : your IC. However, this will not be enough in the first year. Militias are the strengh of the CSA at the begining. Don't be outnumbered at the begining, and later you will outnumber them with strong units when they will have difficulties to build as much troops as you do.
Secondly, hold the line all the time. The CSA can lose a little ground in Virginia and North Carolina and still have territories in their back. You lose in Virginia (which is not your territory in the early war), you are in Pennsylvania. Did I say this is bad ?
Third : do not ever forget the importance of the far west. You have something to lose there : 1) A strategic position (the CSA is surrounded by the Union at the begining. Do not become surrounded by the CSA because you did not send enough troops in far west.) 2) California ! You don't want to lose it. And not because you would miss the sun and the fun... 3) The CSA has nothing to lose there, but they have things to win. And even the AI knows that.
2) CSA :
First : the war can be short. But it cannot be long. If it becomes long, you won't have the resources to win it. the Union will eventually outnumber you with better troops. Use your numerous militias and the short territory you have to defend to win early battles in eastern states. If you can't, do not let the Union beat you in mid west.
Secondly : Texas is probably the safest CSA state, if you put enough troops to protect it. And you want the Union troops to run after you in the whole far west. That buy you some time to win in the east.
Third : The east is the most important front for you. You can win as much battle as you want in the far west, it will take months (if not one or two years) to conquer it and definitely beat Union troops there. You lose that time in far west, be sure in the east the Union will begin to attack you with numerous and modern troops. Far West can bring you some advantages, but your objective is still and will always be the eastern states.
Now, I hope you're all much more willing to play this mod 
