SCENARIO DESCRIPTIONS & GAME PLAY SUGGESTIONS

There are seven game play scenarios - two historical and five speculative. 

To see all the map sites during game play, press the “t” key. Be sure that you have not clicked on an artillery piece beforehand.   

When testing the Scenarios, I used a difficulty level of three. When playing the following Scenarios, it is suggested that they be played at that level....and for best play, keep your finger off of the pause button and “G” key!!!   

Scenario 25: “The Battle of Freeman’s Farm” is historical. This scenario was designed to be played by the American side going first.  Suggested settings: If you are the American side, check Aggressive and Direct for the British. If you are the British side, check Aggressive and Direct or Flexible for the Americans.

Scenario 26: “The Battle of Bemis Heights” is historical. The British did not build their redoubts in the Freeman Farm area until after the first battle took place. Therefore, to properly play Scenario 51, you must put in the redoubts. To do this, uninstall the Battle Pack and open the Pack folder. There you will find two files: Roads60.txt [the one that is currently being used], and RoadsRedoubt60.txt. Put any letter in front of the Roads60.txt [for example: RRoads60.txt] and then remove the “Redoubt” from the other file so that it now reads Roads60.txt. Reload the game Pack, and you will now have redoubts. You can play the rest of the scenarios with the redoubts left in, or reverse them out. This scenario was designed to be played by the American side going first.  Suggested settings: If you are the American side, choose the settings of Prudent and Flexible for the British. If you are the British side, choose the settings of Direct and Aggressive for the Americans.

Scenario 27: “The Great Redoubt” is speculative. After The Battle of Bemus Heights, the British retreated back to the Great Redoubt. Shortly after and greatly outnumbered, they surrendered. But what if the British decided not to surrender and make a stand. The scenario was designed to play the American side, so it should go first. At times, however, the AI does a decent job of attacking when you are playing the British side. Suggested settings: If you are the American side, choose Cautious and Flexible for the British. If you are the British side, choose the setting Aggressive and Direct for the Americas.

Scenario 28: “Secure the Farm Lands” is speculative. This scenario assumes that British General Henry Clinton does make it up the Hudson River to lend reinforcements to General Burgoyne. However, after linking up with some of Burgoyne’s troops, Clinton tries to secure supplies for his starving men and horses by attempting to take the farms on the east side of the River. This scenario was designed to be played by the British side going first. Suggested settings: If you are the British side, choose settings of Prudent and Direct for the Americans. If you are the American side, use the settings Aggressive and Direct or Flexible for the British.

Scenario 29: “The River Crossing” is speculative. The title of the Scenario speaks for it’s self. This simple Scenario can be surprisingly difficult to achieve a decisive victory – especially when you are playing the British side. When playing either side, choose for your opponent Aggressive and Direct.

Scenario 30: “The American Fortifications” is speculative. After General Burgoyne waited nearly a month, General Clinton finally arrives with reinforcements. The British attack the American Fortifications on Bemis Heights in force. The British side should go first. Choose the setting Prudent and Flexible for the American. If you are the American side, choose Aggressive and Direct or Flexible for the British.    

Scenario 31: “The Battle of Saratoga” is speculative. Gates attacks the Great Redoubt. With Clinton’s reinforcements arriving, Burgoyne orders an attack on Bemis Heights. He tries to protect his Western flank by holding Freeman’s farm. This scenario was designed to be played by the British side going first. When playing either side, choose the settings Aggressive and Direct for your opponent.

Game Notes: All of the redoubts, fortifications and stone walls have entrenchment value. There are only two ways into the Great Redoubt – the East and West entrance. The best that I can tell from various map renditions, the Hudson River had some islands that were used as a ford across the river. The British did build a bridge of boats – but I chose not to put it on the map. I have kept some of the Victory sites rather low, letting casualties determine a lot of the battles. A final note: I noticed in my scenario testing, that even though you might use identical game settings for the same scenario several times, the AI will still act randomly. If the AI underperforms in a particular scenario, play it again.



Ernie  
April 14, 2008
