SCENARIO: Iran-Iraq War

[The Last Conformist]

Feb '84. I almost feel sorry for the AI! Their third grand assault on Al-Basrah fails because a lowly flak unit singlehandedly wipes out a Takavar unit and a Chieftain detachment!

 

[The Last Conformist]

Southern Iraq during a lull in the Iranian attacks. Notice that Al-Basrah has been reduced to size one, due to a combination of relentless Iranian aerial bombardment and heavy drafting.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Jun '84. Finally, a Chopper strafing Al-Basrah is downed by Iraqi flak. No fourth large-scale assault on Al-Basrah has matterialized yet, but penetrative attacks by those CENSORED Takavar have reach as far as Umm Qasr. I'm getting seriously annoy at that you cannot bombard invisible units even when you know where they are.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Sept '84. The immediate threat to Al-Basrah appears to be over. Liberal use of green stuff has proved most efficient at scattering Iranian armoured formations. I'm currently gathering troops in Al-Basrah for trying a counteroffense, first to recapture the VPLs the Iranians hold in the marshes, and then, optimistically, to attack Khorramshahr again.

Further north, things are looking somewhat worse. The Iranian probing attacks (for some reason carried out by Imperial Infantry, a unit I never see in the south) has increased in numbers and strength. They'll hardly be taking any cities soon, but they may recapture the northern VPLs, which I could rather live without. Current VPs roughly 25k-16k, with 6 VPLs held by each side.

 

[Mr Black]

Originally posted by The Last Conformist
Sept '84. ........Liberal use of green stuff has proved most efficient at scattering Iranian armoured formations...............

Good job General TLC, it looks like your turning the tide. It'll be interesting to see, if tossi can also go on the offensive.

BTW, I've replaced the railroad with the road graphics and it looks OK. Now, it won't look weird, even though in the back of your mind, you will know what's there.

The cities of Al Basrah, Abadan, and Khoram look battered, to say the least. They're all at size 1! I wish the casualty reports from Civ2 were still here.

Anyway, I shall begin to playtest the new version. If no major problems, I could have it done by Friday sometime around 6:00 pm Central Standard Time.

EDIT: I’ve been able to play with the new changes, on both sides. Even got see Elvis. Anyway, I’m seriously considering doubling the cost of the Scud Facility. I think it cost less than the actual Scud.

I’m playing on Emperor and with Iraq, I only have Khorramshar, as well as the other non-city VP locations. All activity toward Abadan, has been stopped since Khorramshar is getting pounded. The Iranian air force has bombed this city into a size 1. There is also some activity around Mosul, as Iran sends some Pasdaran in small numbers. Also, in a first for me, I was air-dropping some Iraqi Infantry in a Helicopter from Baghdad to Al Kut, to get them closer to the fighting near Al Amarah, when suddenly an F-14 intercepted and killed them all. I’ve never seen that.

While paying as Iraq, I noticed that the Iran AI, is not using the Basij unit. I know why, it’s their range. So, I’m going to up their range until the AI begins to use it offensively. This means that you might see a little guy running at the speed of light, over rough mountainous terrain, over thousands of miles, just to blow himself up.

As Iran, The Iraqis took Khorramshar and the VP in the marsh early, but ignore the one in the south. More than entire year has passed by since Oct. 80 and I still haven’t taken Khorramshahr back. The north and central VP’s have been recovered, but way behind in Victory Points. The AI is also ignoring Abadan completely, and heading straight for Ahvaz. Every turn they park about 4,5 T-54’s outside of Ahvaz. My Chieftains which should be concentrating on getting Khorramshahr are just too busy holding back the assault on Ahvaz.


The new stats for the Choppers and Flaks are good. Choppers are now being brought down by ground fire.

Regarding Jet disablement for Iran;
As Iraq, I could sense the Iranian air force getting weaker. In time their air raids were decreasing. As Iran, I could REALLY sense the ‘no more Jets’ thing. I was getting pounded with impunity! So, I think that the Iraqi Jets should get a heavier price tag. They have no competition, might as well make them wait a while before they come out.

Also, I’ve gotten rid of all the pollution, I think.

Only two small problems so far.

1. The Special Forces aren’t coming out the AI’s capitals. I’ll get to the bottom of this.
2. The .ini file for the new ship units, isn’t quite getting the right sound files. Doesn’t affect gameplay, but still.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Sept '84. My flak, in a unprecedented fit of competence, down a further Cobra and a Phantom.

Oct '84. I would have regained the VPL north of Basrah hadn't thosed damnable Takavar been immunde to bombardment. Further Cobra downed by flak.

Nov '84 Scientific leader 'Hammurabi' created. Wouldn't it be cool with SGL names like 'Chemical Ali' instead? Massive Takavar assault on Umm Qasr - I for the nth time considers abandoning this playtest out of sheer disgust at not being able to see these guys.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Dec '84. Renewed Iranian attacks on Al-Basrah stopped. The build-up in Basrah should soonish be enough to finally overcome those Takavar sitting on my VPLs. As said, they would already have been retaken could I use Scuds/CWs/Arty on them.

 

[TRpwau]

Important Issues, what do you think???:

I think that Iranian Jet production should be disabled. This will ensure that Iran Air Force capabilities will drop significantly as the scenario goes on. Besides, for Air Power they can still use their Cobras.

this seems logical. especially after you upped the air unit stats.

2. Defenders of Abadan

My view when creating this scenario was that the Iraqis would head straight for Khorramshahr, since it wasn’t as heavily defended. I wanted anybody who tried to take Abadan first, to suffer a heavy price. But, TLC was able to capture this town in the first turn (I think). Now reading tossi’s report, he took Khorramshahr first and then launched an attack on Abadan, and in the 4th turn (January 1981) he captured the town.

Abadan is a VERY important city for Iran. If you play as Iran, you can see immediately that once it is lost, the entire south all the way to Bandar-e `Abbâs, is very much for the taking. So I propose upping the 3 Mostafazin units from 4 Hit Points (HP) to 8 HP’s. This would essentially give Abadan 3 new Mostafazin units.

Now, because they are Mostafazin, Immobile with a defense of 8, I think that Abadan will become tougher, but not impossible to take (on average). What do you think??? I’ll probably run some test with this later.

8 HPs seems a little high or at least a pretty big jump in stats. i would either up the stats to 6 hps or add more starting units to abadan.

3. AI build choices

It’s not good at all, that the AI is building a huge number of Special Forces guys. Their attack is only 6! And they won’t ever upgrade. Maybe it’s because of their Invisible status that the AI values them so much. Anyway, I propose to take them away from the AI and AI only! This means in the Iran and Iraq versions. I’ll put a Great Wonder in Baghdad, or Tehran which will produce these guys. I’m thinking of them coming out every 5 turns, like the Kurdish Rebels and Mujahideen-e-Khalq, or perhaps every 4 turns??? Opinions are welcomed. For us humans, things will remain the same, in all versions.

very good idea. this concept (GW unit production) is very clever.

4. Flak, Jets, and Choppers!!!

and air defense

these changes seems ok

With WW being wiped out, is this wonder needed any more???

re grand mosque, i guess not

i look forward to the new version mr black

 

[Mr Black]

Thanks for responding TRpwau, TLC, tossi.

Update: The Special Forces in the AI’s capitals are now appearing as scheduled. Also, the .ini problems with the .wav files have now been solved.

For the Basij, the Iran AI will not move them anywhere. I think this is what they do with all Cruide Missiles. They will just wait unitl you get into range. With the current range of 2, you’d have to march deep into the heart of Iran to see them. So for the Iraq version only, the Basij- which appear automatically will now have a range of 8. A Basij Training improvement has been deleted from Tehran and given to Shariz. They are now capable of hitting the North and Central VP locations, and they will, as well as Abadan. Khorramshar and all other Iraqi cities are still out of range for the AI.

Now, because they have the Cruise Missile tag, they have the incredible ability to walk on water and destroy a target. I’ve not seen them do this yet, but they can and probably will at some time. It’s definitely going to look strange, but it’s only the Basij coming out of Shariz every 4 turns, which can do this.

I’ve updated the Scientist list for both nations. The Iranian one, has more contemporary names.

I’m going to run some checks to see if all of the unit files are in place. Also double ckecking to make sure some terrible mistake like Iraqi SOF not having ‘see invisilbe’ is in there. Should have new version ready for play-test within hours.

One last minute thing; I’m considering leaving the F-14 buildable for Iran, but at an astronomical HIGH ridiculous price! Just so that, if things get out of control, and they are in my game, you still have the option of building some fighters as Iran. (Albeit it, a very expensive fighter.)

 

[The Last Conformist]

Superexpensive fighters might work, but the risk is that the AI will build alot of it anyway, and thus not getting enough ground units built. But let's give it a try.

 

[TRpwau]

i like the super-expensive idea

 

[tossi]

June 1982 - June 1983

June 1982

I keep bombarding the paras near Bashra and prepare my defence.

The tanks don´t attack! They drive to Abadan. But two paras attack my airfield. My Infantry is able to defeat both and gets promoted to veteran. A Mig is able to shoot down another F-4 and gets promoted to veteran! Yeah!

July 1982

I keep pillaging northern Iran. Several Scuds arrive in my Airfield and wait for a chance to pbomb some Iranian Chieftains.

My Migs shoot down two cobras. Not a single F-4 attack. The tanks around Al Bashra drive to the north... I don´t realy know what Iran is doing. Two further Para attacks on Umm Qsar get beaten easily.

August 1982

I just realized that Baghdad is not growing, because I don´t have hospitals. I suggest preplacing them. I loose a tank trying to destroy a damn 1hp para...

Two F-4 attacks on my airfield. One of the attackers gets shot down. Another Para attack on Umm Qasr generates a elite Infantry. Iranian tanks arive AWAY from the front. Paras capture two workers near Baghdad.

September 1982

I recapture the two workers but loose a Infantry while trying to kill the damn Para... I destroy a single tank defending the VPL. I consider taking the point but i know its defended by several Paras.

Enemy Baji attacks road near Baghdad. Air raids on my airfield kill one of my Migs trying to intercept the bombers. I realize that my Air force is hit too. One more Para on Umm Qsar. Five paras land near Al Bashra... Iranian tanks keep driving away! They fear me!

October 1982

I loose a veteran tank against one of these damn Paras... I send a elite Infantry from Al Bashra to the Airfield.

The Paras go north - out of my sight. Two tanks get destroyed after trying to beat my veteran Infantry. The tanks come back.. maybe because I moved the elite Infantry?

November 1982

I research Hints/Tanks! nothing special.

I shoot down one F-4 and destroy two tanks attack Al Bashra. The Paras come back, too - maybe because I have the elite Infantry.

December 1982

I destroy one full hp tank with my super chemical missle! A scud finishes nother.

Tanks pull back to Abadan. Para drop near my Airfield. A Mig gets shot down by a F-4.

January 1983

Civil Disorder in Baghdad. I kill one Para.

One single Infantry kills six attacking Paras, creating a leader, before it gets killed. No air attack.

February 1983

I keep gathering troops. Victory points: 15k Iraq vs 8k Iran.

Another Para attack on Umm Qsar. I shoot down one more F-4

March 1983

I lunch a small counter-attack on the Paras killing one. Nothing else.

Big Assault on Al Bashra. About 6 tanks and I kill 2 of them damaging all the others. 5-7 Para attacks on Al Bashra and Umm Qsar. My scuds will kill all the still living tanks. I know it!

April 1983

I destroy NINE enemy tanks! My chem. missles and scuds were blessed by Allah! I decide that it´s time to push the Iranians out of my territory and capture the empty VPL at the coast.

No enemy counter-attack. I guess i just killed his entrie tank force! No two tanks land near Abadan. But I will handle that.

May 1983

I destroy another tank with a chem. missle and fortify the VPL with 3 elite Infantry.

Enemy counter-attack on Bashra kill several defenders. Only one regular infantry is left. Kurdish Rebels attack the center front.

June 1983

Three scuds and massive arty fire get the tanks near Bashra down to medium hp. Two more missles destroy the tanks.

Six annoying paras train my Infantry in Al Bashra to elite. Two enemy tanks arrive from the north.

The frontline June, 1983


I guess i will make it when i my new tanks arrive. I have some Mirrages in production , too. The destruction of nine tanks in one single turn maybe changed the tide of this.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Heartily agree on the need for a Hospital in Baghdad.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Jan '85. Iranian assaults on Al Basrah and Umm Qasr result in little more than promoting a couple of my Jaysh ash-Sha'abi units.

Feb '85. First T-62 built, in Kirkuk. VPL directly north of Al Basrah recaptured by Iraqi forces, for the loss of one armoured detachment. Major build-up of Iranian armour seems to be occuring in Khorramshahr.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Southern Iraq March '85:

Note the recaptured VPL, the T-62 in Al-Kut, and the absurd numbers of Iranian gunboats. Removing some Gunboat Production is definitively a step in the right direction.

 

[Mr Black]

[dance] [dance]
Version 0.3 is now up and ready for download.

Originally posted by tossi
June 1982 - June 1983
April 1983

I destroy NINE enemy tanks! My chem. missles and scuds were blessed by Allah!

Seems like your using a lot of Scuds. Should this be something to consider, upping their cost. Or is it fine.

Originally posted by TLC
Heartily agree on the need for a Hospital in Baghdad.

Them Hospitals were a last minute change, but they're in v.03
I’d really like to hear what you think about the upgraded Tanks, and their performance.

--------------------------------------------------------

I’ve got version0.3 up, but I’d still like to hear about the late 80’s. If you don’t want to, that’s fine as well, you’ve all been a big help, anyway, in this scenario. Maybe you’d like to try the new version, where the Invisible Takavars are visible.

I’l have a full list of all the changes later, maybe tomorrow. Nothing major that you don’t know about, if you’ve been reading all of these posts.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Apr '85. Aerial attacks on Al Basrah see one Phantom shot down, but also the CW Facility destroyed. Grr! The Iranians have started attacking the Airfield west of Al Basrah for some reason - they've got down the Ba'athis Militias by now, but I'm stationing Iraqi Infantry there.

 

[The Last Conformist]

June '85. The AI has developed a new incomprehensible habit - instead of attacking Al Basrah directly from Khorramshahr or Abadan, it parks its Chieftains on the grassland tile directly north of the city, where they're sitting ducks for a mix of artillery, scuds, CWs and my own tanks.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Jul '85. Fairly massive Takavar assault on Umm Qasr fails to dislodge any of the defenders.

Aug '85. VPL SE of Al Basrah recaptured by Iraqi armour. By coordinating with coastal artillery, the Iraqi navy has over the summer succeeded in destroying half-a-dozen Iranian guboats, but despite this, the Gulf is stuffed with the things.

Well, that'll have to do for today. Current VPs: 29,720-18,425. Next target Khorramshahr!

 

[tossi]

Originally posted by Mr Black

Seems like your using a lot of Scuds. Should this be something to consider, upping their cost. Or is it fine.

If you changed the production coasts of scud fabric and chem. missle fabric there is no need to change the production coasts. I built scud fabrics in most of my citys and i get some scuds almost every turn.

I will soon test the new version, but for now i will try to finish my game.